News

• 17 July 2009
  AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - Bishop of De Aar resigns, successor appointed Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on July 17, 2009, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of De Aar (South Africa) presented by Bishop Joseph James Potocnak, S ...
• 17 July 2009
  VATICAN - Permanent Observer of the Holy See at the FAO, Monsignor Volante: “the programs for fighting hunger are fundamental in improving the conditions of the poor” Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “We are supporting those who work on a daily basis to meet the basic food needs of all people. Here at the FAO, there is a lack of personnel. The staff number has been lowering for years now. How ...
• 17 July 2009
  VATICAN - Vatican Museums open in the evening for the first time, July 24 Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – For the first time, the Vatican Museums will be open to the public in the evening hours, on Friday, July 24. On that day the Museum will remain open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., with the last ...
• 17 July 2009
  VATICAN - AVE MARIA: Mgr Luciano Alimandi - 'priestly holiness' Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - All over the world thanks to impulse given by the Holy Father Benedict XVI with the indiction of a Year of the Priesthood, diocesan and ecclesial realities are launching initiatives to redi ...
• 16 July 2009
  AFRICA/SENEGAL - Malaria can be reduced among children, giving them Vitamin A supplements Dakar (Agenzia Fides) – The distribution of Vitamin A supplements in areas malaria-prone areas could help reduce the cases among children by one-third. This is what a report from the “Malaria Journal” entitled “M ...
• 16 July 2009
  ASIA/SRI LANKA - Dengue epidemic affects 15,000, claiming the lives of 168 in only 6 months Colombo (Agenzia Fides) – Health authorities in Sri Lanka are struggling to stop the spread of one of the worst dengue epidemics that they have suffered until now. According to the Minister of Health, since January 200 ...
• 16 July 2009
  EUROPE/SPAIN - In 2008, Caritas Spain's requests for emergency aid doubled in comparison with 2007 Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – Caritas declared that it has received nearly 600,000 petitions for emergency aid in 2008, double the number in 2007. In several regions particularly affected by growing unemployment, such as in ...
• 16 July 2009
  AFRICA/CONGO - Incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso reelected to lead Congo; controversy over low voting rate Brazzaville (Agenzia Fides) – As expected, incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso won the presidential elections that were held in the Republic of Congo on July 12 (see Fides 10/7/2009). According to the results pub ...
• 16 July 2009
  AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - A Catholic South African, killed for his opposition to witchcraft, could become the country's first saint Cape Town (Agenzia Fides) – He gave his life to bear witness to the truth, working against the false beliefs, and this is why his cause for beatification is now underway. His name is Servant of God Benedict Daswa, whos ...
• 16 July 2009
  ASIA/CHINA - More intense spiritual life, continual formation, and priestly ordinations mark the beginning of the Year for Priests in the “Pauline Spirit” Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – According to reports sent to Agenzia Fides, various Catholic communities on mainland China are celebrating the beginning of the Year for Priests, in communion with the Holy Father and the Univ ...
• 16 July 2009
  ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “Mass Media and Mission”: forum of the Bishops' Commission for Social Communications Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - “Mass Media and Mission: The image of the Catholic Church in the eyes of the media” was the theme of a recent forum promoted in Seoul by the Bishops' Commission for Social Communications, pres ...
• 16 July 2009
  ASIA/NEPAL - “We will not leave Nepal because of the threats we receive. The mission continues,” Pro-Vicar Apostolic tells Fides Katmandu (Agenzia Fides) - “We are concerned and fear more attacks like that of Assumption Cathedral (see Fides 25/5/2009). But, as Christians, we will not let ourselves be intimidated and we will not leave the country ...
• 16 July 2009
  OCEANIA/TAHITI - Parish of Mahina, dedicated to Saint Paul, celebrates its 160th anniversary and the conclusion of the Year of Saint Paul Papeete (Agenzia Fides) – On June 27 and 28, Saint Paul's Parish in Mahina (Tahiti) celebrated the feast of their Patron, their 160th anniversary and the conclusion of the Year of St. Paul. For the occasion, the childr ...
• 16 July 2009
  AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Bishops affirm “there is no freedom when the media only reports what interests them, concealing facts, evading reporting events, and do not allow access to the public opinion for those who are not allied with them” Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - “The media should offer an important service, offering information on events in an objective manner; promoting the truth and justice, peace and freedom, solidarity, healthy customs, brotherhoo ...
• 16 July 2009
  AMERICA/BRAZIL - Two seminars to analyze how to improve relations between the Church and the media, enrich communications with themes concerning religion and the Church Sao Paulo (Agenzia Fides) - “Quality Religious Information: How to meet the demands of consumers” and “Communications in the Church: Methods, Values, and Professionalism,” are the titles of two seminars that the ...