A group in Nigeria calling itself the Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders (NDRC) has threatened to carry out reprisal attacks on Muslims and their mosques if Boko Haram follows through with threats to increase its attacks on Christians. In a statement issued by the group following the threats, made by Abu Musab al Barnawi, the new…
The Vicar Apostolic of Aleppo of the Latins has described the situation for his people in the Syrian city of Aleppo as “critical” as fierce fighting for its control goes on. Stuck in the Lebanese capital Beirut as the latest stage in the Syrian conflict forces road closures, Msgr Georges Abou Khazen said that through…
Leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have heeded the urgings of the country’s Catholic bishops and have begun to lay the groundwork for a national dialogue to avoid violence in the run-up to national elections. Amid tensions caused by the strong suspicion that current President Joseph Kabila will attempt to maintain his grip…
Call for Islamic leaders to speak up for peace The president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has urged Muslim leaders who insist their faith is one of peace to make their voices heard over those of hatred and violence who claim to be inspired by the Koran. Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo said that while the vast majority of the world’s Muslims…
The most high profile cleric imprisoned in the United States arising from investigations of sexual abuse of children has been freed after his conviction was ruled unsafe. Msgr William Lynn of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was not implicated in the actual abuse of children. However, as a supervisory priest for the archdiocese in his role…
Msgr Donald Sakano greets sheep in the cemetery at the Basilica of St Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York City. The parish is using the three grazing sheep to cut the graveyard’s grass this summer. Photo: CNS
Despite having her Olympic hopes dashed, Irish boxer Katie Taylor proved this week that her faith in God is unshakable. The 30-year-old Wicklow woman – one of Ireland’s most-prominent medal hopefuls – was a surprise casualty this week after her defeat to Finland’s Mira Potkonen. But, even obvious heartbreak in Rio di Janeiro couldn’t dampen…
Pope Francis has a prodigious, and deeply admirable, work ethic, but there are three good reasons why this Energizer Bunny of a pope might want to consider following the Italian lead for ferragosto and taking a break in mid-August. Monday marks an Italian holiday called ferragosto, which now coincides with the feast of the Assumption of Mary,…
In “a landmark achievement of Irish diplomacy”, Ireland has successfully steered member states of the United Nations to an agreement on the protection of migrants and refugees. Since last February, the UN’s 193 states have engaged in rounds of negotiations on how best to deal with the surging reality of migration, both economic and forced.…
Boko Haram is a house divided, writes Paul Keenan
Paul Keenan
Courtney McGrail
John L. Allen Jr.