News

• 24 April 2004
  ASIA/IRAQ - Good relations among religious communities, humanitarian aid from churches and mosques without discrimination: action of Interreligious Council in for peace Baghdad (Fides Service) - That the authentic role of religion is to contribute to dialogue, reconciliation and peace has been affirmed more than once by John Paul II. Despite difficulties and the presence of some “prea ...
• 24 April 2004
  ASIA/IRAQ - “Iraqis of all the different religious communities are a united people. It is a mistake to strike mosques” says Prof. Justo Lacunza, Rector of the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies in Rome Vatican City (Fides) - “The common denominator which today unites all Iraqi believers whether Shiite or Sunni Muslims, Christians or Kurds, is a strong nationalist sentiment. Iraqis, liberated from Saddam Hussein, tod ...
• 24 April 2004
  ASIA/IRAQ - A year after the fall of Saddam: different religious communities amidst traditional leaders and new radical groups Baghdad (Fides Service) - It is a composite scenario which is registered in Iraq a gear after the fall of Saddam Hussein: emerging new political groups, reawakening of traditional religious movements and birth of new for ...
• 23 April 2004
  VATICAN - “For the past twenty years young people have carried this Cross along the paths of the world, on their shoulders, on sledges, on boats, by air, by car and nothing has ever stopped them…with its eloquent presence this Cross led them to start a journey, to rediscover the meaning of pilgrimage and mission” - Twenty years ago the Pope entrusted to young people the Holy Year cross, now the symbol of World Youth days Rome (Fides Service) - “That was an event filled with significance at the level of church and also for many of us personally”: said Father Francis Khon, head of the Youth Section of the Pontifical Council for the Lai ...
• 23 April 2004
  OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - “Church of Solomon Island, look to the future!”: says Father Michael Aike, first local Catholic priest ordained 36 years an example for priests and laity Honiara (Fides Service) - “Rich in my pastoral experience in these 36 years a priest serving the community of Solomon Islands I say to the Church of Solomon Islands: Look to the future!”. This appeal was launched by ...
• 23 April 2004
  AFRICA/NIGERIA - Catholics to make a film on prison life in Nigeria Lagos (Fides Service)- Prison apostolate is an important part of the activity of the local Catholic Church in Nigeria. “This apostolate involves visitation to warders and prisoners, trying to create an atmosphere of he ...
• 23 April 2004
  AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - Revolt by mercenaries from Chad does not affect life in the Central African capital. A missionary sends testimony to Fides Bangui (Fides Service)- “Sporadic shots are heard coming from the PK11 district where President François Bozizé resides but the rest of the city is relatively calm” a local Church source in Bangui, capital of the C ...
• 23 April 2004
  ASIA/INDIA - India and Pakistan to discuss peace, nuclear disarmament, disputed Kashmir region and persisting problem of drug trafficking New Delhi (Fides Service) - While the people of the Republic of India are focussing on legislative elections now taking place, positive signals of peace come from the leaders of India and Pakistan, the two main political ...
• 23 April 2004
  AFRICA - Making a dream come true for African children: “Malaria Free Future”, the theme of Africa Malaria Day Rome (Fides Service) - Four years ago on 25 April 2000 African leaders from 44 malaria-endemic countries met in Abuja, in Nigeria, for the first African Summit on Malaria. At the end of the Summit they signed the histori ...
• 22 April 2004
  VATICAN - The Pope’s Wednesday audience teaching: “Communion with God is the source of serenity, joy, peace, it is like entering an oasis of light and love” Vatican City (Fides Service) - Pope John Paul II took Psalm 26, “Trust in God in times of danger” (Vespers Wednesday week 1), as the subject of his teaching at the general Wednesday audience 21 April held in St Peter ...
• 22 April 2004
  AMERICA/MEXICO - Members of parliament from almost 140 countries promise to protect children: “Handbook for Parliamentarians on Child Protection” presented at 110th International Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union IPU. Mexico City (Fides Service) - During the 110th International Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union IPU, in Mexico City 18-23 April, UNICEF Ambassador Jessica Lange launched a “Handbook for Parliamentarians on Child ...
• 22 April 2004
  AFRICA/TANZANIA - A “bank” to help eliminate poverty and AIDS by giving economic assistance and opportunities to poor women in outlying districts of Dar es Salaaam Roma (Agenzia Fides) - HIV/AIDS increases poverty and poverty spreads AIDS. The is noted also in Tanzania, one of 21 developing countries where the development rate dropped between 1990 and 2001. AIDS effects every area ...
• 22 April 2004
  AFRICA/BURUNDI - Last resistant rebel group says it is ready to talk about peace. Thousands take part in Peace Initiatives throughout the country organised by local Catholic Action Bujumbura (Fides Service)- “We are waiting to see if the words are followed by deeds. Too often in the recent past announcements have been made but nothing has happened” a local Church source in Burundi told Fides af ...
• 20 April 2004
  VATICAN - Promulgated 15 Decrees: Founder of Dehonian Missionaries among those to be beatified; recognised also the martyrdom of 7 priests and a nun killed during the Spanish civil war and the heroic virtues of a Sister who spent 30 years caring for lepers and a 10 year old girl who offered her suffering for the Church’s missionary work . Vatican City (Fides Service) - In the presence of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, on 19 April in the Sala Clementina in the Vatican, Decrees regarding miracles, martyrdom and heroic virtues of 15 Servants of God were ...
• 20 April 2004
  EUROPA/AUSTRIA - A future for child soldiers in Northern Uganda: “Missio Austria” launches a signature campaign for international commitment to reach peace after 18 years of civil war Vienna (Fides Service) - An urgent appeal to the Austrian government and to Austrian members of the European parliament to press at the international level for commitment to help the suffering people of northern Uganda, ...