Extremism and fundamentalism find fertile ground not only in the exploitation of religion for purposes of power, but also in the vacuum of ideals and the loss of identity. The First Arab Thinkers Forum, “Interreligious Dialogue and Extremism: reasons and remedies”, was held between 17-18 January at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research […]

On January 20th, Pope Francis met with the Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan. During the encounter, the Bishops invited the Holy Father to visit South Sudan. The Pope expressed his desire to accept the invitation, adding “we have to leave everything in the hands of the Lord”. Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro, of the Archdiocese

As the Year of Consecrated Life draws to a close, some 4,000 consecrated men and women are expected in Rome for the closing ceremonies. The Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life recently announced the upcoming events that will mark the conclusion of the Year. They will be held

The refugee crisis is “one of the greatest challenges for the future and for the conscience of the European Union”. On 18th January, a press conference dedicated to introducing the European Apostolic Congress on Mercy (taking place in Rome, 31 March – 4 April 2016) and the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (taking place in

In a message addressed specifically to young people, Pope Francis called on them to take an active part in the Jubilee of Mercy. Between April 23-25, the Jubilee will focus on youths aged 13 to 16. The pontiff said to them: “Dear Young Friends, the Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy – a time of

The Episcopal Conference of the United States recently asked the government to end deportation raids of Central American families without valid documents. The Committee for Migration of the Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) have expressed “great concern” for the detention and deportation of 121 Central Americans – primarily mothers

Mexican Comboni Brother Juan Carlos Salgado is a doctor and has been working in Africa for the past 16 years. We ask him to share his experiences with us. I am working at the mission hospital in Mungbere in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Lots of people come to us from far off places

Many aspects of the world views and beliefs held in different African countries, which promote the sacredness of the universe and of all created beings, should be considered if contemporary Africa wants to preserve the environment. The religious heritage in many African countries, which links Africa with nature and God, should be the starting point

A Comboni Community living on the outskirts of Santa Rita, a city in the state of Paraiba in northeast Brazil, shares a story of its waste pickers – a tale of redemption that shows the way to hope. Marcos Moura is one of the poorest and most violent areas of the city of Santa Rita,

One of the Comboni Sisters Communities is based in Bethany, about two miles east of Jerusalem on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. It is also known as al-Eizariya (Arabic for ‘Place of Lazarus’,) and it is marked by the infamous “Security Wall” built by Israel. The Comboni Sisters have been serving in Bethany