In the last months, the two historic religious institutions have made clear ecumenical statements in favour of more unity. 

“If you’re in love, do not get married!” has reached around 20 million views on Facebook. It underlines the value of commitment beyond emotions.

A selection of pictures of World Press Photo 2017.

The response of the European Churches to climate change, as with all environmental issues, has been patchy, but there are signs that this is beginning to change.

Jan Dezort, of Generation 21, analyses the frustrations and success stories of a relocation programme for Middle Eastern Christian refugees in the Czech Republic.

The EAUK has published “A statement for the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation”. It analyses the theological impact of the reformers and the relationship between evangelical Christians and Roman Catholicism.

A stamp to commemorate Cardinal Cisneros will be issued. Evangelicals had proposed a stamp on the first Spanish Bible translation, but it was denied. 

What the Pope has in mind is an altogether different kind of reformation, i.e. a reformation that will make his church more catholic and more Roman, doubtfully more evangelical.

The Unamuno prize was awarded to writer and academic Antonio Muñoz Molina, for “his appreciation to the so-called ‘Bear Bible’.”

Scientists say human emissions of CO2, the warming of the Arctic, and El Nino were the main factors of the new high. “God has called us to be responsible stewards of creation”, Christian activists say.

“Unique” was the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer in Europe. A summary of the highlights in Italy, Austria, Spain, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

It shows an excerpt of Matthew 27 with annotations made by Martin Luther. It costs 2.60 Euro.

While his powerful use of the new technology of printing, his appeal to the masses and opposition to the ‘corrupt elites’ certainly resonate with the populist image, his goal was to reform, not overthrow, the established order.

Three of the seven original prints of Martin Luther's 95 theses will be shown in the "Bible, Thesis, Propaganda” exhibition in Berlin next February.

Some of the highlights of this past year and a ‘thank you’ to all of our readers.

A Bible Gateway research shows the most popular Bible verses, keyword searchs, and other interesting statistics. John 3:16 is, again, the most searched verse of 2016.

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) converted to Christianity when he was young, going on to become one of the foremost Protestant composers.

More than 100 evangelical entities had supported the petition.

With Pope Francis the Roman Catholic Church is simply becoming more “catholic”, i.e. embracing and absorbing all, without losing its being “Roman”.

This is God’s work, taking whispers from the margins and translating them for many to hear, speaking truth to power.

It’s the biggest success in Playmobil’s history. Orders come from across the world, they sold 34,000 in the first 3 days.

In assessing the ecumenical scene, the risk of looking at Lund without being aware of what happens in Rome is real. 

The European Evangelical Alliance publishes a press release: “When a Pope understands Luther better than many Protestants do”.

“The aim of the JDDJ is to find commonalities, not differences. But with that comes a lopsided methodology that obscures those differences”, says theologian Michael Reeves.

Pope Francis and Lutheran leaders celebrated an ecumenical service in the Cathedral of Lund (Sweden). They signed a joint statement “to move towards the communion to which God continually calls us.”