“Middle East Christians feel betrayed by the West” – Patriarch Ignatius Youssef Younan Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch has again issued a strong warning about the future of the region’s Christians, saying “My friends, the very existence of Eastern Churches, those churches that are from the apostolic...
PHILIPPINES – “Afraid to go to Mass” “Until recently the Philippines were a paragon of interfaith dialogue between Christians and Muslims,” said Brother Sebastiano D’Ambra, an Italian missionary in Mindanao. “But now people are even afraid to go to Mass.” Brother Sebastiano D’Ambra sounds tired when we call him on behalf of Aid to the...
SYRIA – ACN approves more emergency aid to relieve Aleppo crisis The international Catholic pastoral charity and pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has approved a number of further projects aimed at continuing its ongoing support over the next few months for the most needy families in the various towns and cities...
5th September 2016 The source of violence and conflict in Nigeria Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria has said that the source of violence and conflicts in Nigeria is rooted in the lack of correctly applying religious values of love and care to fellow citizens even though the nation is a very religious...
Pope “The Church does not need lukewarm Christians” Pope Frances has some stern words for those who claim to be Christians but do not live their faith The Church does not need “cold or lukewarm Christians” who are held back by fear, said Francis . It needs Christians who are on fire with the...
CHINA – Clergy banned from visiting hospitals in Zhejiang province In the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang the authorities have banned all kinds of religious activity in Wenzhou’s Central Hospital. In a public notice to the patients and their visitors it was announced that “Religious activities are banned in this hospital.” This means that Christian...
INDIA – Country prepares to celebrate Mother Theresa‘s canonization Throughout India preparations are under way to celebrate the canonization of Mother Theresa, the country’s best-loved public figure, on 4 Sep. A global film festival is being organised by the Indian chapter of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication. to mark the event The Aug....
NIGERIA – “Islamic aggression takes different form in Nigeria” Bishop Charles Hammawa is the head of the Diocese of Jalingo, located in the eastern part of Nigeria’s so-called “Middle Belt.” The population of 2.3 million is about equally divided between Muslims and Christians, 450,000 of whom are Catholic, with 10 percent of the people belonging...
SYRIA – ACN aid kitchen gives hope to Christians and Muslims in Aleppo While the Syrian city of Aleppo is still experiencing terrible violence and conflict, a Catholic Church is providing essential help and hope to both Christians and Muslims who have remained in the city. Jesuit priest Fr. Ziad Hilal of the Catholic international...
Pope Francis to visit Assisi in September for interreligious summit Shortly after Pope Francis’ visit to Assisi a few weeks ago, Mohamed Abdel Qader, the Imam of Perugia and Umbria who met with the Pope during the brief trip, hinted that another visit would take place soon. The Vatican has now confirmed that later this month, ...
