Lagos (Agenzia Fides) Tensions have sparked once again over the Bakassi Peninsula, where in recent days, three Cameroon soldiers were wounded in an assault on a military post on the border with Nigeria. Bakassi is a land rich in oil

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) A spectacular crowd of youth from all over the world displaying an array of cultures, music, colors, hymns, and flags welcomed Benedict XVI in Sydney, where he has officially begun his program of events, which will include

Han Zhong (Agenzia Fides) Over 50 lay catechists from the parish church of Chang Lin, in the Diocese of Han Zhou (Province of Shanni Xi), received their missionary "sending" with special reference to the Year of St. Paul, after their

Luanda (Agenzia Fides) "We are glad to see that the date for elections this year, September 5, has finally been determined. As Pastors, we once again ask the faithful and all Angolans to participate with awareness and responsibility in the

Bogota (Agenzia Fides) The Latin American Bishops’ Conference (CELAM) will hold its annual Coordination Meeting July 22-24, where they will evaluate the activities that took place during the 2007-2008 year and plan for the upcoming events of 2009. The meeting

Rome (Agenzia Fides) Thousands of youth from all over the world are gathering together in Sydney this week to celebrate World Youth Day. However, there are many more who have not been able to make the journey for various reasons,

Washington (Agenzia Fides) Comprehensive immigration reform will be a major topic at the 2008 National Migration Conference to be held July 28-31 in Washington, D.C. "The issue of immigration is one of the most controversial domestic concerns facing our country,"

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) In the afternoon, on July 17, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to the Port of Rose Bay where he was greeted by traditional songs and dances from the Aboriginal Elders of Australia’s aboriginal population. The

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, on July 17, 2008, accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Mbanza Congo, Angola, presented by Bishop Serafim Shyngo-Ya-Hombo O.F.M. Cap., in accordance with canon 401

There was a considerable stir in public opinion and the media tam-tam with regard to the first issue tackled by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on his arrival in Australia for the 23rd World Youth Day: the issue was

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) After the ecumenical meeting in the morning, on July 18, the Holy Father Benedict XVI made his way to the Chapter Hall in St. Mary’s Cathedral, where he held a meeting with representatives from other religions.

Rome (Agenzia Fides) Catholics throughout China are living the Year of St. Paul with great enthusiasm, in union with the Pope and the Universal Church. According to information sent to the Agenzia Fides, the Year of St. Paul declared by

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, on June 14, 2008, appointed Rev. Klaus Krämer, of the clergy of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies for

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) At 10:30am on July 18, in the Crypt of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, the Holy Father Benedict XVI held an ecumenical encounter with several leaders of other Christian Churches and members of the New South

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) The difficulties that the Democratic Republic of Congo is facing have been addressed by the Bishops in a public statement issued at the close of their Plenary Assembly (see Fides 14/7/2008) and were later analyzed in a

Vanimo (Agenzia Fides) Bishop Cesare Bonivento, PIME missionary and Bishop of Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) is deeply concerned. While many of the youth of Papua New Guinea are living the extraordinary experience of World Youth Day in Sydney, the Bishop

Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) After participating in the Missionary Congress held in Karnataka (in southwestern India) held in November 2007, the Archdiocese of Bangalore is preparing to celebrate their own Missionary Congress, in order to spread awareness of the need for

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) World Youth Day was officially inaugurated yesterday, July 15, by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, in a Mass that took place on the Barangaroo Dock, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, which was attended by

Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) Two African crises are the focus of attention for the international community that appears divided on the proper means to resolving it. Following the Russian and Chinese vetoes on a UN Security Council resolution to impose tighter

This year 2008, the Marian Shrine of Lourdes is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In these 150 years pilgrims have continued to flock to this place of grace, to honour the Mother of