Global Church Archives

Myanmar cardinal calls for independent investigation of war crime allegations

Cardinal Charles Bo has called on the government of Myanmar to move away from “positions that are not conducive to peace and its good name in the international community,” but also called on the supporters of the Rohingyas to “move forward maximizing peace based on justice at every opportunity.”

Vatican calls on China to let bishop exercise his ministry

Tensions in Vatican-China relations have increased after a bishop was placed in government custody prohibiting him from assuming leadership of his diocese. Vatican spokesmen have said that such episodes do not foster the kind of understanding that the Church wants to reach with the Chinese government.

Christian leaders concerned over talks to form new Executive in Northern Ireland

The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, joined other Christian leaders in calling for the major parties in Northern Ireland to form a new Executive before a June 29 deadline imposed by the British government. The leaders are concerned that until a government is formed, “the most vulnerable are at greater risk, while crucial decisions on education, health and welfare are not being taken.”

Vatican announces pope will attend reconciliation events in Colombia
- Catholic News Service, Global Church
- June 26, 2017
Colombian Vice President Oscar Naranjo said in an interview published June 23 in El Tiempo newspaper that that Pope Francis’ September trip comes at a time in the country “when the discussion stops being about how to win the war, but how to achieve peace.”
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Venezuela risks becoming Caribbean ‘North Korea,’ former leaders say
- Catholic News Service, Global Church
- June 26, 2017
Jorge Quiroga, former president of Bolivia, and Andres Pastrana, former president of Colombia, met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on June 23. The men were grateful for Parolin’s call for humanitarian aid, free elections and the release of political prisoners, and expressed hope the international community would “insist and persist” on the Vatican’s recommendations.
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Communicators must recognize value, importance of words, author says
- Catholic News Service, Global Church
- June 26, 2017
The danger is “when we protect ourselves and only watch what we like,” Michael Higgins, a Canadian author and professor, said at a Catholic media conference, which leads people to “form caricatures of other voices” equating them to strangers, foreigners and eventually enemies.
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