Malaysia – A United Nations Special Rapporteur has stepped into an ongoing legal row centred on a Catholic paper’s desire to use the word ‘Allah’ in its pages. The diocesan weekly Herald newspaper is currently barred from printing the name following the confirmation, by the Court of Appeal in Kuala Lumpur, of an earlier Ministry…

Pakistan – A Christian man, held in prison since 2005 on charges of blasphemy has been released from prison following a successful appeal. Younis Masih had originally faced a death penalty following a trial which heard allegations that he had made blasphemous comments against the Prophet Mohammed. The allegations arose in 2005 when Masih asked…

Sri Lanka – The bishops’ conference has condemned plans for a luxury casino resort in the country. Under plans backed by government and set to be funded by an Australian gambling magnate, an area centred on the western village of Katana has been earmarked for major multi-million euro development. Katana was reportedly chosen due to…

A Vatican-run paediatric hospital in Rome is gearing up to provide a health mission to Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. In an arrangement with the Pontifical Council Cor Unum and Caritas Internationalis, the Bambino Gesu Hospital will begin a three-month project to help, initially, some 4,000 children in need of care and medicines at the…

The conflict in Syria was at the heart of discussions between Pope Francis and Russiaís President Vladimir Putin, it has been reported. Following the November 25 private audience, the Vatican issued a statement in which it detailed various issues which had engaged the leaders, from bilateral relations and human rights. However, special attention was paid…

“It’s certain that he will be coming, but not when. We have to wait and see. Latin Patrarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Fouad Twal gives hints of a papal visit to Jerusalem in 2014.   “Pay attention to the ‘virus of individualism’ which only serves to make poor people always poorer.” Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, president of…

A vibrant and growing parish in the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora has secured a permanent parish church on the site of a former hotel. Following eight years of utilising a local sports hall for weekly Masses, the Good Shepherd parish in the east of Galway City hosted Bishop Martin Drennan last Sunday for…

Abuse survivor Marie Collins has welcomed Pope Francis’ call for bishops to continue helping victims of clerical abuse. She also expressed disappointment with recent criticism of the Murphy Report from the Association of Catholic Priests and warned that some priests who feel hurt may be tempted to try and rewrite history when it comes to…

A Catholic and a Church of Ireland parish in Belfast will mark a ‘Crafty Christmas’ this year thanks to an ecumenical project which challenged them to complete full-size knitted Christmas trees for each other in time for the festive season. The initiative, tapping into the arts and crafts skills of ordinary parishioners from St Oliver…