News

• 22 May 2009
  AFRICA/MALAWI - Incumbent President elected for a second term, as women take their place in politics Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) – The incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika, 75 years of age, has been reelected President of Malawi, winning the presidential elections held on May 19 (see Fides 18/5/2009). The Electoral Com ...
• 22 May 2009
  OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Ecumenical initiatives in Australian dioceses Brisbane (Agenzia Fides) – The path of dialogue continues between the Catholic and Anglican Churches in Australia. Ecumenical events and accords have multiplied, especially on a diocesan level, creating a climate of ev ...
• 22 May 2009
  ASIA/SRI LANKA - Refugee emergency crisis: “Thousands of people are at risk for death in the coming days, from hunger, thirst, and a lack of medical care.” Colombo (Agenzia Fides) – The war has ended, but the refugee emergency remains very serious. This is what Agenzia Fides has learned from priests, religious, volunteers, and NGOs working on the field in the north-centra ...
• 22 May 2009
  AFRICA/CAMEROON - UNICEF decries death of 45,000 children every year in Cameroon, as a result of malnutrition; the refugee dilemma Yaounde (Agenzia Fides) – At least 45,000 children die every year from malnutrition in Cameroon. This is what UNICEF, the UN's agency for children, has declared in recent days. In their report on Africa, the organizati ...
• 22 May 2009
  AFRICA/NIGERIA - “Let us educate people to go beyond the futile fascination of the mass media,” says Bishop Badejo on the 43rd World Communications Day Ibadan (Agenzia Fides) - ““The Church is communication”. It is very tempting for theologians to try to contest this statement but it is not a frivolous one,” said Bishop Emmanuel Ade Badejo, Coadjutor Bishop of t ...
• 22 May 2009
  AMERICA/MEXICO - The Mission “is not simply a strategic shift in an effort to be more efficient; above all, it implies a greater fidelity to Jesus Christ in His Church.” Message from the Archbishop of Antequera-Oaxaca Antequera-Oaxaca (Agenzia Fides) - “Having declared the Archdiocese in a state of mission implies a profound revision and renewal of our lifestyle and our manner of transmitting the faith. It means setting off on a pat ...
• 22 May 2009
  AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Bishops invite priests to renew their joy in the faith, steadfast hope, and joy for the ministry received in the Year of the Priest. Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – With the motive of the Year of the Priest declared by Pope Benedict XVI, beginning this June, the Argentinean Bishops' Conference sent a letter tot he priests in which they thank them for ...
• 22 May 2009
  EUROPE/SPAIN - National Days for Diocesan Mission Delegates and the National Assembly of National Directors of the PMS - “Growing in the missionary vocation is the challenge presented by the Year of Saint Paul.” Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – On May 19-21, the National Days for Diocesan Mission Delegates and the National Assembly of National Directors of the PMS were held in Madrid. In addition to the National Director of the Pontif ...
• 22 May 2009
  ASIA/CHINA - Large numbers of Chinese faithful on pilgrimages to Marian shrines throughout the country, especially to the Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan, in preparation for May 24th celebration Shang Hai (Agenzia Fides) – Chinese Catholic pilgrims continue with their devotion of traveling to the Marian shrines of the county, in light of the upcoming May 24th celebration of the second “Day of Prayer for the ...
• 22 May 2009
  EUROPE/POLAND - Initiatives promoted by the Catholic weekly “Niedzela” for the 30th anniversary of John Paul II's first apostolic trip to Poland Czestochowa (Agenzia Fides) – In honor of the 30th anniversary of John Paul II's first apostolic trip to Poland (June 2-10, 1979), the Polish Catholic weekly “Niedzela,” the most widely-read magazine in Poland with ...
• 22 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI to make Pastoral Visit to Montecassino on May 24th Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – This Sunday, May 24, the Holy Father Benedict XVI will make a pastoral visit to Cassino and Montecassino, Italy. The Holy See Press Office has released the following itinerary for the vis ...
• 22 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI at the General Audience, on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land: “Despite the vicissitudes that through the centuries have marked the holy sites, despite the wars, the destruction and unfortunately, the conflicts among Christians, the Church has continued her mission, moved by the Spirit of the Risen Lord.” Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “I pause today to speak about the apostolic journey that I made May 8-15 to the Holy Land, for which I do not cease to give thanks to the Lord, because it has shown itself to be a great g ...
• 22 May 2009
  ASIA/CAMBODIA - Rains increase dengue in Cambodia by 50%; pest control campaign starts early Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – The early commencement of the rainy season in Cambodia has caused, in the last four months of 2009, a 50% increase in dengue cases in comparison to last year at the same time. Since the s ...
• 22 May 2009
  EUROPE/ITALY - 50,000 victims per year in Europe caused by one of the most feared hospital infections: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Thorough washing of hands by nurses and doctors, the use of local, national, and international microbiological surveillance systems by hospitals, the quick diagnosis and cure using antibiotics... ...
• 20 May 2009
  EUROPE/ITALY - Milan's Lourdes Federation for Transporting the Sick celebrates 50th anniversary Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The OFTAL (Italian group “Lourdes Federation for Transporting the Sick”) celebrates its 50th anniversary of its official recognition in Milan. The recognition was given by Cardinal Giovanni B ...