Middle East - Africa News
Bishops of South Africa rebuke Mugabe’s role in election crisis
Following the withdrawal of Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai from the country’s presidential race, the Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa... Read more
Zimbabwe partially lifts NGO ban following international criticism
The government of Zimbabwe has partially lifted a policy banning non-government organizations (NGOs) from entering the country, relenting to humanitarian aid... Read more
Despite tribulations, the light of faith is alive in Iraqi Christians, British bishop says
In a Mass celebrated on June 16 at the Cathedral of Westminster, the president of the Committee on External Affairs... Read more
Fire destroys Catholic church in Egypt
Fire destroyed a Coptic Catholic church in the Egyptian town of Kafr el Sheij this week, coming just three weeks... Read more
Holy Father encourages Cameroonians to seek the ‘well-being of everyone’
Today at the Vatican, Benedict XVI received the Letters of Credence of Antoine Zanga, the new ambassador of Cameroon to... Read more
Baghdad Rendezvous
Twelve years ago, when our son, Mike, enlisted in the Marines right after his eighteenth birthday, I told him that... Read more
Kenyan bishops mourn deaths of two MPs
Catholic bishops joined other Kenyans in mourning the deaths of two cabinet members who, along with a security officer and... Read more
Global food crisis could close Nigerian seminary
The global food crisis could close the Catholic seminary in the central Nigerian city of Makurdi by June 20 as... Read more
Mugabe backers detain diplomats from U.S. and Britain
A group of British and American diplomats traveling to a meeting with the Zimbabwe opposition was stopped at a roadblock... Read more
Four Algerians condemned to prison for converting to Christianity
Four Algerian citizens who converted to Christianity have been condemned to prison and heavy fines, while two others were set... Read more
Turkish minister acknowledges lack of religious freedom in country
Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Relations and top negotiator for the country’s entry into the European Union said this week there... Read more
Germany could its open doors to Iraqi Christians fleeing persecution
Germany may open its doors to Iraqi Christians fleeing from persecution by Muslim extremists if the countries of the European... Read more
One year after killings, bishops call for reconciliation in Iraq
One year after the murders of Father Ragheed Ganni and Deacons Basman Yousef Daoud, Ghasan Bidawid and Wahid Hanna, Archbishop... Read more
Nigerian bishops say development conference must not push for abortion
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has called on the Nigerian government to ensure that an international meeting on development... Read more
Marked increase in number of pilgrims visiting Holy Land
Auxiliary Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo of Jerusalem told L’Osservatore Romano this week that there has been a marked increase in the... Read more
Gunmen invade home of Nigerian archbishop in possible assassination attempt
Suspected assassins invaded the home of Archbishop Alaba Job on Wednesday night, wielding guns and demanding to see the archbishop. ... Read more
Algerian archbishop calls on Muslim government to free convert to Christianity
Archbishop Emeritus Henri Teissier of Algeria has called on that country’s government to free Christian convert Habiba Kouider, who was... Read more
Pope praises Uganda’s AIDS prevention program
Among Pope Benedict XVI’s meetings today was the reception of nine new ambassadors to the Vatican, an unusually high number.... Read more
Custodian of Holy Land praises Middle East diplomatic progress
Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custodian of the Holy Land, on Thursday praised the official announcement of Israel-Syria negotiations and the recent... Read more
Lebanese leaders agree to end political violence
Rival Lebanese leaders on Wednesday reached an agreement to end 18 months of political conflict. Read more
