Pope Francis on Sunday marked World Communications Dayappealing for a culture of constructive information at the service of truth. The Pope was speaking to those gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Regina Coeli. He noted that today’s means of communication offer the possibility of instantly sharing news across the world. “News can be good or bad, true or false; let us pray so that communication, in all of its forms, be effectively constructive, at the service of truth, may it reject prejudice and spread hope and trust in our time”…
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Cardinal Nichols blesses crucifix that survived ISIS
An English cardinal and an Iraqi archbishop have jointly blessed a crucifix that survived the destruction of ISIS. Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil met at Archbishop’s House in London to bless the crucifix, which, while still intact, had been found in the rubble left behind by ISIS in Iraq. The crucifix was discovered by Stephen Rasche, chief counsel and projects’ coordinator for the Chaldean Catholic Church. Mr Rasche spotted it half-buried outside St George’s Church, in Baqofah village, near the Iraqi town of Alqosh.…
Read MoreISIS claims responsibility for massacre of Coptic Christians in Egypt
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christians that killed 29. The Egyptian Cabinet said in a news release that 13 victims of Friday’s attack remained hospitalised in Cairo and the southern province of Minya where the attack took place. Authorities had previously said 28 were killed.The bloodshed came on the eve of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The bloodshed came on the eve of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Hours after Friday’s attack, President Abdel-Fattah…
Read MorePope says murdered Copts are martyrs and prays for conversion of terrorists
On the second day running, Pope Francis has expressed his solidarity with Egypt’s Coptic Christians following an attack on a bus carrying Coptic pilgrims to a remote desert monastery. Leading thousands of pilgrims in the Regina Caeli prayer in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, the Pope said he wished to express, yet again, his closeness to his dear brother, Pope Tawadros II and to the whole Egyptian nation that two days ago suffered “another act of ferocious violence.” “The victims, amongst which were also children, were killed after having refused to renounce their Christian faith” he said.…
Read MoreCardinal Pell to ordain 10 transitional deacons for the ordinariate
Cardinal George Pell is to ordain 10 men as deacons for the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham next month. The group includes two men who are in their fifth year of studies for the priesthood and are on course to become the first clergy who have undertaken their entire formation within the ordinariate. The other eight men are former Anglican priests who have taken a specially designed two-year course. It is likely the 10 candidates will be ordained to the priesthood next year. They will join 80 clergy serving…
Read MorePope Francis: condolences for murder of Coptic Christians
Pope Francis has sent a telegram to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, expressing condolences over the murder of dozens of Coptic Christians in Egypt, and condemning the killings as “[a] senseless act of hatred.” As many as 10 gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Coptic Christians on pilgrimage to the monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor some 140km from the capital, Cairo, killing at least 28 of them and injuring some 23 others. Many of the victims were women and children. In the telegram, signed by the Holy See’s Secretary of…
Read MorePope in Genoa: The power of Christians lies in prayer and preaching
Pope Francis wrapped up an intense 1-day apostolic visit to the Italian port city of Genoa with the celebration of Mass. To the faithful present for the open-air ceremony in Genoa’s Kennedy Square, the Pope said Christians must never get tired of working for the common good, they must never fear going out into the world with Christ’s message of peace and hope… “Christian prayer is not a way of being a little bit at peace with oneself or finding some interior harmony; we pray in order to bring all to God,…
Read MoreScottish bishops celebrate Masses for Manchester victims
Catholics in Scotland are gathering to pray for the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Manchester. Bishops from Scotland are inviting their flocks to gather for Masses to pray for those who were killed and those who have been affected by the recent “massacre” in Manchester, when a suicide bomber killed 22 innocent people after a concert. Archbishop Philip Tartaglia is inviting people in and around the Archdiocese of Glasgow to attend a special Mass on Thursday 25thMay, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, in St Andrew’s…
Read MoreEgypt: Coptic Christians killed in bus attack
At least 28 Coptic Christians have been killed and dozens more wounded by armed men who attacked them while they were travelling to a monastery in Egypt’s Minya province. The Christians were headed on Friday May 26, to the Saint Samuel Monastery, located outside Minya city, about 220km south of the capital Cairo, when the masked attackers, who came in three pickup trucks, opened fire of them before fleeing the scene. Egyptian security and medical officials told the Associated Press news agency that of the 28 dead, many were children. There…
Read MorePope makes surprise telephone call to sick children in Genoa
On Saturday, May 27, Pope Francis will travel to the northern Italian city of Genoa for a one-day apostolic visit. One of the highlights of the day will undoubtedly be represented by his meeting with sick children and their families in the “Giannina Gaslini” Paediatric Hospital. Awaiting Francis’ visit, many of the little patients have been busy preparing small gifts and messages, but meanwhile, the Pope himself decided to surprise them ahead of time with a personal greeting. Linking-up live via telephone to a parish radio in Genoa that broadcasts a Wednesday weekly programme especially dedicated…
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