The Voice of the suffering and persecuted
Post-ISIS, the first Catholic Church is re-consecrated on Nineveh Plains
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"ISIS thought they could eliminate us, and yet it is ISIS that has disappeared and we have returned to Telleskuf."
In war-torn Homs, Syria, an altar is re-consecrated—a symbol of faithful’s resolve in face of suffering
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By Maria Lozano Briefing for our Donors THE RE-CONSECRATION of the altar in the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of Peace (Dec. 1, 2017) was a new milestone on the journey back to normalcy in Homs, Syria. For three long years, 2011-2014—the city split between rebels and the Syrian regime—it was the setting for some of the fiercest fighting of the civil war. By the time the government took full control of Homs again, the city was left in ruins. In his emotional homily for the occasion, Melkite Patriarch Youssef Absi said, addressing an audience of more than a ...
Young people in Aleppo, Syria bring aid to the city’s needy
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“You are the hope of Syria, you are the light in the midst of so much darkness.” The words strike a chord—deep emotion shines in the eyes of these young men and women.
Christian persecution reaches historic levels
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“In terms of the numbers of people involved, the gravity of the crimes committed and their impact, it is clear that the persecution of Christians is today worse than at any time in history."
A call for a million children around the world to pray the rosary for peace in Syria
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"Is it not significant that God chose children in Fatima to be the recipients of the most momentous peace plan for the new age? The children understood the language of Our Lady and, most importantly, believed her words."
Myanmar cardinal defends Aung San Suu Kyi
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“Our perception is that she is trying to stabilize the fragile democracy. Democracy is hard won and it took 60 years to get to where the country is today.”
In Iraq, a Christian dentist returns from exile to serve his people
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"Qaraqosh, which is the largest Christian city in Iraq, is no longer as it was in the past. It has been truly devastated and has become almost frightening because of all the destruction."
Iraqi Christians’ future threatened by referendum crisis
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“It is a clear fact that this situation has created in Christians a state of fear and concern about the possibility that the struggle may develop into a crisis that will have far reaching repercussions for all.”
Vatican Secretary of State demands respect for Iraqi Christians’ rights
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Beyond the urgency of the physical reconstruction of the Nineveh Plains, the the cardinal said, “there is the more important obligation of reconstructing Iraqi society and consolidating a harmonious and peaceful coexistence. Here, Christians have the specific position to be artisans of peace, reconciliation and development.”
In Central African Republic, ‘trying to disarm both heart and mind’
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"We appeal to their conscience. We do not have any weapons. Our weapon is the Word of God. We are men of the Word of God. We go and knock on the gate to the hearts of these men and women. The people can either accept this or not. It is our job and duty to tell them: thou shalt not kill."
