Middle East - Africa News

In a July 24 press release, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem — a diocese that includes Jordan, Cyprus, Palestine, and Israel — announced that 40 tons of non-perishable food kits were delivered by Malteser International to a newly-established distribution center near the Patriarchate’s compound in the region for people in northern Gaza.

Second round of aid delivered to Gaza by Latin Patriarchate and Order of Malta

Jul 26, 2024

By Gigi Duncan

The Latin Patriarchate and Sovereign Order of Malta signed the MoU agreement in May of 2024, which aims to supply... Read more

The 2024 Synod of the Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq.

Chaldean bishops reject blessing of same-sex unions

Jul 25, 2024

By Georgena Habbaba

The bishops of the Chaldean Synod on July 16 issued a statement declaring their position on the blessing of same-sex... Read more

Thousands turned out for a Eucharistic procession followed by the holy liturgy at the St. Charbel Hermitage and the monastery of St. Maroun Annaya on July 22, 2024.

The enduring faith of St. Charbel: Thousands celebrate in Lebanon

Jul 24, 2024

By Marguerita Kallassy

Celebrating St. Charbel’s feast day has been a beacon of hope for generations. Read more

A Christian woman stands next to a clothesline while taking refuge in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp at the Pilot Primary School after their houses were burnt as a result of religious strife in Mangu on Feb. 2, 2024, following weeks of intercommunal violence and unrest in the Plateau State.

Christian watchdog calls on U.S. to recognize persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Jul 23, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

“The outcry of Nigerian Christians is falling on deaf ears. It is time for the United States to answer their... Read more

Thousands of pilgrims are expected to participate in the 2024 pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Muxima scheduled to begin on Aug. 30 in Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Viana, Bishop Emílio Sumbelelo has said.

Thousands expected at annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Muxima Shrine in Angola

Jul 22, 2024

By João Vissesse

Thousands of pilgrims are expected to participate in the 2024 pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Muxima Aug.... Read more

Some young people from Gaza during study aid activities in a gazebo inside the compound of the Latin Parish of the Holy Family. Beginning June 10, 2024, about 150 children and teenagers ages 4 to 17 who are sheltering in the Latin parish and in the Orthodox parish have taken up their books and notebooks again to reconnect with their studies. Three gazebos in the garden host study groups. They were open-sided, but they have been closed to help the youth avoid distractions, as there are always people around.

Under patronage of St. Joseph, parish priest restarts schooling for students in Gaza

Jul 20, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The program had to be suspended for two weeks in July due to Israeli military action in Gaza City but... Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Crusader treasure unveiled: Medieval altar found in Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulcher

Jul 17, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The groundbreaking discovery sheds new light on Crusader history, medieval Christian art, and the enduring significance of one of Christianity’s... Read more

A group of young people from the Apostolic Movement of Jish, led by Father Sandy Habib, during prayer before the meal on July 12, 2024, at the Maronite convent in Jerusalem. The aim is “bringing ourselves closer to Jesus,” Habib explained to CNA. “We try to achieve this through spiritual activities, social activities like trips, and by announcing Jesus Christ.”

Faith amid bombs: Priests minister to Christians in border towns of Lebanon and Israel

Jul 16, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Christian communities on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border have been put to the test since Hamas' attack on Israel... Read more

A map of Nigeria.

Catholics in Africa want Nigeria withdrawn from ‘pro-LGBT, pro-abortion’ Samoa agreement

Jul 12, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

In a July 9 petition CitizenGo Africa say there have been widespread debates in Nigeria compelling the government to withdraw... Read more

Palestinian women react as they look at the badly damaged Latin Patriarchate Holy Family School after it was reportedly hit during Israeli military bombardment in Gaza City on July 7, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas.

Bishop Zaidan condemns ‘any targeting of civilians’ at Holy Family School in Gaza

Jul 10, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

“I join the Latin Patriarchate in condemning any targeting of civilians in the [Holy] Family School in Gaza,” Bishop A.... Read more

The entrance into the Franciscan church in Aleppo, Syria, of the twins George and Johnny Jallouf, friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, who were ordained priests on July 6, 2024. The two ordinands are wearing the priestly vestments with which they were clothed during the ordination rite. They were 15 when the war in Syria broke out. Their vocation was born and grew amid the Battle of Aleppo. “I tried to attend Mass every day,” George recounted. “I was afraid, but I kept repeating to myself ‘I fear nothing because you are with me.’ This phrase guided me, reassured me, gave me peace.”

Different paths to same vocation: Twin brothers ordained priests in Aleppo, Syria

Jul 10, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

It marked the first priestly ordination in 17 years at St. Francis Church in Aleppo, a city that suffered massive... Read more

Palestinians stand on the rubble and debris of the Latin Patriarchate Holy Family School after it was hit during an alleged Israeli military bombardment in Gaza City on July 7, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas.

Latin Patriarchate condemns reported raid by Israeli forces on Gaza Catholic school

Jul 8, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The patriarchate said in a Sunday press release that it was “monitoring, with grave concern, the news of the raids,... Read more

Members of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) during a July 4, 2024, press conference.

Bishops in East Africa commit to creating ‘safe, nurturing church environment’ for minors

Jul 8, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

In a statement following their July 1–4 meeting on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, the bishops said they are “deeply... Read more

The Archdiocese of Kisumu has formed a group called “St. Monica Widows” for women who have lost their husbands “because the other option is they are inherited” by a male relative of the deceased husband, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba said.

St. Monica Widows: a Catholic apostolate to reduce polygamy in Kenya

Jul 7, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba of Kisumu in Kenya discussed the project with EWTN News correspondent Colm Flynn on “EWTN News... Read more

Ed Clancy, the director of outreach at the charity group Aid to the Church in Need, speaks with “EWTN News Nightly” anchor Tracy Sabol on July 3, 2024.

Christians face ‘devastating’ persecution under Pakistani blasphemy laws, expert says

Jul 5, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

A court in Punjab recently sentenced Ehsan Shan to death for sharing “hateful content” against Muslims on social media.  Read more

An emergency novena will take place between July 16-24, including the feast days of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Charbel Makhlouf.

Novena for peace in the Near East announced for Christians, innocents in region

Jul 4, 2024

By Gigi Duncan

The novena, which will take place July 16–24, will implore protection for Christians and all innocent civilians in the region,... Read more

Danny Miran shows the T-shirt with a photo of his son Omri, one of the Israelis kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, and who is still being held hostage in Gaza. On the T-shirt, the Hebrew inscription reads: “Bring them home now!”, the motto of the campaign to bring back the hostages. A few days after Oct. 7, Danny Miran, 79, left his home in northern Israel and joined the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Tel Aviv. His life’s purpose has become bringing his son back home.

Father of Israeli hostage who met with pope is on a mission to ‘bring them all home’

Jul 4, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Danny Miran met Pope Francis at the Vatican in April. In mid-June he shared his testimony with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi... Read more

An Israeli army convoy leaves the Gaza Strip as seen from a position on the Israeli side of the border on July 3, 2024 in southern Israel.

Israeli embassy criticizes Holy Land Catholic leaders for statement on ‘just war’

Jul 3, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

In a statement June 30, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Holy Land suggested Israel’s behavior in Gaza goes... Read more

The president of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC), Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Mulla, reads a message from SCBC members on June 29, 2024.

Catholic bishops in Sudan: ‘Fabric of Sudanese society has been torn apart’

Jul 2, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Members of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference released a statement following their June 27–29 meeting expressing alarm about the country’s... Read more

A view of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher during the Easter Vigil, which was celebrated on the morning of Saturday, March 30, 2024.

Churches in Holy Land denounce ‘coordinated attack’ against Christians by Israeli authorities

Jun 29, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The church leaders accuse local authorities of launching a “coordinated attack” against the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Read more

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The motto of the modern Olympic Games, “Faster, Higher, Stronger,” was coined by French Dominican friar Louis Henri Didon.

French Dominican friar created the motto for the Olympic Games

Norwegian players Christian Sorum (L), Anders Mol (2ndL) and Australian players Zachery Schubert (2ndR) and Thomas Hodges (R) take part in a practice session ahead of the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Eiffel Tower Stadium in Paris on July 24, 2024.

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Omaha Archbishop George Lucas in a 2011 photo.

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Vandalism at a Heartbeat of Miami pregnancy center in Hialeah, Florida, July 3, 2022.

Florida pro-abortion activists to pay restitution following pro-life clinic vandalism 

A vandalized statue of Mary, the Mother of God, at St. Leo Parish in Hartford, Arkansas, July 2024.

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In a July 24 press release, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem — a diocese that includes Jordan, Cyprus, Palestine, and Israel — announced that 40 tons of non-perishable food kits were delivered by Malteser International to a newly-established distribution center near the Patriarchate’s compound in the region for people in northern Gaza.

Second round of aid delivered to Gaza by Latin Patriarchate and Order of Malta

Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, left, and Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield with Andrew Hansen, director of communications for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Bishops Barron and Paprocki stress the importance of ‘inviting Catholics back to Mass’

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