CHILE - Arson attacks on Christian churchesIn recent years, Araucanía, a region in the south of Chile, has been the focus of violent attacks. Hundreds of people have been victims of the so-called “Mapuche conflict” ” named after indigenous people in southern Chile. According to official figures, more than half [...]

Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart inspects the damage in Christian quarter of Aleppo  Letter from Aleppo: Eyewitness account of latest rocket attack There were 25 of them -  20 children, three priests and two lay volunteers -  gathered after Mass the evening of July 2, in the Al-Wouroud School, next to the parish Church [...]

   Pope urges world leaders: "If you want to help Syrians, stop funding the war." Pope Francis has sent a video message to world leaders as  a new campaign to promote peace in Syria is launched. “While the people suffer, incredible quantities of money are being spent to supply weapons to [...]

ISRAEL - Fr Pizzaballa appointed new  Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who reached the age limit of 75 last October has resigned. Pope Francis has accepted Twal’s resignation and appointed former Custos of the Holy Land, Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa to replace him. Fr. Pizzaballa, 51, will be [...]

 Islamic State forms Southeast Asian unit and appoints Philippine terrorist as head Southeast Asian militants claiming to be fighting for Islamic State recently posted a video on social media announcing they have chosen one of the most wanted men in the Philippines to head a regional faction of the ultra-radical group.The [...]

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Church  beginning to recover from the devestation of war During the Bosnian war from 1992 to 1995 around half the Catholic Croats in the country were forced to leave and seek refuge abroad. Today there are only around 450,000 Catholics still living here. While it is true that, [...]

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - ACN helps to sustain the “miracle of Pope Francis” “The tension may have eased, but it still remains beneath the surface”, said Father Aurelio Gazzera to the international Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). He was describing the present situation in the Central African [...]

SYRIA - Vacation Bible School is a light in darkness for Syrian children For children growing up in Aleppo, Syria, life is anything but easy. In a city devastated by war, bombings are common and death is never far away. But for some 350 Christian children in the city, there is a [...]

Pope Francis’ visit - another step toward Christian unity? Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia is widely viewed as a chance to promote unity. It builds on decades of productive ecumenical dialogue since the Second Vatican Council between Rome and the Armenian Apostolic Church, part of the Oriental family of Orthodox churches. [...]

“Offenses against God and humanity” - Pope prays for victims of recent terrorist attacks Pope Francis expressed his sadness on hearing about more “barbarous” terrorist attacks that took place over a  short period in three countries.  On hearing of the first incident in Istanbul, which the Pope described as a “heinous [...]