Archive for August 13, 2014

Persons displaced by the Islamic State who have arrived in Ankawa, Erbil, Iraq. ?w=200&h=150

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Italian bishops call on faithful to pray for Iraqi Christians

As the plight of Christians and other religious minorities intensifies under the spread of the Islamic State, Italian charities and... Read more

Votive candles in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel. ?w=200&h=150

Franciscans determined to keep Christianity in Holy Land

Despite the stresses of alternating violence and ceasefires between Hamas and Israel, Franciscans in the Holy Land are committed to... Read more

Robin Williams. ?w=200&h=150

By Adelaide Mena

Robin Williams' death renews call for mental health attention

The death of iconic comedy star Robin Williams highlights the need for greater education, understanding and support surrounding those struggling... Read more

A gay pride parade held in Tel Aviv. ?w=200&h=150

Survey: Christian supporters of gay unions show other moral divisions

Churchgoing Christians who support “gay marriage” are more likely to approve of commitment-free sexual relations, pornography, adultery, polyamory, and abortion... Read more

These two displaced people who fled the Islamic State to Ankawa, in Erbil, are among the more than 1.2 million displaced persons in Iraq. ?w=200&h=150

Vatican official calls for military protection of Iraqi Christians

The Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations on Saturday urged the international community to provide humanitarian assistance and... Read more

Persons displaced by the Islamic State who have sought refuge in Ankawa, Erbil, Iraq. ?w=200&h=150

Pope Francis urges United Nations to intervene in Iraq

Pope Francis called the United Nations to act to end the humanitarian tragedy now underway in Iraq in a letter... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea, August 14, 2014. ?w=200&h=150

By Kevin J. Jones,Alan Holdren

En route to Korea, Pope prays for journalists killed in Gaza

Aboard the papal flight to South Korea today, Pope Francis led an impromptu moment of silence to pray for a... Read more

Pope Francis at St. Peter's Square during his June 18, 2014 General Audience. ?w=200&h=150

Korea trip fulfills the dream of the seminarian Jorge Bergoglio

As a young man and a Jesuit still in formation, Jorge Bergoglio longed to become a missionary in the Far... Read more

Program for the interreligious peace prayer service held in Denver's Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Aug. 11, 2014. ?w=200&h=150

By Mary Farrow

Hundreds attend interreligious prayer for peace in Denver

An estimated 900 people of the three Abrahamic religions packed the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Denver... Read more

Logo for Pope Francis' apostolic voyage to South Korea, Aug. 14-18, 2014. ?w=200&h=150

Korea joyfully awaits Pope's arrival, charity's local branch head says

South Koreans are full of joyful anticipation at the impending arrival of Pope Francis, according to the director of the... Read more

Persons displaced by the Islamic State who have sought refuge in Ankawa, Erbil, Iraq. ?w=200&h=150

Vatican diplomacy focuses on humanitarian intervention in Iraq

The persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq and Syria by the Islamic State has pushed Vatican diplomacy... Read more