Global Church News

Pope Francis appoints a new Archbishop for Jaro, Philippines

Feb 15, 2018

Pope Francis has appointed as Archbishop of Jaro, Philippines, Bishop José Romeo Orquejo Lazo, who has been serving as Bishop of the Diocese of San José de Antique.
‘I am not a star’ says nun cured at Lourdes

Feb 15, 2018

Sr Bernadette Moriau's recovery was recognised as the 70th miracle attributed to the pilgrimage site
Daily fasting and no dairy: How Eastern Catholics observe Lent

Feb 15, 2018

The Maronite Catholic Church asks for daily fasting from midnight to noon
For Card Gracias, Lent is a time of fasting and works of mercy

Feb 15, 2018

About 500 Catholics took part in Ash Wednesday Mass in the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Mumbai. They heard practical indications for the Lenten period. In lieu of abstinence, people can perform works of charity and exercises of piety. They can also benefit from the sacrament of reconciliation.
Christians pay tribute to Asma Jahangir at her funeral in Lahore

Feb 15, 2018

The funeral ceremony of the late activist took place at Gaddafi Stadium amid tight security. Pauline sisters carried a placard that said ‘Asma, the true spirit of humanity’. For the National Commission for Justice and Peace, she was the voice of the “oppressed and marginalised".
Where do Ash Wednesday ashes come from?

Feb 15, 2018

Per the instructions of the Roman Missal, ashes are typically supposed to be made from last year’s Palm Sunday palm branches. These branches are then burned down into a fine powder and, in the United States, are mixed with holy water or chrism oil to create a light paste. In other parts of the world, sometimes dry ashes are sprinkled on the head rather than made into a paste.
Respect freedom of speech, Kenyan Bishops say after media restrictions

Feb 15, 2018

Kenya’s government has shut down several TV stations after the leader of an opposition political party declared himself the “people's president” in January.
What’s destroying some Catholic marriages? The answer may surprise you

Feb 15, 2018

Of the countless Catholic couples who have come through Fr T.G. Morrow’s office in Washington D.C. for marriage counselling, two remain imprinted in the priest’s mind, even today.
USCCB launches new mobile-responsive ForYourMarriage.org website

Feb 15, 2018

On the first day of US National Marriage Week Feb 7-14, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the launch of a new mobile-responsive For YourMarriage.org website.
China Church further squeezed by revised regulations

Feb 15, 2018

After China’s new regulations for religious affairs were enforced on Feb. 1, minors have been banned from entering places of worship in several regions, while Protestant house churches in Henan province have been forced to close.