Iraqi archbishop: make Christian survival focus of papal meeting

Sep 7, 2012 - 04:01 am .- Iraqi Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk has asked the Catholic patriarchs and bishops of the Middle East to speak with Pope Benedict XVI about their fears that the survival of Christianity in the region is at risk.

Pope to proceed with Lebanon trip despite Syria violence

Aug 23, 2012 - 02:17 am .- As fighting in neighboring Syria rages on, Pope Benedict XVI has confirmed that he will proceed with his trip to Lebanon as planned.

Mentally impaired child arrested under Pakistan's anti-blasphemy law

Aug 21, 2012 - 03:59 am .- A young girl who suffers from Down's Syndrome has been arrested in Pakistan for allegedly burning a page from the Quran and could face the death penalty.

Maronite patriarch warns Syrian conflict could spread to Lebanon

Aug 19, 2012 - 05:04 pm .- Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai of Antioch, the head of the Maronite Catholic Church, has warned that the armed conflict in Syria is affecting neighboring Lebanon and could trigger a major conflict in the country.

Catholic vicariate moves from Kuwait to Bahrain

Aug 14, 2012 - 01:56 am .- The Catholic Church’s Vicariate of Northern Arabia will move its headquarters from Kuwait to Bahrain, saying the country’s location is more accessible for meetings.

Church leaders urge Egyptian troops to rescue Sinai hostages

Aug 10, 2012 - 12:07 am .- “Dramatic changes” in the Sinai peninsula region offer Egypt's government a chance to rescue trafficking and torture victims, an assembly of Middle Eastern Catholic leaders said Aug. 9.

Interim leader of Egyptian Catholic Copts is hopeful after election

Jul 13, 2012 - 02:16 am .- Coptic Catholic Bishop Kyrillos William has said he is optimistic about the future of Egypt following the country’s presidential election.

Christians are loyal to Egypt, Melkite patriarch tells president

Jul 3, 2012 - 12:02 am .- Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III emphasized Egyptian Christians' national loyalty, as well as their need for guaranteed human rights, in a letter to Egypt's new president Mohammed Morsi.

Cardinal Schönborn: Loss of Mid-East Christians would be 'tragedy for the region'

Jun 30, 2012 - 05:04 pm .- World leaders and diplomats must help prevent a total loss of Middle Eastern Christianity, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna warned in a June 26 panel discussion in Washington, D.C.

Pope prays for Syria as worries of larger conflict loom

Jun 21, 2012 - 04:18 pm .- Pope Benedict XVI is praying that Syria ends its internal conflict, which he believes could have very serious consequences for the entire Middle East.