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Central Europe
Czech Parliament approves bill on marriage for all during first reading
Czech MPs have given the bill on marriage for same-sex couples a chance. Last week, they rejected a proposal to drop the bill altogether. At the same time, they voted in favour of keeping a proposal to enshrine the definition of marriage in the Constitution as a union between a…
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Northern Europe
For Swedes, surrogacy is more popular than adoption
Surrogacy is more popular than adoption in Sweden. The government coalition is divided on how to deal with this new challenge. Childless Swedes chose surrogacy over adoption to get a child, says Annika Strandhäll. She is an MP for Sweden's largest party, the Social Democrats, and chairman of Sweden's Social…
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Western Europe
Committeee French Senate adopts report against euthanasia law
The Committee of Social Affairs of the French Senate is clear in its judgment about a possible new euthanasia law in the country. For them, this is a no-go. On Wednesday, the Committee adopted a report on the end of life. And it breaks down point by point the arguments…
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Western Europe
Religious organisations call for peace in France amid violent protests
Pray for our nation. That is the call of the National Council of Evangelicals of France (CNEF) upon its member churches as the country finds itself in a wave of demonstrations and violence. The unrest was caused by the death of 17-year-old Nahel, who was killed by a police officer…
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Eastern Europe
Zelensky wants to cancel Orthodox Christmas date
Christmas at December 25th. If it is up to Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, Christmas should no longer be celebrated on January 7, as most Eastern Orthodox Churches do. On Wednesday, Zelensky submitted a proposal to abolish January 7 as Christmas day and replace it by December 25, in line with…
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Northern Europe
Quran burning sparks protests from religious communities
The Pope has little sympathy for the recent Quran burning in Sweden. “I am outraged and disgusted by such actions”, he strongly condemned the incident. The right to freedom of expression should never be an excuse to insult others, the Pope emphasised in an interview with the Emirati newspaper Al-Ittihad,…
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Western Europe
Dutch churches apologise for history of slavery
Churches in The Netherlands used to be involved in the slave trade in history. Now, they say they are sorry and make a confession of guilt. The confession of the churches came on Friday during the memorial for the abolition of slavery in Amsterdam. The churches believe they have contributed…
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Central Europe
“Austrian euthanasia law does not go far enough”
The recently introduced euthanasia law in Austria does not go far enough, according to some. They are going to court. Since 2022, Austria has allowed assisted suicide to people who are terminally ill or have a debilitating condition. But according to the Austrian Society for a Humane End of Life…
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Eastern Europe
Lukashenko puts Belarusian Christians under pressure
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko seems to be on a witch hunt. The freedom of Belarusian Christians is hanging on a thread. Even though Belarus officially recognises that citizens have the right to religious freedom, the practice of that right is not always evident. Under the guise of state security, the…
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Southern Europe
Greek island of Kos gets a synagogue after 80 years
Kos has a synagogue again. The place of worship has been rebuilt after almost 80 years. The Kahal Shalom synagogue will be opened at the end of July, Religion.orf reports based on an article from Griechenland Zeitung. Synagogue Russia reopened after closure of 80 years The last time Jewish believers…
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