Global Church News

Covid-19: Holy Land preparing for a new kind of Holy Week

Apr 01, 2020

With strict measures in place to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Catholic Church in the Holy Land is finding novel ways to help the faithful participate in liturgical celebrations leading up to Easter.
Fr Samir: the coronavirus, the new global war, from Italy to Iraq (I)

Apr 01, 2020

raqi Christians are pained by the tragic images coming from Italy. In Iraqi Kurdistan, the authorities too have ordered a lockdown, closed places of worship and forced people to stay at home. A "third generation" of war, a "biological" one, is underway. Protection is both spiritual and medical.
As Indonesian hospitals cope with lack of antivirus gear, Catholics respond to the crisis

Apr 01, 2020

Sisters warn that medical staff risk their lives. Only state hospitals and other public facilities are supposed to treat coronavirus patients. Catholic facilities will not turn away people who come for help. An Anti-COVID-19 Catholic Network is set up in Jakarta. Buddhists help. In Wedi, young parishioners hand out free packages.
Cyberspace – a new environment for worship

Mar 31, 2020

How does the Church in Africa continue to be ‘church’ in the face of Covid-19?
Coronavirus: Cardinal Tagle urges "forgiveness of debt” of poor countries

Mar 31, 2020

Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urges that in the current Covid-19 crisis that is wreaking havoc on economies worldwide, rich countries write off the debt of poor countries.
Coronavirus: Karachi NGO denies food to poor Hindus and Christians

Mar 31, 2020

The Saylani Welfare International Trust was founded in 1999 to support homeless people and seasonal workers. For Muslim, turning non-Muslims away goes
Kirill surrenders: Russian Orthodox Church in quarantine

Mar 31, 2020

The patriarch justifies the u-turn by citing Saint Mary the Egyptian, "who lived for 47 years in the desert in absolute isolation, observing fasting". But the most intransigent Orthodox accuse him of giving in to the "phobias of the godless". Protoierej Georgij Mitrofanov: People have no faith in state power. Officials are "ready to spread any lie" to save themselves. Putin as "miraculous healer". The invention of a test that gives results within 2 and a half hours.
Quarantine India, the tragedy of hundreds of millions of poor. Aid from dioceses

Mar 31, 2020

Millions of people made unemployed, return to their villages of origin. Premier Modi apologizes for the difficulties caused by the total blockade. Parishes, dioceses and Christian associations assist migrants, Dalits and refugees. Priest: "They call them 'rat eaters'. Our help is a blessing”.
Vietnamese Catholics pray with the Pope for an end to the pandemic

Mar 31, 2020

To avoid contagions, the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City suspended Masses. Churches, chapels and religious communities remain open for prayers and worship. The Pope’s universal prayer and Urbi et Orbi blessing moved many.
Bishop of Baghdad, Easter and coronavirus: in empty churches against an invisible enemy

Mar 31, 2020

Msgr. Warduni says this is not the time to "be pessimistic", even if the celebrations "are not the same", "solidarity" is required. Chaldean patriarchate issues indications for Holy Week "adapted" to these "exceptional circumstances". In these dark times, "greater unity" between Christians and Muslims.