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January 2017

January 2

Pope Francis: Middle East Christians reflect heroism of St. Stephen

January 2, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has said the heroic martyrdom of St. Stephen is mirrored in the persecution of modern-day Christians, particularly in the Middle East.

Kidnapped priest in Yemen appeals for Pope Francis’ help

January 2, 2017

ADEN, Yemen – A Salesian priest kidnapped in Yemen on March 4 personally appealed for Pope Francis’ help in a video posted to YouTube Dec. 26.

New Year calls for courage, hope; no more hatred, selfishness, Pope says

January 2, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Whether the new year will be good or not depends on us choosing to do good each day, Pope Francis said.

After Istanbul attack, Pope prays for those who fight 'bloody stain' of terrorism

January 2, 2017

VATICAN CITY – On the first day of the new year and the 50th World Day of Peace, Pope Francis condemned a terrorist attack which took place in Istanbul early Sunday morning, praying for the victims, the injured and in support of everyone who works to fight violence and terrorism.

January 3

Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle formed to further reconciliation

January 3, 2017

OTTAWA – A coalition of seven Catholic organizations have launched the Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle to further reconciliation efforts with Canada’s indigenous peoples.

Church in India's Kerala state forms support group for transgender people

January 3, 2017

COCHIN, India – The church in India's Kerala state has formed a group of priests, nuns and laypeople to respond to the pastoral needs of transgender people, reported ucanews.com.

Catholic leaders in Congo welcome church-mediated accord

January 3, 2017

OXFORD, England – Catholic leaders in Congo said they hope for lasting peace, after the bishops' conference helped mediate a government-opposition accord.

Fulani Herdsmen Terrorists are the latest Islamist threat to Christians in Nigeria

January 3, 2017

KAFANCHAN, Nigeria – Islamist violence and terrorism has killed more than 12,000 Christians in Nigeria, destroying some 2,000 churches. Boko Haram has perpetrated the bulk of the killings, but in the past year a new source of Islamist terror has hit the country in the form of the Fulani Herdsmen Terrorists (FHT).

Pope kicks off new year renewing 'zero tolerance' policy on abuse

January 3, 2017

VATICAN CITY – In a letter sent to bishops around the world for the feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis lamented the many children who suffer from war, slavery and various forms of abuse, including within the Church.

Pope's Homily for First Vespers for Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

January 3, 2017

On the final day of the civil year, Pope Francis celebrated First Vespers for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God in St Peter’s Basilica. The ceremony also included the chanting of the hymn Te Deum in thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year.

Fix overcrowded prisons unfit for human life, Pope says in wake of Brazil prison riot

January 3, 2017

VATICAN CITY – In the wake of a deadly riot in a Brazilian jail, Pope Francis called for all prisons to offer dignified living conditions and be places for true rehabilitation.

Catholics in U.S. Congress: one-third of House, one-quarter of Senate

January 3, 2017

WASHINGTON – The religious makeup of the 115th Congress is significantly Christian – 91 per cent – with Catholics comprising one-third of the House of Representatives and about a quarter of the Senate.

What Christians are finding as they return to the Nineveh Plain

January 3, 2017

MOSUL, Iraq – As villages on Iraq’s Nineveh Plain are liberated from Islamic State forces, the Christians who lived there have returned, only to find destruction and betrayal.

January 4

Salesians in India hold prayer vigil for release of Fr. Tom

January 4, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Salesians in the Bangalore province of India held a prayer vigil Jan. 4 for the release of Salesian priest Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, who was kidnapped in Yemen March 4, 2016.

Italian priest replaces Nativity scene after outcry over ‘burqa’

January 4, 2017

ROME – After political outcry and personal threats, an Italian priest has replaced a Christmas Nativity scene that critics said depicted Mary, the mother of Jesus, with a Muslim body covering.

McDonald's near Vatican opens to mixed reactions

January 4, 2017

ROME, Italy – Last week's opening of a McDonald's in a Vatican-owned property just around the corner from St. Peter's Square has been both welcomed and decried by Rome's locals.

January 5

Youth are called to Rise Up at Vancouver conference

January 5, 2017

VANCOUVER – It was called the Rise Up conference, but it could just as easily have been called the Speak Up.

Italian priest accused of organizing orgies, prostituting women

January 5, 2017

ROME, Italy – An Italian priest from northern Italy has been accused of pimping out some 15 women, as well as organizing and filming orgies in his rectory.

Saint Mark's Coptic Cathedral in Cairo restored after December bombing

January 5, 2017

CAIRO, Egypt – The Egyptian army corps of engineers has completed the restoration of Saint Mark's Coptic Cathedral in Cairo, where a terrorist attack last month left 27 dead.

Hope, not optimism, is needed to rebuild, Pope tells Italian quake survivors

January 5, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Along the difficult path of rebuilding their lives, survivors of the earthquake that devastated central Italy must also rebuild their hearts with a strong foundation built on hope, Pope Francis said.