Istanbul, Jan 6, 2019: The Istanbul-based Orthodox patriarch on Sunday handed over a formal decree confirming the creation of an independent Ukrainian church to its leader, Metropolitan Yepifaniy. The decree was signed at a landmark ceremony on Saturday, putting the formal stamp on a break with the Russian Orthodox churchContinue Reading
Rome, Jan. 5, 2019: Pope Francis is encouraging U.S. bishops meeting near Chicago to unify as the Catholic church deals with a “crisis of credibility” stemming from the clergy sex abuse scandal. In an eight-page letter addressed to the bishops and released to the media on January 3, Pope FrancisContinue Reading
Jan 3, 2019: Two victims of sexual abuse by a Roman Catholic Church priest in Chile launched a fresh attack on the country’s bishops on Wednesday, accusing them of failing to reform or learn from the crisis. Juan Carlos Cruz and Jose Andres Murillo, two prominent victims of the abuseContinue Reading
By Matters India Reporter Yangon, Jan. 4, 2019: Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, head of the Catholic Church in Asia, on January 2 mourned the death of Jesuit Father Samuel Rayan, hailing him as the “giant” of the Asian liberation theology. “It is with deep sense of sorrow and humility thatContinue Reading
By Robin Gomes Vatican City, Dec. 28, 2018: The president-elect of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) has made an urgent appeal to the Church in Asia to reach out in solidarity and support to the survivors of the devastating tsunami that struck Indonesia nearly a week ago. “OnContinue Reading
Athens, Dec. 28, 2018: A crudely-made bomb exploded outside one of Athens‘ most important churches on December 27, injuring its caretaker and a police officer. The incident has troubled authorities as the attack took place without warning in one of the capital’s busiest areas. Police officials said the timed deviceContinue Reading
CIZHONG, China, Dec. 25, 2018: Ruanna, a 77-year-old Tibetan woman living in a remote Chinese village overlooking the Mekong river, says her Catholic faith has never been in doubt. “Since birth, I have attended church and read holy scriptures in Tibetan,” Ruanna said in her home of Cizhong, where ChristmasContinue Reading
Vatican City, Dec. 22, 2018: On Dec. 21 evening, Pope Francis visited the Pope emeritus in order to exchange Christmas greetings. As he has done every year since his election, Pope Francis on Dec. 21 made the short journey to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, for a Christmas visit with hisContinue Reading
Abu Dhabi, Dec. 20, 2018: Churches in Abu Dhabi are gearing up to celebrate Christmas with special prayers and a message of tolerance as the UAE celebrates 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. Rev Andy Thompson said that this year at St Andrew’s Church, Christmas will be about reflections onContinue Reading
Hong Kong, Dec. 19, 2018: No Santa. No trees. No stockings. No lights. The authorities in Langfang, a city in China’s Hebei province, have issued a ban on all Christmas displays on streets and in stores, according to a notice from city officials. Christmas may be a Western holiday, butContinue Reading