Residents of a village in Kaduna state have confirmed to news outlet Truth Nigeria that 177 Christians were kidnapped from three churches on Sunday (Jan. 18) following government attempts to impede access and block information about the crime.
On a day marked by violence on the border with the United States, the Diocese of Nuevo Laredo encouraged prayer for peace in that area, and throughout Mexico.
Asking God to forgive all people tempted by violence, Pope Francis prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine and the fratricidal killing of both combatants and civilians caught in the crossfire.
A young woman preparing to be baptized in Erbil, Iraq last week was instead killed in a possible “honor” killing for converting to Christianity, with Muslim family members reportedly suspected, according to local media.
Major Archbishop Shevchuk said that ‘almost 100 children have died as a result of bombing.’
Eliminating war is key to eliminating poverty, the former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has said.
The pope was speaking on the 21st day of the war in Ukraine.
The massive movement of women and children fleeing Russian bombardments in Eastern Ukraine has led hundreds of thousands of them to Lviv, less than 50 miles from the Polish border.
"From time to time materials or events emerge for consideration that fall outside the scope of what is permissible in a Catholic school," said the Archdiocese of Southwark.
Krish Kandiah, who is leading the effort, thanked churches for their "great compassion and generous hospitality".
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine intensifies, relentless bombardment is being aimed at the civilian population in the capital city of Kyiv.
