Slovakia

” “Elections: appeal of the bishops

For the third time since the declaration of the birth of the autonomous Slovak Republic (1st January 1993) the people of this country are gearing up to vote in another general election. The elections to be held on 20-21 September contrast with those of four years ago, which were characterized by great confusion. Then the […]

di Marian Gavenda" "spokesperson of the slovak episcopal conference" "" "" "

Malta: birth of a parents’ association” “

The island of Malta now has an Association of parents of children at Catholic schools (APCCS). The initiative was promoted by the Education and Culture Department of the diocese of Malta to “relaunch – says a communiqué issued in recent days – the spirituality of the founders of Catholic schools and the values of the […]

di Redazione

Switzerland: social prize awarded ” “

A social project in favour of the youth of Zurich and a Caritas project in aid of the unemployed: these are the two projects that received the “Social Prize of the Churches for 2002”. The award is promoted by the Christian Churches of Switzerland as part of “Expo.02” and on the occasion of the “Federal […]

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Italy: the bishops say "no to war"” “

A “preventive war” against Iraq “would have unacceptable human costs and very serious destabilizing effects on the whole Middle-Eastern area, and probably on international relations as a whole”: only “the weapon of dissuasion”, exercised by UNO, may represent “an alternative able to guarantee security and peace”, a year after the tragedy of 11 September 2001. […]

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England: greater attention to the "single"” “

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has decided to create a national Office for vocations with the aim of “fostering a culture of vocation” open not only to those in vows but also to marriage and the life of the “single”. The office – says a press release of the Bishops’ Conference – envisages […]

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European Union" "

A constitution close to citizens” “” “

As expected, the resumption of the work of the Convention on the future of Europe after the summer break coincides with the beginning of its decisive phase. Valéry Giscard d’Estaing and Giuliano Amato announced on behalf of the Presidium the presentation of a first draft of the future Treaty, scheduled for the plenary session of […]

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” “Dailies and periodicals

The USA-Iraq crisis monopolizes the attention of the main international dailies. They report and analyze the announced Iraqi agreement to let UN weapons inspectors back in and the US and European reactions to the various possible “strategies” in combating terrorism. “The United Nations split on Iraq’s offer to permit weapons inspections”, is the headline in […]

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agenda" "

EU legislation” “

In the corse of last week, the following legislative acts and communications, among others, came into force: · Directive 2002/77/EC of the Commission, of 16/9/2002, regarding competition in the markts of electronic communications networks and services (OGEC L 249/21, 17/9/2002).

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European Parliament” “

The European Parliament will meet in Strasbourg in plenary session from Monday 23 to Thursday 26 September 2002. The main points on the agenda are as follows: · Status of refugee (draft directive of the Council containing provisions on the attribution of refugee status to stateless citizens of third countries or to persons otherwise in […]

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Presentation of bids” “

· TWINNING OF TOWNS – Invitation to present proposals – Support for the promotion of the twinning of towns in 2003. Deadlines for the presentation of bids: five phases (18/10/2002, 30/12/2002, 28/2/2003, 30/4/2003, 17/7/2003). For further information, contact the European Commission, GD Education and Cultura, Town Twinning Service, VM-2 4/35, B-1049 Bruxelles, Tel 00322.2952685, Fax […]

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