News

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  1 December 2025
  ASIA/CHINA - The theological virtue of hope at the heart of the “Advent letters” of the Bishops of Hong Kong and Guangzhou Guangzhou (Agenzia Fides) – The theological virtue of hope is the central theme of the pastoral letters that Chinese bishops are addressing to their diocesan parishes for Advent 2025. The Bishop of the Diocese of Hong ...
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  1 December 2025
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - Child marriage now illegal in Balochistan Quetta (Agenzia Fides) – The new “2025 Law on the Restriction of Child Marriage in Balochistan” stipulates strict penalties for adults who facilitate child marriages and declares all marriages involving minors unde ...
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  1 December 2025
  ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Cardinal David: "Political dynasties are a cancer for the country" Manila (Agenzia Fides) - The historic non-violent revolution "EDSA People Power" is still incomplete: It requires genuine political reforms and an end to political dynasties. This was stated by the Bishop of Kalookan, ...
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  1 December 2025
  AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - Bishops on the upcoming elections: “A historic event that must not be wasted” Bangui (Agenzia Fides) – “This is an unprecedented historical event: it is about rebuilding our country and putting it on the path of social development and economic growth,” the bishops of the Central African Repu ...
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  1 December 2025
  AFRICA/NIGERIA - Archbishop of Sokoto: “No one asks the Catholic Church if the figures on persecution are accurate” Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – There is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria. This was affirmed by Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto in northern Nigeria in his address to the 46th Supreme Assembly of the Knights ...
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  1 December 2025
  AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - Bishop Tombura Yambio on Advent: “Hope for a land that cries, hope for a Church that arises” Tombura Yambio (Agenzia Fides) – “Advent is not just about candles and prayers, but also a spiritual rebuilding of our diocese and our nation. Let us prepare our hearts, our communities, our parishes. Let us prepare ...
• 1 December 2025
  AFRICA/REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO - Appointment of coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Nkayi Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend François Halyday Mbouangui, of the clergy of Nkayi, until now director of the diocesan Social Communication Centre and parish vicar of Saint-Mich ...
• 1 December 2025
  ASIA/INDIA - Appointment of coadjutor bishop of Darjeeling Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On November 29, 2025, the Holy Father appointed the Reverend Edward Baretto, of the clergy of the diocese of Darjeeling, India, until now director of the Divya Vani Pastoral Centre, as coad ...
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  30 November 2025
  ASIA/LEBANON - Pope Leo XIV to the Lebanese: you are a people who do not give up by Pascale Rizk Beirut (Agenzia Fides) – “Blessed are the peacemakers! It is a great joy for me to meet with you, and to visit this land where “peace” is much more than just a word.” With these words, Pope L ...
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  29 November 2025
  ASIA/INDIA - Christian officer's appeal rejected: "Freedom of conscience trampled upon" New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – The Supreme Court of India has rejected the appeal of a Christian army officer who challenged his dismissal from the armed forces. The dismissal was ordered after the man refused to particip ...
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  29 November 2025
  VATICAN - "Missionary mandate" and Jubilee at the heart of the English-language training course at CIAM Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – More than 30 priests, nuns, and lay people from Europe, Africa, and North America are participating. Among them are diocesan directors and staff members from the national directions of th ...
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  29 November 2025
  ASIA/LEBANON - Pope's Visit, Father Guillaume Bruté de Rémur: May Christians be the leaven of coexistence by Gianluca Frinchillucci Beirut (Agenzia Fides) – In Lebanon, a country marked by a devastating economic crisis, political instability, and the ongoing wounds of war, the visit of Pope Leo XIV has a missionary sign ...
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  28 November 2025
  ASIA/MALAYSIA - Cardinal Tagle at the "Great Pilgrimage of Hope": "We need more Wise Men and less Herod" Penang (Agenzia Fides) – “Under all circumstances, we will continue to tell the story of Jesus in Asia and the world. We will never tire of telling His story,” said Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle in his address ...
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  28 November 2025
  AFRICA/GUINEA BISSAU - Coup: President Embalo in exile in Senegal Bissau (Agenzia Fides) – The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who was overthrown in a military coup on November 26 (see Fides, 27/11/2025), has sought refuge in Senegal. The self-proclaimed military ju ...
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  28 November 2025
  ASIA/MYANMAR - National Human Rights Commission welcomes the release of political prisoners and considers the elections "an opportunity" Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – Myanmar’s military junta has released over 3,000 political prisoners from Insein prison in Yangon. The detainees had been arrested as regime opponents after the 2021 coup and accused of “se ...