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Two out of every five Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination on religious grounds in Asia, the largest region of the world affected by this issue, followed by Africa (one in five) and Latin America (one in 16). On a global scale, more than 365 million Christians are persecuted (one in seven), the highest figure in the last 31 years.
The American magazine Forbes has published its popular annual list, highlighting influential women in fields such as science, fashion, economics, and human rights. The 2024 edition includes Sr. Nathalie Becquart (in photo), X.M.C.J., a Catholic sister who serves as undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.
Archbishop Charles Brown (in photo), the papal nuncio to the Philippines, has echoed Pope Francis’ call for a “Year of Prayer” to help Catholics prepare for the 2025 Jubilee. Addressing the Philippine bishops at their plenary assembly last January, he encouraged them “to find ways” in their own dioceses to implement the special year.
The Holy Father wants a year in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee that will help “stimulate prayer with simplicity and in accordance with Christ’s heart.” Pope Francis has announced that the year 2024, in preparation for the Jubilee 2025, will be dedicated to prayer.
Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland, Dermot Farrell (in photo) has condemned the “indiscriminate use of force against civilians,” saying that the binding moral and international legal standards of the Geneva Conventions are clearly being violated.
Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Marek Zalewski (in photo) as the first resident pontifical representative, nearly half a century after Vietnam severed ties with the Vatican following the communist takeover of the south of the country in 1975.
The annual report from the Pontifical Mission Societies’ Fides News agency includes two Filipino pastoral workers killed in the massacre at the Marawi State University on December 3, 2023. A total of 20 missionaries were killed around the world in 2023.
Meeting in the Vatican, Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals agreed on the need to listen to the “the feminine aspect” of the Church, especially at the local level, “so that processes of reflection and decision making can benefit from the irreplaceable contribution of women.”
The bomb explosion at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City during the celebration of the Eucharist on the first Sunday of Advent which killed four people and injured 50 has sent fear through the local Christian community.
Christian families are leaving Syria en masse because of growing societal problems, such as extreme poverty and an education system in crisis, Archbishop Jacques Mourad (in photo) of Homs told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
