Login      Register  
Subscription

CHALDEAN PATRIARCH: ONE MILLION IRAQI CHRISTIANS HAVE EMIGRATED IN RECENT YEARS

In recent years, with the migratory flows of the Iraqi population to other countries, about a million indigenous Christians have left Iraq. Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako recalls this in a message released on January 31 on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of his patriarchal election. On this occasion, the Patriarch traces a brief account […]

VENEZUELAN ARMY BESIEGED HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS IN MATURIN CATHEDRAL

As opposition marches were held across Venezuela on January 23, at least 700 opposition supporters were trapped in Maturin’s Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for several hours, besieged by the Venezuelan Army. The Jan. 23 marches were convoked by the National Assembly, Venezuela’s democratically elected legislature, which is controlled by the opposition. At […]

HOPE WANES IN CHURCH WOUNDED BY SIN, POPE TELLS PANAMA CLERGY, LAITY

A church wounded by sin can paralyze, confuse and tire the hearts of Catholic clergy and laypeople, causing them to doubt their mission in the modern world, Pope Francis said. Celebrating Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria La Antigua on Jan. 26 with priests, consecrated men and women and members of lay movements, […]

CZECH LAWMAKERS APPROVE TAXATION OF CHURCH RESTITUTION PLAN

The Czech Parliament’s lower house has approved a proposal drafted by Communist lawmakers to tax the compensation that the country’s churches receive for property seized by the former Communist regime. On January 23, 106-56 vote shows the rising influence of the Communists. The party is not part of the centre-left ruling coalition led by Prime […]

FRANCIS EXPRESSES OPENNESS TO MARRIED PRIESTS IN PLACES WITH ‘PASTORAL NECESSITY’

Pope Francis closed the door Jan. 27 on his making celibacy optional for all Catholic priests, but also expressed openness to allowing older married men to be ordained to the priesthood where there is a “pastoral necessity.” In a press conference aboard the papal flight back to Rome after a five-day visit to Panama, the […]

BEWARE OF ‘SPIRALS OF HATRED’ ON SOCIAL MEDIA: POPE

Pope Francis has warned against the increasing narcissism and “spirals of hatred” found on social media networks, encouraging people to cultivate community in their internet interactions. In his World Communications Day message, published on January 25, Pope Francis said that online discussion is “too often based on opposition to the other.” “We define ourselves starting […]

WELBY SAYS IT IS ‘WONDERFUL’ TO CONVERT TO CATHOLICISM

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he is perfectly happy if members of the Church of England convert to Catholicism, and that it can even be “wonderful.” In an interview with Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, the Most Rev Justin Welby says he does not mind at all that many of Church of England […]

NATIONAL CONSULTATION TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES, CRISES IN INDIAN CHURCH

A nation consultation, “We too are Church,” is being organized as a response to the various challenges and crises facing the Church in India. The initiative by Catholic lay people is an attempt to implement “the far reaching teachings” of the Second Vatican Council, says a press note from consultation coordinator chhotebhai, a former president […]