Agenzia Fides
- Vatican City – The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Clement Papa, until now interim director of the Spiritual Year at the Good Shepherd Seminary, as coadjutor archbishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea.Msgr. Clement Papa was born on 22 February 1971 in Mount Hagen, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea.He carried out his studies in philosophy at the Good Shepherd Seminary in Maiwara, Madang, and after a pastoral and spiritual experience, his theological studies at Holy Spirit Seminary and the Catholic Theological Institute in Bomana, National Capital District.He was ordained a priest on 3 December 1999 […]
- Seoul – The issue of the decline in birth rates is at the heart of the "Month of the Family 2024" organized by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Traditionally, May is Family Month in Korea, a time of family-related festivals and celebrations that are deeply rooted in Korean cultural heritage. May 5 marks "Children's Day", named after the writer Bang Jung-hwan and introduced in 1923, at a time when few children had access to education. On May 8th, however, parents are celebrated, a holiday that was originally Mother's Day and was renamed "Parents' Day" in 1973. Parents, and […]
- Vatican City – On August 31, 2023, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, appointed Rev. Télésphore Abley of the clergy of Abomey as Rector of the Saint-Paul National Philosophical Major Seminary of Djimè. Father Abley, 53 years old and 21 years of priesthood, studied respectively at the Saint-Paul Minor Seminary of Djimè and at the Notre-Dame de Fatima Minor Seminary of Parakou . After his preparatory year in Missérété , he studied Philosophy and Theology at the Saint-Gall Major Seminary in Ouidah . He has a Doctorate in Philosophy, from San Dàmaso Ecclesiastical University of […]
- Abuja – "With sadness, we write to inform of the kidnap of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo". This is how the diocese of Onitsha, in a press release dated May 16 and signed by its Chancellor, Father Prudentius E. Aroh, announced the kidnapping of Father Basil Gbuzuo. Onitsha is located in Anambra State, south-central Nigeria. "The sad incident occurred on Wednesday, May 15, along Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass, about 8am. Father Gbuzuo is a resident priest at Holy Trinity Parish, Ogidi. Until now, the abductors have not established any contact with anyone", the statement said. The statement added […]
- Nairobi – The floods that have hit Kenya since March have so far claimed at least 289 lives, according to to figures presented by the authorities in Nairobi on May 14. Rains could continue as a result of Cyclone Hidaya, which hit neighboring Tanzania on May 4. Kenya suffered only minor damage from the cyclone, but forecasters said rainfall and flooding could continue throughout the month. In addition to the death toll, the floods left nearly 293,000 people homeless and destroyed nearly 10,000 hectares of crops. Although meteorologists have linked the increase in flooding to climate change, some Kenyans believe […]
- Jakarta – For a hundred years, the mission of the Church in Indonesia has been to be a bearer of hope, and the task of the bishops has been to lead a "community of hope" that moves together for the good of the Church and the nation ", said the Indonesian bishops on the occasion of the centenary of the first meeting of the then vicars and apostolic prefects of Indonesia in 1924. In an extraordinary general assembly in May, the bishops' conference held a meeting yesterday, May 15, as part of a program full of various initiatives, in which […]
- Calavi – "Mission means being fascinated by Jesus Christ and trying to be a mirror of his goodness, wherever the breath of his Spirit leads us," says the Italian missionary Father Giovanni Benetti, a priest of the Society of African missions, who has been working in Benin for two years as a formator at the Brésillac Spirituality center in Calavi. "It is 'loving' that gives meaning to 'setting out'." "I find myself in the midst of many young people who, together with the formative fathers and friends of the centre, foster a climate of brotherhood and simplicity," the missionary continued. […]
- by Antonella Prenna Kuwait City – "I arrived in Kuwait in the middle of the Covid period, in February 2021, and presented my Letters of Credence in May of the same year although the obligation to wear a mask and all remote procedures persisted." Archbishop Eugene Martin Nugent is Apostolic Nuncio of the Vicariate of North Arabia, which includes Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. "In all the official meetings that I have had upon my arrival, everyone has expressed their admiration for the Holy Father, for his person, for what he is doing, especially here, in the context of […]
- Kalay – Air strikes by the Burmese regular army hit a Catholic church and a Baptist church in the village of Lungtak, in the town of Tonzang, in the Burmese state of Chin, western Myanmar. The bombardment, which took place between May 11 and 12, also destroyed five houses and villagers have been terrified ever since. As local Fides sources confirmed, the affected Catholic church is under the Catholic Diocese of Kalay, and the local parish priest Titus En Za Khan was able to escape into the surrounding forests along with the faithful. "The violence continues to impact the civilian […]
- Maputo – New details have emerged about the attack on Macomia, capital of the district of the same name in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado . The economy in Macomia was on the upswing after operations by the Southern African Development Community military mission, the Rwandan contingent and the Mozambican army appeared to have regained control of the province. But as Tanzania strengthened its defenses and control of movements beyond its borders, Rwandans provided security in Mocímboa da Praia and Palma, and the Mozambican army operated in the remaining regions, the jihadists once again turned their attention to […]
- by Mauro Armanino Ouagadougou – They were killed on Monday May 6th. They made the mistake of trusting the military and the "Volunteers of the Fatherland" who accompanied them. They thought their ID card would protect them. A total of 21 people in a courtyard in Moualoungou village and 130 people in Tambi Bounima village, pregnant women, men, children and passers-by, were executed without cause by the military convoy that set off. They are poor, farmers, almost all of them Christians, and therefore the military regime that is in power in Burkina Faso does not even have the right to […]
- Abuja – Nine students are still in the hands of the kidnappers who on May 9 attacked the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Kogi state, northern Nigeria. An unknown number of armed men broke into a lecture hall where students were preparing for their first semester exams, scheduled for May 13. After intimidating the students and firing several shots in the air, the kidnappers fled, taking 24 students with them. On Sunday, May 12, police announced that 15 of the kidnapped students were released after a fierce battle between security forces and the gang. There are currently […]
- Lahore – "The life of the Servant of God Akash Bashir is an inspiration and a ray of light in Pakistan and in the world plagued by terrorism and unrest," says Father Lazar Aslam OFMCap, a Capuchin priest who lives and works in Lahore, to Fides. During the month of May, the Catholic community of the Archdiocese intensified its prayers for Akash Bashir, the first Servant of God in the history of Pakistan. Many pilgrims visit his tomb, especially young Pakistanis: "His faith in God motivated him to protect and serve his community and led him to perform a gesture […]
- Juba – A new round of peace negotiations between the South Sudanese government and the Non-Signatory Opposition Group began on May 3 in Nairobi . Since the civil war in South Sudan erupted in 2013, the parties to the conflict have appealed to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development , Ethiopia, Tanzania, Sudan, Uganda, the Community of Sant'Egidio and now Kenya for mediation. These efforts have resulted in two important peace agreements and an agreement on the unification of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement , but these have not yet been implemented. South Sudanese President Kiir's request for this new intervention […]
- Rome – Shanghai, May 15, 1924: the “Primum Concilium Sinense”, the First Council of the Catholic Church in China, begins in the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Bishops, Vicars General, religious and priests, most of whom were born in distant countries and came to China as missionaries, gather under the presidency of Archbishop Celso Costantini, Apostolic Delegate in China, with the task of revitalizing the mission of the Church on Chinese territory in the light of “Maximum Illud”, the Apostolic Letter written by Pope Benedict XV in 1919. In this letter, the Pope emphasized that faith in Christ "does […]
- Kinshasa – Two people died yesterday, May 13, in the bombing of the village of Minova, in the Kalehe region, in the province of South Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo . According to a local civil society leader, the artillery shells came from the area occupied by the M23 rebels in Masisi in the neighboring province of North Kivu. Two more shots were fired in Kitalaga, two in Rudahuba and one in Kiata. Yesterday there were also violent clashes between M23 rebels and soldiers of the Congolese army and their local allies in several locations […]
- by Stefano Lodigiani Buenos Aires – “Father Carlos still urges us today to strengthen in each neighborhood a community that organizes itself to accompany the life of our people, and he challenges us to fight against all types of injustice, to maintain an intelligent dialogue with the State and society. He teaches us not to let ourselves be carried away by ideological colonization, nor by the culture of indifference. We ask the Lord that the principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church bear fruit in our communities and, through them, throughout the nation.” This is an extract from the […]
- Imphal – In Christian churches in Manipur, believers are praying "for real reconciliation and peace", while in the north-east Indian state the tensions following the inter-ethnic violence that broke out a year ago are still felt: this is what was evident above all during the two election days for the Federal Parliament , when the polling stations were almost completely deserted. In the last few days, the Manipur Catholic Youth Organization called for a prayer and solidarity meeting at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Imphal to mark the first anniversary of the violence that broke out in the state on May […]
- Vatican City – On May 11, the Holy Father appointed the Reverend Antony Valumkal, until now rector and parish priest of the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadom, Kochi, as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Verapoly, India, assigning him the titular see of Magarmel.Msgr. Antony Valumkal was born on 26 July 1969 in Eroor, in the archdiocese of Verapoly. He studied philosophy and theology at Saint Joseph’s Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy in Alwaye, Kerala.He was ordained a priest on 11 April 1994 for the same archdiocese.After ordination, he held the roles of deputy […]
- Vatican City – On May 11, the Holy Father appointed the Reverend Wilfred Gregory Moras, of the clergy of Lucknow, until now rector of Saint Joseph’s Regional Seminary in the diocese of Allahabad, as coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Jhansi, India.Msgr. Wilfred Gregory Moras was born on 13 February 1969 in Neerude, in the diocese of Mangalore, and studied philosophy and theology at Saint Joseph’s Regional Seminary in the diocese of Allahabad.He was ordained a priest on 27 April 1997 for the diocese of Lucknow.After ordination, he first held the roles of formator at Saint Paul’s Minor Seminary in […]
Aleteia
- by Daniel EsparzaThe Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, revealed during a visit to Lisbon, Portugal, that Pope Francis is considering a visit to Turkey with him in 2025. Although the Vatican hasn’t yet confirmed the trip, the Patriarch said on May 16 that a mixed Orthodox-Catholic commission is working on the preliminary arrangements. If the Read More… Orthodox patriarch says he will visit Nicaea with Pope in 2025
- by Philip KosloskiThe Bible doesn’t always give us the full details that we want; one question it leaves us with is where Jesus went when he ascended, body and soul. The Gospel of Luke simply states that he was taken up into “heaven.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands Read More… Where did Jesus’ body go if heaven isn’t a physical place?
- by Daniel EsparzaThe concept of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine. In more ways than one, it refers to the positive, graceful character traits cultivated within those guided by the Holy Spirit. Traditionally, and according to Scripture, these traits are listed as nine; other lists, including the Catechism, have 12: love, Read More… One fruit, many flavors: The work of the Holy Spirit
- by John BurgerThis weekend, which is Pentecost, four pilgrimage routes from north, east, south, and west will embark on a two-month journey tracing the sign of the cross over the nation on their way toward the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The four routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage each will be led by a team Read More… National Eucharistic Pilgrimage kicks off this weekend from four points
- by Alice AlechAll eyes have turned to Cannes and the 77th edition of its prestigious film festival which started on May 14. The annual event breathes glamour and sophistication. Setting the glitter and spotlights aside, however, we find there is another side to Cannes worth discovering, with surprisingly religious roots. This Mediterranean gem was not always the Read More… Cannes: Glitz, glamor, and a Catholic heritage (Photos)
- by John BurgerEight months after Israel’s major military operation in the Gaza Strip began in response to the Hamas terrorist attack, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has visited the Catholic parish in Gaza City, bringing with him the long-absent pastor of the community and the promise of badly needed humanitarian aid. His Beatitude Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Read More… Cardinal Pizzaballa, parish priest able to visit besieged Gaza City
- by Joseph PearceThe Lord of the Rings will be returning to movie theatres in early June. The epic trilogy of movies, produced and directed by Peter Jackson, was a box office phenomenon when the films were first released more than twenty years ago. They are amongst the most popular and successful films ever made. Many of the Read More… How Catholic is Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings?
- by Isabella H. de CarvalhoOn June 21, 2024, the Diocese of Rome will officially close the diocesan phase of the cause of beatification of Servant of God, Chiara Corbella Petrillo, an Italian mother who died in 2012 after postponing cancer treatment in order to give birth to her son. Chiara is a young mother from Rome who passed away Read More… Chiara Corbella: Diocese wraps up its phase of beatification cause
- by Cerith GardinerFor an impressive seven consecutive years a name from the Emerald Isle has been the most popular choice among North Americans for their little bundles of baby boy joy. And with just four letters! The moniker belongs to some very famous faces: from the Irish actor Liam Neeson, who played the main character in the Read More… The Catholic links to the most popular name in the United States
- by Philip KosloskiThe Holy Spirit remains a mystery to many Catholics, and is often the most difficult Person of the Holy Trinity to fully understand. Even many of the saints were not able to grasp the full extent of the Holy Spirit’s activity. The Catholic Church has used a variety of symbols to help describe the action Read More… 9 Symbols of the Holy Spirit used by the Church
ANSA English
Asia News
- In Bastar, tribal converts to Christianity continue to be attacked. Kosa Kawasi was one of them, killed by an uncle and a cousin. This kind of incidents shows the level of discrimination against people who embrace Christianity in rural villages. 'Christian tribals live in fear and insecurity even among their own families,' a local told AsiaNews.
- Three people have died and hundreds have been injured in recent clashes between police and pro-independence protesters in the French Overseas Territory. For the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), 'It cannot be ignored that eruption of violence is the manifestation of the pain, trauma and frustration of a community who have consistently had their indigenous and political rights undermined.'
- According to the Israeli army they were killed immediately on 7 October during the attack on kibbutz Be'eri. The fate of six other Bangkok citizens believed to be in the hands of Hamas remains unknown, as does Nepalese student Bipin Joshi, Meanwhile, thousands of Thais are trying to find work again in Israel as farmers.
- Patriarchate spokesman Farid Jubran tells AsiaNews: the community "happy and surprised" by an "unexpected" visit resulting from the patriarchate's diplomatic efforts. An "emergency" situation in which "food, doctors and medicines" are lacking. The humanitarian initiative of the Knights of Malta to meet the population's needs. The embrace with the vice-parish priest and the Greek Orthodox bishop.
- Today's news: Vietnam has lost billions of dollars in foreign aid due to the ongoing anti-corruption campaign;Japan approved joint custody of children for divorced couples;South Africa appealed to the International Criminal Court demanding an end to the military operation in Rafah;The problem of natural disasters in Tajikistan.
- The synod of the Orthodox community led by Metropolitan Epifanyj has appealed to Patriarch Bartholomew to condemn Kirill for the "ethno-filetist heresy". The clash with the other Orthodox jurisdiction, which has always been linked to Moscow, despite having formally distanced itself from it after the Russian invasion.
- The Home secretary handed out certificates to 14 people yesterday. Promulgated in 2019 and implemented in March this year, the CAA provides easier access to Indian citizenship for members of religious minorities from Muslim majority countries. Analysts argue that religion is being used by the BJP to rouse its electorate in the ongoing elections.
- Sources toldAsiaNewsthat two members of the underground Catholic community in Hebei have not been heard from for days, raising serious concern. It is thought that, like in other cases, they have been subjected to restrictive measures by local authorities. The diocese is the same where, a century ago, the Council of Shanghai pushed for the Marian shrine in Donglu. At present, pressure remains very strong on communities that refuse to join the various bodies of China's 'official' Church.
- Cranes and excavators are back at work after they were halted in June 2020 following local opposition and academic criticism, social media in China report. Ostensibly, the goal is to modernise rural life by merging a fifth of 70,000 villages, forcing people into new neighbourhoods on the outskirts of medium-sized cities. Anyone who fails to comply can expect violence.
- Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who chairs the Bishops' Conference, calls on faithful to 'accompany" the civilian supply mission promoted by the Atin Ito Coalition NGO. About 200 volunteers, 100 fishermen, and five boats evaded China's naval blockade reaching the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
Focus Taiwan
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Ruling and opposition lawmakers engaged in physical scuffles and verbal attacks over several controversial bills on Friday, including amendments that would give the Legislature additional powers.
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Seven fishers' unions in Taiwan and Indonesia and 12 other civic groups have formed a coalition to press Taipei and Jakarta to finalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to ensure the labor rights of migrant fishers working on Taiwanese fishing vessels.
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德) pledged Friday to continue the initiatives of incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), including maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait, according to footage released by the Presidential Office.
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) No cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in cattle have so far been detected in Taiwan, according to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA) on Friday.
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Friday was the last trading session of the local stock market during President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) eight years in office, during which time the benchmark weighted index on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) surged more than 160 percent.
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Support for same-sex marriage has hit a new high among Taiwanese nearly five years after gay couples were allowed to get married in Taiwan, according to the results of a survey released by the Taiwan Equality Campaign on Friday.
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Taiwan should expedite its military reforms and send a clear message to China about what the costs of potential aggression would be, China expert Amanda Hsiao (蕭嫣然) told a panel discussion Friday, while noting the increasing challenge the country faces in responding to Chinese pressure.
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was taken to the hospital Friday evening after a day of scuffles between lawmakers of ruling and opposition parties.
- Taipei, May 17 (CNA) A special exhibition that features museum collections arranged to take visitors into the fictional world depicted in the classic Chinese novel "Dream of the Red Chamber" (紅樓夢), kicked off Friday at the National Palace Museum (NPM) in Taipei.
- Washington, May 16 (CNA) U.S. senators across party lines on Thursday proposed a resolution to reject China's mischaracterization of United Nations Resolution 2758, saying Beijing's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan based on the U.N. resolution is not accepted by the world.
L’Osservatore Romano
- Weekly edition in English (05/17/2024)
Taiwan News
Neocatechumenal Way
Official site
- by CncMadridGrateful to God for his precious ministry in the Church Last night (March 15, 2024) the Lord called Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes to the reward of eternal life. The whole Church, and the Neocatechumenal Way in particular, is particularly grateful to him for the work he carried out during so many years of his life, accompanying with his wise counsel the birth and growth – with his gradual insertion into Read More
- by CncMadridThis morning, Saturday, January 27, 2024, Pope Francis received in private audience the International Team responsible for the Neocatechumenal Way: the initiator Kiko Argüello, Father Mario Pezzi and Miss Ascension Romero. During the audience, the Team informed the Holy Father of the International Convivence of Itinerants, which has just concluded, with more than 1,000 itinerants, leaders of the 136 nations where the Neocatechumenal Way is present, as well as theRead More
- by CncMadrid«DIARIES» OF CARMEN HERNÁNDEZ January 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m. Boston (USA, utc -5)
- by CncMadridTrieste, Italy – November 19, 2023 – 18:00 h. (GMT +1) Symphonic poem dedicated to the martyrs. A particularly important world premiere will take place on Sunday, November 19, at 6 p.m. at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste (Italy). The first element to highlight is the work itself, “The Messiah”, which is composed of three moments: “Aquedá”, “Daughters of Jerusalem” and “The Messiah, lion to conquer”. A triptych with aRead More
- by CncMadridBreaking news: Official data from civil protection and Lisbon police confirm attendance of more than 100,000 people at the vocational meeting THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY FILL THE CITIES OF EUROPE WITH SONG The 37th World Youth Day (Lisbon, August 1-6, 2023) had a final moment of extraordinary joy in the meeting of more than seventy-five thousand young people of the Neocatechumenal Way, who came from all overRead More
Ucanews
Vatican News
- Pope Francis meets with Participants of the Plenary Meeting of the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology and stresses the importance of the catacombs during the upcoming jubilee year. Read all
- The Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) has published and released the final document of its Golden Jubilee assembly, which was held in Lagos, Nigeria, in November 2023. Read all
- The Israeli army says five soldiers have been killed by Israeli tank fire in northern Gaza. Read all
- Bartholomew I of Constantinople speaks to Vatican News about ecological conversion. He also discusses the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the ecumenical preparations for the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Read all
- Pope Francis sends a message to an international Conference on Sports and Spirituality in which he reiterates his belief the “amateur” spirit must never be lacking in sports as it preserves the genuine values of competition. Read all
- The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the besieged Gaza Strip bringing the closeness of the Church to the people and offering a message of solidarity and support. Read all
- Pope Francis receives Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of the Republic of Latvia, in audience in the Vatican. Read all
- Pope Francis meets with the Metropolitan Agathanghelos, Director General of the Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece, and a Delegation of the Theological College of Athens. He thanks them for two decades of cooperation between the Church of Greece and the Catholic Committee for Cultural Collaboration. Read all
- Pope Francis addresses participants in a Vatican summit on the climate crisis, and encourages the international community to leverage the regenerative power of nature to move toward climate resilience. Read all
- In an interview with Vatican News, the former Superior of the Mission ‘sui iuris’ in Afghanistan, the last priest to have been in the country, Fr. Giovanni Scalese, discusses Pope Francis' appeal for those suffering from massive floods, and suggests it helps break down a 'wall of silence' that has thus far left the country 'abandoned' and 'forgotten.' Read all
CHASTONY 