News

• 9 May 2005
  ASIA/THAILAND - More than 800,000 victims of human trafficking every year, new world wide scourge Bangkok (Fides Service) - Human trafficking is a global scourge which calls for international efforts to put an end to this new slavery. Human trafficking is an emerging question in the field of protecting human rights ...
• 7 May 2005
  EUROPE/FRANCE - PMS Assembly - Updated Statutes of the Pontifical Mission Societies signed in Lyon Lyon (Fides Service) - On Friday 6 May near Lyon in France Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples presided a solemn concelebration of Mass to open the work of the annual ge ...
• 7 May 2005
  EUROPE/FRANCE - PMS Assembly - General Annual Assembly opens: every Particular Church and every member of the Church should participate not only by right but also in effect in the Church’s missionary work. Lyon (Fides Service) - The work of the annual general assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies opened with a concelebration of Mass on May 6 presided by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the ...
• 7 May 2005
  EUROPE/SPAIN - Same sex ‘marriage’: Spanish Bishops reflect on ‘conscientious objection’: “To oppose dispositions which are immoral and contrary to reason, does not mean going against anyone, but standing for the truth and the good of every human person” Madrid (Fides Service) - “It is our duty to speak out clearly at this moment when Spain is about to retrograde on the path of civilisation with an unprecedented law which would seriously harm the fundamental rights of ...
• 7 May 2005
  ASIA/INDIA - Catholic priest vicar general of Patna diocese dies of stab wounds after weeks of suffering Patna (Fides Service) - Fr Matthew Uzhuthal vicar general of Patna diocese stabbed on 11 April at his parish offices died on May 1. The new reached Fides only today. The priest was attacked by a young man who demanded m ...
• 7 May 2005
  OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - National Director takes copy of Aboriginal Madonna to Pontifical Mission Societies Assembly in France Sydney (Fides Service) - A painting of the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus as Australian indigenous people has been taken to France for the annual meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) directors by National PMS D ...
• 7 May 2005
  ASIA/BANGLADESH - Re-structured church blessed in Chittagong diocese Dacca (Fides Service) - Catholics in Chittagong diocese now celebrate the Sacraments in a newly renovated church blessed a few weeks ago at the beginning of April by papal Nuncio in Bangladesh Archbishop Paul Tshang In-N ...
• 7 May 2005
  AFRICA/KENYA - Floods in north east Kenya affect 25,000 refugees from Somalia Nairobi (Fides Service)- The United Nations High Commission for Refugees and partner agencies are working to repair heavy damage caused by torrential rains and devastating floods which hit refugee camps in Dadaab in nor ...
• 7 May 2005
  AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - “The country awaits a new President to close the transition period and obtain promised international aid at last” a missionary said Bangui (Fides Service)- “The election of outgoing President François Bozizé would appear to be certain. There are no signs of tension, except for a little arguing between adversary parties” a missionary in the Cent ...
• 7 May 2005
  ASIA/HONG KONG - Mother’s Day an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of life from the Christian point of view Hong Kong (Fides Service) - Although I lost my child “I am certain that the Heavenly Father will take care of him” said Mrs Liang, a member of St. Buonaventura’s parish in Hong Kong. For this mother Mother’s Day ...
• 6 May 2005
  EUROPE/FRANCE - PMS Assembly: A call to “revive missionary ardour” in the Holy Father’s message for the inauguration of the home of Pauline-Marie Jaricot now a house of prayer and mission formation Lion (Fides Service) - Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped the Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies and celebrations to commemorate Pauline Jaricot may “revive missionary ardour” among the Catholics of France tha ...
• 6 May 2005
  EUROPE/FRANCE - PMS Assembly - Cardinal Sepe a Lyon: “We have come here to read again the spiritual legacy left to the missionary Church by venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot. May this humble daughter of this elect Church of Lyon inspire us in missionary zeal. May she make us willing and generous announcers of the Gospel of love.” Lyon (Fides Service) - On Thursday 5 May Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples presided a solemn mass for the feast of the Ascension at the St John the Baptist Cathedral ...
• 6 May 2005
  AFRICA/BURUNDI - Disarm civilians to favour a calmer atmosphere in view of presidential elections Bujumbura (Fides Service)- “The President’s initiative aims to create a calmer atmosphere in view of presidential elections planned for 19 August” a local Church source in Burundi told Fides commenting a decree iss ...
• 6 May 2005
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - Catholic World Communications Day in Pakistan: harmony, understanding and respect in society and among different religious communities Lahore (Fides Service) - In view of the annual World Communications Day promoted by the Catholic Church, also in Pakistan for several months Catholics have been promoting awareness campaigns and seminars in schools and p ...
• 6 May 2005
  ASIA/TAIWAN - Hundreds of young Catholics attend adoration for the Year of the Eucharist Taipei (Fides Service) - In his Letter for this special Year of the Eucharist ‘Mane Nobiscum Domine’ Pope John Paul II stated that the Eucharist is the centre of all Christian life and this was also something he alw ...