Category: World Report

Bishops warn of rising ‘political intolerance’ in Burundi

Burundi’s Catholic bishops have expressed their concern at rising political intolerance in the east African country. “We are worried about the progressive increase of political intolerance which, in different parts of the country, provokes clashes,” the bishops said in a statement at the end of their four-day plenary meeting in the capital, Gitega. Burundian authorities…

Charity on the alert for Ebola virus

Catholic Relief Services is monitoring the health situation in Uganda, following two confirmed deaths from the Ebola virus. “We consider even one case a very serious development,” said Niek De Goeij, Uganda Country Representative for Catholic Relief Services. “But while Ebola is a frightening disease, we’ve seen almost a year of critical preparedness efforts on the part…

Exorcist Mexican priest charged with murder

A priest in Mexico City has been arrested for murder barely a week after he celebrated a funeral Mass for the victim. Fr Francisco Javier Bautista was arrested on June 19 and was charged with the murder of Hugo Leonardo Avendano Chavez, 29, who had recently graduated with a master’s degree from a Catholic university,…

In Brief

Archbishop calls for dialogue between US, Iran Amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the US Archdiocese for the Military Services called on President Donald Trump’s administration to seek “sustained dialogue…to de-escalate the current situation that is a danger to both the region and the world”. The archbishop’s call…

Vatican Roundup

Christians
 must
 respond
 to
 migration
 crisis
 humanely
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Pope The Vatican recognises how difficult it is for nations to manage the flow of migrants and refugees, but one thing is certain: “We must respond in a humane manner, a Christian manner, and we must try to help people, not harm them,” said the Vatican foreign…

Bishop pledges to stand with Hong Kong protestors

As massive protests continued in Hong Kong, the auxiliary bishop pledged to remain with those opposing a controversial extradition bill and the resignation of the Chinese territory’s leader. Although chief executive Carrie Lam announced on June 15 that she had suspended the bill, Hong Kong people were not satisfied and turned out in even greater…

Fear over Ghana Catholics abandoning the Faith

Launching the 25th anniversary celebrations for the Diocese of Keta-Akatsi, Bishop Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante of Jasikan said he was worried how charismatic and Pentecostal movements are affecting Catholics in Ghana. “For Catholics who remain Catholics and yet keep running after Jesus, from one to another crusade or fellowship or prayer camp, I am afraid…