Pakistani bishop decries government land grab

May 26, 2012 - 04:02 pm .- Pakistani Bishop Sebastian F. Shaw is calling for the return of Church land that was seized after the provincial government bulldozed a school, chapel and homeless shelter on the site this past January.

New cloister for Benedictine monks dedicated in Holy Land

May 24, 2012 - 02:23 am .- High-ranking Catholic churchmen dedicated a new cloister on May 17 at a Benedictine monastery built at the site where Jesus miraculously multiplied loaves and fishes.

Pope's appeal even 'more pressing' after deadly Syrian blast

May 11, 2012 - 12:59 pm .- Syrian rebels and officials were urged to heed Pope Benedict XVI's call for peace and dialogue, after two suicide bombings killed 55 people in Damascus on May 10.

Catholic Middle East expert believes Arab Spring is 'no more'

May 8, 2012 - 05:33 pm .- One of the Catholic Church’s leading experts on the Middle East says the Arab Spring is “no more.”

Pakistan among most dangerous countries for women, priest says

Apr 12, 2012 - 12:03 am .- A priest of the Camillian order in Pakistan has spoken out against the abuse of women in the country, including the growing number of “honor killings.”

Cardinal, former Syrian Patriarch, dies in Rome

Apr 9, 2012 - 05:12 pm .- Cardinal Ignace Moussa Daoud, the former patriarch of the Syrian Catholic Church, died in Rome on April 7, the morning of Holy Saturday.

Syrian violence drives 50,000 Christians from homes

Mar 27, 2012 - 04:04 am .- Almost all Christians in the conflict-torn Syrian city of Homs have fled violence and persecution, amid reports that their homes have been attacked and seized by “fanatics” with links to al-Qaida.

Pope mourns passing of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox leader

Mar 19, 2012 - 12:13 pm .- Pope Benedict XVI and other Catholic leaders have offered their condolences on the death of Pope Shenouda III, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, who died March 17 at age 88.

Intervention could tear Syria apart, Melkite patriarch warns

Mar 18, 2012 - 04:06 pm .- Western military aid to Syrian rebels could prove disastrous for the country, according to the Damascus-based head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church.

Pope confirms September 2012 visit to Lebanon

Mar 16, 2012 - 01:56 pm .- Rumors of a papal trip to Lebanon have been confirmed by the head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, which will welcome Pope Benedict XVI at the start of his Sept. 14-16 visit.

First South African sainthood cause goes to Vatican

Mar 16, 2012 - 04:18 am .- The cause for beatification and canonization of the South African-native Benedict Daswa, who was killed for his refusal to support witchcraft, has arrived in Rome.

South African bishops advise Red Bull fast for Lent

Mar 16, 2012 - 12:11 am .- The Church in South Africa is encouraging Catholics to boycott Red Bull energy drinks and donate the money saved to charitable organizations after the company aired a “Jesus Walks on Water” ad campaign.

Gospel Trail springs to life in the Holy Land

Mar 3, 2012 - 04:09 pm .- A new project launched by Jews and Christians in the Holy Land offers pilgrims the chance to walk the land of the Bible in the footsteps of Jesus and experience the places where he lived and ministered.

New book tells Asia Bibi's story from prison

Feb 27, 2012 - 04:05 pm .- A new book on Asia Bibi's imprisonment and death sentence in Pakistan includes an unpublished letter she wrote to her husband and children urging them to have faith in God.

Church leaders appeal for talks to prevent Syrian civil war

Feb 21, 2012 - 02:23 am .- Catholic leaders have called for negotiations to prevent a civil war in Syria, where the conflict between government supporters and opponents is being compared to last year's fight for control of Libya.

Panicked Catholics flee violence in northern Nigeria

Jan 26, 2012 - 01:50 am .- As many as 35,000 people have fled their homes in northern Nigeria after continuing attacks from the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. Their numbers include a large number of Catholics who report that churches have been destroyed.

South Africa's state secrets bill threatens freedom, says archbishop

Jan 20, 2012 - 03:08 am .- The Archbishop of Cape Town has asked South Africa’s parliament to amend a major state security bill in order to protect the “freedom of information” and to preserve “open and transparent government.”

Church publishes catechism for Hebrew-speaking children

Jan 20, 2012 - 01:02 am .- The first three books of a Hebrew-language Catholic catechism have now been published to help teach the children of Christians who live and work in Israel.

Priest kidnapping in Sudan heightens tensions

Jan 18, 2012 - 01:01 am .- A truckload of attackers kidnapped two Catholic priests from their rectory in Sudan on Jan. 15, causing fears for their safety at a time of continued regional tensions.

Bishop denounces government bulldozing of Pakistan church and school

Jan 13, 2012 - 02:54 am .- The Punjab provincial government’s unannounced bulldozing of a Church-owned site that destroyed a church, a school for poor girls, and homes for the poor, elderly and homeless was “a criminal act of land-grabbing,” the local Catholic bishop says.