Global Church News
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Fr Samir: Mosul refugees bear a cross but express hope this Christmas
Dec 20, 2019
As the amount of aid drops, hardships increase. Unemployment and poverty are compounded by the country’s political crisis and new refugees caused by Turkey’s offensive in Syria. Clergyman expresses closeness to protesters who are “in the streets for us too, for a united country". Donations are “a sign of hope and closeness".
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Crèche revival among Indonesian Catholics overtakes Christmas tree and Santa Claus
Dec 20, 2019
The crèche is making a comeback, not only in churches and religious communities, but also in the homes of Indonesian Catholics.
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On International Migrants Day UN urges protection of their rights
Dec 20, 2019
Several heads of UN bodies have called for the protection of the rights of migrants and urged countries to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
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White House hosts Catholic leaders for religious freedom briefing
Dec 19, 2019
The White House hosted dozens of Catholic leaders on Monday afternoon for an internal briefing on life and religious freedom issues.
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Does 'The Two Popes' fairly represent Francis and Benedict? Critics say ‘no’
Dec 19, 2019
A new Netflix production, “The Two Popes” centers on several imagined meetings between Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in the period between the 2005 conclave which elected Benedict and the 2013 conclave which elected Pope Francis.
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Church leaders in South Sudan release joint Christmas message
Dec 19, 2019
The letter, released by the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), was signed by bishops and leaders of the country’s Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church and the Pentecostal Church. Among them was the Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba, Paolino Lukudu Loro.
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Death penalty continues to decline in the U.S. according to new report
Dec 19, 2019
For five years in a row, there have been fewer than 30 death penalty executions and fewer than 50 death sentences, according to a new report that chronicles a continued dramatic decline in the use of capital punishment in the United States.
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Justices could limit job bias lawsuits against churches
Dec 19, 2019
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will consider expanding protections for churches against job-discrimination claims.
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Karachi: The army restores the church of St. Thomas, 'an example of peace and harmony'
Dec 19, 2019
A "great example of peace and interreligious harmony", the church of St. Thomas in Karachi was reopened yesterday for worship after about a year and a half of restoration work paid for by the Pakistani army.
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Santa has heart for bringing joy, true meaning of Christmas to children
Dec 19, 2019
Bob Mathewson got a celebrity's welcome at St. Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic School one early December morning.
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.