Global Church News
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The Holy See, China and the question of moral authority
Oct 16, 2020
While the 2018 provisional agreement between China and the Vatican should soon be renewed, numerous voices are raising concerns and critiques against it.
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Cardinal Bo: “Fratelli tutti” talks to Asia at crucial crossroads
Oct 15, 2020
The president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) writes to his fellow bishops on the relevance of Pope Francis’ encyclical, "Fratelli tutti", in the current Asian context and looking to the future.
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Vicar of Aleppo: Encyclical 'Fratelli tutti’ recounts the suffering of the Syrian people
Oct 15, 2020
For Msgr. Abou Khazen the document is an act in defence of a people "wounded and attacked by thieves on the way to Jericho". Syria is also waiting for a Good Samaritan "to save us". But the West in recent years has betrayed hopes. A text "to be explored even in the Muslim world" and which should "inspire" the powerful of the earth and their actions.
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Kirill calls for peace in Nagorno Karabakh. Fears of a 'religious' conflict
Oct 15, 2020
The Orthodox patriarch of Moscow released an appeal yesterday in the wake of the Russian mediation between Armenians and Azeris. But the president of the Caucasus Muslims slams the Armenians: "The war for the fatherland is always a just war". Karekin II: “The mission to defend oyr homeland”. In recent days, the Russian Orthodox Church had been criticized for supporting the Azerbaijani president. Erdogan and Pakistan fan confessional flames.
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Pandemic increases the risk of looting of Iraq’s cultural heritage
Oct 15, 2020
Already targeted by the Islamic State group, which trafficked artifacts to finance its fight, Iraq’s cultural heritage is now threatened by the novel coronavirus. For an Iraqi scholar, raiding archaeological sites has “never stopped”. Attempts to contain the novel coronavirus have absorbed more and more government energy and resources.
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Undas online to pray for loved ones in the Philippines
Oct 15, 2020
Undas Online, which is now in its ninth year, was initially created for seafarers and those who work overseas and cannot commemorate the deaths of their loved ones.
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California Catholics pray, protest at destroyed St. Junipero Serra statue
Oct 15, 2020
Catholics in California rallied in a peaceful demonstration Tuesday evening at the former site of a statue of St. Junipero Serra, which a group of activists defaced and pulled down earlier this week.
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Dutch government backs euthanasia for children under 12
Oct 15, 2020
The government of the Netherlands has announced it will allow the euthanization of terminally ill children between the ages of one and 12.
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St. Junipero Serra statue defaced, pulled down on California's Indigenous People’s Day
Oct 14, 2020
A group of activists near San Francisco on Oct. 12 defaced a statue of St. Junipero Serra on private property with red spray paint before tearing it from its foundation.
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International appeal launched to promote St. John Paul II’s teaching
Oct 14, 2020
The rector of a Catholic university in Poland urged academics worldwide Monday to sign an appeal committing themselves to promoting the teachings of St. John Paul II.
Sunday Reflection
Jesus did not turn away from His mission
Today, Palm or Passion Sunday, is the first day of Holy Week, the high point of the Church’s year, climaxing in the Easter Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.