Newsfeed
Top Iranian aide praises Turkey's Hagia Sophia conversion
Publication Date: 2/8/2020
Source: Ahval News
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday praised Turkey for reconverting Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
Christians driven from homes in Iraqi Kurdistan by Turkish offensive
Author: Dana Taib Menmy
Publication Date: 22/7/2020
Source: The National
Turkey’s ground and air offensive against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq has forced hundreds of Christians and other minorities to flee their villages in recent weeks.
Syrian government to build replica of Hagia Sophia
Publication Date: 30/7/2020
Source: Catholic News Agency
The government of Syria plans to build a replica of Hagia Sophia, with support from Russia, as a protest against Turkey’s decision to turn the famous former Byzantine cathedral back into a mosque.
Bishop Nicola Baalbaki, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Hama, has approved the construction of a new church built as a replica of Hagia Sophia in the city of Suqaylabiyah, which has a heavily Greek Orthodox population, according to Lebanon’s Al-Modon media.
Iraq’s Christian community might dwindle to 23,000 by 2024, agency says
Author: John Burger
Publication Date: 8/7/2020
Source: Aleteia
The size of the Christian community in Iraq could drop to just 23,000 by 2024 — just 20% of the population on the Nineveh Plains before the Islamic State group attacked in 2014 — according to a new report.
Chaldean patriarch tells clergy that, COVID-19 aside, they must be with God and close to the people
Publication Date: 11/7/2020
Source: AsiaNews.it
In the "difficult circumstances" caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, priests are called to find new ways to show “closeness to people", morally support them, and help them remain "united with God" and "supportive of others,” this according to Card Louis Raphael Sako in a message to the Chaldean clergy.
Coronavirus: Catholic churches in the UAE to remain closed
Author: Angel Tesorero
Publication Date: 12/7/2020
Source: Gulf News
St Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Metha, Dubai, has decided to postpone the re-opening of the church to a later date “when the situation will improve and the parishioners will be able to come and participate in the Holy Mass and other sacraments in a more peaceful and conducive atmosphere”.
Christian leaders say Lebanon could face famine, economic ruin
Author: Dale Gavlak
Publication Date: 9/7/2020
Source: Crux Now
Lebanon’s Christian authorities have accused political leaders of plunging the nation into economic ruin and potential famine as the tiny Mediterranean country faces it worst crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.
Western nations back Lebanese Maronite patriarch against Hezbollah
Publication Date: 13/7/2020
Source: The Arab Weekly
Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai’s position in support of “Lebanon’s neutrality” has been backed by Western countries amid efforts by the Vatican to avoid more internal problems in Lebanon that are exacerbated by regional tensions.
Bishop-Elect: This May Be Our Last Chance to Stop the Exodus of Christians in Iraq
Author: Solène Tadié
Publication Date: 17/7/2020
Source: National Catholic Register
For the first time in a decade, the city of Zakho, in Iraqi Kurdistan, will have a bishop again. By decision of Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, the patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, this eparchy will be separated from that of Amadyiah-Duhok, to which it was united in 2013.
Lebanon's top Christian cleric seen to criticise Hezbollah, allies over crisis
Author: Tom Perry
Publication Date: 12/7/2020
Source: Reuters
Lebanon's top Christian cleric stepped up criticism of the Iran-backed Shia group Hezbollah and its allies without naming them on Sunday, saying Lebanese rejected being isolated from their allies and driven into decline.
Lebanon is suffering a financial meltdown which marks the biggest threat to its stability since the 1975-90 civil war.
