Christians in Syria are reeling after a suicide bombing struck a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus during a June 22 Divine Liturgy. At least 20 were killed and more than 60 injured on Sunday after an attacker, reported to be armed and wearing an explosive vest, entered Mar Elias church in the city’s Dweila neighbourhood.…
For almost a year now, the Via Appia Antica has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To this day, the 2,340-year-old road is an important traffic artery from Rome to southern Italy – and holds exciting archaeological evidence. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a church around 50 kilometres south of Rome, which could provide…
An attacker has caused a bloodbath in a church in Syria. So far, at least 22 people have been killed and more than 50 injured. Bishop Bätzing expresses his shock and calls for the protection of all Christians. Following the suicide attack on a church in Syria, Bishop Georg Bätzing is calling for better protection…
Orthodox churches in the USA are joining the lawsuit filed by Catholic bishops against a new anti-abuse law in Washington state. It is intended to oblige clergy of all religions to report cases of child abuse – even if they were disclosed during a confession. Now – among others – the Orthodox Church in America…
The Austrian Pilgrim Hospice in the Old City of Jerusalem is the oldest Christian guest house in the Holy City. Sealed off and emptied of guests, it is now in a difficult financial situation. The renowned Austrian Hospice in Jerusalem’s Old City has been forced to temporarily cease operations due to the war between Israel…
Search operations continue, but hope is fading. Dozens of people are believed to have died off the coast of Libya while trying to reach Europe. More than 60 migrants are missing after two shipwrecks off the coast of Libya. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) assumes that dozens have died, as it announced on Wednesday…
Paolo Affatato The watchword: harmony. For 79-year-old Pakistani Cardinal Joseph Coutts, a musical metaphor best expresses his vision, his evangelical spirit — indeed, his very faith. It is also how he looks to the future of Christians in Pakistan: with hope, through harmony. “Harmony” is the word he chose as his episcopal motto — not…
If you have heard of Madagascar, you likely know the cartoon version better than the reality. King Julian is quite the character, bringing the uniqueness of the lemur to life. Last week I had the good fortune of meeting a lemur in the flesh in Madagascar and they have as much personality as Julian. Unique…
Ireland must not join the cascade of former colonial powers trampling on people’s wishes, writes Michael Sanfey Western Sahara – previously known as Spanish Sahara – had been under Spanish colonial control since the late 19th century until Spain decided to pull out in 1975 leading to a tussle for control between Morocco, Mauritania and…
By László Molnárfi A group of more than 50 people have registered to take part in a five-day hunger strike demanding justice for Gaza, organisers say. At the launch, held in Béguinage Church in the heart of Brussels on Monday, speakers highlighted the European Union’s “hypocrisy” on the Israel-Palestine war, the necessity of…