EU Catholic bishops demand release of clergy detained in Nicaragua
Rome, ItalyAP European Catholic bishops on Wednesday demanded the immediate release of Nicaraguan clergy detained in the government’s crackdown on the Catholic Church, saying they have been falsely accused and are being subjected to unjust persecution. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, president of the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Union, said European bishops would […]
My Mission: In bitter wartime winter, missionary warms Ukrainians with stoves, blankets
ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, reports on how Ken Ward’s ministry colleagues compare the missionary, who has spent the equivalent of more than two months in Ukraine, to well-travelled Biblical figures…
Church of England explores gender neutral God
London, UKReuters The Church of England will look into the use of gender neutral terms to refer to God in prayers, but the centuries-old institution said on Wednesday there were no plans to abolish current services. The issue reflects growing global awareness about the assumed usage of pronouns causing offence or upset to those who […]
Vatican envoy says prisoner amnesty in Cuba “on table”
Havana, Cuba Reuters Papal envoy, Cardinal Benjamin Stella, said in Havana on Wednesday a potential amnesty for prisoners jailed in Cuba following anti-government protests in July, 2021, was “on the table” but that the response did not depend on the Roman Catholic Church. Stella, who arrived for an extended visit to the communist-run Caribbean island […]
Updated: Chilean wildfires destroy hundreds of homes, endanger world’s smallest deer
Updated: 11:15amChillan, ChileReuters Forest fires across south-central Chile that have left 24 people dead and swallowed up hundreds of houses spread into new areas on Wednesday after raging overnight, burning up the habitats of vulnerable woodland animals. “We call on everyone who can to take care of the forests which are currently on fire, and […]
“Strong indications” Putin involved in MH17 downing, prosecutors say as probe ends
The Hague, The NetherlandsReuters International prosecutors said they had found “strong indications” Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the use in Ukraine of a Russian missile system which shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over the east of the country in 2014. However, evidence of Putin’s and other Russian officials’ involvement was not conclusive enough to […]
Christian leaders call for prayer, support for Syria-Turkey quake victims
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis offered his prayers for the thousands of victims of the earthquake in Syria and Turkey on Wednesday and called on the international community to continue to support rescue and recovery efforts. Pope Francis holds the weekly general audience at the Vatican, on 8th February, 2023. PICTURE: Reuters/Remo Casilli “I am […]
Faith leaders urge independent review of Alabama executions
Montgomery, Alabama, US AP More than 170 pastors and other faith leaders on Tuesday urged Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to authorise an independent review of execution procedures, as Oklahoma and Tennessee did after a series of failed lethal injections in those states. The group applauded Ivey for taking the “bold and necessary step” of ordering a review of Alabama […]
New British stamp with image of King Charles unveiled
London, UKReuters New ‘everyday’ stamps featuring the image of King Charles III were revealed for the first time on Wednesday, the latest item in Britain to get a makeover following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. From coins and banknotes and to the official royal cypher used by the government, Britain has been slowly introducing […]
Nigeria panel conducting army probe says it will refer rights violators for prosecution
Abuja, NigeriaReuters A special Nigerian human rights panel began investigating on Tuesday Reuters reports that the army massacred children and ran a secret abortion program when fighting Islamist insurgents and said it would refer for prosecution those it considered guilty of rights violations. The Nigerian military has denied the reports and said it would not […]