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Southern Europe
Pro-lifers disagree with Italian moral theologian on assisted suicide
The Italian Jesuit Carlo Casalone has triggered public opposition from pro-life activists with a controversial statement on assisted suicide. The background is the vote on the bill to introduce penalty-free physician-assisted suicide in Italy, which is expected to take place in February. In the Jesuit journal “Civiltà Cattolica”, Casalone called…
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Central Europe
German Christian Democrats want 'Values Union' member out of party
The federal executive committee of the Christian Democratic CDU party in Germany has temporarily expelled Max Otte from the party. The reason is the nomination of Otte for the office of Federal President by the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD). Economist, publicist and political activist Otte is not…
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Western Europe
Dutch Christian politician Gert Schutte dies (82)
The Dutch Christian politician Gert Schutte died Tuesday after a short illness. The 82-year-old was a striking personality of Christian politics during his generation. The former party leader of the Reformed GPV was a member of the Dutch Lower House from 1981 to 2001. In that year, the GPV merged…
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Western Europe
Dutch Parliament rushes to broaden abortion law
The five-day statutory period of reflection in the case of abortion will almost certainly disappear in the Netherlands. The Dutch Lower House will discuss a bill proposed by liberal government party D66 to this end on Thursday. The Christian governing parties stand on the sidelines. What D66 -supported by the…
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Eastern Europe
Church has too much influence on state, more and more Russians say
In the last five years, the number of Russians who believe that the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and religious organisations have too much influence on the state, has almost doubled. This follows from the December survey of the Levada Center, about which the Russian website Rain writes. In 2016, 5…
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Central Europe
Census of Czech Republic shows growth of Jediism as a 'religion'
In the census for the year 2021, a surprisingly large number of inhabitants of the Czech Republic listed “Jedi” as their religious affiliation. ‘Jediism’ goes back to the lightsabre-wielding heroes of “Star Wars” film series. From March to May 2021, the Czech Republic conducted a census. The results were published…
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Western Europe
Dutch government not able to set limit on sperm donations
It is impossible to regulate that sperm donors conceive a maximum number of offspring with desirable parents. Dutch Health Minister Ernst Kuipers wrote in a letter to the Parliament that he has “no means” to stop this phenomenon. In the Netherlands, the guideline in fertility clinics is that the sperm…
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Central Europe
Swiss Christians concerned over new organ donor law
Should a deceased person automatically become an organ donor? That is the question on which the Swiss will be able to vote. A non-partisan no-committee has collected enough signatures for a referendum. Among the critics are experts and churches. To organise a referendum, you need more than 50,000 signatures. The…
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Central Europe
Queer employees of German Catholic Church demand respect and visibility
In a joint action, 125 employees of the Catholic Church in Germany have come out as queer and demanded an end to discrimination. Under the motto “Out in Church”, they require, among others, a change in church labour law. The signatories include priests, parish workers, teaching staff and church administration…
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Eastern Europe
Ukraine situation is a great danger for Europe, bishops say
The present situation around Ukraine is a “great danger” for Central and Eastern Europe and the entire European continent. It can “destroy” order and unity in Europe. The bishops of Poland and Ukraine say so in a joint appeal to seek dialogue and understanding to avert the danger of military…
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