Leo van Doesburg

From 11 till 13 October, I participated in the “European Encounters” conference that took place in Brussels. This conference had as main target to equip young Catholic Christians to implement their faith in their daily life and profession.  On the Friday evening, the opening took place with H.E. Msg. André Joseph Léonard, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Father Nicholas Buttet, founder of “Eucharistein” and Christine Boutin, Founder of the Parti Chrétien-Démocrate and Former Minister of Urban Affairs.  When Christine Boutin started her speech about the Soul of Europe, suddenly a group topless feminist-gay activists with a big rainbow flag ran in front to the members of the panel and wrapped the flag around Ms. Boutin and kissed her on her head and cheeks. Other members of the group sprayed whipped cream on the faces of the Archbishop and on Father Nicholas.  Fortunately, people came to remove these protesters from the podium. After a break where the mes...

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians releases 41 examples of national laws with adverse effects on Christians in more than 15 European Countries. Additionally, 169 cases of intolerance against Christians in the EU – area in 2012 are portrayed. The report was presented on May 21 at an OSCE High Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-discrimination held in Tirana, Albania, in a keynote speech delivered by the Observatory’s director Dr. Gudrun Kugler. Read the full speech here   Read more here 

Increasing international concern has been voiced throughout the last few years regarding the growing religious discrimination against Christians within EU borders and beyond. A few cases from the UK, however, have become the center of attention as their appeal against the UK government has reached the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) . P lease find below an analysis about the increasing international concern for religious freedoms an d the growing in tolerance in Europe . This article is made by my colleage Eunice Vatran-Dugulescu

The parliamentary assembly of the OSCE recommends that a "public debate on intolerance and discrimination against Christians be initiated and that the right of Christians to participate fully in public life be ensured" (12); that, "in view of discrimination and intolerance against Christians, that legislation in the participating States, including labour law, equality law, laws on freedom of expression and assembly, and laws related to religious communities and right of conscientious objection be assessed" (13); and "encourages the media not to spread prejudices against Christians and to combat negative stereotyping" (15); and "encourages Christian churches to continue their participation in public life contributing to the defence of the dignity of all human beings and to freedom and social cohesion" (16).  Source: http://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu