Global Church News
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Pope Francis appoints young Indonesian Archbishop
Dec 11, 2018
Pope Francis has appointed the Capuchin provincial superior, Father Kornelius Sipayung, 48, as the new archbishop of Medan in North Sumatra, replacing Archbishop Anicetus Bongsu Sinaga who has retired.
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The martyrs of Algeria: A testimony of charity, a seed of dialogue with Islam
Dec 11, 2018
The first ever beatification ceremony in an Islamic country, in the presence of government representatives, family members of the martyrs, the main imams of the country and representatives of the religious congregations to which the new blessed belonged.
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Middle East-North Africa worse in terms of human rights
Dec 11, 2018
Some positive steps have been taken in Tunisia, Lebanon and Qatar, but gender segregation remains in Saudi Arabia. For the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, “domestic laws must not punish criticism of religious leaders or prevent commentary on religious doctrine and tenets of faith.”
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Japan prelate leads Manila Cathedral anniversary party
Dec 11, 2018
Japan’s leading Catholic prelate led the observance of 60th anniversary celebrations marking the reconstruction of Manila Cathedral, which was destroyed by Japanese and American forces during the Second World War.
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Filipino Catholics challenge Duterte attacks on church
Dec 11, 2018
Filipino Catholics are not letting relentless attacks by President Rodrigo Duterte on the church and its leaders go unchallenged.
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PIME Missionary talks about the grace of Advent amid kids in the shantytowns
Dec 11, 2018
Boss, 13, grew up in a family wrecked by drugs. With his care and way of doing, he managed to put a smile on Few’s face, a boy pushed driven from home by his mother's second husband. In May 2018, Boss entered the seminary "to become a priest like 'Kun Po A' (Father Adriano)". Few now wants to be baptised too.
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Argentine Archbishop: In some Dioceses there is a gay Priests’ lobby
Dec 11, 2018
Archbishop Aguer welcomed Pope Francis's recent remarks on homosexuality in the priesthood.
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Young Muslim: The beatification of Catholic martyrs in the land of Islam
Dec 10, 2018
The first beatification in the Muslim world. Some imams also took part in the celebration in Oran. The beatification "is a form of posthumous rehabilitation, to raise the image of Algeria, blurred by the wild Islamist hordes". A suggestion to the courageous Algerian authorities: build a church for these 19 blessed.
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Why did Gabriel honour Mary? St Thomas Aquinas explains
Dec 10, 2018
The Angelic Doctor helps us to understand the Immaculate Conception
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Small Irish community seeks help to save a saint's iconic cross
Dec 07, 2018
A unique Irish cross marking the 1,400-year-old grave of a Catholic saint is in danger of destruction due to erosion, and the local community is seeking help to restore the “icon of Ireland’s early Christian heritage.”
Sunday Reflection
Second Sunday of Advent: The incarnation, still dawning upon us
Advent is about the incarnation. The enfleshment of the Eternal Word has indeed already occurred. In many ways, however, the Incarnation is still dawning on us, with all the connotations you can squeeze out of that word ‘dawning.’
