News

• 18 January 2005
  ASIA/IRAQ - “Christians forgive violence, hope for peace and will work for peaceful harmony among the Iraqi people” said Father Nizar Semaan after Archbishop’s release Mosul (Agenzia Fides)- “We are all relieved and delighted that Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa is safe” Father Nizar Semaan, Catholic priest in Mosul told Fides, confirming the news that the Archbishop taken hos ...
• 18 January 2005
  ASIA/HONG KONG - A year of light and shadow for freedom of belief and all human rights in mainland China: Hong Kong’s Catholic weekly takes stock of the past 12 months Hong Kong (Fides Service) - There are signs of hope for China’s Christians although control by the Patriotic Association is still strict according to a 2004 12 month review published in the Sunday Examiner, Hong Kong� ...
• 18 January 2005
  University of Pisa supports S. Egidio HIV/AIDS programme DREAM in Mozambique. Rome (Fides Service) - On January 14 a team of students from the University of Pisa set out to join the well established DREAM anti HIV/AIDS in Mozambique programme run by the Rome based S. Egidio Community. This is the ...
• 18 January 2005
  EUROPE/ITALY - With regard to “the challenge of life” Catholics are not alone in their position, their opinions are endorsed by many, including non believers equally concerned for our common future: Cardinal President’s prolusion to Standing Council of Italian Bishops Conference CEI Bari (Fides Service) - The present public debate in Italy with regard to a referendum on amendments to the law on Assisted Reproduction was mentioned by Cardinal Camillo Ruini the President of the CEI the Italian Bishop ...
• 17 January 2005
  Pope John Paul II’s Missionary Prayer intention for January: “For vocations in mission lands: may the Lord continue to call holy and selfless men and women eager to proclaim the Gospel”. Comment Archbishop Robert Sarah secretary Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Today, as in the past, mission is difficult and complex, and demands the courage and light of the Spirit. We often experience the dramatic situation of the first Christian community whi ...
• 17 January 2005
  AFRICA/TANZANIA - Bishop of Dodoma resigns, the Pope appoints successor Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope John Paul II has, 15 January 2005, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of Dodoma diocese (Tanzania), presented by Bishop Mathias Joseph Isuja in confor ...
• 17 January 2005
  VATICAN - The Pope underlines the importance of unity among Christians and solidarity among all men and women: May Mary most holy help Christians to be one in heart and mind and all men and women to grow in solidarity in order to build a world of peace Vatican City (Fides Service) - As every Sunday, yesterday 16 January, Pope John Paul II appeared at his study window at midday to bless the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square to pray the Angelus prayer with him. Befo ...
• 17 January 2005
  ASIA/ SRI LANKA - The Pope appoints new Coadjutor Bishop of Chilaw Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, on 17 January 2005, appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Chilaw (Sri Lanka), Rev. Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devasritha Valence Mendis of the clergy of Chila ...
• 17 January 2005
  AMERICA/VENEZUELA - “For the present and the future of the country it is necessary to reject attitudes which divide and promote instead what unites: one story, one destiny, one common hope”: Catholic Bishops issue message at the end of their plenary assembly Caracas (Fides Service) - At the end of their 83rd plenary assembly the Bishops of Venezuela issued a message “Dialogue and Forgiveness for Peace”, remarking “not enough has been done to promote reconciliation and ...
• 17 January 2005
  ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “Christ, the one foundation of the Church”: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Korean Catholic Bishops issue message Seoul (Fides Service) - On the occasion of the annual week of prayer for Christian unity 18-25 January marked by Christians of different denominations all over the world, the Catholic Bishops of Korea issued a message ad ...
• 17 January 2005
  AFRICA/CHAD - Catholic Bishops reflect on youth in society and in the Church N’Djamena (Fides Service)- “Young people in society and in the Church” is the main topic on which some 40 Catholics Bishops of central African countries will reflect at the 7th plenary meeting of the Association of ...
• 17 January 2005
  AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Over 45,000 people welcome new auxiliary Bishop of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Congo Bukavu (Fides Service ) - Catholics in Bukavu gave a warm welcome to the new Auxiliary Bishop François Xavier Maroy Rusengo on Sunday 16 January, during an outdoor mass celebrated at the Kadatu Concordia sports stadium ...
• 17 January 2005
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - Peaceful Christian demonstration calling for religious identity to be removed from passports disturbed by Islamic fundamentalists Lahore (Fides Service) - “In Pakistan religion is often exploited and several political measures taken in the name of Islam are abused to dominate and harm certain communities” Father Abid Habib, Co-ordinator of the ...
• 17 January 2005
  ASIA/INDONESIA - Indonesian Franciscans have two centres to co-ordinate aid for families and children affected by the recent tsunami tragedy Medan (Fides Service) - Franciscan religious communities in Asia are working side by side with the many organisations involved in assisting the victims of the December 26 tsunami disaster. In Indonesia the Franciscans ha ...
• 17 January 2005
  AFRICA/IVORY COAST - South African president Mbeki continues his work of mediation but some Ivorian parties seem not interested in peace Abidjan (Fides Service)- “President Mbeki is doing a good job but I am not sure that the Ivorians parties will let him finish the task” a local Church source told Fides with the regard to South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki ...