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December 11, 2018

U.S. returns 'Balangiga Bells' to Philippines after more than 100 years

Philippine soldiers use a crane to lift three Balangiga Bells off crates during a turnover ceremony Dec. 11 at Villamor Air Base near Manila. After more than a century, the United States government has returned the three church bells swiped by American forces as war booty from the central Philippine town of Balangiga in 1901.

MANILA, Philippines – After more than a century, the United States government has returned three church bells swiped by American forces as war booty from the central Philippine town of Balangiga.

Published in International
August 31, 2017

Filipinos form coalition against Duterte's 'autocratic rule'

A young man in Manila, Philippines, holds a placard Aug. 25 at a memorial for Kian Delos Santos, a 17-year-old shot in an escalation of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

MANILA, Philippines - Clergy, academics, lawyers, journalists and artists launched a broad coalition against the "autocratic rule" of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Published in International
March 26, 2016

Black Nazarene a ‘gold mine of spiritual treasures’

Fr. Nilo Macapinlac (left) and other devotees of the Black Nazarene statue currently at Sacred Heart parish in Wetaskiwin, Alta.

WETASKIWIN, ALTA. - Eddie Año’s eyes brim with tears as he recounts taking part in the annual procession of Señor Nazareno in the heart of Manila.

Published in Canada
January 15, 2015

Exuberant crowds greet Pope in unofficial welcome to Philippines

Young people dance as Pope Francis arrives at Villamor Air Base in Manila, Philippines, Jan. 15.

MANILA, Philippines - Although it was not called a welcoming ceremony, Pope Francis was greeted by government and church officials and an exuberant crowd Jan. 15 at Manila's Villamor Air Base.

Published in International
January 10, 2015

In Philippines, spirituality includes warfare against forces of darkness

Msgr. Jesus-Norriel Bandojo, a priest in the the Office of Exorcism of the Manila Archdiocese in the Philippines, gives a blessing and says a prayer of deliverance over "sacramentals" in late October at the archdiocese offices' chapel to ward off the pos sibility of evil forces attaching themselves to the religious items.

MANILA, Philippines - In the months leading up to Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines Jan. 15-19, Church leaders emphasized "spiritual preparation," such as a special prayer for the Pope at the end of each Mass and a reminder to carry out small acts of kindness toward the less fortunate.

Published in International