Global Church News

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  Brazilian priest recalls prayers to Mother Teresa that led to “possible miracle”

  Oct 30, 2015

  Although some may say it was by chance, Brazilian Father Elmiran Ferreira Santos believes that God’s hands were leading him when he arrived late one afternoon at his Our Lady of Aparecida Parish and found, waiting for him, a grief-stricken parishioner, whose husband had been diagnosed with several brain tumours.

  
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  China replaces one-child policy with two-child policy

  Oct 30, 2015

  The Chinese government has moved its cap on the number of children per family from one to two, the state’s news agency reported on Thursday.

  
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  Want to implement Laudato si'? Strong families are a good start, scholars argue

  Oct 30, 2015

  Church teaching on marriage and family life is crucial to understanding Pope Francis' ecology encyclical, experts insisted at a conference on Monday.

  
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  Archbishop John Baptist Odama: Africa abuzz ahead of Pope’s visit

  Oct 30, 2015

  For Ugandan Archbishop John Baptist Odama, the upcoming visit of Pope Francis is like the visit of a spiritual ‘grandfather’ who offers encouragement and a sense of identity.

  
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  Rabbi: From John XXIII to Francis, Catholic relations with Judaism have improved

  Oct 30, 2015

  Fifty years ago the way the Catholic Church related with other religions changed forever when the Second Vatican Council declaration Nostra aetate sparked a wave of unprecedented welcome – a revolution one rabbi says has gained steam with every Pope since.

  
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  Dialogue with the Islamic State? Not likely, says Cardinal Parolin

  Oct 30, 2015

  Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said that while interreligious dialogue is important, it’s not likely possible with fundamentalist groups because they aren’t interested in building the necessary relationships.

  
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  Cologne gang on trial for burglaries to fund Islamist fighters

  Oct 29, 2015

  A group of eight men has gone on trial in the western German city of Cologne. They allegedly burgled churches and schools over a period of four years to finance Islamist fighters in Syria.

  
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  Pope calls for prayers and aid after earthquake hits Pakistan and Afghanistan

  Oct 29, 2015

  As the death toll from an earthquake in Pakistan and Afghanistan continued to rise, Pope Francis called for prayers and practical help for survivors.

  
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  Fears mount in Vietnam as religion law nears debate

  Oct 29, 2015

  With Vietnam's parliament set to debate a controversial new law on religion in the coming weeks, spiritual leaders in Ho Chi Minh City are anxious the law will undermine religious growth and be used to justify harsh crackdowns.

  
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  Philippine president says his faith is stronger since papal visit

  Oct 29, 2015

  Philippine President Benigno Aquino has said his Catholic faith is stronger and remains so, nine months after Pope Francis visited his country.