Being born and dying: a challenge for evangelization” “

The issues of life and death, which were at the centre of a symposium promoted by the European bishops in Rome in 1989 on the theme: “contemporary attitudes to birth and death: a challenge for evangelization”, remain more relevant than ever. “In this Europe where the vast majority of the population turns to the Church […]

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The condemnation of the Council of Europe” “

The European Union has not yet exhaustively tackled the problem of euthanasia. The European Parliament, for example, initially addressed the question through a Report and a Resolution adopted in 1991 on the proposal of the Commission on the environment, health and consumers, with the title “Assistance to terminal patients”. Without ever explicitly mentioning euthanasia, the […]

di Gian Andrea Garancini – Brussels" "" "

" "bioethics

” “Germany: the go-ahead to the import ” “of stem cells

The Bundestag, the lower Chamber of the German parliament, has authorized the import of stem cells removed from human embryos, though subject to strict limitations. The decision was taken by 340 votes in favour and 265 against, after the favourable opinion expressed by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and by the parliamentary commission of bioethics. In a […]

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France: ” “the embryo as object” “

The French National Assembly has approved research on surplus embryos, but has banned cloning for therapeutic purposes. This is the result of a wide-ranging revision of the bill on bioethics of 1994. As regards cloning, the deputies opposed therapeutic cloning because they fear it will lead the way, sooner or later, to reproductive cloning. We […]

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violated rights" "

The poet and the cage” “

There are 158 Taliban prisoners in “X-ray” camp in the American base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. According to various sources in the press, the prisoners are being detained in cramped metal cages. They are dressed in orange prison overalls, blindfolded, gagged and with their head covered by deafening earphones. It has been reported that […]

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dialogue" "

The common home” “

Never again antisemitism. Concerns about the resurgence in Europe of antisemitic feelings and an appeal that – in the aftermath of Assisi – the spiritual leaders of the various religions may continue to denounce every form of violence and terrorism and work to promote “peace among peoples”: that, in essence, is what is expressed by […]

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What idea of Europe?” “

The promotion of a meeting between the leaders of the Christian Churches in Europe and the representatives of the political world and the convocation (not before 2006) of a third European Ecumenical Assembly: on these two proposed meetings the Christian Churches focused their attention at the meeting of the joint KEK-CEEC Committee held at Ottmaring […]

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Porto Alegre: the Christian Churches at the Social Forum” “

The Christian Churches will also be present at the Social Forum which is to be held at Porto Alegre from 31 January to 5 February. Dedicated to the theme “Another world is possible”, the Forum is expected to be attended by some 12,000 delegates from all over the world and some 60,000 participants. The organizers […]

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Spain: criticisms of the law on immigration” “

A year after the entry into force of the new law on the status of immigrants in Spain, various non-governmental organizations are criticizing its application. The denunciations of the NGOs concern in particular the entry quota decided by the Spanish government, which this year amounts to 10,884 jobs of indeterminate duration and 21,195 temporary jobs. […]

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Migrations: Italians abroad ” “

The meeting of the national delegates of Europe responsible for the pastoral care of Italians living abroad is due to be held in Frascati (Rome), from 31 January to 1st February. Discussion will be focused, among other things, on the pastoral situation in the various European countries; on the new law on the vote of […]

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