Highlights of Pope Francis’ visit to Peru Pope Francis arrived in Peru on Thursday evening and was warmly welcomed. The next day, he met with the President, Members of the Government and the Diplomatic Corps Representatives of Civil Society in the Government Palaceʼs Honour Yard. His key message for them was “The degradation of the...
IRAQ On Nineveh Plains, a ten-year-old girl dares to dream again Ten-year-old Helda Khalid Jacob Hindi, a fifth-grader, is not at a loss for words. She is passionate about her life, her future and that of her loved ones. Helda and her family—mom, dad and a younger brother—recently moved back to Qaraqosh on Iraq’s...
Authorities blow up Evangelical megachurch in Linfen A renowned Evangelical mega-church in Linfen Shanxi province, northern China’s coal district, was demolished last week. The Golden Lampstand church was built a decade ago and cost a total of 17m yuan (£1.9m) at the time. This was the second church to be demolished in less than...
CHINA Catholics protest after demolition of Shaanxi church Nearly 100 Catholics gathered in front of the local government office in Shaanxi province to protest against the destruction of their church in Zhifang village. Protesters shouted “Give back my church” and “Freedom of belief.” Without consultation with the parish, the local government had posted a...
IRAQ “For the New Phase of Iraq, let us move to the Path of Hope together” On Christmas, the angels sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2/14). This is a title for a real and long-term project, achieved by Jesus Christ and should be...
SYRIA Bishop miraculously avoids death as bomb lands in his bedroom A bishop narrowly avoided death when a bomb landed on his bed during a bombardment of Syria’s capital Damascus. Maronite Archbishop Samir Nassar’s life was only saved because he interrupted his afternoon nap to use the bathroom In a message sent to Catholic...
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Police attack congregation with tear gas during Mass As protests against the continued rule of President Joseph Kabila intensified, police invaded Catholic churches and fired tear gas during Mass on Sunday 7 Jan. One witness at St Michael’s Church in central Kinshasa said police disrupted the Mass and arrested altar...
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO “The world knows what is happening, but is keeping quiet” On 31 December 2017, a march organized to protest against the continuing leadership of Joseph Kabila as president of the country turned into a riot. The result was a dozen or so deaths and 120 arrests. The DR Congo...
