News

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  28 October 2015
  AMERICA/COSTA RICA - Violence against children in the age group between 1 and 3 San José (Agenzia Fides) - In Costa Rica there is a real and serious outbreak of cases of violence against children aged between 1 and 3. According to data from the National Pediatric Hospital (HNN), a total of 2,200 co ...
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  28 October 2015
  ASIA/SYRIA - Russian delegation meets representatives of Churches and religious communities Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - A Russian delegation composed of parliamentarians, political and military representatives recently made a visit to Syria for a program of meetings which also includes visits to representatives ...
• 28 October 2015
  VATICAN - Appeal from the 5 continents: "The fight against climate change must respect the rights of the poor" Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The climate change issue is deeply linked to social justice and the fight against poverty, so we need to redefine the notions of "growth" and "progress" to reach lifestyles which respect en ...
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  28 October 2015
  ASIA/IRAQ - Parliament rejected the request to change the law on the religious affiliation regarding children Baghdad (Agenzia Fides) - Parliament in Iraq rejected the proposal - made by Christian representatives, but supported by parliamentarians belonging to different alliances - to amend the law according to which a child is ...
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  27 October 2015
  ASIA/SYRIA - Father Murad speaks of his captivity Homs (Agenzia Fides) - “Even while being deported, with my hands tied behind my back, I surprisingly found myself repeating again and again: I am going towards freedom. My captivity was like being born again”. This w ...
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  27 October 2015
  ASIA/NORTH KOREA - Catholic priests from South Korea participate at mass in Pyongyang Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – A delegation of 12 South Korean priests visited North Korea and participated in a celebration of Mass in Pyongyang. Fides learned that the priests in question, members of the Association of Cath ...
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  27 October 2015
  AMERICA/MEXICO - Children in mining areas risk lead poisoning Zacatecas (Agenzia Fides) – Researchers at the United Academy of Nuclear Science of the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), found that least 70% of children living in mining areas were in danger of lead poisoning ...
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  27 October 2015
  ASIA/LEBANON - Metropolitan Georges Khodr: who said Lebanon’s president must be Maronite? Beirut (Agenzia Fides) - “Regarding the presidential crisis in Lebanon, but who said the president of Lebanon should be Maronite? The important thing is that the president is Lebanese and is concerned for our country� ...
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  27 October 2015
  AMERICA/ECUADOR - Bishops’ Assembly: commitments following visit of Pope Francis and preparation for the Holy Year of Mercy Quito (Agenzia Fides) – During their 138th Plenary Assembly, Ecuador’s Catholic Bishops will reflect on various aspects of the life of the Church in their country. An informative message sent to Fides lists some main ...
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  27 October 2015
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - “For Christians quake offers opportunity for interreligious solidarity" Peshawar (Agenzia Fides) - "The earthquake devastated Peshawar and the number of dead has risen to 500, while the injured number at least two thousand. The government is doing its best. Christian NGOs have also mobilised ...
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  27 October 2015
  AFRICA/KENYA - UN programme to combat poverty and marginalisation and guarantee respect for the rights of women and children Mandera (Agenzia Fides) – For many women in the town of Mandera, in a district in north east Kenya unsafe, arid, and difficult to reach, life is a continual struggle for survival, from infancy to adulthood. Young girls ...
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  27 October 2015
  AMERICA/HONDURAS - Bishop Emiliani encourages “Honduras can do it, can stand up, can react” San Pedro Sula (Agenzia Fides) – "So many die because of violence and worship of money, perhaps the worst idolatry of all, the most bloodthirsty god, a monster, calmed only by the shedding of blood. Sadly, most of thes ...
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  27 October 2015
  AMERICA/MEXICO - “Drugs are drugs even when sold as medicines”: the Catholic stance Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – "A drug is a drug even when sold as a bland medicinal balsam. Feeble Mexican imitators are attempting to follow in their neighbours’ footsteps putting on the table of ‘healthy democrac ...
• 26 October 2015
  AFRICA/BENIN - Appointment of new Bishop of Porto Novo Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father, Pope Francis, on 24 October 2015, appointed as Bishop of Porto Novo (Benin) Rev. Aristide Gonsallo of the clergy of Parakou, presently Parish priest at S. Martino di Pana ...
• 26 October 2015
  AFRICA/ANGOLA - Bishops put reconciliation at the centre of celebrations to mark 40 years of independence Luanda (Agenzia Fides) – Angola’s 40 years of national independence from Portugal will be the central theme of the 2nd Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Angola and Sao Tomé (CEAST) to take pl ...