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EU draft pulled after Vatican complains Christmas ‘cancelled’‍

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin smiles as he is welcomed by German President Frank-Walter Stein-meier for a meeting at the Belle-vue palace in Berlin, Germany on June 29, 2021. The European Commission on Tuesday Nov. 30, 2021, retracted internal communication guidelines that had

In Athens, Pope Francis sounds alarm over the ‘retreat from democracy’

As Pope Francis arrived in the birthplace of democracy on Dec. 4, he immediately sounded the alarm that democracy is under threat across the globe, as authoritarian leaders fuelled by populist and nationalistic interests are on the rise. “Today, and not only in Europe, we are witnessing a retreat from democracy,” the pope said, warning […]

A Requiem for the Disappearing Christians of Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Gaza

“Islamic fundamentalist groups, in particular ISIS, have ravaged parts of Iraq and Syria and brought those countries’ already decimated Christian population to the verge of extin-ction. In Egypt, Christian Copts face legal and societal discrimi-nation. In Gaza, which in the fourth century was entirely Chri-stian, fewer than one thousand Christians remain.” Sobering statistics like these […]

For Those with Eyes to See, There Is Theological Truth in Church Architecture

God is bigger than a church building. He reveals himself to us in myriad ways: through the Bible savoured in silence or thundered in a sermon, through prayerful solitude or bread broken with others. He reveals himself in the contours of nature and whispers of wind. We do not rely on church buildings for divine […]

Bahrain inaugurates Cathedral of Mary Queen of Arabia

The small Catholic commu-nity of the Emirate of Bahrain is preparing to celebrate the solemn opening of the largest Catholic Church in the Arabic Peninsula dedicated to their Patron Saint. The Cathedral of Mary Queen of Arabia will be inaugurated on December 9 – significantly, one day after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – by […]

France’s interior minister condemns threats against Catholics during procession

France’s interior minister on Saturday condemned threats made against Catholics taking part in a Marian procession in the western suburbs of Paris. Gérald Darmanin deplored what he said were “unacceptable acts” during a torchlight procession in Nanterre on Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. “Freedom of worship must be able to be exercised […]