Middle East - Africa News
After Tunisian shipwreck kills 40, archbishop urges world to tackle migration crisis
Archbishop Lhernould said the Oct. 22 sinking of a migrant boat off the coast of Tunisia that killed 40 people... Read more
U.S. Vice President JD Vance attends Mass at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, attended a private Mass celebrated by Franciscan monks at the Church... Read more
Iran’s new ‘Virgin Mary’ metro station and what it says about faith in the Islamic Republic
A subway station in Iran has been named after the Virgin Mary — is it hope or propaganda? Read more
Children from African countries pray rosary ‘for the first time’ in global campaign
Children from across Africa joined their peers in the “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” campaign held on Oct. 7,... Read more
1,300-year-old possible Communion loaf bearing image of Christ is found in Turkey
Archaeologists have discovered in southern Turkey five small 1,300-year-old round loaves, one of which features an image of Jesus Christ. Read more
Religious sister in Kenya detained as probe into colleague’s death continues
A judge in Kenya has ordered the continued detention of a Catholic religious sister accused of involvement in the death... Read more
Nigerian Catholic leaders respond to call to label Nigeria ‘country of particular concern’
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced legislation in September that would require the Trump administration to adopt the CPC designation for... Read more
Latin patriarch of Jerusalem speaks out after first phase of peace deal completed
The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Catholics in Gaza “still cannot believe they were able to sleep through the night... Read more
Vatican halts seminary formation in DR Congo diocese ‘until further notice’
The Dicastery for Evangelization suspended the formation of seminarians in a diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing a... Read more
Altar wine for Mass in Kenya now required to bear Catholic bishops’ ‘coat of arms’
The Catholic faithful have welcomed the news as many believe the wine previously used “had lost its sanctity due to... Read more
Father Konteh’s mission: Healing Sierra Leone’s wounds through faith and Caritas
Despite a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002 in Sierra Leone, the African country with the help of the... Read more
Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem welcomes Gaza agreement as step toward ending war
In a statement released Oct. 9, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa welcomed the news “with joy” and called for the full and... Read more
Christians warn of marginalization in Lebanon’s expat voting debate
Lebanon’s diaspora has long been celebrated as the country’s greatest strength, yet when it comes to voting rights their role... Read more
Irish Loreto sister receives honorary doctorate for work with girls in South Sudan crisis
St. Patrick’s Pontifical University has conferred an honorary doctorate to Sister Orla Treacy, whose work in South Sudan has transformed... Read more
Jerusalem churches face mounting tax pressures under Israel’s ‘Arnona’ property levy
The Vatican-Israel dispute over Church taxes in Jerusalem remains unresolved after 30 years. Read more
Ceasefire deal, hostage release a ‘first step’ for peace, Latin patriarch says
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, called the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal brokered by the U.S. a “first step”... Read more
Thousands join procession in Lebanon in honor of humble priest up for sainthood
Lebanese Catholics gathered for the “Walking Towards You” procession Oct. 4 in honor of Father Bechara Abou Mrad, a Melkite... Read more
Catholic University in Erbil celebrates fifth graduating class
This week, Catholic University in Erbil, Iraq, graduated 114 students amid a strong church and diplomatic presence. Read more
Nigeria rights groups seek release of 850 Christians held in notorious jihadist village
Testimonies of Nigerians kidnapped by jihadist Fulani herdsmen have revealed that hundreds of Christians are still being held by the... Read more
Cardinal to catechists: If your faith isn’t meaningful to you, it won’t be to your students
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa told catechism teachers that if faith is not meaningful in their lives, then it will not be... Read more
