News/International

The head of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia and Indian priests believe that a priest kidnapped by the Islamic State is still alive.

Bishop says he believes Salesian priest kidnapped in Yemen is still alive

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VATICAN CITY - The bishop who leads the apostolic vicariate that includes Yemen said he has "strong indications" that Salesian Father Tom Uzhunnalil "is still alive in the hands of his kidnappers."

Catholics in Fresno, dressed in costume, participate in a Good Friday presentation of the Way of the Cross April 3, 2015. The tradition of a living Stations of the Cross is especially strong in the diocese's migrant communities.

Way of the Cross a strong Lenten tradition in migrant communities

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KINGSBURG, Calif. - Every year on Good Friday, Catholic communities throughout the world re-enact the Way of the Cross with live performances of the story of Christ’s final journey of His earthly life as a powerful reminder of His suffering and sacrifice.

Members of the deaf community use sign language to participate in the Stations of the Cross held March 11 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Green Bay, Wis.

Stations of the Cross for deaf help them follow the Passion

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GREEN BAY, Wis. - Praying the Stations of the Cross is a popular Lenten activity for Catholics, but for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, it can be a difficult, sometimes impossible challenge to follow along with the story of Jesus’ Passion.

Pilgrims stand outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City while below a woman prays inside the church. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are drawn to the site year round, but never so much as during Holy Week. Biblical scholar Murray Watson said pilgrims become conscious of walking on holy ground and “being at the literal heart of the Christian Gospel.”

Pilgrims walk at the heart of the Gospels at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

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There’s nothing quite like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to give one a sense of the origins of Christianity.

A woman consoles her children at a street memorial March 23 following bomb attacks in Brussels. Three nearly simultaneous attacks March 22 claimed the lives of dozens and injured more than 200.

Brussels archbishop thanks Christians for support after attacks

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OXFORD, England - The Brussels archbishop thanked Christians for gestures of support in the wake of bomb attacks in his city and urged Belgians not to react by stoking anti-foreigner feeling.

Materials related to Argentina's dictatorship is expected to be opened in the coming months at Pope Francis' request.

Vatican to open archives on Argentine dictatorship

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VATICAN CITY - At the request of Pope Francis, material in the Vatican Secret archives relating to Argentina's "Dirty War" is expected to be opened in the coming months, the Vatican spokesman said.

A man places flowers on a street memorial March 23 following bomb attacks in Brussels. Three nearly simultaneous attacks March 22 claimed the lives of dozens and injured more than 200.

Belgian religious groups condemn Brussels attacks

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Belgian Muslim and Catholic organizations are condemning the terrorist bombings in Brussels.

An undated and unnamed message on social media claim that Islamic State agents kidnapped an Indian priest and plan to crucify him on Good Friday.

Church officials dismissed that kidnapped priest to be crucified

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COCHIN, India - Church officials dismissed rumours of social media messages that said an Indian Salesian priest kidnapped by suspected Islamic terrorists in Yemen March 4 is being tortured and will be crucified on Good Friday.

Injured people are seen at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels March 22.

Pope condemns 'blind violence' of Brussels attacks

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, condemning the "blind violence" of the terrorist attacks in Brussels, offered his prayers to the victims, the injured, their families and all those offering assistance in the aftermath of the bombings.

Sunita Kumar poses for a photo with her painting of Blessed Teresa March 18 at the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India. Kumar said she once told Mother Teresa she did not paint the nun's physical features because she recognized her as a saint.

Indians shed tears, share stories as Calcutta honours Mother Teresa

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CALCUTTA, India - With folded hands, Margeret Rose stood praying near Blessed Teresa's statue near the entrance of the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity.

Catholic faithful stand on wooden boats during the sea procession of Good Friday in Larantuka, Indonesia, in this April 18, 2014, file photo.

Holy Week security tight in predominantly Catholic Indonesian province

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JAKARTA, Indonesia - Police officials said they were tightening security in predominantly Catholic East Nusa Tenggara province for Holy Week celebrations, reported ucanews.com.

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