” “The Latin American country will be the protagonist of the missionary day of the Swiss Church: twinnings between dioceses and partnership schemes” “

To celebrate World Mission Day this year, Switzerland has chosen to give a voice to Paraguay, a Latin-American country in the grips of serious economic and social problems. The project is being run by “Missio – the Pontifical Mission Aid Society” which has marked the event by publishing a rich dossier on Paraguay, containing testimonies […]

di Redazione

European bishops" "

Immigrant women, a resource to be treasured” “

Some 45% of all migrants in the world are women, and the number of women who leave their own country, also alone, to ask for political asylum, to seek work in support of their family or to join their husbands, is growing. The most dramatic situation is that of the women victims of the white […]

di Redazione

The Churches at the side of foreigners” “” “

Spain, where immigrants form 2.5% of the population (with an increase of 122% over the last few years), is unprepared to cope with this recent influx. That’s why the Church is devoting a great deal of effort to heightening people’s awareness of the issue so that they don’t perceive the phenomenon as a threat to […]

di Redazione

enlargement

” “Unity restored” “

Towards an enlarged Union. “Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia meet the political criteria. In view of the progress made by these countries, the Commission considers that they will have fulfilled the economic and other criteria and will be ready for membership by the beginning of 2004. The […]

di Redazione

The fears of Eastern Europe ” “

How many countries are there in Europe? Fifteen, replies a group of students. It’s an error often repeated: that of confusing the European Union with the 47 countries of the old continent. The point is made by Annelise Oeschger, describing her experience as a teacher and delegate to the Council of Europe of the international […]

di Redazione

Turkey" "

Membership postponed” “

MEP of Turkish origin, elected in the lists of the German Social Democratic Party, Ozan Ceyhun is a member of the joint EP-Turkish Parliament interparliamentary Commission. SirEurope met him for an analysis of the Turkish situation after the Commission’s recommendations on enlargement which do not envisage the beginning of membership negotiations for the time being. […]

di Redazione

The still outstanding "chapters"” “

The European Commission, though recognizing the great progress made by the Turkish government in the pre-membership phase, considers that a lot more still has to be done to fulfil the Copenhagen criteria and formally open membership negotiations. In particular, in the economic field the EU is asking for the removal of numerous trade barriers, the […]

di Redazione

The long isolation of the Church” “

Seven ecclesiastical provinces, 52 parishes, 6 pastoral seats: just some of the statistics of the Turkish Catholic Church. It comprises some 32,000 Catholics, a tiny minority (0.05%) in comparison with the Moslem majority. Their pastoral care is entrusted to 6 bishops, 59 priests and some 130 religious. Bishop Ruggero Franceschini , vicar apostolic of Anatolia, […]

di Redazione

The minorities ask for help ” “

The impossibility to have seminaries for the formation of priests and ministers of cult; the impossibility to have priests from abroad, except for the “Latins”, who are not considered Turkish citizens; the submission of the clergy to committees formed by the laity: just some of the restrictions suffered by the religious minorities in Turkey, including […]

di Redazione

missions

” “France, exchange of gifts” “

The 76th World Mission Day is being celebrated in parishes throughout the world on Sunday, 20 October. The message written by the Pope to mark the occasion declares among other things: “We know very well the terrible wars and revolutions that caused so much bloodshed in the century that has just ended and the conflicts […]

di Maryvonne Gasse - Paris" "" "