Global Church News
-
Bishop of Derry: Building a future of hope in Northern Ireland
Aug 15, 2019
50 years on from a key event in Northern Ireland’s conflict, the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown reflects on creating hope for the future, ecumenical dialogue and the challenges of Brexit.
-
As Amazon synod approaches, new focus given to indigenous rights
Aug 14, 2019
As the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the Amazon draws near, preparations in the region are taking place against a complex backdrop, with indigenous communities launching more protests against political policies they say interfere with their rights.
-
Franciscans’ Denver meeting first phase of making six provinces into one
Aug 14, 2019
History was made when close to 400 Franciscan friars - from 25 states as well as Canada, Italy Jamaica, Mexico and the Philippines - gathered in unity and fraternity in Denver for the religious order’s “Chapter of Mats.”
-
Israel strengthens repatriation for Jewish dominance: Filipino migrant and son expelled
Aug 14, 2019
Rosemarie Perez and her 13-year-old son Rohan, born in Israel, repatriated after a brief legal battle. The boy has never seen the Philippines. A similar situation to hundreds of other immigrant workers and which worries the Church. Bishop Marcuzzo: a "very serious" problem, the result of "extreme right" policies to reduce the non-Jewish population.
-
Pakistani Church against being called a ‘minority’
Aug 14, 2019
National Minorities Day was established thanks to Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic minister who killed for defending Asia Bibi. Christians are discriminated against in the workplace and ignored in school books. In 2018, 16 people were charged for alleged blasphemy.
-
World Elephant Day: Extinction versus the environment
Aug 14, 2019
On August 12 the world celebrated a day dedicated to elephants. An opportunity to reflect on how the risk of their extinction affects climate change and global warming.
-
Catholic parish secretary murdered in Ivory Coast
Aug 14, 2019
A parish secretary is found murdered in her office at a Catholic church, in the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan.
-
Final public Mass, tears mark closing of Poor Clare monastery in Memphis
Aug 14, 2019
Concealed behind tall brick walls and strong iron gates in a struggling Memphis neighborhood, nuns have been quietly praying for the city and its people since 1932.
-
India's Kerala Church responds to flood emergency
Aug 14, 2019
As floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains continue to submerge vast areas of states in southern and western India, Church agencies are joining in rescue and relief efforts.
-
Chaldean Synod: Invitation to unity and a greater presence of laity in the Church
Aug 13, 2019
From the leaders of the Iraqi Church the hope of a return of families displaced by ISIS and a strengthening of the reconstruction process. A "just representation" of Christians in institutions and the goal of "full citizenship". A conference of young Chaldeans in 2020 and one dedicated to the laity in 2022.
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.