News

• 9 November 2004
  AFRICA/IVORY COAST - From Abidjan confirmation that any attempt to solve problems with the mentality of Europe is bound to fail and thousands of innocent people die. How can democracy be saved? Abidjan (Fides Service)- A fragile cease fire reigns in Abidjan, economic capital of Ivory Coast, since mixed patrols of Ivorian, French and UN soldiers were deployed on the streets to restore order after sacking and vio ...
• 9 November 2004
  EUROPE/ ITALY - Starting tomorrow African and European Bishops discuss Communion and Solidarity between Africa and Europe Rome (Fides Service)- - Three days of wide-ranging, intense reflection on the theme ‘Communion and Solidarity between Africa and Europe’ are about to begin at the first symposium organised by the Council of European ...
• 9 November 2004
  AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Will Ethiopia face famine in 2005? Addis Ababa (Fides Service)- The Ethiopian government’s Commission for Disaster Prevention has warned that the country may face famine in 2005. According to the Salesian Missionaries’ news service, food shortage coul ...
• 9 November 2004
  VATICAN - Catholic Bishops of the Indian Ocean make ad limina visit to Rome Vatican City (Fides Service) - This morning, 9 November, Pope John Paul II received a group of Catholic Bishops members of the Bishops’ Conference of the Indian Ocean in audience in the Vatican. Over the past few days ...
• 9 November 2004
  AMERICA/MEXICO - “The Bishop must never let himself be so concerned by local problems as lose sight of openness and universality”, the president of the Mexican Bishops’ Conference said in his address to open 78th Plenary Assembly Mexico City (Fides Service) - Yesterday, November 8 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe the Catholic Bishops of Mexico gathered for the opening Mass of their 78th plenary assembly. The Mass was presided by the Pre ...
• 9 November 2004
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - Christians, moderate Muslims and human rights activists applaud government decision not to mark religious identity on passports Lahore (Fides Service) - Christians, human rights activities and civil rights associations have welcomed the Pakistani government’s decision to exclude religious identity from national passports on the grounds that it ...
• 9 November 2004
  ASIA/INDIA - Christians call on United States President to promote religious freedom, the foundation of democracy, in southern Asia New Delhi (Fides Service) - India’s Christian have called on the president of the United States of America George Bush to promote religious freedom in southern Asia. In a message signed by John Dayal, chairman of the ...
• 8 November 2004
  AFRICA/IVORY COAST - “There seems to be no end to the terrible hours of Saturday and Sunday”. Dramatic report from a missionary Abidjan where angry protesters continue to fight French troops. Abidjan (Fides Service)- “Shooting and shouting by young supporters of President Laurent Gbagbo can be heard coming from Cocody where the president has his residence” a missionary in Abidjan economic capital of Ivor ...
• 8 November 2004
  VATICAN - At the Angelus prayer the Pope speaks of the month of commemoration of the dead and calls for solidarity with the people of Ivory Coast after violent clashes at the weekend Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Not even death can break God’s covenant with mankind”, the Pope said in his reflection before the Angelus prayer on Sunday 7 November. Addressing those present in St Peter’s Square ...
• 8 November 2004
  AFRICA/UGANDA - Protocol to treat “invisible scars” caused by war, terrorism and torture Rome (Fides Service) - Today more than one billion people in the world live in situations of war, terrorism, torture or experience various other forms of violence, which leave “invisible scars” such as mental depress ...
• 8 November 2004
  AMERICA/GUATEMALA - More than 7,000 Guatemalans infected by HIV/AIDS: Bishops’ Conference Health Pastoral Commission launches programme to fight HIV/AIDS Verapaz (Fides) - The Health Pastoral Commission of the Guatemalan Bishops’ Conference sent Fides information updated to June 2004 with regard to HIV/AIDS and the south western network area of epidemiological vigilance ...
• 8 November 2004
  ASIA/IRAQ - “Our martyred nation has urgent need of a new school system” - Lay Christian in Baghdad makes appeal through Fides: “Terrorists funded from abroad: for a new Iraq we need to start with the children who are the future” Baghdad (Fides Service) - Pending the election of a stable and democratic executive in January, the interim government in Iraq engaged in the difficult task of reconstruction, needs to guarantee security and renew the sc ...
• 8 November 2004
  ASIA/THAILAND - Social tension grows in the south, Catholics concerned Bangkok (Fides Service) - Catholics in Thailand are concerned at the escalation of violence registered in the south of the country. According to Fides sources in the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala social tens ...
• 8 November 2004
  ASIA/INDIA - Catholic Archbishop of Delhi encourages new leader of the BJP nationalist party to “Protect minorities and promote social harmony” New Delhi (Fides Service) - The Catholic Archbishop of New Delhi, Archbishop Vincent Concessao sent a message of congratulations to Lal Krishna Advani, newly elected leader of the nationalist Hindu Party Baratiya Janata ...
• 6 November 2004
  AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Bishop of Bambari resigns, successor appointed Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, on 6 November 2004, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Bambari (Central African Republic), presented by Bishop Jean-C ...