ORELA is proud to announce the release of its brand new publication: "Religion and Secularism in the European Union. State of Affairs and Current Debates", edited by Jan Nelis, Caroline Sägesser and Jean-Philippe Schreiber (Collection "Citizenship Dynamics in Europe", headed by Dominique Avon, P.I.E. Peter Lang Publishing House; Bruxelles, Bern, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2017, 224 p.). This volume monitors new developments concerning religious issues, faith-based organizations, State-Church relations and secularism in the EU, which especially during the past two decades have undergone profound changes, changes which continuously and increasingly alter mentalities and habits, whether belief-related or not. In this collective work, thirty authors develop the major themes that are relevant to their country of expertise, while a final chapter is devoted to the role of the European Courts (ECHR and EU). The different chapters show that in recent years, religion, once thought to be of minor importance in a highly secular society, has made quite a vigorous political comeback. Thus Europe seems to have reached a crucial point in its history, a moment in which future tendencies in the field of religion and secularism are being defined, and negotiated. There is little doubt that the outcome of this process will influence the continent’s future outlook, as well as its role and relevance in an increasingly globalized world. 

Read more here...

Table of Contents...

Eglise catholique

"Depuis début mai, les travailleurs sociaux sont légalement obligés de sacrifier le secret professionnel en cas de suspicion de terrorisme. Cette nouvelle loi a fait réagir d'autres métiers concernés, tels que les prêtres. Gabriel Ringlet, qui s'est exprimé dans un colloque sur ce thème, nous a autorisés à reprendre l'essentiel de son intervention" — Secret professionnel chez les prêtres, la confession est sacrée (Cathobel)

"Jean-Baptiste Maillard est le Secrétaire général de Lights in the Dark. Cette association internationale 100% dédiée à l'évangélisation par Internet, forme aussi les chrétiens qui veulent se lancer dans cette mission" — Internet et évangélisation : « Il faut faire preuve de créativité » (Manu Van Lier, Cathobel)