What happens to the coins tossed into Rome’s Trevi Fountain?
Rome, Italy Reuters As visitors’ coins splash into Rome’s majestic Trevi Fountain carrying wishes for love, good health or a return to the Eternal City, they provide practical help to people the tourists will never meet. For hundreds of years, when in Rome, visitors have flocked to the fountain to make a wish, following a […]
Sudan conflict: Churches in neighbouring countries offer aid to those fleeing war
TONNY ONYULO reports on humanitarian efforts…
Vatican’s Caritas Internationalis gets new leadership team after papal firings
Rome, ItalyAP A former Jesuit novice with a background in non-profit organisations was elected secretary-general of the Vatican’s preeminent charity Monday, opening a new phase for Caritas Internationalis following Pope Francis’ ouster of the past leadership over bullying complaints. Alistair Dutton, currently chief executive of the Scottish chapter of Caritas, previously served as humanitarian director […]
Filipino priest on mission in Europe to halt fossil fuel financing
Frankfurt, Germany/Manila, The PhilippinesReuters A Filipino priest is touring top European banks to demand they curtail ties with companies behind new fossil fuel projects in a region of his home country that is rich in fish and coral. But he is leaving his meetings with bankers feeling frustrated. The priest, Edwin Gariguez, and the environmentalists […]
Vatican seeks to assure Caritas that papal firings were necessary, not a criticism of work
Rome, ItalyAP A top Vatican cardinal defended Pope Francis’ “drastic” leadership firings at the Holy See’s preeminent charity, saying Friday they were necessary for the wellbeing of staff at Caritas Internationalis and not a condemnation of its work. Cardinal Michael Czerny, whose development office is responsible for Caritas, sought to explain Francis’ extraordinary decision in […]
Ousted Caritas chief denounces Vatican ‘power grab’
Vatican CityAP The Vatican’s main charitable organisation, Caritas Internationalis, is hoping to open a new chapter this week after Pope Francis fired top managers over bullying complaints. But the recently ousted head is fighting back, claiming the Vatican engaged in a “brutal power grab” fueled by a “colonialist” attitude. The drama is playing out as […]
Children accused of witchcraft find solace in east Congo shelter
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters After Ornella lost several family members within three years, relatives and neighbours in her east Congo village of Kabare began suspecting the 14-year-old girl of witchcraft. The hushed rumours and purifying rituals that ensued prompted one of Ornella’s brothers to take her to the police, concerned about the consequences […]
At Vatican women’s day event, a call for female voices in peace talks
Vatican CityRNS As European nations attempt to defend Ukraine without being pulled into a war, an ecumenical group of women representing charitable organisations around the world called for more female representation in peace talks and negotiations. The occasion was an event called “Church and Society: Women as Builders of Dialogue,” organised by Caritas Internationalis, a […]
Pope Francis has not forgotten the people of Syria, says cardinal
Vatican CityRNS Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Iraq in early March was received as a symbol of hope by the neighbouring population in Syria, which just entered its 10 year of war exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Catholic envoys and charity workers. “Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq was of great hope for Syrians,” […]
Pope Francis helps a small trans community financially struggling due to the pandemic
Vatican CityRNS Last week, Pope Francis supported a small transgender community near Rome, some of whose members have been struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the small town of Torvaianica, Rev Andrea Conocchia has turned his parish into a haven for about 20 transgender women, most of them from Latin America and between […]