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Northern Europe
Norwegian churches remain closed for non-Christian funeral
Should churches become neutral premises for funeral ceremonies? That is the question the Church of Norway considered recently. Bishops now decided that the answer is no. Before the Covid pandemic, the Church of Norway abode by the rule that its church buildings are Christian and should be used for the…
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Central Europe
Hamburg gunman wrote theological book before attack
The Hamburg shooter who killed seven Jehovah's Witnesses before he shot himself published a theological book at the end of last year. The German authorities issued two reports on the publication. The Hamburg shooter who killed seven Jehovah's Witnesses before he shot himself probably had a narcissistic personality disorder and…
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European Union
EP committee votes against Hungarian Child Protection Law
The European Parliament's committee on legal affairs has spoken out against Hungary's Child Protection Law. It did so in a vote on Tuesday. According to MEPs, 18 committee members voted in favour and two against, EU Observer reports. Technically, the vote is to support a measure from the European Commission.…
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Eastern Europe
Ukrainian church has less than a week to leave beloved cave monastery
It seems all is set for the Ukrainian government to evict the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) from the famous Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. This is the 'punishment' for the church remaining (unwillingly) tied to the Moscow Patriarchate. The departure date has been set for next Wednesday, March 29. The centuries-old complex is…
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Western Europe
Dropping your child at different daycares may impact attachment
Some parents drop their children off at daycare X on Monday, daycare Y on Tuesday, and daycare Z on Wednesday. Now, a Dutch organisation warns that this can negatively impact young children's attachment. Because of personnel shortages, children cannot attend the same daycare every day. Therefore, parents drop off their…
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Northern Europe
Climate activist Greta Thunberg receives theological honorary doctorate
The Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, is awarded an honorary doctorate from the Theology Faculty of the University of Helsinki.The reason why she receives the award is that “she has given us all a task that extends beyond our everyday choices through her actions”, the faculty explains, referring to Thunberg's…
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Central Europe
Evangelical Alliance Germany finishes reorganisation
The Evangelical Alliance in Germany (EAD) installed its new leadership on Tuesday. The change is part of an extensive reorganisation. “An epochal change”, the Evangelical Alliance calls the internal reorganisation, as reported by PRO. The entire leadership officially resigned on Tuesday, including chairman Ekkehart Vetter. Prayer Week for Evangelical Churches…
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Eastern Europe
Former Russian chief rabbi concerned about Jewish minority in Russia
The political and economic situation of minorities is becoming increasingly difficult for minorities in Russia, former chief rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt warned during his visit to Vienna on Tuesday. Even though he has hope that the Jewish community in Russia will survive, he points out that it will become smaller and…
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Northern Europe
Abortion enters Finnish election campaign
Amidst national elections, Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin allegedly offered free abortion for Polish women. An assistant of the PM denies these claims made by a Polish opposition leader. In early March, Marin met with a delegation of politicians from Lewica (The Left), Poland's second-largest opposition group. Afterwards, one of…
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Western Europe
Dutch parents allowed to give child double last name
Starting next year, Dutch parents can both pass on their family name to their children. The Senate approved a law that allows this. Until now, parents have had to choose between the name of the father or the mother's name. However, according to the Dutch Lower House, people indicated they…
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