Church in Middle East

The Latest

CNA

New Coptic Catholic leader receives Pope's approval

Jan 18, 2013

 Pope Benedict XVI approved Bishop Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak as the new Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts in Egypt, granting... Read more

CNA

Catholic hospital in Jordan struggles to help Syrian refugees

Jan 17, 2013

A Jordanian Catholic hospital is appealing for more money to help with the growing influx of Syrian refugees fleeing the... Read more

Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem patriarch's Christmas message surveys Middle East situation

Dec 27, 2012

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad Twal, has issued a Christmas message that both laments the violence and refugee... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims during the Nov. 14, 2012 general audience in Paul VI Hall.

Pope warns Gaza conflict could spread in Middle East

Nov 21, 2012

Pope Benedict XVI is warning violence could spread through the region, after Israel continued bombing Gaza and a suicide bomb... Read more

Cardinal Robert Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum on April 13, 2012.

Pope cancels delegation to Syria, focuses on aid work

Nov 7, 2012

A delegation of bishops from the recent synod on the New Evangelization will not go to Syria as violence continues... Read more

Bishop Paul Hinder of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia.

Middle East to host Catholic youth conference

Nov 7, 2012

At least 1,500 Catholic youth from across the Middle East will gather at Abu Dhabi’s St. Joseph’s Cathedral for Arabia’s... Read more

CNA

Violence postpones papal delegation to Syria

Oct 23, 2012

The Vatican Secretary of State told the synod on the New Evangelization that the planned peace mission to Syria will... Read more

CNA

Pope prays for Middle East Christians in Arabic

Oct 10, 2012

After his recent visit to the Church in Lebanon, Pope Benedict added Arabic to the list of official languages used... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI at the April 18, 2012 general audience. CNA file photo.

Christians excited to hear Pope's messages in Arabic

Oct 9, 2012

Arab Christians are reacting positively to the decision to include Arabic as one of the official languages used at the... Read more

Pakistan rioting.

Pakistan urged to end blasphemy law abuses

Sep 21, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

An international hearing sponsored by the World Council of Churches called on Pakistan to end abuse of the nation's blasphemy... Read more

Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk.

Iraqi archbishop: make Christian survival focus of papal meeting

Sep 7, 2012

Iraqi Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk has asked the Catholic patriarchs and bishops of the Middle East to speak with... Read more

Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai of the Maronite Catholic Church.

Pope to proceed with Lebanon trip despite Syria violence

Aug 23, 2012

As fighting in neighboring Syria rages on, Pope Benedict XVI has confirmed that he will proceed with his trip to... Read more

President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan.

Mentally impaired child arrested under Pakistan's anti-blasphemy law

Aug 21, 2012

A young girl who suffers from Down's Syndrome has been arrested in Pakistan for allegedly burning a page from the... Read more

Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai of the Maronite Church.

Maronite patriarch warns Syrian conflict could spread to Lebanon

Aug 19, 2012

Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai of Antioch, the head of the Maronite Catholic Church, has warned that the armed conflict in... Read more

Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCJ, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia.

Catholic vicariate moves from Kuwait to Bahrain

Aug 14, 2012

The Catholic Church’s Vicariate of Northern Arabia will move its headquarters from Kuwait to Bahrain, saying the country’s location is... Read more

The wreckage of an Egyptian military vehicle after militants drove it through a security fence into Israel from Egypt on August 6, 2012.

Church leaders urge Egyptian troops to rescue Sinai hostages

Aug 9, 2012

“Dramatic changes” in the Sinai peninsula region offer Egypt's government a chance to rescue trafficking and torture victims, an assembly... Read more

Coptic Catholic Bishop Kyrillos William.

Interim leader of Egyptian Catholic Copts is hopeful after election

Jul 13, 2012

Coptic Catholic Bishop Kyrillos William has said he is optimistic about the future of Egypt following the country’s presidential election.  Read more

Patriarch Gregorios III.

Christians are loyal to Egypt, Melkite patriarch tells president

Jul 2, 2012

Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III emphasized Egyptian Christians' national loyalty, as well as their need for guaranteed human rights,... Read more

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.

Cardinal Schönborn: Loss of Mid-East Christians would be 'tragedy for the region'

Jun 30, 2012

World leaders and diplomats must help prevent a total loss of Middle Eastern Christianity, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna warned... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope prays for Syria as worries of larger conflict loom

Jun 21, 2012

Pope Benedict XVI is praying that Syria ends its internal conflict, which he believes could have very serious consequences for... Read more