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Christian Life
Education is key point of Protestantism
The Reformation did not start in the church but at school. After all, Martin Luther was a lecturer at a university. Since then, Christian education has always been a critical point of Protestantism. That says Dr Klaas van der Zwaag, chief editor of the Dutch magazine Protestants Nederland. He presents…
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Northern Europe
Men-only priesthood might come to an end in Danish parishes
Should conservative Danish parishes have the right to say no to a woman as a priest? Until now, local churches had the option to decline when it came to hiring a female priest. But this is a matter of new debate. A majority of the Danish state church, including ten…
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Central Europe
German bishop refuses to resign after harsh abuse report
Recently, a German report showed that the number of abuse victims over the past few decades in the diocese of Trier is higher than expected. However, Stephan Ackermann, the Roman Catholic bishop responsible for the diocese, refuses to resign. A report showed that 513 people had become victims of sexual…
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Central Europe
Polish Catholics oppose abortion pills
A conservative Catholic legal organisation in Poland has published a guide encouraging the prosecution of people who use, supply and advertise abortion pills. These pills are the primary way women terminate pregnancies in a country where abortion is almost entirely banned. “We are dealing with a huge problem”, says Magdalena…
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Western Europe
New Dutch campaign warns society for new trans law
Large billboards decorate about 150 bus stations. “The new transgender law affects everybody”, the message reads. According to the people behind the billboards, the transgender law, which the Dutch parliament is discussing, pushes youngsters towards gender reassignment. The campaign was started by Dutch people who are concerned about the new…
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Western Europe
Dutch Bible illustrator Kees de Kort died
He has illustrated countless Biblical stories with his pictures: Kees de Kort. The Dutch painter, designer and illustrator died on August 19th at 87. His name is unknown to many, but the work of the painter, designer and illustrator Kees de Kort (1934-2022), is almost inescapable for those who grew…
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Central Europe
German Church risks turning into NGO, says Protestant MP
The German Protestant Church (EKD) risks turning into an NGO when it expresses itself on every social issue. Pastoral care is the Church's core task, and the Church should be focused on that. This says Christian Democratic MP Barbara Becker. Becker was interviewed by Christian German press agency IDEA on…
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Central Europe
German family law undergoes most significant change in decades
The traffic light coalition in Germany discusses one of the most significant changes to German family law in history. They want to alter the definition of parentage so that custody over children becomes easier for gay and lesbian couples. Susanne Hierl (CDU) criticises the plans of the government. Currently, German…
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Northern Europe
“Majority for controversial grant bill Sweden”
In the Swedish Riksdag, there seems to be a majority for the Social Democrats' bill for churches that receive grants. Churches has sharply criticised the proposal, because they fear increased government control. It is under the leadership of Minister of Culture Jeanette Gustafsdotter (Social Democrats) that the government has put…
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Central Europe
German family association calls for higher child support for large families
The German government recently decided to increase child benefits due to high inflation. However, the new regulation only applies to families with up to three children. The legislation ignores large families and does not do justice to their notable achievements, Elisabeth Müller, chairwoman of the Association of Large Families Germany,…
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