A Kazakh Church leader said Catholics were left “shocked and disorientated” when early January riots shattered Kazakhstan’s image as an oasis of peace and stability. “I’ve never known such ill-will and aggression here – after so many years of excellent cooperation between faiths, and between the Catholic Church and the government,” said Father Peter Pytlovani,…
Crisscrossing above the Seattle region at approximately 17,000 mph aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei took live questions from students at Seattle Nativity School. “How has being in space affected your view of God?” asked one eighth grader at the Jesuit middle school. Mr Vande Hei paused. This was not the…
An Albanian nun who inspired Pope Francis with her courageous faith under communist persecution has died at the age of 92. Sister Marije Kaleta risked her life to bring Holy Communion to the sick and dying under the regime of dictator Enver Hoxha, whose communist government destroyed churches and martyred Catholics in its effort to create an…
After gangs of gunmen killed at least 200 people in Nigeria’s Zamfara State last week, Cardinal John Onaiyekan said that things must change. The Nigerian cardinal explained that over the past five years armed bandits have terrorised north-western Nigeria, causing a great deal of damage. “They attack farmers’ fields, kill farmers and no one says…
The Vatican has updated its rules to stem the spread of Covid-19 and will require all its employees to be vaccinated against the virus or prove they have recently recovered from the disease. Also, starting January 10, nonessential work-related travel is temporarily suspended, masking outdoors is required, high-filtering FFP2 masks must be worn indoors and…
Vatican announces motto of Jubilee Year 2025 Preparations are already underway in Rome for the 2025 Jubilee, a special year of grace and pilgrimage in the Catholic Church. Archbishop Rino Fisichella met with Pope Francis this month to discuss the motto for the jubilee. In a video published by Vatican News on January 13, Archbishop Fisichella…
Archbishop calls for prayers for Myanmar Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay has urged Catholics in Myanmar to hold special prayers for the nation facing “the crisis of Covid-19, hunger, civil wars and torture.” Ucanews.com reported the prelate has designated every Saturday evening for one hour of eucharistic adoration and the first Sunday of every…
God is not frightened by people’s sins, mistakes or failures, Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience
Pope Francis took an evening ride in a white Fiat 500 to visit a record store he used to go to when in Rome as a cardinal. Letizia Giostra, the store owner, told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the surprise visit January 11 was “an immense thrill”. “The Holy Father is passionate about…
Bishop Wilybard Lagho of Malindi continued to call for calm in the Kenyan coastal region of Lamu, but said land disputes were behind the latest attacks, which have left at least seven people dead. The bishop told Catholic News Service there is credible evidence that the attacks are being perpetrated by local gangs with an…
Ruadhán Jones