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March 19, 2017

'I had to flee for my life' – The reality of being a Syrian refugee

of Omar al-Muqdad had to start his life all over again when war in Syria forced him to flee where eventually ended up in the United States.

WASHINGTON – Omar al-Muqdad wanted to help the Iraqi refugees who were displaced from their homes in 2004. He volunteered to help with refugee resettlement, aiding those who came in finding housing, clothing and schools in Syria, where he lived.

Published in International
October 27, 2016

Toronto's Catholic School board opens arms for refugees

Toronto’s Catholic school board became a bridge into Canadian society for Christine Shekherdmian who arrived as a refugee with two young children and husband, none of whom spoke English, earlier this year. (Photo by Evan Boudreau) For Christine Shekherdmian, a Syrian refugee with two school-aged children, Toronto’s Catholic school board casts a bright light onto her family’s future.

TORONTO – When Christine Shekherdmian, a Syrian refugee from Aleppo, registered her two children at Annunciation Catholic School in Toronto, she was given a welcome she never expected.

Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
September 15, 2016

Step it up again

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau helps a young Syrian refugee try on a winter coat after she and others arrived Dec. 10 from Beirut to Toronto.

As traumatized civilians in war-torn Syria face little near-term hope of returning to their homes, Canada’s refugee resettlement program is running on low battery and needs to be re-charged.

Published in Editorial
November 28, 2014

Syrian bishop urges Pope Francis to raise arms supply issue in Turkey

Chaldean Catholic Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo, Syria, poses for a photo in Dublin Nov. 25. Bishop Audo, who is the president of Caritas in Syria, has appealed to Pope Francis to use his time in Turkey to raise the issue of the ongoing supply of arms b eing sent across the Turkish border to rebel factions in northern Syria.
DUBLIN -- The president of Caritas in Syria has appealed to Pope Francis to use his Nov. 28-30 trip to Turkey to raise the issue of the ongoing supply of arms being sent across the Turkish border to rebel factions in northern Syria.

Published in International