News

• 6 April 2004
  What is “genocide»? (Info.) Rome (Fides Service) - The first definition of “genocide” came from Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin, docent in International Law at Yale University. In 1944 in the middle of World War II he wrote: “This new term, coin ...
• 6 April 2004
  Massacres and colonialism in Africa Rome (Fides Service) - European colonialism in Africa was responsible for genocide in events many of which were unknown to the general public. The most well known was that in the Free State of Congo (former Zaire and tod ...
• 6 April 2004
  The silent genocide of Pygmies in central Africa Rome (Fides Service) - In the heart of Africa a people is in danger of extinction. A silent genocide against the Pygmies, one of the oldest peoples of Africa, has been going on for decades. There are Pygmies in Rwanda (4 ...
• 6 April 2004
  Ethnic genocide of the 20th century Rome (Fides Service) - The 20th century which historians have called “the century of totalitarisms”, will also go down in history as the “century of genocide”. There were numerous attempts deliberate and systemat ...
• 6 April 2004
  The victims of Communist totalitarianism in the USSR Rome (Fides Service) - Thirteen years since the fall of the Soviet Communist rule with the opening of many archives, although not all, the real dimensions of repression in the USSR are beginning to appear although at the ...
• 6 April 2004
  VATICAN - The Pope’s anguished and repeated calls during the genocide in Rwanda: “Do not give in to the temptation of hatred and revenge. At this tragic stage of the life of your country, be builders of peace and love” Vatican City (Fides Service) - As soon as the first reports of killings in Rwanda began to arrive Pope John Paul II did not hesitate to raise his voice to call for reconciliation and peace. On 9 April 1994 in a message t ...
• 6 April 2004
  THE MARTYROLOGY OF THE CHURCH IN RWANDA IN 1994 Vatican City (Fides) - The number of Church personnel killed in that tragedy in Rwanda in 1994, is so high that we can speak of a holocaust. According to information collected by Fides, at least 248 members of local chu ...
• 5 April 2004
  VATICAN - The Pope begins Holy Week with the celebration of Palm Sunday Mass: “Dear young people do not be afraid to proclaim whatever the circumstances the Gospel of the Cross. Do not be afraid to go upstream!” Vatican City (Fides Service) - “In the atmosphere of joy veiled with sadness which marks Palm Sunday we are celebrating the 19th World Youth Day. This year it has as its theme “We want to see Jesus” the request add ...
• 5 April 2004
  AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Bishop François-Xavier Yombandje appointed Bishop Bossangoa Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, 3 April 2004, appointed Bishop of Bossangoa (Central African Republic), Bishop François-Xavier Yombandje, until now Bishop of Kaga-Bondoro and Apost ...
• 5 April 2004
  AFRICA/RWANDA - The Office for Social Communications of the Rwandan Bishops’ Conference has announced that on the basis of a recent censure more than one million people perished in massacres in Rwanda in 1994 Kigali (Fides Service) - With regard to the number of people killed in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, Rev. Dominique Karekezi Office for Social Communications of the Rwandan Bishops’ Conference told Fides. “The results ...
• 5 April 2004
  VATICAN - 8th International Youth Forum comes to a close. Archbishop Rylko tells young participants: “ Not only at university but in life Christ relies on each one of us. “The success of this Forum - Archbishop Rylko concluded- depends on you: now, put out into the deep!” Vatican City (Fides Service) - “What has this Forum meant for us who took part? A wonderful spiritual adventure, a wonderful experience of the Church; we were able to feel what its means to be the Catholic Church, univ ...
• 5 April 2004
  ASIA/IRAQ - “A Holy Week of suffering for Iraqi Christians” reports Father Nizar Semaan from Mosul. Palm Sunday processions and Easter Night Vigil Mass cancelled for security reasons Baghdad (Fides Service)- “Holy Week will be a time of suffering in Iraq” Father Nizar Semaan, in Mosul, told Fides. Mosul has been the scene of recent between the coalition forces and Shiite activists. “Yesterday f ...
• 5 April 2004
  AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Future of Ivory Coast in the hands of four ruthless politicians Abidjan (Fides Service )- “In Ivory Coast the four candidates for elections in 2005 are fighting for power” a mission in Ivory Coast who asked not to be named, told Fides. “Instead of thinking of the common good of ...
• 5 April 2004
  ASIA/INDONESIA - Indonesia votes in general elections: “It is fundamental that politics and religion are separate” local Catholic Bishop told Fides Jakarta (Fides Service) - Elections in Indonesia start today. The vote in the populous country 145 eligible voters out of a population of 210 million will last until the Summer, July 5 when there will be the first round ...
• 5 April 2004
  ASIA/SRI LANKA - “The new government must focus on peace, freedom and national prosperity Archbishop Oswald Gomis of Colombo told Fides after general elections Colombo (Fides Service) - “We hope the peace process will continue and this is the responsibility of the new government whatever it is. We and all the people of Sri Lanka, Sinhalese and Tamils, want an era of peace, fr ...