Meta-analysis of genome-wide association for migraine in six population-based European cohorts

Migraine is a common neurological disorder with a genetically complex background. This paper describes a meta-analysis of genome-wide association (GWA) studies on migraine, performed by the Dutch-Icelandic migraine genetics (DICE) consortium, which brings together six population-based European migraine cohorts with a total sample size of 10,980 individuals (2446 cases and 8534 controls). A total of 32 SNPs showed marginal evidence for association at a P-value<10(-5). The best result was obtained for SNP rs9908234, which had a P-value of 8.00 x 10(-8). This top SNP is located in the nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) gene. However, this SNP did not replicate in three cohorts from the Netherlands and Australia. Of the other 31 SNPs, 18 SNPs were tested in two replication cohorts, but none replicated. In addition, we explored previously identified candidate genes in the meta-analysis data set. This revealed a modest gene-based significant association between migraine and the metadherin (MTDH) gene, previously identified in the first clinic-based GWA study (GWAS) for migraine (Bonferroni-corrected gene-based P-value=0.026). This finding is consistent with the involvement of the glutamate pathway in migraine. Additional research is necessary to further confirm the involvement of glutamate.

Oncolytic Adenoviruses for Gynecologic Cancer

Gene therapy is a promising novel approach for treating cancers resistant to or escaping currently available modalities. Treatment approaches are based on taking advantage of molecular differences between normal and tumor cells. Various strategies are currently in clinical development with adenoviruses as the most popular vehicle. Recent developments include improving targeting strategies for gene delivery to tumor cells with tumor specific promoters or infectivity enhancement. A rapidly developing field is as well replication competent agents, which allow improved tumor penetration and local amplification of the anti-tumor effect. Adenoviral cancer gene therapy approaches lack cross-resistance with other treatment options and therefore synergistic effects are possible. This study focused on development of adenoviral vectors suitable for treatment of various gynecologic cancer types, describing the development of the field from non-replicating adenoviral vectors to multiple-modified conditional replicating viruses. Transcriptional targeting of gynecologic cancer cells by the use of the promoter of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 1 (flt-1) was evaluated. Flt-1 is not expressed in the liver and thus an ideal promoter for transcriptional targeting of adenoviruses. Our studies implied that the flt-1 promoter is active in teratocarcinomas.and therefore a good candidate for development of oncolytic adenoviruses for treatment of this often problematic disease with then poor outcome. A tropism modified conditionally replicating adenovirus (CRAd), Ad5-Δ24RGD, was studied in gynecologic cancers. Ad5-Δ24RGD is an adenovirus selectively replication competent in cells defective in the p16/Rb pathway, including many or most tumor cells. The fiber of Ad5-Δ24RGD contains an integrin binding arginine-glycine-aspartic acid motif (RGD-4C), allowing coxackie-adenovirus receptor independent infection of cancer cells. This approach is attractive because expression levels of CAR are highly variable and often low on primary gynecological cancer cells. Oncolysis could be shown for a wide variety of ovarian and cervical cancer cell lines as well as primary ovarian cancer cell spheroids, a novel system developed for in vitro analysis of CRAds on primary tumor substrates. Biodistribution was evaluated and preclinical safety data was obtained by demonstrating lack of replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The efficicacy of Ad5-Δ24RGD was shown in different orthotopic murine models including a highly aggressive intraperitoneal model of disseminated ovarian cancer cells, where Ad5-Δ24RGD resulted in complete eradication of intraperitoneal disease in half of the mice. To further improve the selectivity and specificity of CRAds, triple-targeted oncolytic adenoviruses were cloned, featuring the cyclo-oxygenase-2 (cox-2) promoter, E1A transcomplementation and serotype chimerism. Those viruses were evaluated on ovarian cancer cells for specificity and oncolytic potency with regard to two different cox2 versions and three different variants of E1A (wild type, delta24 and delta2delta24). Ad5/3cox2Ld24 emerged as the best combination due to enhanced selectivity without potency lost in vitro or in an aggressive intraperitoneal orthotopic ovarian tumor model. In summary, the preclinical therapeutic efficacy of the CRAds tested in this study, taken together with promising biodistribution and safety data, suggest that these CRAds are interesting candidates for translation into clinical trials for gynecologic cancer.

Meta-analysis identifies 13 new loci associated with waist-hip ratio and reveals sexual dimorphism in the genetic basis of fat distribution

Waist-hip ratio (WHR) is a measure of body fat distribution and a predictor of metabolic consequences independent of overall adiposity. WHR is heritable, but few genetic variants influencing this trait have been identified. We conducted a meta-analysis of 32 genome-wide association studies for WHR adjusted for body mass index (comprising up to 77,167 participants), following up 16 loci in an additional 29 studies (comprising up to 113,636 subjects). We identified 13 new loci in or near RSPO3, VEGFA, TBX15-WARS2, NFE2L3, GRB14, DNM3-PIGC, ITPR2-SSPN, LY86, HOXC13, ADAMTS9, ZNRF3-KREMEN1, NISCH-STAB1 and CPEB4 (P = 1.9 × 10−9 to P = 1.8 × 10−40) and the known signal at LYPLAL1. Seven of these loci exhibited marked sexual dimorphism, all with a stronger effect on WHR in women than men (P for sex difference = 1.9 × 10−3 to P = 1.2 × 10−13). These findings provide evidence for multiple loci that modulate body fat distribution independent of overall adiposity and reveal strong gene-by-sex interactions.

Suunnittelunäkemys metsäorganisaatioissa ja sen vaikutus tietojärjestelmälle asetettaviin vaatimuksiin

Department of Forest Resource Management in the University of Helsinki has in years 2004?2007 carried out so-called SIMO -project to develop a new generation planning system for forest management. Project parties are organisations doing most of Finnish forest planning in government, industry and private owned forests. Aim of this study was to find out the needs and requirements for new forest planning system and to clarify how parties see targets and processes in today's forest planning. Representatives responsible for forest planning in each organisation were interviewed one by one. According to study the stand-based system for managing and treating forests continues in the future. Because of variable data acquisition methods with different accuracy and sources, and development of single tree interpretation, more and more forest data is collected without field work. The benefits of using more specific forest data also calls for use of information units smaller than tree stand. In Finland the traditional way to arrange forest planning computation is divided in two elements. After updating the forest data to present situation every stand unit's growth is simulated with different alternative treatment schedule. After simulation, optimisation selects for every stand one treatment schedule so that the management program satisfies the owner's goals in the best possible way. This arrangement will be maintained in the future system. The parties' requirements to add multi-criteria problem solving, group decision support methods as well as heuristic and spatial optimisation into system make the programming work more challenging. Generally the new system is expected to be adjustable and transparent. Strict documentation and free source code helps to bring these expectations into effect. Variable growing models and treatment schedules with different source information, accuracy, methods and the speed of processing are supposed to work easily in system. Also possibilities to calibrate models regionally and to set local parameters changing in time are required. In future the forest planning system will be integrated in comprehensive data management systems together with geographic, economic and work supervision information. This requires a modular method of implementing the system and the use of a simple data transmission interface between modules and together with other systems. No major differences in parties' view of the systems requirements were noticed in this study. Rather the interviews completed the full picture from slightly different angles. In organisation the forest management is considered quite inflexible and it only draws the strategic lines. It does not yet have a role in operative activity, although the need and benefits of team level forest planning are admitted. Demands and opportunities of variable forest data, new planning goals and development of information technology are known. Party organisations want to keep on track with development. One example is the engagement in extensive SIMO-project which connects the whole field of forest planning in Finland.

Langattoman peltotiedustelijan maanalainen toimintaympäristö ja laitesuunnittelu

Tässä väitöskirjassa esitellään langattomien maanalaisten peltotiedustelijoiden järjestelmän tavoitteet ja rajoitukset. Tarkoitus oli kehittää käytännön viljelyyn sovellettava pellon seurantajärjestelmä, sillä reaaliaikaisen kosteus- ja lämpötilatiedon keruulaitteiden puuttuminen haittaa viljelytoimenpiteiden suunnittelua. Mittaus-aineistosta voi tehdä sekä havaintoja pellon ominaisuuksista että muutoksista niissä. Tulevaisuudessa tiedustelijalla saatetaan voida mitata ravinteita tai kemikaaleja. Kun peltotiedustelijan 869 MHz:n radioaalto saavuttaa vastaanottoantennin, on 1) maa-aines vaimentanut sitä; 2) osa aallosta heijastunut rajapinnoilta; 3) pellosta ulos taittuva aalto hajaantunut ja; 4) aallon intensiteetti alentunut etäisyyden kasvaessa. Maan sähkökenttäkäyttäytymistä kuvaava permittiivisyys on kompleksinen suure, jonka reaaliosa kuvaa varautumiskykyä (polarisoitumista) ja imaginaariosa häviöllisyyttä (sähkönjohtavuutta). Pellon pinnassa aalto on pallomainen, joten heijastumisen lisäksi hajaannuttaa taittuminen suurilla taitekulmilla sen tehoa. Tiedustelijan prototyyppiä varten kehitettiin maa-aineksessa toimivat antennit, joiden taajuuskaistat kattoivat ne aallonpituudet, jotka 869 MHz:n radioaalto saa kuivassa ja märässä mullassa, sillä aallon etenemisnopeus ja pituus muuttuvat maan kosteudesta riippuen. Vaimennusmallin testausmittauksiin tehtiin discone-antenni, ja tiedustelijaa varten piirilevytekniikalla pienikokoinen elliptinen monopoliantenni, jonka piirikortille ladottiin myös tiedustelijan elektroniikka. Multalaatikkoon upotettujen antennien säteilyominaisuudet määritettiin piirianalysaattorilla heijastusvaimennusmittauksin. Elektroniikkasuunnittelun tavoitteita oli pieni koko ja pitkä toimintaikä. Näihin päästiin komponenttivalinnoilla sekä ohjelmoinnin keinoin. Tiedustelija teki mittaukset ja lähetti tulokset 10 min välein ja sen keskivirrankulutus oli 4,2 uA käytettäessä 3 V:n paristoa, jonka 1800 mAh kapasiteetti riittäisi huonollakin hyötysuhteella yli 10 vuodeksi. Vuoden mittaisen 12 prototyypin käytön perusteella voidaan kantamaa parantaa yli nykyisen 200 m:n ilman käyttöiän lyhentymistä 1) nostamalla laitteen lähetystehoa ja pariston käyttöastetta lisäkomponenteilla; 2) parantamalla vastaanottoantennin vahvistusta; 3) pidentämällä lähetysten jaksoa; 4) ohjelmoimalla tiedustelija suodattamaan mittaustietoja ja; 5) koodaamalla useita tuloksia samaan lähetteeseen. Järjestelmän ja mittaustulosten käytettävyyttä voidaan parantaa paikantamalla tiedustelijoiden syvyydet aaltoilevan lämpötilan vaihe-erojen perusteella ja ohjelmoimalla tiedustelijaan opastava asennustoiminto. Lisäksi maahan asennetun tiedustelijan toimintaparametrit tai jopa koko ohjelmisto voidaan vaihtaa langattomasti. Vastaanottoasemat matkapuhelinmastoissa voisivat vastaanottaa viestejä parin kilometrin säteeltä. Koostettu aineisto maaperäsimulaattoreihin yhdistettynä antaisi kuvan alueellisesta tilanteesta ja viljelijän omille lohkoille sijoitetut tiedustelijat korjauspisteitä keskiarvosta.

Dwelling house in a sacred space: reused synagogues in Germany.

Contribution to the Congress " Sacred and Secular Buildings," Washington, May 1999, describing a project of the Institute of Architecture at the Technical University of Braunschweig in cooperation with the Center for Jewish Art in Jerusalem, which has been working on a documentation of synagogues, cemetery chapels, and ritual baths in Germany since 1994.

Boykott - Enteignung - Milionenfacher Mord : Die “Entjudung” der deutschen Wirtschaft und ihre heutigen Nutzniesser.

Transcript of the radio broadcast of a ‘political feature’ about the “aryanization” of Jewish businesses under the Nazis and its effect on the German economy in the 1980s. Participants in the broadcast were Fred Grubel, Ernst G. Lowenthal, Albert Ulrich Tietz and others.

Gas-crystal photoreaction: the structures of 4,4'-dimethoxy(thiobenzophenone) (I), C15H14O2S, and 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)thiobenzophenone (II), C17H20N2S

(I): M r = 258.34, triclinic, Pi, a = 9.810 (3), b=9.635(3), e=15.015(4)A, a=79.11(2), #= 102.38 (3), y = 107.76 (3) o, V= 1308.5 A 3, Z = 4, Din= 1.318 (3) (by flotation in KI solution), D x = 1.311 g cm -3, Cu Ka, 2 = 1.5418/~, g = 20-05 cm -1, F(000) = 544, T---- 293 K, R = 0.074 for 2663 reflections. (II): M r = 284.43, monoclinic, P2~/c, a= 17.029 (5), b=6.706 (5), c= 14.629 (4), t= 113.55 (2) ° , V=1531.4A 3, Z=4, Dm=1.230(5) (by flotation in KI solution), Dx= 1.234gem -3, Mo Ka, 2 = 0.7107 A, g = 1.63 cm-1; F(000) = 608, T= 293 K, R = 0.062 for 855 reflections. The orientation of the C=S chromophores in the crystal lattice and their reactivity in the crystalline state are discussed. The C--S bonds are much shorter than the normal bond length [1.605 (4) (I), 1.665 (8) A (II) cf. 1.71 A].

Beatific Enjoyment in Scholastic Philosophy and Theology: 1240-1335

This dissertation examines the concept of beatific enjoyment (fruitio beatifica) in scholastic theology and philosophy in the thirteenth and early fourteenth century. The aim of the study is to explain what is enjoyment and to show why scholastic thinkers were interested in discussing it. The dissertation consists of five chapters. The first chapter deals with Aurelius Augustine's distinction between enjoyment and use and the place of enjoyment in the framework of Augustine's view of the passions and the human will. The first chapter also focuses upon the importance of Peter Lombard's Sentences for the transmission of Augustine's treatment of enjoyment in scholastic thought as well as upon Lombard's understanding of enjoyment. The second chapter treats thirteenth-century conceptions of the object and psychology of enjoyment. Material for this chapter is provided by the writings - mostly Sentences commentaries - of Alexander of Hales, Albert the Great, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, Peter of Tarentaise, Robert Kilwardby, William de la Mare, Giles of Rome, and Richard of Middleton. The third chapter inspects early fourteenth-century views of the object and psychology of enjoyment. The fourth chapter focuses upon discussions of the enjoyment of the Holy Trinity. The fifth chapter discusses the contingency of beatific enjoyment. The main writers studied in the third, fourth and fifth chapters are John Duns Scotus, Peter Aureoli, Durandus of Saint Pourçain, William of Ockham, Walter Chatton, Robert Holcot, and Adam Wodeham. Historians of medieval intellectual history have emphasized the significance of the concept of beatific enjoyment for understanding the character and aims of scholastic theology and philosophy. The concept of beatific enjoyment was developed by Augustine on the basis of the insight that only God can satisfy our heart's desire. The possibility of satisfying this desire requires a right ordering of the human mind and a detachment of the will from the relative goals of earthly existence. Augustine placed this insight at the very foundation of the notion of Christian learning and education in his treatise On Christian Doctrine. Following Augustine, the twelfth-century scholastic theologian Peter Lombard made the concept of enjoyment the first topic in his plan of systematic theology. The official inclusion of Lombard's Sentences in the curriculum of theological studies in the early universities stimulated vigorous discussions of enjoyment. Enjoyment was understood as a volition and was analyzed in relation to cognition and other psychic features such as rest and pleasure. This study shows that early fourteenth-century authors deepened the analysis of enjoyment by concentrating upon the relationship between enjoyment and mental pleasure, the relationship between cognition and volition, and the relationship between the will and the beatific object (i.e., the Holy Trinity). The study also demonstrates the way in which the idea of enjoyment was affected by changes in the method of theological analysis - the application of Aristotelian logic in a Trinitarian context and the shift from virtue ethics to normative ethics.

Kirkon vai valtion kirjat? : Uskontokuntasidonnaisuuden ongelma Suomen väestökirjanpidossa 1839-1904

The Population Register – run by the Church or the state? The problem posed by the obligation to belong to a religious community in the registration of births and deaths in Finland between 1839 and 1904 The Lutheran Church of Finland is the nation’s largest church; approximately 82 per cent of Finns were members in 2007. The Church ran an official register of its members until 1999, when the state then undertook this task. The registration of births and deaths by the Church has a long history dating back to the 17th century, when Bishop Johannes Gezelius Sr. decreed that all parish members would have to be recorded in parish registers. These registers were used to control how well parish members knew the Christian doctrine and, gradually, also if they were literate. Additionally, the Church attempted to ensure by means of the parish registers that parish members went to Holy Communion annually. Since everyone was a member of the Lutheran Church, the state also took advantage of the parish registers and used them for the purposes of tax collection and conscription. The main research theme of “The Population Register – run by the Church or the state?” goes back to these times. The actual research period covers the years of 1839–1904. At that time Finland was under Russian rule, although autonomous. In the late 19th century the press and different associations in Finland began to engage in public debate, and the country started moving from a submissive society to a civic one. The identity of the Lutheran Church also became more prominent when the Church Act and the General Synod were realised in 1869. A few years earlier, municipal and parish administrations had been separated, but the general registration of births and deaths was left to the Church to see to. In compliance with the constitution of the country, all the inhabitants in principle still had to be Lutheran. In practice, the situation was different. The religious and ideological realms diversified, and the Lutheran concept of religion was no longer acceptable to everyone. The conflict was reflected in the registration of births and deaths, which was linked to the Lutheran Church and its parish registers. Nobody was allowed to leave the Church, there was no civil register, and the Lutheran Church did not consent to record unbaptized children in the parish registers. Therefore such children were left without civil rights. Thus the obligation to belong to a religious community had become a problem in the registration of births and deaths. The Lutheran clergy also appealed to the 1723 privileges, according to which they had been exempted from the drawing up of additional population registers. In 1889 Finland passed the Dissenters Act. By virtue of this act the Baptists and the Methodists left the state Church, but this was not the case with the members of the free churches. The freethinkers had to retain their church membership, as the law did not apply to them. This meant that the unbaptized children of the members of the free churches or those of freethinkers were still not entered in any registers. The children were not able to go to school, work for the state or legally marry. Neither were they able to inherit property, as they did not legally exist. The system of parish registers was created when everyone was required to be a member of the Lutheran Church, but it did not work when liberal attitudes eventually penetrated the sphere of religion, too. The government´s measures to solve the problem were slow and cautious, partly because Finland was part of Russia, partly because there were only about 100 unbaptized children. As the problem group was small and the state´s resources were limited, no general civil register was established. The state accepted the fact that in spite of the problems, the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the congregations of dissenters were the only official establishments to run populations registers in the country, and for social purposes, too. In 1900 the Diet of Finland finally approved a limited civil register, which unbaptized children and unregistered foreigners would be recorded in. Due to political reasons the civil register did not come into existence until 1917, after the actual research period.

Pitäjän hyödyllisin mies? : Pehr Kalmin käsitys papiston yhteiskunnallisesta tehtävästä

Turun akatemian ensimmäisen talousopin professorin Pehr Kalmin johdolla tarkastettiin vuonna 1757 väitöskirja aiheesta Mitä pappi voi tehdä talouden parantamiseksi? Muutamaa vuotta myöhemmin ilmestyi väitöskirja papiston mahdollisuuksista pastoraalilääketieteen alalla. Molemmat julkaisut käsittelivät papiston yhteiskunnallista tehtävää. Pehr Kalmin mukaan papisto saattoi toiminnallaan näyttää hyvää esimerkkiä seurakuntalaisilleen. Tarkoituksena oli, että säätyläiset, joihin papistokin kuului, olisivat itse kokeilleet tiloillaan uudenlaisia viljelymenetelmiä. Nähdessään pappiensa yritysten onnistuvan, Kalm uskoi talonpoikien seuraavan näiden esimerkkiä. Kalm toivoi, että talonpojat olisivat siten luopuneet valtakunnan taloutta uhkaavista vääränlaisista viljelymenetelmistä. Erityisesti kaskeamisen uskottiin uhkaavan valtakunnan suurinta resurssia, metsiä. Kalmin ajatukset papiston yhteiskunnallisesta tehtävästä perustuivat Johannes Browalliuksen ja Carl Linnæuksen aikaisempiin kirjoituksiin. Ruotsin valtakunta oli menettänyt suurvalta-asemansa Suuressa Pohjan sodassa. Vapaudenajalla poliittisen suurvalta-aseman sijaan ryhdyttiin tavoittelemaan taloudellista valtaa. Aseet taottiin englantilaisen fysiokratismin hengessä auroiksi. Taloudellisen nousun edellytyksenä oli valtakunnan omavaraisuus. Ruotsin uskottiin olevan luonnonvarojensa puolesta poikkeuksellisen rikas maa. Näiden luonnonvarojen selvittäminen edellytti luonnontieteellistä tutkimista. Tämä johti tieteelliseen murrokseen, jonka tuloksena valtakunnantaloudellista hyötyä edistävät luonnontieteet nousivat Carl Linnæuksen ja Kuninkaallisen Tiedeakatemian johdolla kukoistukseen. Luonnontieteisiin kuului myös "jumalainen talousoppi". Taloudelliset uudistukset olivat ennen kaikkea uuden valtiopäiväpuolueen, hattujen ideologian mukaisia. Uutta aatevirtausta voidaan nimittää hyötypatriotismiksi. Pehr Kalm kuului hyötypatrioottien joukkoon. Hänen merkittävin tieteellinen saavutuksensa oli Tiedeakatemian tuella tehty tutkimusmatka Pohjois-Amerikkaan. Matkan tavoitteena oli silkinviljelyn aloittaminen Ruotsissa. Matkan jälkeen Kalm toimi Turun akatemian talousopinprofessorina. Vuonna 1757 hänet vihittiin papiksi. Kalm valitsi papin toimen nähtävästi taloudellisten syiden vuoksi. Kalm sai palkkapitäjästä tarvitsemansa lisätulot. Kalm oli myös Turun tuomiokapitulin jäsen. Kalmilla oli papiston yhteiskunnallisesta tehtävästä selkeä käsitys, joka näkyi paitsi hänen opetuksessaan myös hänen omassa työssään kirkkoherrana. Papin tehtävänä oli valtakunnan taloudellisen hyödyn edistäminen. Tässä mielessä papiston yhteiskunnallinen tehtävä ei lainkaan muuttunut suurvaltakaudelta vapaudenajalle siirryttäessä. Molempina aikoina keskusvalta määräsi tahdit, joiden mukaan papiston oli marssittava. Avainsanat: oppihistoria : Ruotsi : 1700-luku - valistus : papit - hyödyn aikakausi : papit - Pehr Kalm

A Soul for Europe? : Contributions of European Churches to the Forum of the Convention on the Future of Europe

The aim of this research was to study how European churches contributed to the shaping of the Constitutional Treaty during the work of the Convention on the future of Europe through the public discussion forum, established by the Convention for this specific purpose in the years 2002 2003. In particular, this study sought to uncover the areas of interest brought up by the churches in their contributions, the objectives they pursued, and the approaches and arguments they employed to reach those objectives. The data for this study comprised all official submissions by European churches and church alliances to the Forum, totalling 21 contributions. A central criterion for inclusion of the data was that the organization can reasonably be assumed to represent the official position of one or more Christian churches within the European Union before the 2004 expansion. The contributing churches and organizations represent the vast majority of Christians in Europe. The data was analyzed using primarily qualitative content analysis. The research approach was a combination of abductive and inductive inference. Based on the analysis a two-fold theoretical framework was adopted, focusing on theories of public religion, secularization and deprivatization of religion, and of legitimation and collective identity. The main areas of interest found in the contributions of the churches were the value foundation of the European Union, which is demanded to coherently permeate all policies and actions of the EU, and the social dimension of Europe, which must be given equal status to the political and economic dimensions. In both areas the churches claim significant experience and expertise, which they want to see recognized in the Constituional Treaty through a formally guaranteed status for churches and religious communities in the EU. In their contributions the churches show a strong determination to secure a significant role for both religion and religious communities in the public life of Europe. As for the role of religion, they point out to its potential as a motivating and cohesive force in society and as a building block for a collective European identity, which is still missing. Churches also pursue a substantial public role for themselves beyond the spiritual dimension, permeating the secular areas of the social, political and economic dimensions. The arguments in suppport of such role are embedded in their interest and expertise in spiritual and other fundamental values and their broad involvement in providing social services. In this context churches use expressions inclusive of all religions and convictions, albeit clearly advocating the primacy of Europe's Christian heritage. Based on their historical role, their social involvement and their spiritual mission they use the public debate on the Constitutional Treaty to gain formal legitimacy for the public status of religion and religious communities, both nationally and on a European level, through appropriate provisions in the constitutional text. In return they offer the European Union ways of improving its own legitimacy by reducing the democratic and ideological deficit of the EU and advancing the development a collective European identity.

Kaukana Vatikaanista – Katolinen kirkko Suomessa 1989–1998

Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan katolista kirkkoa Suomessa vuosina 1989-1998. Tutkimus alkaa paavi Johannes Paavali II:n Pohjoismaiden-vierailusta kesällä 1989 ja päättyy Suomen katolisen kirkon pitkäaikaisen piispan Paul Verschurenin eroon tehtävästään vuonna 1998. Tutkimuksen kolme pääkysymystä ovat kirkon hallinnon ja rakenteen muutokset, katolisen kirkon identiteetti Suomessa ja ekumeeniset suhteet erityisesti Suomen evankelis-luterilaiseen kirkkoon. Lähteinä olen käyttänyt Helsingin katolisen hiippakunnan lehteä Fidesiä, muuta lehdistömateriaalia ja haastatteluja. Paavin-vierailulla oli merkittävät seuraukset niin Suomen katoliselle paikalliskirkolle kuin luterilaiselle kirkollekin. Vierailun myötä pieni katolinen vähemmistö tuli tunnetummaksi Suomessa. Vierailu muutti Vatikaanin käsityksiä Suomesta, millä oli kauaskantoiset vaikutukset kirkkojen ekumeenisiin suhteisiin. Pyhän Birgitan 600-vuotismuistojuhlien yhteydessä Suomen ja Ruotsin luterilaisten ja katolisten piispojen yhdessä paavin kanssa toimittama jumalanpalvelus, paavin ekumeniaa käsitellyt kiertokirje Ut unum sint ja Pohjoismaiden luterilaisten ja katolisten kirkkojen aloittamat neuvottelut kirkko- ja virkakäsityksistä olivat 1990-luvun merkittäviä ekumeenisia hetkiä, joihin paavin vierailulla oli vaikutusta. Kirkon hallinto ja rakenne olivat monelta osin jo vakiintuneet 1990-luvulle tultaessa, mutta muutamia merkittäviä muutoksia tapahtui. Kirkon jäsenmäärä kasvoi lähinnä maahanmuuton johdosta koko tutkitun ajanjakson ajan. Jäsenmäärän kasvu synnytti uusia seurakuntia ja kappeleita hiippakuntaan. Halu kappelin rakentamiseen ei aina kuitenkaan lähtenyt hiippakunnan tarpeesta vaan yksittäisten ihmisten tai liikkeiden. Esimerkiksi neokatekumenaalinen maallikkoliike rakennutti 1990-luvun alussa Ouluun kappelin, mutta hiippakunta ei ollut täysin hankkeen takana. Ongelmat kappeleiden rakentamisessa ja monet muutkin haasteet, johtuivat pitkälti kirkon taloudellisesta tilanteesta. Kirkolla ei ollut verotusoikeutta eikä jäsenten maksamat avustukset riittäneet kattamaan kuluja. Katolinen kirkko yritti 1990-luvun alkupuolella miettiä keinoja taloudellisen tilanteen parantamiseksi. Piispa Verschuren piti monessa yhteydessä myös esillä vähemmistöjen juridista asemaa koskevia ongelmia ja uskontolainsäädännön epäkohtia. Kolmas merkittävä rakenteellinen muutos kirkossa oli papiston puolalaistuminen. Katolisen kirkon identiteettiä Suomessa on vaikea erottaa omaksi kokonaisuudekseen koskien vain 1990-lukua. Olenkin pyrkinyt tarkastelemaan identiteettiä niistä haasteista käsin, joita kirkko 1990-luvulla kohtasi. Suomessa käytiin keskustelua muun muassa eronneiden tilanteesta ja naisen asemasta. Kirkko kannusti jäseniään keskusteluun ja myös piispa ja papisto olivat usein toivottujen uudistusten kannalla. Suomessa katolinen kirkko eli pienenä vähemmistönä, joten monet kirkon oppiin liittyvät kysymykset olivat haasteellisia. Esimerkiksi perhe- ja seksuaalieettiset kysymykset ja naisen asema olivat vaikeita tilanteessa, jossa suurin osa katolilaisista oli naimisissa ei-katolilaisen kanssa. Vaikka Suomessakin toivottiin muutoksia, joihinkin kirkon oppiin liittyviin kysymyksiin, Keski-Euroopasta alkanut protestiliikehdintä kirkon uudistumiseksi ei näkynyt täällä voimakkaasti. Suomessa kirkon tilanne oli hyvin erilainen kuin niissä Euroopan maissa, joissa liikehdintä sai kannatusta. Suomessa arvostettiin kirkon perinteistä liturgiaa ja pyrittiin rakentamaan yhtenäistä, identiteetiltään suomalaista katolista kirkkoa.