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Northern Europe
Norwegian Atheists not accepted as religious group
The Norwegian organisation Atheists applied for recognition as a philosophical society, like religious groups. But the government said no to them. That is reported by the Norwegian daily Vart Land. The Atheists' chairman Dagfinn Eckhoff thinks it is unreasonable not to recognise them. “Even hill-climbers get grants”, he says. Recognition…
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Western Europe
'Secular referent' to work for French public bodies
In France, as of this year, “secular referents” will be trained and assigned to all types of state administration and local authority structures. They will be responsible for raising awareness and advising staff in the areas where they work. The secular referent will be responsible for raising awareness and advising…
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Central Europe
Swiss can now change their gender without medical assistance
People in Switzerland are able to legally change their gender by a visit to the civil registry office. This is possible since Saturday, making Switzerland one of the countries at the forefront of Europe’s gender self-identification movement. Anyone who wants to change gender can do this as long as they…
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Eastern Europe
Russian Orthodox Church on a collision course with allies about Ukraine
The Russian Orthodox Church wants to establish an exarchate (church province) in Africa while not ruling out the establishment of an exarchate in Turkey. This is creating tensions in both the African and the Turkish patriarchies. On Thursday, the Moscow Patriarchate accepted 102 priests from the African Patriarchate of Alexandria.…
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Southern Europe
Pope says “enough” to violence against women
Pope Francis said violence against women is an insult to God in his homily during a Mass in Rome on New Year's Day. “Enough!” he added, writes the Italian [Avvenire](https://www.avvenire.it/papa/pagine/santa-messa-nella-festivita-di-maria-ss-ma-madre-di-dio-2022). In his homily, the Pope paid attention to the position of women and mothers. “As mothers give their lives and…
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Eastern Europe
Orthodox Church comes with new Bible in Ukrainian
The Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has decided to publish a new Bible translation in Ukrainian. The Kiev Theological Academy is involved in this process as well. This was published on the church's website last week. It's a decision from that part of the Orthodox Church that resides…
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Southern Europe
More attacks on Serbian churches in Kosovo
The year 2021 has shown a growing number of attacks on Serbian Orthodox Churches in Kosovo. Last Sunday, people discovered a desecration of eight graves at a cemetery. On Sunday, residents of the ethnically mixed village of Kishnitsa near a Serbian monastery and the enclave of Gracanica near Pristina found…
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Central Europe
Combatting paedophilia: Archbishop forbids priests to invite children
To protect children, the archbishop of Kraków in Poland has forbidden priests to talk with children about puberty and sexuality beyond the age-specific approved educational programs. This was reported by Polish broadcaster TVN24. The new set of rules, which come into force on January 1st, are there to protect children…
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Central Europe
German church seems to favour compulsory vaccination
In Germany, more and more church people are arguing in favour of compulsory vaccination against the coronavirus. The Protestant EKD president Annette Kurschus has said she is in favour of a vaccine obligation. This is reported by the press agency Idea. It is expected that the new German government of…
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Western Europe
France closes mosque because of hate speech
French authorities have ordered the closure of a mosque in the north of the country because of preaching hatred. The Islamic worship place in Beauvais, about 100 km north of Paris, will remain closed for six months after the authorities said some of its preaching incited hatred and justified the…
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