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Colombian government resumes peace talks with last remaining terrorist group
The Colombian government and the last remaining major guerrilla group in the country have resumed peace talks in neighbouring Venezuela.
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New ACN report says persecution of Christians still rising
According to the latest report issued by Aid to the Church in Need UK for its annual Red Week, over the past two years oppression or persecution of Christians has increased in 75 per cent of the countries surveyed.
The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is holding its annual international Red Week campaign to draw attention to religious freedom and persecuted Christians across the world.
The campaign is traditionally held in November with buildings and landmarks in several different countries lit up in red, and a series of special initiatives, prayer actions and testimonies.
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German missionary allegedly kidnapped in Mali by Islamists
The General Curia of the White Fathers in Rome confirms that Father Hans-Joachim Lohre disappeared on Sunday and might have been kidnapped my local Islamist groups.
Police in Mali are inquiring into the disappearance of a German missionary who has been allegedly abducted by a jihadist group in the capital Bamako.
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Archbishop Gugerotti appointed new prefect of Eastern Churches
Pope Francis appoints 67-year-old Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, apostolic nuncio to Great Britain until now, to take the place of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri who concludes his service as prefect having reached the age limit.
Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti to head the Dicastery for Eastern Churches. The change in leadership comes after fifteen years with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as prefect who recently turned 79. Pope Benedict XVI entrusted Cardinal Sandri with the post of prefect in June 2007, reconfirmed by Pope Francis in 2014. The Cardinal will finish his service as prefect in mid-January when the 67-year-old Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti will take over the job.
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UN concerned over Iran unrest
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights says that the situation in Iran is critical, while UNICEF says it is deeply concerned about reports of the deaths of children
