Global Church News

Card. Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir dies aged 98

May 14, 2019

With the death of Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, former head of the Maronite Church, the Church loses a figure who played a prominant part in the troubled recent history of Lebanon.
Filippino Bishops: The Church doesn't do politics, we leave it to the laity

May 13, 2019

In a few days the country is called to renew the Senate in the mid-term elections. The polls favor President Duterte's political structure: some analysts fear that, reinforced by the polls, the leader could re-introduce the death penalty. The Bishops' Conference: "Catholics must support the best candidates, but priests and bishops must not give endorsements".
Kolkata’s Home of Hope and the friendship between Jean Vanier and Mother Teresa

May 13, 2019

The Asha Niketan (Home of Hope) in Kolkata is a L’Arche communities. Founded by Jean Vanier in 1973, the land on which it was built was donated by Mother Teresa, who often visited its residents. "Every time he (Vanier) was in Kolkata, he went to visit Mother Teresa,” said its director. “Jean Vanier discovered the value of love in listening to people with special abilities,” said Mgr Thomas D’Souza.
Christian-Muslim dialogue should continue and promote freedom of religion

May 13, 2019

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issued a message addressed to Muslims on the occasion of Ramadan, noting that “We Muslims and Christians are called to open ourselves to others, knowing and recognizing them as brothers and sisters. In this way, we can tear down walls raised out of fear and ignorance and seek together to build bridges of friendship that are fundamental for the good of all humanity.”
Pope permits pilgrimages to Medjugorje as apparitions continue to be studied

May 13, 2019

Pope Francis has given the green light for Catholics to organize pilgrimages to Medjugorje, a site of alleged Marian apparitions, though the Church has not yet given a verdict on the apparitions' authenticity.
Who are the new Priests of 2019?

May 13, 2019

This year, 481 men in the United States will kneel in cathedral churches and be ordained as Catholic priests for Jesus Christ.
Gunmen kill six during Mass in Burkina Faso

May 13, 2019

A group of gunmen burned down a Catholic Church during Sunday Mass and killed at least six people, including a priest, in the west African nation of B
Colombo, a (public) Mass for the victims of the Easter attacks

May 11, 2019

Card Ranjith led the function in the church of, one of those targeted in the attacks. "We do not hate you - the prelate said - but you will answer for your actions before God". Some survivors speak to AsiaNews: "We can't forget the sound of bombs and the cries of those who were dying".
Mexican Bishops ask government to assist in migrant crisis

May 10, 2019

The Mexican Bishops' Conference has made a public request for help from the country's authorities, as well as all people of good will, in addressing the migration crisis at the country’s southern border.
Indian Church cares for HIV/AIDS children

May 10, 2019

According to UNICEF India, India has 220,000 children infected by HIV/AIDS, 33 percent of them die within the first 12 months.