the convention

” “Starting out by listening” “

The inaugural session of the Convention on the future of Europe took place in Brussels on Thursday, 28 February (cf. SirEurope nos. 7/2002 and 12/2001). Opening the proceedings, José Maria Aznar, Spanish Prime Minister and current President of the Council, emphasized the need for Europe to redefine its own role within the changed continental and […]

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A Euro-Mediterranean Bank” “

Following the request made by the European Council in Laeken, in December 2001, the European Commission has adopted a report proposing to the Council the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Bank (EMB). The EMB would operate as a subsidiary arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB); the latter would retain the majority of shares in the […]

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the universities

” “Gospel and culture in dialogue

On the occasion of the first European Day of university students, promoted by the Office for university apostolate of the Vicariate of Rome in collaboration with the European Committee of university chaplains, John Paul II met students on 2 March, on the conclusion of a Marian prayer vigil in the Paul VI Hall in the […]

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Lent" "

France: “kilometres of sun”” “

A Lent devoted to charity, fasting and prayer. At the charitable level, it will be the CCFD (Catholic Committee against famine and for development) that will receive – on the designation of the French episcopate – the funds collected during Lent. Meanwhile the cycle of lectures in the cathedral of Paris are continuing; aimed at […]

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Switzerland: sharing” “communication

If the inhabitants of the industrialized countries are swamped by the means of communication, some 50% of the world’s population have never used a telephone in their life, due to the lack of infrastructures. One other indicative statistic: in the nations of black Africa, only 0.4% of the population have access to the Internet. Launched […]

di Inès A. Chittilappilly - Switzerland" "

Germany: reflections and” “meditations via Internet

The programme of activities promoted by the Churches in Germany to accompany the faithful during Lent is inspired by the themes of ecumenism and technology. Internet buffs have an embarrassingly rich choice. They may choose to live the Lenten period by clicking on the Internet, by using the short message service of their cell phones, […]

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United Kingdom:” “the “right perspective”

Ecumenical meetings, Masses, meditation hours, and each Sunday the Via Crucis. These are the typical ingredients of every Lent in the various dioceses of England and Wales. The magazines produced for the occasion, with the title “Lenten”, are full of suggestions for making these forty days special. During Lent – we read in “Lenten Extra” […]

di Silvia Guzzetti - london" "" "

Scotland: census of Christians” “

The most important Christian leaders in Scotland have decided to conduct a census on 12 May 2002. It will involve all the Christian denominations. The changes in the life of the church and in society in recent years have prompted the Churches to investigate what’s happening also in the Christian communities. The Census will investigate […]

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Switzerland

” “Yes to the United Nations” “

Swiss citizens, by a narrow majority (54.6 %), said “yes” to the country’s membership of the United Nations. The majority of those who voted “no” in the referendum held on 3 March were concentrated in the German-language cantons and in the Ticino. By contrast, the favourable vote of the French-speaking cantons was compact, and determined […]

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Czech Republic" "

A still “immature” democracy” “

“In the Constitution it is written that the State is non-confessional and the Church free and independent”. The fact is recalled by Cardinal Miloslav Vlk , archbishop of Prague, engaged together with the Protestant and Orthodox Churches in a “unanimous” battle against the law that came into force on 7 January and that de facto […]

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