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Northern Europe
Danish Church outraged over potential abolition of Prayer Day
While politicians squabble with each other over whether or not to abolish National Prayer Day, the Church of Denmark stands on the sideline. “This undermines our national church system.” The Danish government's proposal to remove the National Prayer Day is an expression of “unheard state interference” and should immediately be…
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Southern Europe
Raised concerns about puberty blockers in Italy
Italy’s psychoanalytic authority (SPI) has raised questions over the use of puberty blockers in transgender hormone therapy. The Italian Psychoanalytic Society's president, Sarantis Thanopulos, recently published a letter that expressed “great concern” in drugs being targeted to block puberty for those with “gender dysphoria.” “Only a minority of boys who…
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European Union
World Council of Churches condemns Russian attacks
Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, denounced Russia’s continuing attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and called for an end to the bloodshed. “Recent attacks have claimed the lives of 40 more civilians, in addition to the horrendous human suffering caused by the…
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Eastern Europe
Eastern Orthodox believers brave cold for traditional dive
Every year, Eastern Orthodox believers, for example in Russia, celebrate the holiday of Epiphany on January 19. That means they have to dive into open water as the tradition requires. The holiday of Epiphany is to commemorate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. As a symbol, religious Russians…
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Northern Europe
Care unit in Norway fears ban on conversion therapy will block treatment for paedophiles
The Norwegian bill for a ban on conversion therapy may hinder the help of paedophiles as well. The government denies that, but specialists from the Oslo University Hospital are warning against the present proposal. The hospital has a Special Outpatient Unit for mental health and addictions. They also give treatment…
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Central Europe
EKD peace commissioner calls for negotiations with Russia
Peace in Europe cannot be achieved without Russia, the Peace Commissioner of the Protestant Church of Germany (EKD) said on Thursday. He calls for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. According to Friedrich Kramer, who is the Peace Commissioner, a ceasefire is central to any negotiations. He is critical of the…
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Eastern Europe
Kherson church destroyed after Russian shelling
A Protestant church in Kherson was destroyed by shelling. There are no casualties. According to the news website Kherson online, the Russians shelled the Ukrainian city 83 times on Tuesday. The city centre was hit 26 times. Aside from the church, the management of the communal enterprise, an educational institution,…
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Eastern Europe
Ukrainian Christian jailed for refusing military service
For the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, Ukraine has jailed an individual who refused military service on the grounds of conscience. On January 16th, the Court of Appeal in the southwestern city of Ivano-Frankivsk rejected the appeal of 46-year-old Vitaly Alekseenko, a Christian. Alekseenko acknowledges…
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Central Europe
Record of resignations for Austrian Catholic Church
More parishioners than ever are leaving the Roman Catholic Church in Austria. “For many, she is much more a cultural conservative thing than a spiritual issue.” The membership list of the Evangelische Kirche, the largest Protestant denomination, is getting shorter. Yet there is also good news: the membership of small,…
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Central Europe
Germans think media should cover more persecution of Christians
The persecution of Christians is not being discussed enough in German media. That is what most Germans think. The Christian press agency IDEA ordered a survey to see whether media cover persecution of Christians sufficiently. Among Evangelical Christians, an absolute majority think that the media, in general, pay too little…
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