Representatives of Abrahamic monotheistic religions who signed the declaration on end-of-life issues.

“Euthanasia and assisted suicide are morally and inherently wrong and should be forbidden without exceptions. Any pressure or deliberate actions that might lead patients to end their lives are categorically rejected.” It’s the “key point” of the “Joint Declaration of Abrahamic religions on End-of-Life issues.” The document, solemnly signed this morning by Jewish, Catholic and Muslim representatives in the Vatican, is the culmination of an initiative coordinated by the Pontifical Academy for Life and supported on behalf of the Jewish world by Rabbi Avraham Steinberg from the Israeli National Bioethics Council and Rabbi David Rosen; by Sheikh Bin Bayyah, president of the Muslim Forum for Peace and by Samsul Anwar, President of the Central Committee of the Indonesian Muhammadiyah, representing the Muslim world.”

The document – which the religious representatives handed over to Pope Francis – was drafted by a joint inter-religious group… Read more »

On 23-25 October 2019 delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union gathered in Brussels for the COMECE Autumn 2019 Assembly. The meeting was dedicated to post-EU elections challenges and, in particular, to ecological policies centered on persons, families and communities.

In the context of the renewed European institutions, Bishops discussed priorities of the incoming European Commission in dialogue with an EU representative… Read more »

In his catechesis at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on how the first Christians resolve their differences at the “Council of Jerusalem”, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Pope Francis began his catechesis by saying that the Book of Acts recounts the long journey of the Word of God. “This journey”, said the Pope, began after a “strong persecution”… Read more »

The role of women; inculturation; and synodality were some of the key topics highlighted at Wednesdays’ press briefing for the Synod on the Amazon.

At the beginning of the briefing, the Prefect for the Dicastery for Communication, Dr Paolo Ruffini briefly reviewed the process for producing the Synod’s final document. Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa noted that the final document will be entrusted to the Holy Father, who will provide guidance for the Church going forward… Read more »

With the fall of the iron curtain we believed that freedom was achieved. 30 years later we see that freedom, justice and reconciliation involve more than removing iron curtains. We now realise freedom is a never-ending project upon which we must work everyday.

We have learned that listening to the stories, especially the painful stories, of those who have suffered and taken risks, is the starting point for freedom… Read more »