“Stop fanning the flames of religious discord” – Cardinal and bishop appeal for peace and unity "There is a terrible wind blowing around our country right now. There are so many people who are fanning the flames of discord and of hatred and it is becoming very difficult to preach unity [...]
PAKISTAN - Christian girls being abducted and forced to marry Muslims Sarwar Masih is a Pakistani Christian whose 23 year old daughter, Laveeza Bibi, has been abducted. Two armed Muslims forced their way into the family home of Sarwar Masih in the district of Kasur, in Punjab, threatened her parents and took [...]
SYRIA - Europe needs to be better informed - Bishop Khazen dispels some myths Bishop Georges Abou Khazen OFM of Aleppo explains what the situation in his country is in reality and points out that the views held by Europeans are wrong. He believes foreigners are misinformed and that "Europe should not [...]
Diocese rallies in support of wounded and the grieving A Bishop in Syria has described desperate efforts to tend to the injured and the dying following multiple Daesh (IS) attacks in Tartous and Jableh, which left more than 200 dead and nearly 650 injured. Bishop Antioine Chbeir stressed that the attacks [...]
MIDDLE EAST - Pope criticises West for trying to export “own brand of democracy” Pope Francis criticised leaders of Western countries for trying to export their “own brand of democracy” to Middle East countries such as Iraq and Libya without respecting indigenous political cultures. Francis has frequently attacked what he calls "cultural [...]
Cairo’s Grand Imam of Al-Azhar meets the Pope at the Vatican The Holy See Press Office released a statement saying the meeting between Francis and the Imam of Al-Azhar, considered to be the most authoritative theological-academic institution of Sunni Islam, lasted about 30 minutes and their discussions were “very cordial.” Fr. [...]
ISRAEL - Patriarch Twal joins celebrations at pastoral centre for migrants The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, joined in the celebrations at the "Our Lady Woman of Valor" pastoral centre for migrants in the south of Tel Aviv. Hundreds of migrants who came from various communities served by [...]