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Eastern Europe
Bishops Belarus call to pray for migrants at Polish border
The Belarusian Catholic Church requested its believers to pray for the migrants and refugees at the border with Poland. On its website, the Church called for prayer for people “who belong to the most vulnerable group: migrants and refugees”, [Catholic News Agency](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249548/catholic-church-in-belarus-calls-for-prayers-for-migrants) reported. The Church also published a prayer that…
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Northern Europe
Norwegian Synod introduces Covid measures
As a result of the surge in Covid cases, the Norwegian Synod in Trondheim introduces new measures, [Vart Land](https://www.vl.no/nyheter/2021/11/10/kirkemotet-innforer-koronatiltak-etter-okende-smitte-i-trondheim/) reports. At the six-day Synod, which has started this Thursday, members have to sit on permanent seats with extra distance between each other. “In addition, we will follow recommendations and any…
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Northern Europe
Pregnancies with Down baby on the rise, so are the abortions
In Norway, the number of unborn children with Down syndrome has almost doubled since the year 2000. However, there are fewer children born with the genetic defect. Maria Selbekk, from Menneskeverd, calls the trend a worrying development. Menneskeverd is a pro-life organisation in Norway. To Vårtland she points at new…
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Central Europe
German church leader promises to fight against sexual violence
Dealing with victims of sexual abuse will be the main point of Annette Kurschus. That was what the new German church president said at a press conference after her election on Wednesday. According to Kurschus, the preoccupation with sexual violence must be anchored in the church structure, Idea reports. The…
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Western Europe
French Catholic Church sells property to compensate abuse victims
The bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in France have decided to sell off church property or take loans so that victims of abuse by priests can receive compensation. In a statement given on Monday, President of the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF) Bishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort conceded the…
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European Union
Religious leaders cooperate with Indigenous against climate change
According to religious leaders, recognition of the rights and spiritualities of Indigenous peoples is essential for finding a solution for climate change. The religious leaders were gathered for the official COP26 side event 'Making Peace with Nature: Heeding the Call of Indigenous Peoples', Religion News Service reported recently. The Episcopal…
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European Union
Churches go controversial: QR code is asked for entering
In several countries, churches must ask their members to show a valid QR code that shows one is not infected with Covid-19. However, this regulation is not undisputed. In Denmark, church visitors are required to show a QR code to attend services with more than 200 people. Critics however, argue…
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Northern Europe
Sweden wants to lower age for legal gender change
The Swedish government has prepared a new bill on legal and medical gender reassignment. The Ministry of Social Affairs wants to lower the age restriction so that children from 12 years and older can change their gender in public registers, [Dagen](https://www.dagen.se/nyheter/2021/11/09/regeringen-juridiskt-konsbyte-tillatet-fran-tolv-ar/) reports. The bill would replace the Gender Act of…
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Central Europe
Annette Kurschus chosen to lead German church
The Evangelical Church in Germany has a new leader: Annette Kurschus. The 58-year-old president of the Westphalian Church has been elected as the new EKD's Council chairwoman on Wednesday morning, German media report. Kurschus thanked the Synod for the trust and support it had given her, Idea reports. She said…
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Eastern Europe
Poland's Catholic Church raising money for migrants at Belarus border
The Catholic Church in Poland will raise money for migrants facing deteriorating conditions on the country’s border with Belarus. So reports [Catholic News Agency](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249536/poland-s-catholic-church-to-hold-collection-for-migrants-at-belarus-border). “I turn to the faithful and all people of good will with a request for a nationwide fundraising for migrants from the Belarusian-Polish border”, archbishop Stanislaw…
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