Analysis Opinion•Persecuted Christians

Hate crimes against Christians in Europe are on the rise: these are the facts

With 2,444 incidents recorded in 35 European nations in 2023, the findings reveal an alarming erosion of religious tolerance in a region celebrated as the cradle of pluralism and freedom.

Nov 20, 2024 18:35

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Local Church

Swiss Catholic Church faces a record exodus of desertions

Nearly 67,500 individuals formally renounced their membership in 2023

Nov 19, 2024 17:46

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Religious Freedom•Vatican Diplomacy

Holy See signs agreement with Czech Republic: inviolability of confession and conscientious objection guaranteed

This new accord—comprised of 16 articles— guarantees the Church’s right to preserve the confidentiality of the sacramental seal and of confidential conversations within its pastoral roles—an important affirmation of privacy rights for the faithful.

Oct 24, 2024 10:58

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Analysis Opinion•Local Church•Young People

Germany: Study Shows That Young Muslims Believe More in God Than Catholics

Not only does the study show a moving away from religion, but also a growing mistrust of religious institutions. German young people show more trust in the Government, the European Union and even banks than in Churches.

Oct 18, 2024 12:23

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Gender Ideology•Local Church

German diocese announces to indoctrinate employees in gender ideology

Additionally, a training program is being developed for diocesan employees, aiming to equip them with the knowledge and sensitivity needed to meet the pastoral needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

Sep 13, 2024 14:08

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Cardinals and Bishops•Vatican Diplomacy

[PHOTO GALLERY] Former private secretary of Benedict XVI begins mission as Francis’ Nuncio

Archbishop Georg Gänswein Officially Begins Role as Papal Ambassador to the Baltics

Sep 10, 2024 14:51

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Local Church•Religious Freedom

Polish Constitutional Tribunal temporarily halts reform of religion classes in schools

Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal Halts Controversial Religion Class Reforms Amid Rising Tensions

Sep 04, 2024 16:52

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Dicasteries•Local Church

Vatican bans traditional Latin mass in Finnish cathedral

The Vatican’s reasoning for the relocation—citing the cathedral as a «sign of unity»—highlights the ongoing tensions between the Vatican under Pope Francis and segments of the Catholic community that favor the traditional liturgy.

Aug 23, 2024 17:18

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Ecumenism

Estonia’s Orthodox Separate from Moscow’s Orthodox Patriarchate

Parallelly, Estonia’s Orthodox Church has initiated conversations with the Estonian Government to explore the possibility of unification with the Apostolic Orthodox Church of Estonia, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Aug 22, 2024 06:52

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Justice and Peace•Local Church•Religious Freedom

Ukrainian Parliament Declares Illegal Orthodox Church in Communion with Moscow

The new legislation, which was strongly supported by the Supreme Rada with 265 votes in favour and just 29 against, gives the Ukrainian Government the legal faculties to investigate and prohibit the activities of religious groups that have too close ties with Russia or that support the military aggression against Ukraine.

Aug 21, 2024 07:52

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Justice and Peace•Local Church

Russian Missile Destroys Catholic Church in Ukraine. Photos Show the Devastation

The Russian missile left the church, which was rebuilt and consecrated in 2014, in rubble. The images shared by the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church, show the building totally devastated, with windows and doors ripped out, and the structure deformed by the explosion.

Aug 17, 2024 07:32

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Local Church

Scandal in Caritas-Luxemburg: Fraud and Crisis of Confidence in One of the Country’s Main Charitable Organizations

The case has unleashed a wide debate in Luxembourg about the need for greater transparency and control in the running of organizations that manage public funds, especially those that, like Caritas, play a crucial role in assistance to the neediest.

Aug 12, 2024 08:39

Joachin Meisner Hertz