July 11, 2026
A Norwegian colleague living on the Arctic Circle alerted me this week to a surprising best-seller about the Bible produced by two atheist socialist parliamentarians. The Bible–they conclude–is far richer and stranger, more radical and compelling, humane and relevant than many secular Europeans have imagined. When two prominent Norwegian politicians from the Rødt (Red) Party […]
July 4, 2026
The 250th anniversary of American independence today is a timely occasion to reflect on the human journey from dependence to independence and to interdependence – among individuals, communities and nations. Many Americans are wondering about the future of their democracy. Ukrainians are fighting for their independence from imperial Russia. Britons are questioning the wisdom of […]
June 27, 2026
A miracle of global fraternity in our fractured, polarised, warring world has been created by one of humanity’s great shared languages: football. Every four years billions of people watch the World Cup together. Families who seldom agree on politics cheer together. Children in remote villages without reliable electricity follow the scores on mobile phones. Nations […]
June 20, 2026
Artificial Intelligence has invaded our lives bringing both boundless opportunities and unprecedented challenges. We cannot ignore it. Last month, Pope Leo XIV addressed artificial intelligence as the defining moral and social challenge of the twenty-first century in his first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas (‘Magnificent Humanity’). Last week I attended a dialogue in the European Parliament in […]
June 13, 2026
Any nation, big or small, can become a great nation. Some nations think they are great, or strive to restore ‘greatness’. But what really makes a nation great? Military power? Economic wealth? Territorial size? Technological achievement? Many nations and empires through the centuries boasted all these things and yet became a curse to themselves and […]
June 8, 2026
Do you sometimes wonder about the relevance of our Christian faith outside the church building? Or how the story of Jesus relates to some of the biggest questions facing Europe, cities, culture, faith, justice, identity and politics? This summer in Amsterdam might be exactly what you need. The Schuman Centre for European Studies is inviting […]
May 30, 2026
Those who live by the sword, warned Jesus, will die by the sword. Warmongers, in other words, ultimately wound themselves. The past century illustrates how tragically true that insight has been, culminating in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran today. During an emergency UN security council meeting this week, the Ukrainian ambassador warned his Russian counterpart that […]
May 23, 2026
A seductive narrative has captured parts of the conservative Christian world: that we need strong nationalist leaders to defend ‘Christian civilisation’ against secular liberalism, moral decline and cultural fragmentation. In this story, Putin is cast as the guardian of traditional Orthodoxy, while Trump is portrayed as the defender of Christian America. Orban reinforced the same […]
May 16, 2026
Ascension Day commemorated this week marked a profound turning point in human history. Yet few recognise its significance. For most it’s just a forgotten yet convenient religious spring holiday. The forty days prelude to the ascension after Jesus’ resurrection left the disciples in a strange and uncertain limbo. Jesus had risen from the dead. The […]
May 9, 2026
“Happy anniversary!” Today is ‘Europe’s’ 76th birthday. You hadn’t noticed? Few European nations make much fuss about “Europe Day”, May 9. Yet it is the birthday of the European integration project. Since then, the countries of the European Union have avoided war among themselves — unprecedented in European history. Exactly 76 years ago today, the […]
May 2, 2026
You don’t have to be Catholic or royalist to appreciate the influence of popes and kings in reasserting democratic fundamentals currently under attack from illiberal regimes on both sides of the Atlantic. Pope Francis, who passed away just a year ago, consistently promoted the rule of law, justice, equality and the common good. He became […]
April 25, 2026
The Dutch will go orange-crazy this coming Monday. Canals in Amsterdam will overflow with boats crammed with orange-clad merrymakers. Music will fill streets festooned with orange flags. Children will sell old toys and homemade cakes on pavements everywhere. National television will follow the slow procession of royal family members walking among the crowds and playing […]
