News

• 2 April 2009
  EUROPE/POLAND - Celebrations for the 4th anniversary of the death of John Paul II Czestochowa (Agenzia Fides) – Today, April 2, 4th anniversary of the death of Servant of God John Paul II, there will be various cultural and religious events taking place throughout Poland, dedicated to John Paul II. ...
• 2 April 2009
  AMERICA/BRAZIL - Plenary Assembly of Bishops on “Priestly Formation: Challenges and Guidelines” Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) – The National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Brazil (CNBB) will hold a General Assembly in Itaici-Indaiatuba (SP), from 22 April to May 1, 2009. The Assembly will focus on the theme: “Pri ...
• 2 April 2009
  AMERICA/HONDURAS - President of Caritas International asks G-20 leaders not to let the economic crisis lead “wealthy nations to ignore their obligations to help developing nations” Tegucigalpa (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa (Honduras) and President of Caritas International, is calling on G20 leaders, who are meeting in London on 2 April, to ...
• 2 April 2009
  EUROPE/ITALY - Death of Cardinal Umberto Betti: professor, theologian, and Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, who played a significant role in the drafting of the Constitution Lumen gentium and Dei verbum Florence (Agenzia Fides) – On the evening of April 1, at around 8:30pm, Cardinal Umberto Betti (87 years of age) passed away in the OFM Provincial Clinic, where he was staying. A statement sent to Fides from Fr. Valent ...
• 2 April 2009
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - “We are doing all we can to help the people of Zimbabwe, but funds are lacking,” Caritas says Harare (Agenzia Fides) - Caritas humanitarian operations in Zimbabwe are under threat due to a lack of funding that could put tens of thousands of people at risk. This is what was expressed in an alert from Caritas Inter ...
• 2 April 2009
  AFRICA/CONGO DR - Pallottine missionary wounded in North Kivu, province in eastern Congo marked by tensions and violence for months Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – A Pallottine missionary of Polish origin, Fr. Kontor Wieslaw (SAC), was wounded in an ambush in North Kivu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event occurred on Mar ...
• 2 April 2009
  ASIA/MALAYSIA - Prime Minister Badawi resigns, as the people await a springtime of unity and prosperity Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) – Today's resignation presented by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi will not be a cause for the country's instability, but it could mean the dawn of a new age in the political and s ...
• 1 April 2009
  AMERICA/BRAZIL - Third public demonstration pro-life: “ abortion is a radical attack on human life a defeat for medicine” San Paolo (Agenzia Fides) – On Saturday 28 March, some 5,000 people gathered in Praça dà So, in front of S. Paulo Cathedral, to take part in the 3rd public Demonstration for Life, organised by the Sao Paulo Pro-Life ...
• 1 April 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI's Message for Vocations Day: “Pray! Pray! The urgent call of the Lord stresses that prayer for vocations should be continuous and trusting.” Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On the occasion of the yearly World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the priesthood and religious life, which will be celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of Easter (this year, May 3), the Holy ...
• 1 April 2009
  VATICAN - Congress at the Pontifical Urban University on the history, legislation, and praxis of the Pontifical Mission Societies Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Yesterday, March 31, the Pontifical Urban University (PUU) hosted the Congress: “The Pontifical Mission Societies: History – Legislation – Praxis,” organized and promoted by the D ...
• 1 April 2009
  ASIA/INDONESIA - Auxiliary Bishop of Amboina resigns Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 1 April 2009, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Amboina (Indonesia) presented by Bishop Josephu ...
• 1 April 2009
  AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Thousands entering the Catholic Church this Easter, from all across the country Washington (Agenzia Fides) – According to statistics provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, during 2009, nearly 150,000 people will be entering the Catholic Church. This number includes both the ...
• 1 April 2009
  AFRICA/ANGOLA - Church working on the frontline in defense of children accused of “sorcery,” a sad reality which was denounced by Benedict XVI in his recent visit to Africa Luanda (Agenzia Fides) - “For some time now, the Church in Angola has been providing help to children accused of 'sorcery' who are abandoned by their families,” Agenzia Fides was told by local Church sources in Luand ...
• 1 April 2009
  AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - Transitional Authority appointed, but former President claims: “I never resigned. On March 17, I was forced to hand over power, at gunpoint.” Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) – Andry Rajoelina appointed the members of the High Transitional Authority which he presides, in spite of severe criticism from the international community, which is calling for the return ...
• 1 April 2009
  EUROPE/ITALY - Italian Bishops start a solidarity fund for families without income, as a result of the economic crisis; May 31 nationwide collection Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “Aware of the gravity and magnitude of the financial and economic crisis taking place, the members of the Permanent Committee have officially opened a fund to guarantee aid for large families or ...