Middle East - Africa News
Midnight Mass in Bethlehem: Patriarch addresses Gazan Christians, calls for end to war
“It is not enough to talk about a cease-fire; we don’t want a cease-fire, we want the hostilities to end,”... Read more
Israel-Hamas war casts pall over Christmas Eve vespers in Bethlehem
At Bethlehem’s Basilica of the Nativity, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the first vespers of Christmas. Read more
Catholics in the Holy Land gather at prayer vigil to prepare for Christmas
The weekend before Christmas began with an evening of prayer and music at the Church of St. Saviour, the Latin... Read more
Experts announce latest in restoration work on Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher
New updates on the ongoing work at one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem were presented recently to leaders of... Read more
Almost all Christians have fled southern Lebanon amid Israel-Hezbollah bombing
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia militant group in Lebanon, began attacking Israel at the Israeli-Lebanese border following the beginning of the... Read more
After military review, IDF again denies killing two women at Gaza Catholic church
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said last week that on Dec. 16, a sniper of the IDF “murdered two Christian... Read more
Convent in Gaza uninhabitable after taking fire; residents take refuge in parish church
The convent, which was home to over 54 disabled persons as well as three religious sisters, was greatly damaged by... Read more
Bishops in Malawi declare ‘blessings for same-sex unions of any kind are not permitted’
Bishops in Malawi have prohibited the implementation of the Vatican declaration on the blessing of “same-sex couples” and couples in... Read more
White House raises concerns with Israel about killings at Catholic church in Gaza
Spokesman John Kirby said the White House is confident that the Israelis “are not making the slaughter, torture, and rape... Read more
Nahida and Samar: Mother and daughter killed in attack on Gaza parish
Vatican News reported Dec. 16 that Samar Anton was killed while she was trying to help her mother, Nahida Anton,... Read more
U.S. bishops renew call for peace after Christian women reportedly killed in Gaza Church
The U.S. bishops over the weekend renewed their call for peace in the Holy Land amid reports on Saturday that... Read more
IDF denies responsibility for killing of Palestinian Christians at Gaza church
The Israel Defense Forces has denied culpability over the deaths of two Christian Palestinian women who were reportedly killed at... Read more
Custos of Holy Land discusses the vocation of Christians in the region today
Speaking on Advent, Christmas, hope, and faith, Father Francesco Patton reflected on the meaning of the season for Christians who... Read more
Two women killed amid Israeli attack at Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Latin Patriarchate says
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said two women were targeted by an Israeli sniper on Dec. 16. Read more
Salesian priest stabbed to death in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Salesian News Agency reported the murder of Father Léopold Feyen in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of... Read more
PHOTOS: Hanukkah events in Jerusalem focus on finding light, hope, and faith in dark times
On Dec. 7 and 12, Hanukkah events in Jerusalem brought together Jews, Christians, and representatives of other faiths to celebrate... Read more
Cardinal Sarah addresses First African Congress on liturgy
Cardinal Robert Sarah recently cautioned against the overuse of cultural elements over Christian ones during liturgical celebrations. Read more
‘These are very hard times’: Pastor of Gaza Catholic church gives update on Christians’ plight
“The pope called us daily, to check on us,” said Father Gabriel Romanelli in a recent interview where he discussed... Read more
Parish priest in Nigeria abducted while answering sick call
Father Kingsley Eze, parish priest of St. Michael’s Umuekebi Catholic Church in Nigeria’s Imo state, was kidnapped Nov. 30 and... Read more
PHOTOS: Bethlehem welcomes Advent 2023 with quieter procession, still with hope
To mark the beginning of Advent, the custos of the Holy Land and the Franciscan friars made their annual procession... Read more
