News

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  12 December 2023
  ASIA/INDONESIA - Steps and risks in Indonesia's fragile democracy, as the nation approaches the polls Jakarta (Agenzia Fides) - For the fifth time since the end of Mohammad Suharto's authoritarian regime, which collapsed in 1998, Indonesia's young democracy is preparing for presidential elections scheduled for February 2 ...
• 12 December 2023
  AFRICA/NIGER - Sanctions against coup plotters extended: “The people of Niger are prepared to sacrifice their economy for nationalist pride” Niamey (Agenzia Fides) - The sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO/ECOWAS) against Niger following the military coup of July 26 that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum have been extende ...
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  12 December 2023
  ASIA/MYANMAR - Opium production in Myanmar exceeds that of Afghanistan, according to UNODC data Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - The annual report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed that Myanmar's opium production has surpassed that of Afghanistan during 2023. The document, titled 'Southea ...
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  12 December 2023
  ASIA/BAHREIN - On the consecration of the Cathedral of Awali: Bishop Berardi blesses the relic of the holy martyr Arethas Awali (Agenzia Fides) - "The cathedral is not a parish. It is a place of spirituality, of welcome, where we can find someone who listens to us. We are the true temple, because true worship is in the heart". With these wo ...
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  11 December 2023
  AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Catholic priest killed in Nebraska Omaha (Agenzia Fides) - Catholic priest Stephen Gutgsell was stabbed to death during a burglary yesterday, Sunday, December 10, in the rectory of the parish of St. John the Baptist in Fort Cahloun, a small community in N ...
• 11 December 2023
  ASIA/CHINA - Bishop Shen Bin confers 77 confirmations in 2 churches in Shanghai dedicated to the Immaculate Conception Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) - Imitate the example of Mary, learn from her "fiat" to welcome with an open and trusting heart the free gift of salvation from God: this is the invitation that the Bishop of Shanghai Joseph Shen ...
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  11 December 2023
  ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Reopening of the university affected by the attack in Marawi: prayer and memory of the victims Marawi (Agenzia Fides) - The Mindanao State University (MSU) campus of Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi reopened today, after eight days of closure, following the bomb attack that killed four people during mass ...
• 11 December 2023
  AFRICA/NIGERIA - The priest and his companion kidnapped in southeastern Nigeria released Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Father Kingsley Eze and his companion Uchenna Newman, who were victims of a kidnapping on November 30 in Umuekebi, Osuoweerre, in the Isiala Mbano local government region of the State of Imo, sout ...
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  11 December 2023
  ASIA/BAHRAIN - A gift for everyone. The Sacred Heart Catholic School in Manama celebrates its 75th anniversary by Antonella Prenna Manama (Agenzia Fides) - At the beginning of the day everyone, young and old, sang the Bahraini national anthem together, as befits major occasions. And the occasion is really a reason to celebrate: ...
• 11 December 2023
  AFRICA/NIGERIA - Appointment of Bishop of Ilorin Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On December 8, the Holy Father appointed the Reverend Anselm Pendo Lawani, until now diocesan administrator of Ilorin, Nigeria, as bishop of the same ecclesiastical circumscription. Msgr. ...
• 11 December 2023
  ASIA/SRI LANKA - Appointment of Bishop of Chilaw Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On December 6, the Holy Father appointed the Reverend Arachchige Don Wimal Siri Appuhamy Jayasuriya, of the clergy of the diocese of Chilaw, Sri Lanka, until now parish priest of Saint Mary ...
• 11 December 2023
  AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - Resignation and appointment of Bishop of Tôlagnaro Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On December 5, the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Tôlagnaro, Madagascar, presented by Bishop Vincent Rakotozafy. The Holy Father has appoin ...
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  9 December 2023
  ASIA/MIDDLE EAST - Advent in times of war: Christian communities forego celebrations and lighting Bethlehem (Agenzia Fides) - For many Christian communities in the countries of the Middle East, the time approaching Christmas is marked by the pain and and fear of the violence that has broken out again in the Holy Land ...
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  9 December 2023
  ASIA/CHINA - Advent season of the Chinese Catholic communities in the sign of Saint Francis Xavier Nanjing (Agenzia Fides) - The Chinese Catholic communities celebrated the new ecclesiastical year and the first Sunday of Advent on December 3rd in the spirit of St. Francis Xavier, the day on which the feast of the grea ...
• 7 December 2023
  AFRICA/KENYA - Agricultural workers from Malawi and Kenya are supposed to work in Israeli fields Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - African agricultural workers are to work in Israeli fields as a replacement for Palestinian and Thai workers. After around 220 agricultural workers were recruited in Malawi in recent weeks, it i ...