Susan Korah

The horrific attack on a Syrian church that claimed the lives of more than 25 and injured more than 60 others should raise a red flag on the internal situation in Syria, say activists close to victims of the tragedy.

Bill C-5, passed on the final day of the House of Commons’ first sitting under Prime Minister Mark Carney, has drawn mixed reaction from First Nations leaders, some who argue vehemently against it, and others who take a more sanguine view, saying it would benefit their communities in the long term.

From being kidnapped and held hostage by Islamic terrorists, miraculously liberated and now ministering to a dwindling Christian community in Syria, Archbishop Jacques Mourad exemplifies the suffering and resilience of his people during the darkest days of a brutal civil war and the reign of terror by ISIS.

The Speech from the Throne — delivered by King Charles III May 27 to open the latest session of Parliament under the Liberals and Prime Minister Mark Carney — was a powerful assertion of Canada’s identity as distinct political, social and cultural entity.

Christians in the West Bank and Palestinian territories where Jesus lived, preached the Gospel and died will be observing a subdued Easter due to the ongoing conflict and displacement this year.

Churches in Jerusalem are in dire financial straits and Church-run institutions such as schools and hospitals are in danger of closing as they struggle with a renewed barrage of demands by the city to pay a tax called “Arnona.”

The fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria in December was viewed by the country’s minorities with a mixture of cautious optimism and apprehension. Just three months later, a wave of violence has made their worst nightmares come true.

Feb. 24 marks a sombre anniversary for Ukrainians, in the home country and in Ukrainian communities throughout the worldwide diasporas.

The election of Joseph Aoun, a Maronite (Eastern-rite Catholic), as the 14th president of Lebanon and a fragile ceasefire have raised hopes that the war-ravaged and crisis-ridden country will finally reverse its steep descent into chaos.

The long-awaited and elusive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has silenced bombs and halted air raids on the Gaza Strip, for the time being, but the humanitarian situation there is dire, reports the regional director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.