Middle East Christianity Archives

Annual collection invaluable to Christians in Middle East, cardinal says

Mar 11, 2021

The support of Catholics worldwide is an invaluable resource for small Christian communities in the Middle East who have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a Vatican official said.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Iraqi archbishop says papal visit a ‘courageous’ decision

Dec 8, 2020

Church leaders in Iraq have praised Pope Francis’s decision to come in March amid a pandemic as a brave decision, voicing hope that it will encourage Christians to stay in the country despite present difficulties.

By Elise Ann Allen

Cardinal likens fading Christian presence in Middle East to a sinking ship

Sep 21, 2020

Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai warned that the Christian presence in the Middle East is shrinking and church leaders “are called to face the winds that blow in our homelands.”

By Doreen Abi Raad

Lebanese president warns of ‘hell’ if no new gov’t formed

Sep 21, 2020

Lebanon’s president said Monday that the crisis-hit country could be going to “hell” if a new government was not formed, suggesting it would require a “miracle” for that to happen at this point.

By Zeina Karam

Abraham Accords called ‘truly historic milestone’ in Middle East peace

Sep 17, 2020

A Catholic congressman who is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee called the Middle East peace accord signed Sept. 15 at the White House a “momentous pact” he hopes “is the beginning of several future peace accords to strengthen peace within the region.”

By Catholic News Service

Bari trip gives Pope a chance to help save Christianity in the Middle East

Feb 19, 2020

A lethal combination of insecurity, political chaos, economic stagnation and outright persecution have created a toxic environment in the Middle East – for almost everyone, of course, but in a special way for Christians.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Mediterranean summit to highlight threats to Christian survival in Middle East

Feb 12, 2020

When some 50 bishops and patriarchs from different rites throughout the Mediterranean gather in Bari this month to discuss the dire situation many countries in the region face, the survival of Christians in the Middle East will likely emerge as a central topic.

By Elise Ann Allen