Vatican news The bishops of Central America call for a day of prayer to “associate fraternally” with the cry of the Church of Nicaragua, “which respectfully hopes to find an answer”. By Kielce Gussie The bishops of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala called for a day of prayer for the current situation…
Vatican news As Pope Francis reiterates his call for world peace, his thoughts are with all those who are persecuted because of their religion, a tragedy that affects people of all beliefs, everywhere. By Francesca Merlo During Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Francis calls for peace in conflict zones, solidarity with the marginalized and prayerful action against…
Vatican news Founded in 2015, Erbil Catholic University, located in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, provides education, scholarships and support to Iraqi minority groups who suffered under ISIS. By Joseph Tulloch In 2014, the so-called Islamic State invaded northern Iraq, seizing large swaths of territory. The invasion led to massive displacement, including of minority…
The representative of the Holy See to the UN highlights the need to combat online racism, anti-migrant discrimination and religious intolerance. By Joseph Tulloch Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations, told the UN of the Church’s concerns about anti-migrant discrimination, religious intolerance and online racism. He made the remarks…
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations, addresses the Conference of the Senate of the Republic of Poland on “Freedom of Conscience and Religion in the Context of a Democratic State” and, following calls from recent Popes and Pope Francis, calls for strengthening and encouraging these…
Vatican news Nicaragua’s parliament has approved new tax measures that will require churches and religious organizations of all denominations to pay taxes on offerings received from the faithful. By Giancarlo La Vella Nicaragua’s National Assembly approved on August 20 a tax reform that removes tax exemptions for religious institutions, requiring them to pay income tax…
Vatican news Pope Francis thanks Catholics in the Italian city of Rimini for praying the rosary each month in their town square and urges Christians to spread the Gospel of peace, even when faced with persecution. By Devin Watkins For ten years, Catholics have gathered in Rimini, in northern Italy, on the 20th of each…
Vatican news The Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad issues a message on the 10th anniversary of the Islamic State’s takeover of Iraq, calling on Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders to unite their voices against the extremism and hatred fueling the ongoing wars in the Middle East. By Lisa Zengarini As Iraq marks the 10th anniversary of…
Vatican news Following a series of recent detentions, the Nicaraguan government is exiling seven priests, sending them to Rome. VATICAN NEWS Among the priests detained in Nicaragua, seven were exiled this Wednesday, August 7, and sent to Rome, where they arrived Thursday afternoon. They are Víctor Godoy, Jairo Pravia, Silvio Romero, Edgar Sacasa, Harvin Torres,…
Vatican news A Church delegation led by Archbishop Andrews Thazhath meets with the newly re-elected Hindu nationalist prime minister to express the bishops’ concern over growing anti-Christian violence in the country. By Lisa Zengarini Catholic bishops in India have expressed concern over the growing hostility faced by Christians in the country. During a meeting with…