Ecumenism" "

We have been awaiting you ” “for a thousand years” “

“We have been waiting for you! And not only since the decision to hold the 12th assembly of the Kek/Cec, Conference of European Churches, in Trondheim (25 June – 2 July). We have been awaiting you for a thousand years. We awaited your arrival so that we, Christians of all Europe, could be united and […]

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Cec and African Churches for peace in Liberia” “

The secretary general of the Cec (Ecumenical Council of Churches) Konrad Raiser, has sent a letter to the secretary general of the UN, Kofi Annan, expressing his “profound concern for the increasing violence of the struggle between government forces and rebel groups in Liberia”. And he invites the United Nations “to support peace initiatives in […]

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Conference on vocations” “

What can be done to ensure that vocations to the consecrated or priestly life become a concern for everyone in the Church? What elements must be included in ordinary pastoral care today to help young people hear the call of God? These are the questions facing the annual meeting of the European Vocations Service (EVS), […]

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religious freedom" "

A grey and white photograph” “

In a number of former-Communist countries, ecclesiastical property confiscated under the old regimes continues to be returned, though the process is beset by numerous difficulties. In other States, such as Byelorussia and Moldavia, legislation regarding religious activity is becoming harsher, to such a degree that it represents a form of administrative persecution. The Catholic Church’s […]

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disabled" "

The face of welcome” “

In this year that Europe has dedicated to people with disabilities, the European Churches continue to put forward initiatives and ideas to sensitise the community to this subject (Cf. SIR 43/2003 and 45/2003). In Portugal and France, for example, … Portugal: an appeal from bishops. In this European year for disabled people, and during the […]

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drugs" "

Young people and drugs” “

Some 5-15 % of young European adults use cannabis, 0.6-6% consume amphetamines, 0.5-3.5 % cocaine and 0.5-5 % ecstasy. These are just some of the statistics to emerge from the 2002 annual report on the evolution of the drug phenomenon in the European Union and Norway, drawn up by Odet, The European Observatory of Drugs […]

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Hungray" "

Gypsies in the parish” “” “

“Europe must learn the lesson of coexistence, of patience and of respect for all those who are different. Gypsies have been living among us for a thousand years but are always forgotten”. These are the words of Msgr. Szilard Keresztes , Greek-Catholic bishop of Hajdùdorog (Hungary), who will welcome the 150 delegates to the 5th […]

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Ukraine" "

From suffering to self-esteem ” “

“Understanding and help” from the European Union. Cardinal Lubomyr Husar , major archbishop of Lviv (Leopoli) and head of the Greek-Catholic Church of the Ukraine made this request for his country at a meeting held in Brussels over the last few days. The meeting was promoted by the Comece (Commission of Episcopates of the European […]

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European Churches" "

Bosnia-Herzegovina, following the Pope’s visit” “” “

“Reinforce hope in our country and resume the process of dialogue and reconciliation”. These are the principal commitments to which the Catholic Church in Bosnia is called following the papal trip to Banja Luka. According to the bishop of that city, Msgr. Franjo Komarica, “the Pope’s visit to our country was rich in messages and […]

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Germany: An Sms with "the last advice of the evening" ” “” “

An Sms arrives with “the last advice of the evening”. Not an aid to one’s shopping, but a prayer. This new initiative of the Catholic Church in Germany will be launched on 1 July. Those who sign up, paying a contribution of three euros a month, will receive a daily message containing an evening prayer […]

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