Three Christians in three European countries were acquitted this year of incitement of hatred against homosexuals. Separate issues? Yes, but there are strong similarities.

The German festival focused on the book of Philippians. Workshops, concerts and interviews with well-known believers encouraged participants to share God’s hope with others.

An exhibition in the German town of Eisenach features the longest painted Bible on the 500th anniversary of the German translation of the Bible.

Free evangelicals are the Christian group who says they know the commandments in Exodus and Deuteronomy best (57%), a survey finds.

A modern live musical with current pop songs that tells the Easter story was performed in the centre of the German city of Essen and broadcast nationwide on TV.

It is the lowest figure since official statistics were first collected in 1996. Unlike other countries, the pandemic has not increased the number of terminations.  

Francis is a “liquid” pope who is liquifying an institution that has made its rocky and immutable structure a distinctive trait of its identity.

Thousands have already been hosted by families in countries like Switzerland, Germany, Spain and the UK. Websites connect refugees and potential hosts.

Statistics show that membership dropped around 2.5% in one year. The EKD says a lack of religious socialisation and “personal irrelevance” are some of the reasons.

Doubts about the new (proposed) laws which cover talking therapy are being expressed from within LGB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) circles themselves.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier was re-elected with a large majority. He is a member of the Evangelical Reformed Church and very outspoken about his faith.

The Prayer Spaces in Schools have offered thousands of young students a creative way of reflection and prayer. Jana Nimmo, in Germany, explains how children and teenagers use the chance to express their hopes and worries.

A documentary with 100 interviews with LGBT priests and other Catholic workers helps launch a movement to demand doctrinal changes. Cardinal Reinhard Marx calls to drop mandatory celibacy for priests.

“People know so little of the Bible that discipleship starts much further down the line”, says James Ros, leader of the church planting movement #EastGermanyBelieves. 

Some believe that “Europe cannot afford to dismiss energy sources” with low CO₂ emissions, but others warn that the decision of the European Union “is all about information for the capital markets”.

The evangelical body warns that “everyone must take responsibility for their decisions”. Maintaining unity in the churches is a matter of addressing the Covid-19 debates with “spiritual sobriety”.

Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland plan to legalise its recreational use soon. Italy will hold a public referendum, while Spanish and Portuguese political parties are deciding their positions.

A study commissioned by the State’s antisemistism commissioner includes the Protestant Reformer in a list of historic personalities whose presence in public spaces should be reviewed.

The Bible Museum of Frankfurt encourages visitors to discover “the many sides of G*d” in an exhibition that mixes archaeology and LGBT activism.

The German Finance Ministry highlights the country’s Christian heritage with a solidary Christmas stamp and a special coin.  

The coordinator of the project that published the first images of a black hole, speaks to us about his scientific work and how the Christian faith has influenced it.

The President of Westphalia Church is the second woman to chair the EKD in its history. The 14 members of the EKD Council for the next 6 years were also elected.

The German state opened the festivities of the year dedicated to the translation of the New Testament on Reformation day under the motto “Translating the World”.

Evangelicals in Portugal, Germany and Italy strive to be salt and light and build bridges with society through their socio-political work.

In France, the CNEF has appointed a new President to start in June 2022, while in Germany the EKD will have elections in November to choose a new Council President and governing body.