PHILIPPINES – “Marawi is all ruined, there is destruction everywhere” Interview by Jonathan Luciano, ACN Philippines National Director, with Bishop Prelate of Marawi Edwin dela Peña (MSP) about the situation in the Prelature of Marawi in the Southern Philippines, where the terrorist Maute group attacked the city, killing Christians and burning down buildings including...
CAMEROON – Autopsy raises suspicions about African bishop’s death An autopsy has revealed “signs of torture” on the body of Bishop Jean-Marie Benoît Balla of Bafia whose body was found in a river last week. Unusual circumstances surrounded the death of the Cameroonian bishop, leading some to think he had committed suicide. Bishop Balla, who...
UK – Cardinal Nichols and Iraqi bishop bless crucifix that survived Islamic State occupation At first sight, it appeared nothing had survived the devastation left by Islamic State in the ancient Christian lands of the Nineveh Plain in Iraq. But half buried in the rubble, outside St George’s Church near Alqosh was a crucifix...
CUBA – First Catholic church to be built in 60 years A new Catholic church is being built in Sandino, located in the western corner of Cuba – the first in 60 years. About 40,000 people live in the coastal town. The new church will be called the Parish of Divine Mercy of Sandino,...
EGYPT – “This is our country. We will never leave it” INTERVIEW with Bishop William Kyrillos of Assiut on the occasion of his visit to the national office of the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need in Brazil. Aid to the Church in Need – What is the significance of being a Christian...
PHILIPPINES – Marawi: Abducted Christians may be used as bargaining chips “I hope the government will act wisely and prudently in order to avoid a bloodbath.” The words are those of PIME missionary Father Sebastiano D’Ambra and he is referring in particular to the abduction of Father Teresito Soganub, together with 15 other Christians,...
MALAYSIA – Christian politician criticised by Muslims for publishing book about her faith The federal constitution of Malaysia states that “every person has the right to profess and practice his religion”. Yet in Selangor (one of Malaysia’s 13 states) a Christian politician, Hannah Yeoh, is under fire for publishing a book about her faith. The...
FRANCE – Opening of the Process of Beatification of Fr Jacques Hamel Pope Francis decided to dispense with the usual five-year delay after the death of a baptized person to open the process of Beatification of Father Jacques Hamel. The announcement was made by Mgr Dominque Lebrun on 2October 2016 during a Mass to mark...
