OTTAWA – Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Canada intends to make the plight of Nigerian Christians a priority in the coming year, says the pontifical charity’s Canadian director.

BEIRUT – Amid the destruction in war-torn Syria, a community of Discalced Carmelites in Aleppo perseveres in its mission of continuous prayer and help to families in need.

MANILA, Philippines – A Catholic priest who once served as chaplain of the Philippine National Police was wounded after a gun attack June 6 in Calamba City, about 25 miles from Manila.

Roman Catholics are used to belonging to a global church, one that transcends borders, encompasses cultures and finds expression in all the languages of the world. 

Under the banner “Christians Can’t Survive Without You,” the Catholic Near East Welfare Association in Canada has launched a year-long fundraising campaign to help Christians remain in the Middle East.

WASHINGTON – A surprising item appears in a proposal requesting donations on behalf of a Jesuit-run radio station in Honduras: bullet-proof glass for the front office.

LAGOS, Nigeria – Catholic bishops in Nigeria led thousands of people across the country in peaceful protests against repeated killings by herdsmen in a conflict over fertile land.

BEIRUT – Pope Francis' naming of Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako as cardinal is a gift to the Chaldean Catholic church, which has been struggling in the face of terrorism, said an Iraqi archbishop.

JAKARTA, Indonesia – As another deadly attack by Islamic radicals rocked Indonesia May 16, dozens of religious leaders, backed by former first lady Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, launched a new anti-terrorism group.

OTTAWA – There is little difference between the views of Canadian Catholics and the general population when it comes to abortion, conscience rights and the Canada Summer Jobs attestation, according to a poll commissioned by the Knights of Columbus.

VATICAN – After multiple bombings at churches in Indonesia left 11 dead dozens more injured, Pope Francis prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and asked God to bring an end to hatred and violence.

VATICAN – Seeking Christian unity is more urgent than ever because of the ongoing persecution of Christians, Pope Francis told an Orthodox leader.

MEXICO – The front-runner in Mexico's presidential election said, if he wins July 1, he would appoint an activist priest as his human rights director.

WASHINGTON – The release of three American prisoners from North Korea was hailed as an important first step in addressing abuses within the nation, as U.S. leaders call for a continued expansion of religious freedom initiatives in U.S. foreign policy.

BANGUI, Central African Republic  – Christian and Muslim leaders in the Central African Republic have accused foreign states of complicity in a May 1 gun and grenade attack on a Catholic Mass and announced coordinated prayers for peace and reconciliation in its churches and mosques.