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“Horrifying experience”: CNA Freelancer on Witnessing Firefight in Nigeria’s Plateau State

May 27, 2023

A freelance journalist who has reported on a surge of violent attacks by radicalized Muslims in Nigeria for CNA recently found himself caught in the middle of a firefight between government soldiers and armed militiamen.

Pope Francis shakes hands with film director Martin Scorsese and his wife Helen Morris. One day after suffering from a fever, Pope Francis resumed his normal activities, including meeting with participants in a conference on “The Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Imagination,” organized by Jesuit magazine “La Civiltà Cattolica” and Georgetown University, in the Apostolic Palace on May 27, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Resumes Normal Schedule One Day after Fever

May 27, 2023

Pope Francis resumed his normal schedule of appointments on Saturday morning after suffering from a fever the day prior, a Vatican communications official said.

Today, May 27, We Celebrate St. Augustine of Canterbury

May 27, 2023

An Italian Benedictine monk who became the “Apostle of the English,” Saint Augustine of Canterbury is honored by the Catholic Church on May 27.

Servant of God Simon Mpeke, popularly known as Baba Simon, Cameroon’s first Venerable. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“A great joy for the Church”: Catholic Bishop on “Baba Simon”, Cameroon’s First Venerable

May 26, 2023

The recognition of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Simon Mpeke, popularly known as Baba Simon, who becomes Cameroon’s first Venerable, is a “great joy for the Church” in the Central African nation, the Local Ordinary of Edéa, Baba Simon’s Diocese of origin, has said.

A poster announcing the Sports4Peace, sports festivals targeting 12-18-year-olds from refugee and migrant communities in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and Kakuma, a town in Northwestern Kenya, Lodwar Catholic Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Focolare, Jesuit Entity Organize “Sports for Peace” Initiative for Teen Migrants in Kenya

May 26, 2023

The Focolare Movement and the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) have partnered to organize “Sports4Peace”, sports festivals targeting 12-18-year-olds from refugee and migrant communities in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and Kakuma, a town in Northwestern Kenya, Lodwar Catholic Diocese, which has hosted a UNHCR Refugee Camp since 1992.

Fr. Matthias Opara abducted on Friday, May 26 while returning from a Funeral Mass in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. Credit: Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri

“That he may be released unharmed”: Prayer Appeal for Priest Abducted in Owerri, Nigeria

May 26, 2023

Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri is appealing for prayers for the release of Fr. Matthias Opara, who was abducted on Friday, May 26 while returning from a Funeral Mass.

Gunmen stormed villages in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State in Nigeria killing dozens. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Nigeria’s Christian Leaders Decry “resurgence of mindless killings” after Dozens Massacred

May 26, 2023

The killing of “at least 130 people” in Nigeria’s Plateau State is a matter of “deep concern” for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 24, 2023. | Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis Cancels Meetings on Friday “due to a feverish condition"

May 26, 2023

Pope Francis canceled meetings on Friday morning due to a fever, a Vatican spokesman confirmed

A young man touches a religious statue to the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, OSB, on May 18, 2023, at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles monastery in Gower, Missouri. | Used with permission.

"Something special going on there": Morticians Mystified by Sister Wilhelmina’s Body

May 26, 2023

Expert morticians are scratching their heads at the recently exhumed body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, a Benedictine nun who died in 2019 and now appears to be in an unexpected state of preservation.

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) with the First Lady of the country. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Urgent need”: Catholic Bishops in Mozambique on Promoting Biblical Pastoral Care

May 26, 2023

Catholic Bishops in Mozambique have emphasized the “urgent need” to promote Biblical Pastoral care in the Southern African nation. 

Today, May 26, We Celebrate St. Philip Neri

May 26, 2023

Philip Neri was born in Florence, Italy, in 1515. At the age of 18, Philip was sent to his uncle, Romolo, a wealthy merchant at San Germano, a Neapolitan town near the base of Monte Cassino, to assist him in his business, and with the hope that he might inherit his uncle's fortune. 

Frontpage of Pope Francis' new book titled “Hands off Africa”. Credit: Vatican Publishing House

“Hands off Africa”: Pope Francis Revisits Key Moments of Recent Trip to Africa in New Book

May 25, 2023

“Hands off Africa”, Pope Francis’ new book that was released May 22 features key moments of his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace in South Sudan from 31 January to 5 February 2023.  

St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre (VCT) situated in Khartoum. Credit: Salesian Missions

Restricted Movement, “communication is very difficult for us”: Missionary Priest in Sudan

May 25, 2023

A Catholic Missionary Priest ministering in violence-stricken Khartoum has lamented restricted movement in the Sudanese capital city, and difficulty in establishing communication with others amid continued violence in the Northeastern African nation since April 15.

sergign/Shutterstock.

High Court in Malawi Postpones Same-Sex Unions Ruling after Christian Leaders’ Outcry

May 25, 2023

The High Court in Blantyre, Malawi, has postponed the hearing meant to interpret Section 153 (c) of the Penal Code of the Southern African nation, which criminalizes consensual same-sex relations between two consenting adults to June 5 and June 6 from May 23. 

Credit: Caritas Freetown

Caritas Official Urges “meaningful participation” of Youth in Sierra Leonean Politics

May 25, 2023

Concerted efforts need to be made for the youth in Sierra Leone, especially women, to have a “meaningful participation” in politics and peacebuilding initiatives in the West African nation, the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown in the country has said.

Pope Francis delivers his Regina Caeli address on May 21, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis on Care for Creation: "God wants justice to reign"

May 25, 2023

Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of the virtue of justice in a message for the upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

Christine Laura Okello (left) and Aguti Betty Rose (right). Credit: ACI Africa

Caritas Uganda Seeking Partners in “local production of reusable sanitary pads” Initiative

May 25, 2023

Caritas Uganda is seeking partners in an initiative that will see “reusable sanitary pads” locally produced, with school-going girls at a refugee center as beneficiaries.

Today, May 25, We Celebrate St. Bede the Venerable

May 25, 2023

The Catholic Church will celebrate the feast of St. Bede on May 25. The English priest, monk, and scholar is sometimes known as “the Venerable Bede” for his combination of personal holiness and intellectual brilliance.

The Vulnerable People Project rescue three nuns trapped in the middle of the crossfire in the capital of Sudan, Khartoum, May 2023. | Credit: The Vulnerable People Project / The Vulnerable People Project

Catholic Nuns “thankful” after Safe Evacuation from Sudan to South Sudan amidst Violence

May 24, 2023

Three members of the Religious Order of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SHS) have expressed gratitude to the Vulnerable People Project (VPP), a Catholic apostolate dedicated to helping people escape conflict, for facilitating their safe evacuation from Sudan to South Sudan amid violence in the Northeastern African nation.

Credit: Caritas Africa

“Walk the talk”, Caritas Uganda Urges Developed Countries to Actualize COP27 Promises

May 24, 2023

Caritas Uganda officials have called on developed nations to owner their pledge to contribute to the loss and damage fund, which they made during the United Nations 27th Conference of Parties Climate Conference (COP27) in Egypt in last November.