IRAQ Baby saved from death is adopted by a Christian family Its mother was raped by DAESH militants and left pregnant. The elders of her tribe wanted to kill the baby. But the child was saved, “something that could only have happened thanks to the Church” A baby [...]
Highlights of Pope’s visit to Chile Before setting off on his 22nd Apostolic Visit abroad to Peru and Chile, Pope Francis visited Rome’s Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray for Mary’s protection. As is customary, the Pope sent telegrams to the Heads of States of the countries he [...]
NIGERIA Boko Haram release video of Chibok girls who are still held captive Boko Haram released a new video last week which it says shows 14 of the girl students abducted from a Christian school in Chibok in April 2014. Despite the formidable international campaign for their release, the [...]
SYRIA Reconstruction of ruined Homs cathedral symbolises hope for Christians “The reconstruction of this cathedral symbolizes the hope in our hearts and it is a sign of us overcoming despair and death” - Melkite Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi The Melkite Catholics of Homs will be celebrating their first Christmas [...]
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Churchgoers in Limete injured by police rubber bullets Army and police in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) stand accused of killing at least four people and injuring several others in attacks on more than 130 churches around the country. Church leaders have blamed DRC’s [...]
Highlights of Pope Francis’ visit to Peru Pope Francis arrived in Peru on Thursday evening and was warmly welcomed. The next day, he met with the President, Members of the Government and the Diplomatic Corps Representatives of Civil Society in the Government Palaceʼs Honour Yard. His key message for them [...]
IRAQ On Nineveh Plains, a ten-year-old girl dares to dream again Ten-year-old Helda Khalid Jacob Hindi, a fifth-grader, is not at a loss for words. She is passionate about her life, her future and that of her loved ones. Helda and her family—mom, dad and a younger brother—recently moved [...]
Authorities blow up Evangelical megachurch in Linfen A renowned Evangelical mega-church in Linfen Shanxi province, northern China's coal district, was demolished last week. The Golden Lampstand church was built a decade ago and cost a total of 17m yuan (£1.9m) at the time. This was the second church to [...]
CHINA Catholics protest after demolition of Shaanxi church Nearly 100 Catholics gathered in front of the local government office in Shaanxi province to protest against the destruction of their church in Zhifang village. Protesters shouted "Give back my church" and "Freedom of belief." Without consultation with the parish, the [...]
IRAQ "For the New Phase of Iraq, let us move to the Path of Hope together" On Christmas, the angels sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2/14). This is a title for a real and long-term project, achieved by [...]
