The war in Syria is beginning to die down but the wounds are deep. In as much as we provide emergency supplies; food, water, housing, an equal challenge is to help the people rebuild their lives. Horrific experiences can be overwhelming, especially for children. Many are spiritually/psychologically distressed and emotionally scarred by all possible abuses...
It‘s the fulfilment of a long-standing dream for them. At last, after so many years, the Catholics of Pawe, in northwest Ethiopia, have a “proper” church of their own. And it was thanks to the donations received from benefactors that we were able to help see their dream fulfilled. The people living here today have...
Father Werenfried van Straaten, 1996 Dear friend! No sooner had Jesus outshone the world with the splendor of his deity on Christmas night, does the merry-go-round of the church year set in motion again. On January 1, the church celebrates the feast of the Blessed Mother. And then comes the new year, a big question...
Despite her 88 years, Sister Halina does not just sit around twiddling her thumbs. She has surely earned the right to do so, after a long life of daily service on behalf of the poor. And yet she continues to this day, tirelessly visiting the sick and sewing quilts and pillowcases for newborn babies. And...
What a sharp contrast! In the last few days, we celebrated the joyous birth of the Saviour of the world. Today, we stand by as witnesses to the blood of the Holy Innocents who were slaughtered at the orders of King Herod, in the hope that by killing every born in Bethlehem at the same time...
NIGERIA – Attacks by Fulani tribesman are a forgotten and overlooked tragedy Christians in northern Nigeria, in addition to suffering attacks by the terrorist Boko Haram group, are also facing a terrible situation as a result of the bloody attacks by Fulani herders against Christian villages in Nigeria’s so-called Middle Belt. “This is a time...
AFTER 11 YEARS OF EFFORT: new local priest ordained in the Solomon Islands On Dec. 8, 2018, the Diocese of Gizo—located at the furthest corner of the world in the center of the South Pacific—celebrated with great joy the ordination of Deacon Thomas Patavolomo in his home community of Voru Voru, located on the northern...
Iraq: Christian leaders call for more support for the Christians of Nineveh “Please do not be a silent bystander to our drama. We call on you to support the Christians of Iraq… while there is still time.” This was the urgent appeal underlying the joint Call for Action signed by the leaders of the three...
PEACE IS ON EVERYONE’S WISH LIST How Christians in need celebrate Christmas “Christmas is the celebration of the longing for our better self, for the heaven we search for in vain here on Earth, and for the carefree life that exists only in heaven,” Father Werenfried van Straaten (1913-2003), the founder of the...
PAKISTAN: THE CHURCH IS LEADING IN INTERFAITH DIALOGUE The President of the Pakistani Bishops’ Conference insists that interfaith dialogue is vital for peace in his country Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi is the President of the Episcopal Conference of Pakistan. But his extensive responsibilities do not prevent him from being at the same time close...
