Middle East - Africa News
Fighting in Ivory Coast could drag country into civil war
Reports from Ivory Coast indicate that the embattled West African nation is on the brink of civil war, with outgoing... Read more
Franciscan guardians of Holy Land shrines launch new website
The Franciscans in the Holy Land, who've been charged by the Vatican with preserving Catholic sanctuaries in the area throughout... Read more
Maronite Catholics in Lebanon receive new patriarch
Lebanon's Maronite Catholic Church has elected Bishop Bechara Rai, a 71-year-old monk, as its new patriarch. Read more
Pakistani Catholics encouraged by Pope’s concern, Bhatti legacy remembered
Pope Benedict XVI expressed his concern for the protection of human dignity and religious freedom again this week as Pakistani... Read more
Patriarch urges offering Lenten sacrifices for end to Middle East turmoil
Patriarch Gregorios III, head of the Melkite Greek-Catholic Church, is encouraging his faithful to offer their prayers and other Lenten... Read more
Asia Bibi fears she's next, after Pakistani minister’s slaying
Speaking from her prison cell, Asia Bibi has voiced her “pain and concern” following the assassination of Minister Shahbaz Bhatti... Read more
New Egyptian prime minister meets with Christians after recent attack
After a Coptic Christian church was set on fire on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt’s new prime minister, Essam Sharaf,... Read more
Pakistan’s Catholic bishops could propose Shahbaz Bhatti as a martyr
The Catholic bishops of Pakistan will consider a proposal to ask the Vatican to declare assassinated Pakistani minister Shahbaz Bhatti... Read more
Catholic leaders join condemnation of Ivory Coast mosque burnings
Catholic bishops and other religious leaders have condemned the Feb. 25 destruction of two mosques in Ivory Coast, with a... Read more
Pakistani Catholics mourn death of Cabinet member with funeral Mass, protests
Torn with grief over the recent assassination of Pakistani government minister Shahbaz Bhatti, the Christian community in Pakistan declared three... Read more
Retiring Iraqi archbishop sees his flock at turning point on liberty, security
Archbishop Casmoussa of Mosul has guided the Church in northwestern Iraq since 1999. Read more
Pope expresses gratitude for retiring Maronite Patriarch
Pope Benedict XVI has written a personal letter to the retiring Cardinal Patriarch of Lebanon's Maronite Catholic Church, thanking him... Read more
Islamic extremists assassinate only Christian in Pakistan’s cabinet
Shahbaz Bhatti, a leading voice for religious freedom and peace in Pakistan, was assassinated March 2. Read more
As Catholics flee Libya, Church responds with prayer, charitable works
The Catholic Church in Libya is being “purified once again” as its members are forced to evacuate the country amid... Read more
Amid violent protests, Catholic missionaries continue their work in Libya
As a swell of protestors and pro-government troops battle to establish control of Libyan cities, Catholic missionaries continue to carry... Read more
Tunisian police nab alleged murderer of Polish priest
Authorities in Tunisia have arrested the alleged murderer of 34-year-old Polish priest Fr. Marek Marius Rybinski, who was found dead... Read more
Iraqi ambassador criticized for his views on anti-Christian violence
The violence against Christians in Iraq is real and is driven by Muslim extremists and government indifference. Read more
Bishop of Tunis fears murder of priest signifies growing Islamic extremism
A Catholic bishop in Tunisia expressed fear of growing Islamic extremism in the area after a 34 year-old Polish missionary... Read more
Egyptian Christians urged to work for equal rights in post-Mubarak government
Christians need to cooperate in creating Egypt’s new government to ensure that all of the nation’s citizens are treated as... Read more
West cannot understand risk of 'Islamization,' Iraqi archbishop warns
The secular western world is incapable of fully understanding the threat of a “reawakening of Islam” in the Middle East,... Read more
