Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard his flight from Rome to Havana on 19 September.
(photo: CNS/Paul Haring)
Pope speaks of “emotional” meeting with refugee family (Vatican Radio) During his flight from Rome to Cuba, Pope Francis spoke about his meeting with a refugee family being housed by the Vatican’s Sant’Anna parish. The Holy Father met with the family of Melkite Greek-Catholics from Damascus on Saturday before heading to the airport for his flight to Cuba. He described the encounter as an “emotional” meeting…
Pope sends message to new patriarch (Saints Peter & Paul) The Holy Father has sent a message to His Holiness Mar Gewargis, on the occasion of his election as Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, in which he extends his “good wishes and prayerful solidarity” to the Patriarch and his faithful. He adds that it is his prayer that His Holiness may be an inspirational pastor for the flock entrusted to his care and “an untiring builder of peace and harmony, serving the common good and the good of the entire Middle East…”
Egypt reportedly flooding Gaza tunnels (BBC) The Egyptian military has begun flooding tunnels used by Palestinian militants and smugglers under the border with Gaza, reports say. It is the latest move by Egypt to destroy the tunnels, part of an offensive against insurgents…
Horn of Africa facing worst drought in 60 years (Catholic Register) At the end of June the Famine Early Warning Systems Network of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization issued a warning about dry conditions in Ethiopia, Somalia and the rest of the Horn of Africa. On 5 July the UN called it “the worst drought in 60 years” in the Horn of Africa, with Ethiopia and Somalia worst hit. Travelling through the affected Somali province of Ethiopia in August, everywhere I went people spoke of the failure of this year’s rains. “This year we have a big fear because of a shortage of rain,” said Father Teklebirhan Yemataye in Jijiga. “We don’t know what will happen…”
Tomb of Middle East bishop found in Kerala (The Hindu) What could be a significant historic link to Kerala’s connection with the Persian church for centuries has been unearthed at Angamaly, near Kochi. Angamaly was the location of the first archdiocese of the Syrian Christians in Kerala, and authorities have found a tomb that is believed to be of a Persian bishop, Mar Abraham, at a church here.He was the last Middle East bishop of Angamaly, and the tomb is believed to be 418 years old…