What is the fastest growing religion? Worldwide, it is Islam. But outside Europe, the growth of Christianity is still ahead. This is the conclusion of Philip Jenkins, a distinguished scholar at Baylor University in Texas, who specialises in religious history. He points particularly to phenomenal growth of Christianity in Africa. “During the twentieth century,” Jenkins Read more
Anybody who’s seen the movie “Pulp Fiction” probably recalls the scene where John Travolta explains to Samuel L. Jackson that in France, McDonald’s calls the quarter-pounder a “Royale with cheese” because, in light of the metric system, the French wouldn’t know what a quarter-pounder is. (It turns out that the movie got the French slightly Read more
As my recently deceased spiritual guide, Peter Steele, would never tire of saying: ‘There are only two conditions in the spiritual life — you’re either growing or you’re dying.’ What makes for spiritual growth? In my childhood and adolescence, it was all about going to Sunday Mass, confessing your sins once a month at least, going Read more
French philosopher André Glucksmann finds the situation in Europe “extremely unsettling.” In a Spiegel interview, he discusses the failure of European intellectuals, how divisions could lead to an EU breakup or even hostilities, and why pursuing a United States of Europe is “the wrong goal.” In France, André Glucksmann is one of the so-called New Read more
Two of the world’s largest abortion providers are being funded by the European Union’s development aid budget, says a recent report by the non-governmental organization European Dignity Watch. The findings, which were presented at a March 27 meeting in Brussels as part of a “Week for Life” initiative, drew criticism from members of the European Read more
Stripping Britain of its Christian foundations would leave the country vulnerable to “the most sinister of ideologies”, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury has warned. The Rt Rev Mark Davies used his Easter Homily to express anxiety at the consequences of undermining Britain’s religious heritage. He cited the recent history of Europe to voice fears Read more
Caritas Europe warns European nations’ that austerity measures threaten social services for the poor. “The governments’ focus on reductions in public expenditure on social security benefits and services, wage reductions and increases in tax will disproportionately impact upon the poorest in society,” the report found. “The austerity measures pursued by many countries will result in Read more
The Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation is planning a “Metropolis Mission” in the major cities in Europe. “This is an initial response to the request made by the Pope during our first plenary meeting, to overcome division and to show signs of unity,” Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella told Vatican Radio. Archbishop Fisichella chaired the summit Read more