News

• 10 February 2004
  AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Catholic missionaries in Korhogo attacked and robbed by militia of “warlord” killed on Sunday Abidjan (Fides Service) - A clash between factions of the same rebel group which controls the northern part of Ivory Coast is at the basis of the death of Adam Couliby, one of the main leaders of the Ivorian militia kill ...
• 10 February 2004
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - Missionary Childhood Day in Pakistan: all over the country Catholic children “Heralds of hope, peace and reconciliation” pray and celebrate Multan (Fides Service) - On 1 February with prayers, songs and dancing Catholic children in Multan diocese in northern Pakistan celebrated local Missionary Childhood Day. Children in Catholic schools and parishes lived t ...
• 10 February 2004
  AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - 130 million women victims of infibulation, one of the many faces of how women are tortured and abused. Every year two million girls risk the same destiny Rome (Fides Service) - “A traditional custom harmful for women and children”: this is how handbook on education issued by the Catholic Church in Ethiopia describes the practice of mutilating the female genitals, or i ...
• 9 February 2004
  AFRICA/SUDAN – Bishop Paride Taban of Torit resigns Vatican City (Fides Service) – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has accepted (4 February 2004) the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Torit (Sudan) presented by Bishop Paride Taban in conformit ...
• 9 February 2004
  VATICAN - The Pope entrusts World Day for the Sick to Our Lady: “May the Blessed Virgin Mary watch over those taking part in the various events in Lourdes in the next few days: meetings on Health Pastoral in Europe and the special relationship between Immaculate Mary and the sick” Vatican City (Fides Service) – The World Day for the Sick was the subject of the Pope John Paul II’s reflection before the Angelus prayer on Sunday 8 February. This year the principal Mass for the Day on 11 February ...
• 9 February 2004
  EUROPE/GERMANY - “Uganda: a war the world has forgotten”. Religious leaders visit Germany to win support from government and Churches to put an end to 18 years of civil war Aachen (Fides Service) – From 9 to 13 February the chairmen of ARLPI, Acholi Religious Leaders’ Peace Initiative, the Catholic Archbishop of the northern Ugandan diocese of Gulu Archbishop John Baptist Odama and Angl ...
• 9 February 2004
  EUROPE/FRANCE - Celebrations in Lourdes for the 12th World Day for the Sick open today – Papal Message: “If Jesus is the source of life which triumphs over death Mary is the loving mother who answers the call of her children obtaining for them health of body and soul ” Lourdes (Fides Service) – On Wednesday 11 February, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, all over the world the Church will hold celebrations for the 12th World Day for the Sick, instituted by Pope John Paul II, on 13 May 19 ...
• 9 February 2004
  EUROPE/ITALY - Lay Franciscan call for peace in the Holy Land: “Europe cannot simply stand and watch” : Second year running “Painting Piazze with Peace” young people create awareness Rome (Fides Service) – “Let’s empower hope! Peace is possible, and peace is a duty!”. This appeal comes from the association of lay Franciscans of Italy who state: “deeply concerned by so many wars afflicting h ...
• 9 February 2004
  AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Governor of Bukavu, in east Congo, suspended. Disquieting questions reported to Fides with regard to latest events Bukavu (Fides Service)- There is a situation of uncertainty in Bukavu southern Kivu (south-east Democratic Congo) since the governor Xavier Chiribanya was suspended on Saturday 7 February. The decision was taken by the m ...
• 9 February 2004
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - “Make me a channel of your peace!” pray Muslims and Christians together, condemning terrorism and issuing a message of tolerance and harmony Multan (Fides Service) – Together leading Christians and Muslims in Pakistan have condemned terrorism and called for tolerance and harmony, following the most recent episode of anti-Christian violence on 15 January wh ...
• 9 February 2004
  VATICAN - “The Dignity of human Procreation and Reproductive Techniques: Anthropological and Moral Aspects”: General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life Vatican City (Fides Service) – From 19 to 22 February 2004 the Pontifical Academy for Life PAV will hold a general assembly during which it will also mark the 10th anniversary of its institution. Members will reflect o ...
• 9 February 2004
  AFRICA/CHAD – The role of women in the Church and in Society: Pastoral Letter by Bishop Edmond Djitangar of Sarh Sarh (Fides Service)- “Women are fully members of our Church-Family” Bishop Edmond Djitangar Bishop of Sarh, southern Chad, wrote in a recent Letter Pastoral addressed to the Church-Family-of-God “To draw attention ...
• 9 February 2004
  ASIA/SRI LANKA - President announces early elections, Tamil Tigers disapprove: peace process threatened: fervid debate in the country Colombo (Fides Service) – Peace in Sri Lanka is threatened after a sudden decision on 7 February by president Chandrika Kumaratunga to dissolve parliament and announce early elections on 2 April. The decision has given ...
• 9 February 2004
  ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - The local Church comes to the aid of women immigrants, victims of abuse and prostitution: Taejon diocese opens Home for Women in Need Seoul (Fides Service) – Many women immigrants in South Korea and other Asian countries are victims of abuse in the family or are caught in the activity of prostitution gangs. To come to the aid of these women in Taejon ...
• 9 February 2004
  ASIA/VIETNAM - Bird influenza: 70% of infected humans die: 19 dead Rome (Fides Service) – Bird flu continues to kill. 70% of human beings infected have died. A 27 year old man in Binh Phuoc province of Vietnam was the latest victim. His death brings to total of human deaths for bird f ...