Thousands of Christians are reportedly trapped in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo as the battle by government troops to recapture it enters its final stages. Having endured the heaviest shelling of the conflict in recent weeks ahead of an advance by forces loyal to President Bashar al Assad on rebel lines, Christians and other…
A photo of slain Father Jacques Hamel is seen among fl owers at a makeshift memorial in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, near Rouen, France. Photo: CNS
The pain and glory of the cathedrals
Members of the Muslim faith in France have attended Masses in a show of solidarity after the murder of Fr Jacques Hamel. Heeding a call from the French Council for the Muslim Religion, members joined with worshippers at Masses in defiance of the message of separation communicated by so-called Islamic State (ISIS) as it inspires…
Cardinal Peter Turkson has travelled as Pope Francis’ special envoy to troubled South Sudan to deliver a message of peace to rival leaders in the nation. The head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace carried letters from the Pontiff for President Salva Kiir and for Vice President Riek Machar, the leaders of the…
Des Kelly, ‘The Carpet Man’ has been remembered as a man of faith who worked tirelessly for the homeless and needy throughout his years of business success. As he was laid to rest in Ratoath, Co. Meath on Tuesday, Fr Gerry Stuart reminded mourners of the voluntary work undertaken by Mr Kelly over many years,…
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has officially requested that the Vatican become involved in mediating talks aimed at seeking a solution to the nation’s catastrophic economic crisis. Following weeks of resistance on the part of the president to any negotiations with his political rivals, even as dangerous food and medical shortages grow ever worse, Mr Maduro…
Fr Ed Kohler of Little Flower Parish in Browning, Montana, distributes Communion during Mass at the close of North American Indian Days. The annual event, first held 65 years ago, gathers Native Americans from 50 tribes from across the US and Canada. Photo: CNS
A cycle of violence continues, writes Paul Keenan
A religious order of nuns in Buenos Aires is to face a Church investigation over allegations that members worked with a corrupt government official in hiding $9 million in cash and jewels at their convent. The investigation comes after the arrest of government minister Jose Lopez in June at the convent on the outskirts of…