International

Nigerian mother charged with blasphemy for defending murdered Christian student

Rhoda Jatau, a Christian and mother of five, was charged with blasphemy in a Nigerian court on December 19 for forwarding a video defending a lynched Christian student. During her arraignment on Monday, Jatau was officially charged with blasphemy, inciting a mob, and exciting contempt of religious creed. She is being tried in the northeast […]

Catholic Church, Jewish community to bring 40,000 Christmas dinners to Mexicans in need

The Archdiocese of Guada-lajara, Mexico, has joined the Je-wish community to provide 40,000 Christmas dinners for the poor this Dec. 25 in an initiative called “10,000 Christmases in one.” The event, which is being held for the fourth consecutive year, will bring food from 40 parishes and a shelter to those most in need in […]

Brazil lawsuit seeks to force church to cover pension, insurance for ex-priest

A Brazilian man who was forcibly laicized by the Church two years ago, meaning expelled from the priesthood, is now appealing to the secular Supreme Court in the world’s largest Catholic country, in effect seeking damages against the church he claims unjustly penalized him. Although laicization is an internal church matter and thus normally considered […]

Saying Benedict XVI is ‘very sick,’ Francis calls for prayers for predecessor

Pope Francis on December 28 thanked retired Pope Benedict XVI for his silent service to the church and asked the faithful to offer special prayers for his predecessor, who, Francis said, is “very sick.” Speaking during his Dec. 28 General Audience, the pope said, “I would like to ask you all to say a special […]

Will Messi keep his promise to the Virgin Mary after winning the World Cup?

After Argentina’s victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a promise made by soccer superstar Lionel Messi to the Virgin Mary has resurfaced. Will he fulfill it? Lionel Messi, 35, played his fifth World Cup wearing Argentina’s jersey and the team became world champion by beating France on Sunday. Considered one of the best […]

Christmas reborn in Bethlehem after pandemic years

With a giant evergreen tree, colourful balloons in the streets and selfies in the Church of the Nativity, Christmas tourism has returned to Bethlehem after two years of Covid-related restrictions. Revered in Christian tradition as the birthplace of Christ, the town of Bethlehem welcomes thousands of pilgrims and tourists for Christmas every year, a windfall […]

Ortega’s Brutal Catholic Crackdown – Where’s the Outrage?

For millions of Christians around the world, the official religious Christmas season kicked off this week with a renewed sense of normalcy – an abundance of colourful lights, parades and processions, family and church gatherings, and even fireworks in some areas. Many believers in countries where Christians are religious minorities such as China and India […]

Nigeria terror attacks kill 46, despite hopes for ‘peaceful Christmas’

An automobile burned amid December 2022 terror attacks in Malagum 1 community of Kagoro Chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Council, Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Credit: Fr. Mattew Saleh. At least 46 villagers were killed last week in northern Nigeria, in two separate attacks believed to have been perpetrated by a group of Fulani herdsmen. A […]

Eviction-facing Indian Catholics to fight Muslim charity’s claims

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica