Global Church News
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Thirteen Christians killed every day in the world because of their faith
Jan 14, 2021
Every day, Thirteen Christians worldwide are killed because of their faith, twelve churches or Christian buildings are attacked ad twelve Christian are unjustly arrested or imprisoned, while another five are abducted.
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New Zealand Bishops: 'Covid-19 vaccine is a moral duty'
Jan 14, 2021
New Zealand's Catholic Bishops urge everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine saying it is a moral duty.
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Move to save Manila basilica garners huge support
Jan 14, 2021
An online petition launched by a church group in Manila Archdiocese to save a landmark church in the Philippine capital has garnered 400,000 signatures in only two days, organizers say.
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Capitol attack: Equating Hong Kong, Taiwan’s ‘sunflower’ movement and Tiananmen is wrong
Jan 14, 2021
Chinese and Hong Kong authorities accuse Washington of a “double standard”. Protesters in the former British colony, however, want more democracy, as did those in Tiananmen. Young Taiwanese fought for the sovereignty of their country. The Republic of China in 1913 is a precedent. The democratic system saved the United States.
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Prayer and hunger strikes to free Jimmy Lai before the Chinese New Year
Jan 14, 2021
PIME missionary, Fr Franco Mella, met and prayed with the wife and the youngest son of the Catholic businessman held in prison. The request in the name of "humanity" to free six members of the democratic movement and the young people arrested in recent months. The priest asks for "humanity" and not "efficiency" also in the case of Alicia, separated from her mother Shifa by law.
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Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk, protagonist of the Orthodox rebirth, has died
Jan 14, 2021
He was 85 years old. He had been hospitalized for a month, suffering from Covid-19. He was in the group of "Brezhnevian hierarchs". As bishop he had been an agent of the KGB, with the code name of "Ostrovskij". He revived theological studies, catechesis, the formation of the clergy, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. The last years of his ministry saw him in close collaboration with the Catholic archbishop Msgr. Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz.
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EU concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions
Jan 13, 2021
The European Union has warned Iran that its decision to increase uranium enrichment could undermine efforts to keep a nuclear deal alive, while diplomatic efforts continue to bring the United States back onboard under a new administration.
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Lahore, Christian sisters Sajida and Abida kidnapped, raped and murdered
Jan 13, 2021
They both worked in a pharmaceutical factory. The owner, Mohammad Naeem, and the supervisor Mohammad Imtiaz pressured them for marriage, promising wealth and demanding their conversion to Islam. But the women, married to two Christians, had refused.
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Iraqi academic Saad Sallum: With his gaze on Abraham, the Pope comes for everyone
Jan 13, 2021
The apostolic journey is a source of "great support" for all minorities after the suffering of Daesh. But Francis is also coming for Sunnis and Shiites, who hope in a visit to Najaf and a meeting with al-Sistani. An event that also marks a new season for the country. The Chaldean patriarchy presents the official logo and slogan.
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Venezuela: Bishops call for radical change in political leaders
Jan 13, 2021
In view of the grave situation facing the country, the Bishops of Venezuela issue a pastoral exhortation addressing serious issues including human rights violations, the politicization of humanitarian aid, and the harassment of migrants attempting to flee the country.



Sunday Reflection
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time: Temples of God
A number of years ago, I came upon three very disappointed young ladies in our Life Teen Programme. They were just freshmen and had been looking forward to the Homecoming Dance, their first big high school dance. Well, the dance was not what they expected.