The cover of ONE’s March 2026 issue — “Out of crises emerges a force of good” — captures in image, word and essence the century-old story at the root of the church’s compassionate response to the needs of the churches of the East.
It is the story of Catholic Near East Welfare Association, which underlined its actual founding on 11 March 1926, with the launch of the latest issue of this magazine that same day, 100 years later.
In this issue, enjoy the first article of a yearlong series, by Executive Editor Michael J. La Civita, on CNEWA’s history and evolution over the past century. This article covers the first 34 years of the organization’s history. The series will be compiled into a book to be published in 2027.
In this issue, you will also read about:
- The near collapse of the health care system in Gaza.
- The commitment of the church in Ukraine to form lay leaders and professionals amid an ongoing brutal war.
- The social service work of the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Catholic churches in southern India, which remains critical despite the growing affluence in the region.
- The profound devotion to St. Charbel, a Lebanese hermit who has gained international renown.
But that’s not all! ONE’s journalists in the field, committed to reporting on issues in those lands where CNEWA serves, have been filing additional feature stories we call “Web Exclusives.” Be sure to check in on our website in the coming weeks to read articles about:
- The peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Christians sheltering at St. Porphyrios Church in Gaza.
- The increasing daily challenges of Ukrainians under ongoing Russian attacks.
- The growing devotion to a Hungarian Greek Catholic priest who dedicated his ministry to the Roma community in eastern Hungary.
In his regular column, Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari, CNEWA president, welcomes Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks, who succeeds Cardinal Timothy Dolan as archbishop of New York and chair of CNEWA’s International Board of Trustees, and responds to the increased violence and conflict in the Middle East with the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
We look forward to sharing more stories about the impact of CNEWA over the past 100 years throughout 2026.