Global Church News

From ‘falling in love’ to mature love: Pope Francis’ message for engaged couples

Dec 01, 2021

Continuing his catechesis on St Joseph, Pope Francis offered engaged couples a reflection on moving beyond the ‘enchantment’ that comes with falling in love, toward a mature love that can stand the test of time.
Bahrain inaugurates Cathedral of Mary Queen of Arabia

Dec 01, 2021

The Church dedicated to Mary Queen of Arabia will be consecrated on 10 December by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelizations of Peoples. It will be officially inaugurated by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the previous day.
‘COVID priest’ in central Philippines offers hope to dying patients

Dec 01, 2021

A Catholic priest in the central Philippines who posed as a pedicab driver and saved a couple from separation on Christmas Day last year is now a “COVID priest.”
Asian Church media commit to tell stories of ‘people on the fringes’

Dec 01, 2021

Catholic Church communicators in Asia vowed to tell the stories of people “on the fringes of society” during an online gathering of Catholic bishops from across the region last week.
Pope's visit to Cyprus and Greece, on the border between Christianity and Islam

Dec 01, 2021

The Greek visit is a tribute to the osmosis between Greek and Christian thought. During the new visit to Lesbos the pope will meet refugees stranded on the island. Cyprus has a past of Christians, Muslims and Jews living together. Cypriots have struggled after the Turkish invasion of 1974.
Building a church of communion, participation and mission

Nov 30, 2021

The 21st century is of the laity, but laypeople in Vietnam remain extremely quiet. Due to the influence of Confucianism, most laypeople hold the clergy in considerable respect, and consequently they play an essentially passive role in church life, waiting for clergy to tell them what to do.
Bahrain Catholics celebrate the opening of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral

Nov 30, 2021

The official inauguration by King Hamad is set for December 9, followed by the consecration the next day in a ceremony led by Card Tagle. Bishop Ballin, who passed last year, was the driving force behind the complex, which was built on land donated by the king. The church has a 2,300-seating capacity. A time capsule with the history of the Church of Arabia was interred at the site.
Caritas Bangladesh kicks off golden jubilee celebrations

Nov 30, 2021

The Church in Bangladesh launches a year of events to mark “50 years’ Journey with Love and Service” to the people of the nation.
Syro-Malabar 'uniform' liturgy continues to divide

Nov 30, 2021

On the first Sunday of Advent, the new Eucharistic rite should have come into force in all Syro-Malabar dioceses. However, in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, Vicar Antony Kariyil chose to maintain the status quo, citing a letter from the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Only Cardinal George Alencherry used the new formula, with the celebrant facing the altar in the middle of the service.
Israel to grant 500 exit permits to Gaza Christians for Christmas, a ‘positive sign’, says local parish priest

Nov 30, 2021

Father Romanelli notes that for now only an “announcement” has been made. Hopefully, words will be followed by deeds. This year no age restriction is expected. Gaza Catholics are waiting for Patriarch Pizzaballa for the celebrations. A solemn Mass will be held “for those unable to get an exit permit.”