fasting" "

The Balkans: the challenge of co-existence” “” “

Bosnia, Croatia, Albania. In union with the Pope to appeal through fasting and prayer for peace in the world, especially where it is most threatened: in Afghanistan and in the Holy Land. As the fast day on 14 December approaches, we made a journey through the Churches of the Balkans where the war has sown […]

di Redazione

France: a time for prayer ” “

The Pope’s appeal to Christians to pray and fast for peace on 14 December has met with wide support in France, both among the bishops and in the communities. The mass media have given wide coverage to the Pope’s message, while the bishops have communicated the invitation to participate in the fast through editorials in […]

di Maryvonne Gasse - Paris" "" "

Switzerland: an interreligious commitment to peace” “

The Swiss Catholic Church is also mobilizing itself to respond to John Paul II’s appeal. At Geneva, for example, with the support of the city’s “interreligious platform”, an inter-faith celebration is planned for Sunday 16 December. It will bring together the Christian, Jewish and Moslem communities. Below we report comments and quotations from messages diffused […]

di Inès A. Chittilappilly- Geneva" "" "

United Kingdom: the appeals of the bishops” “” “

British Catholics have also expressed their readiness to participate in the day of fasting appealed for by the Pope on 14 December. To present the initiative to the faithful, a flyer has been distributed in the parishes of England and Wales each Sunday, and the Day of Fasting has also been announced in the diocesan […]

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Laeken" "

Europe of the “vanguards”” “

The heads of State and of government of the European Union will meet in Laeken (near Brussels) on 14 and 15 December to give the final go-ahead to the process of reforming the European institutions. What are the prospects of this summit? And how may the work of the Convention be developed in preparation for […]

di Gian Andrea Garancini – Brussels" "" "

An appeal to the Churches” “

In view of the European Council of Laeken the European Churches are appealing for a greater commitment of the Union to the common policies relating to asylum and immigration, to ensure that Europe may be “a safe asylum and not a fortress”. In an appeal signed among others by Caritas Europe, by COMECE (Commission of […]

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The future of Europe” “

The debate on the future of Europe was officially launched by the Swedish Presidency at the beginning of 2001, following the conclusion of the Nice Summit which committed the EU to a process of institutional reform in several stages. Open to citizens also through the Internet site www.futurum, the debate provided an opportunity for the […]

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religious education in schools" "

Germany: the Constitutional Court intervenes” “” “

“A pledge on the part of the Land of Brandenburg to present a bill amending the law of the Landtag (regional parliament) before the beginning of the next school year and withdrawal of the lawsuits claiming anti-constitutionality lodged by the defendants after the amended law enters into force”: this, in essence, is what is established […]

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The situation in Europe” “” “

Religious education (RE) in European schools is a long-consolidated reality, even if highly diversified from country to country. It is difficult to draw comparisons. But one common denominator can be recognized; namely, the fact that over the last few years schools almost everywhere have been obliged to rediscover a new role in relation to “religious […]

di Alberto Campoleoni" "" "

Spain" "

The bishops voice their opposition” “to cohabitation” “

The “new and alternative family models” seem “poor and rickety”, and the attempt to equate cohabitation with marriage is “dangerous”: so say the bishops of the Commission for the family and the defence of life of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, in its message to mark the “Day for the family and life” that is being […]

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