THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO “We are abandoned by the state” say bishops of Equatorial region   Bishops of the Congolese Province of Equator are very concerned about the local socio-economic situation in the Equatorial region. "The Bishops emphasize that the Equator is not connected well to the rest of [...]

ERITREA The first step after peace must be helping young people   After a peace agreement was signed in July by Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed formally ending 20 years of war between the two countries, an Eritrean Catholic priest said the country needs to [...]

PAKISTAN The Christian minority in Balochistan is facing greater security issues   Pakistan's new prime minister, Imran Khan, said that the “major focus” of his government will be to “address the plight of the oppressed and weakest segments of the society, including minorities, and to fight poverty.” One region to [...]

IRAQ  'We would be lost without our fellow Christians in the West'   Christians in the West have played a crucial role in reviving communities in Iraq ravaged by extremists in the ancient Nineveh Plains - according to a Church leader who has helped pioneer their resettlement in towns and [...]

ETHIOPIA 10 Churches burned, 30 killed including 6 priests in Somali Region   Hundreds of Ethiopians demonstrated last week near the government media office in the capital Addis Ababa, demanding that the Federal government acts to protect civilians as the situation in Jijiga and other parts of the Somali region in [...]

JAPAN UNESCO recognizes the heritage of 'Hidden Christians' in World Heritage List   The hidden Christians of Japan were first brought to the world's attention when Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pontiff, mentioned them in his address to the bishops of the episcopal conference of Japan in 2015. "Even when [...]

NICARAGUA Thousands march in support of bishops after attack   Thousands of Nicaraguans marched through the capital, Managua, bearing images of the Virgin Mary and Nicaraguan flags in a show of support for the country’s bishops who are mediating in the National Dialogue Process between the government and the opposition [...]

PAKISTAN God shines a light into Catholic girl’s fearful existence   Dolly Sarwar Bhatti is an 11-years old Catholic girl. She is a fifth-grader in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and her place of birth. In this interview to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need, Dolly speaks of [...]

IRAQ “I want my child to grow up in Iraq”      How young Christian parents found a house for themselves and their newborn child thanks to Aid to the Church in Need For some Christians in Iraq, the future is just a few weeks old. Baby Timotheus was born [...]

VENEZUELA Bishops say the country is heading in a 'suicidal' direction   The bishops of Venezuela issued a statement entitled “Do not be afraid, I am with you" criticising the political leadership and calling for greater respect for basic needs and human rights.The bishops' statement gives their reaction as pastors to [...]