SLOVAKIA – New community centre is a hub for pastoral care and parish activities The parish of St Stephen in Kamenicanad Cirochou has around 2,600 Catholic faithful. It is situated in eastern Slovakia, just around 22 miles (35 km) from the Ukrainian border. In comparison with other parts of the country, this region is relatively...
CUBA – Spare parts for the ancient cars of the priests in the diocese of Holguin The ancient “classic cars” that are so typical of the towns and cities of Cuba are a great attraction for tourists, who love to photograph them. For the people of the country itself, however, the situation is not so...
Ukraine – Urgent restoration work continues on the roof of Odessa Cathedral The Cathedral of the Assumption in Odessa can look back on a chequered history. It was built in 1853 with the contributions of Polish and German Catholics. However, in 1935 it was closed down by the communists. First it was turned into an...
Dr Maria Meilak receives prestigious award for her missionary work Well known Maltese lay missionary Dr Maria Meilak was one of the first two alumni of the University of Malta chosen to receive a prestigious award in acknowledgement of distinction in their field, as well as leadership on a community, national or international level....
UKRAINE – ‘I Can’t Believe I’m Free’– Ukrainian ex-prisoner of war describes how faith helped him survive his ordeal Krypychenko, a private in the Ukrainian army, found himself alone in no man’s land when his vehicle broke down. When an enemy intelligence unit appeared with weapons drawn, he assumed they were going to kill...
Confession marathon – 95-year-old priest walked three miles while hearing confessions During a recent “Penitential Walk” in Brazil, Friar Roberto, a 95-year-old Capuchin priest, walked more than three-and-a-half miles while hearing confessions. Over 30,000 people took part in the five mile walk in the northeast Brazilian Archdioceses of Fortaleza and Salvador de Bahia. More...
Wealth and power are good, but only when used justly to serve everyone Pope Francis, who is well-known for championing the poor, has spoken out against the abuse of wealth and power: “Wealth and power are realities which can be good and useful for the common good, if they are put at the service of...
SYRIA – “Hoping that the ceasefire will be the beginning of the end of the war” A representative of the Syriac Orthodox church in Syria has expressed his hopes that the current ceasefire will be the beginning of the end of the war in Syria. When asked about the temporary end of hostilities that took...
IRAQ – British Sunni imams visit Iraq in bid to counter Islamic State propaganda in the UK A group of Sunni imams made the first-ever visit to Iraq by British Muslim religious leaders to see first hand the front line in the fight against ISIS. During the eight-day fact-finding mission, the imams, representing mosques...
UNITED STATES News update Secretary of State John Kerry stated this week that that ISIS has been committing genocide against religious minorities in the Middle. This is only the second time the executive branch has used the term in relation to an ongoing conflict. The formal designation comes days after the House passed a...
