When asked by his superior if he wanted to leave Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War, Fr Edward Tamer replied that he would remain with the people “to die with them and for them”. Now, having survived the worst of the violence of the war, the Franciscan friar has died of Covid-19 at the age…
Congolese bishops are expressing solidarity with Denis Mukwege, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynecologist who has received death threats over his continued call for justice and accountability over war crimes. The doctor – who shared the 2018 prize with victims of sexual violence in Congo – has been repairing women torn apart by rape in the…
An advocacy group for Christians and other religious minorities living in the Middle East this week praised an agreement between Israel and Bahrain, which comes on the heels of a similar agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. “While there are many contentious issues left to be discussed in the Middle East Peace Process…
Euthanasia legislation is headed for the Spanish Senate and, if passed, would be a defeat for human dignity and would affirm a self-centred view of life that proposes death as a solution to one’s problems, the Spanish bishops’ conference said. “To insist on ‘the right to euthanasia’ is typical of an individualistic and reductionist vision…
In the second known instance in the United States, a man who believed himself to be a validly baptised Catholic and ordained priest had to “re-receive” all of his sacraments, including ordination, after discovering that his baptism was invalid. Fr Zachary Boazman, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, thought he was validly ordained…
Pope prays for slain Italian priest remembered as a ‘martyr of charity’ Pope Francis expressed his sorrow after the murder of an Italian priest who was remembered for his care and concern for migrants and refugees. Before concluding his weekly general audience on September 16, the Pope led the Faithful in silent prayer for Father…
Cologne cardinal warns German Church’s Synodal Path could cause schism Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki warned that the Synodal Path reform project could lead to a “German national church. The worst outcome would be if the Synodal Path leads to a schism…with the universal Church,” Cardinal Woelki told Germany’s Catholic News Agency, KNA. The Catholic…
A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said that China’s interim deal with the Vatican has been “implemented successfully”. He made the remark days before the provisional agreement signed by the Vatican and China on September 22, 2018, is due to expire. “With the concerted efforts from both sides, the interim agreement on the appointment of…
A senior Vatican official arrived in Belarus for talks after the leader of the country’s Catholic Church was barred from returning to his homeland. Belarusian state media reported on September 11 that Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher was in Belarus for four days of diplomatic talks a month after the country’s disputed presidential election triggered widespread protests. The…
Only a small minority of British Catholics said they would not return to worship in church when the coronavirus pandemic is fully over, according to a new survey. Just 4% of people interviewed in the study, conducted between May 19 and July 26, said they would abandon going to church when restrictions are finally lifted.…