Holy Land" "

Human rights violated” “

The work of the international observers obstructed. The Human Rights Commission of the UN, meeting in Geneva in recent days for its 58th session, has discussed, among other issues, the situation of human rights in the Middle East, in particular in the areas affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Numerous interventions on the matter were made […]

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Holy Land" "

The appeals of the European bishops” “

Deep concern has been aroused in the European Churches by the escalation of violence between Israelis and Palestinians in recent days. In some French and Belgian cities the stepping up of Israeli military operations has provoked repercussions with anti-semitic attacks on synagogues and symbolic places of the Jewish communities. Germany. The archbishop of Munich, Friedrich […]

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development" "

Doubling aid” “

A greater effort by the European Union to bankroll the development of the less advanced countries: that is what emerged from the UN Conference on the funding of development, held in Monterrey (Mexico) from 18 to 22 March (cf. report on the following page). To examine EU policy for development, in the aftermath of the […]

di Gian Andrea Garancini - Brussels" "" "

development" "

The EU’s commitments ” “

The recent UN conference on the funding of development, held in Monterrey, in Mexico, from 18 to 22 March, ended with the adoption of the so-called “Monterrey Consensus”: an action plan that envisages not only an increase of aid, but a greater liberalization of trade, a growth of investments and a gradual redemption of the […]

di G.A.G." "" "

France" "

The spring of the catechumenate” “

In France, 2,335 adults were baptized during the Easter vigil this year: 9,205 catechumens against 8,945 in 2001. The figures are slightly but constantly increasing, year after year. “Today, the catechumenate is one of the jewels of the Church of France”, declares Msgr. Michel Dubost, bishop of Corbeil-Evry and president of the episcopal Commission for […]

di Maryvonne Gasse - Paris" "

Norway" "

Affluence and loneliness” “

A minority Church in a country where out of a population of 4,500,000 only 45,000 are Catholics. Yet it is an international and youthful Church due to the presence of faithful from some 80 countries throughout the world who have come to Norway as immigrants. A community open to constant dialogue with Christians, with the […]

di Maria Chiara Biagioni" "" "

academies" "

A network of "scientific colonies"” “

“Not only centres for research or for the promotion and diffusion of scientific knowledge, the academies are currently called to lend their ear to society, to feel its pulse with the instruments at their disposal, working in synergy on a European scale”. So said the president of Italy’s scientific academy, the national Accademia dei Lincei, […]

di Giovanna Pasqualin Traversa" "

ccee" "

A connecting thread” “

The reflections and activities of the various European Episcopal Conferences in recent months have been linked by a connecting thread: challenged by the grave facts of 11 September and the Middle-Eastern conflict, the Episcopal Conferences have multiplied their efforts to develop ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and promote an authentiic reconciliation among peoples. We report below […]

di Chiara Santomiero" "" "

press review" "

Dailies and periodicals” “

The UN resolution calling on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories, the intensification of the military operations in Bethlehem and Ramallah, the massacres committed by suicide-bombers: these are the most recent events in the tragic escalation of death and violence in the Middle East that continues to monopolize the attention of the international dailies. […]

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agenda" "

EU legislation” “

In the course of last week the following legislative acts and communications, among others, came into force: · Proposed decision of the Council concerning guidelines for the policies of member states in favour of employment for 2002 (OGEC 75E/1, 26/3/2002); · Proposed decision of the Council regarding the approval, in the name of the European […]

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