Eastern Europe Archives

Soviet prisoners of conscience petitioned St. John Paul II for help

May 13, 2020

Soviet political prisoners from various backgrounds begged St. John Paul II’s help in secret messages after his 1978 election, according to a former inmate in recollections published for the late pope’s hundredth birthday.

By Jonathan Luxmoore

East European Catholics draw lockdown parallels with communist rule

Apr 16, 2020

Although Catholics in most East European countries have backed measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic, for some it has also revived painful memories of communist rule. Sensitivities over church closures have also surfaced in Western Europe, where some Catholics have questioned the right of civil authorities to prohibit religious worship.

By Jonathan Luxmoore

Pope Francis tells Romania to remember ‘cultural and spiritual roots’

May 31, 2019

Pope Francis landed in the Eastern European country of Romania on Friday, where he warned about the “hurdles” created by progress and called for “a greater collaboration” among its political and religious authorities.

By Claire Giangravè

Hungarian minister ‘convinced’ pro-family outcomes are linked to policy

Mar 26, 2019

The current Hungarian government under Prime Minister Viktor Orban prides itself on its conservative platform — low immigration, lots of incentives for marriage and families, and promotion of the nation’s Judeo-Christian heritage whenever possible.

By Jacob Comello

In Europe, faith’s stronger in post-Soviet East than secular West

Dec 6, 2018

As secularism mounts in Western Europe, Central and Eastern European countries still hold on to faith.

By Claire Giangravè

U.S. bishops’ conference approves project funding for Africa, Eastern Europe

Jul 19, 2018

Subcommittees at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have approved more than $6 million for pastoral projects in Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.

By Catholic News Agency