Middle East - Africa News
Catholics caught in crossfire as Libyan violence continues
As Libya's conflict rages on between rebel forces and troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi, Catholics in the capital city of... Read more
Iraqi Christians worry after car bomb hits third Kirkuk church
In less than two weeks, car bomb attacks have hit three churches in the northern Iraq city of Kirkuk. The... Read more
East Africa drought solution runs deep
Ethiopians remember keenly the devastating losses of the drought in 1984 and the more recent one in 2000. The numerous... Read more
Pakistan government reshuffle downgrades religious freedom concerns
The Pakistan government’s new approach to national harmony is a “downgrade” for Christians and others concerned about religious freedom, Bishop... Read more
Witnesses describe Sudan's ethnic cleansing in emergency hearing
Witnesses told a House of Representatives subcommittee on Aug. 4 that the Sudanese border state of South Kordofan is descending... Read more
Arab expert: Regime change in Syria will be bad for Christians
One of Rome’s leading experts on Christianity in the Arab world says the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria... Read more
Mary’s Meals steps in to help drought stricken Kenya
Over 6,000 children in drought-stricken east Africa will receive a daily meal from this week onward. It is all thanks... Read more
Iraqi Catholic church hit with car bomb - 23 injured
A car bomb attack upon a Catholic church in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk has injured 23 people – two... Read more
Alleged Catholic kidnap victim decides to stay with Muslim husband
Farah Hatim, a Catholic Pakistani woman allegedly kidnapped and forced to marry a Muslim man and convert to Islam, has... Read more
South Sudan bishop dies while celebrating Mass
Catholics in South Sudan are mourning the loss of Bishop Caesar Mazzolari of Rumbek, who died at the age of... Read more
Catholic aid agency appeals for help as 10 million face starvation in East Africa
The U.K.-based Catholic Agency for Overseas Development is appealing to the world on behalf of 10 million East Africans facing... Read more
African clergy advise quick action on South Sudan's challenges
African clergy say the Republic of South Sudan, which gained independence on July 9, must take steps to resolve an... Read more
Vatican spokesman recalls John Paul II’s message to South Sudanese
On the day the Republic of South Sudan becomes the world’s newest country, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., recalled... Read more
Catholics working for peaceful birth of South Sudan
Local and international Catholic organizations are working to ensure a peaceful transition to independence for South Sudan on July 9,... Read more
Changes to Pakistan’s religious minorities ministry could aid persecutors
The Pakistan government’s plan to abolish its national Ministry for Religious Minorities risks giving a “green light” to persecution and... Read more
Make reforms a condition of Swaziland bailout, Catholic bishops say
The Catholic bishops of Southern Africa say that their government’s possible bailout of the small Kingdom of Swaziland should make... Read more
Catholic expert says hope for Middle East is justified
Monsignor Robert Stern, a Church expert on the Middle East, is thoroughly “optimistic” about the possibility of a more democratic... Read more
Egypt could lift burdens on building new churches
Egypt’s burdensome regulations on church-building could be removed under new government proposals which one local bishop says would mark a... Read more
Bishop says Libyans are 'fed up' with war, and so are some Western officials
The head of the Catholic Church in Libya says his people are sick and tired of NATO's bombing campaign. Meanwhile,... Read more
Genocide fears, border disputes loom as South Sudan independence nears
As South Sudan prepares to become the world's newest country on July 9, international observers and Church officials are trying... Read more
