News in World Issues

A Catholic worker devotes her energy to environmental activism

There Is Hunger In The World Today

In the summer of 2015, three-year-old Alan Kurdi was found dead on a Turkish beach. His Syrian family had fled their war-torn homeland. The image of that drowned child in the arms of a soldier disturbed us all.

AmazonianIndigenous Spirituality and Care for the ‘Common Home’

In their ancient rituals the Amazonian natives seek a harmonious connection with Mother Earth – Pacha Mama – and her spiritual world. For them, there are spirits in the forest who can be allies or opponents, who can help or hinder, heal or cause disease, who must be appeased or instigated. 

What Young People Think of Their Future

The results of an international sociological research project were recently presented in Rome. It looked to explore what young people think about their own personal futures and how they view the outlook for their families and for the local and national communities in the countries where they live. 

Change life to combat climate crisis, say bishops

The Bishops of England and Wales have declared an unprecedented ecological crisis and called on Catholics, their parishes and dioceses, to change their lifestyles to tackle climate change... “We need a more considered relationship with our God, our neighbour and the earth through the way we manage our resources as a Church,” they write.

Nothing will ever be the same again

We are told of further rumours about how many MPs are prepared to vote against their party whips to assert their own political positions in the coming parliamentary struggle next month, of the uncertain outcome of a vote of confidence, or a vote of no confidence, either of which might predicate an early general election of no certain outcome.

Latin American bishops appeal to save 'lung of the world' as Amazon fires rage

Bishops in Latin America have called on the governments of the Amazon region, the United Nations and the international community to "take serious measures to save the lung of the world" as thousands of fires continue to devastate the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. 

Brexit discussions have led to 'great uncertainty' in Northern Ireland, says bishop

Brexit discussions, especially in recent months, have led to an atmosphere of great uncertainty in Northern Ireland, the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown told domradio.de, in a long interview. He said that "even the Unionists, that is those (in Northern Ireland) who feel they are rather more English" believe that from an economic point of view it would be better to remain part of Ireland rather that be an English colony.

The battle for Muslim Europe

A recent survey carried out for the BBC showed that the most popular world leader in the Arab world was not the President of the United States or of Russia – or any Arab leader – but none other than President Erdogan. This embrace of a nationalistic, authoritarian, interfering non-Arab in Arab affairs might, at first glance, look odd.

Tomorrow's Gods: What is the Future of Religion?

Even today’s dominant religions have continually evolved throughout history. Early Christianity, for example, was a truly broad church: ancient documents include yarns about Jesus’ family life and testaments to the nobility of Judas. It took three centuries for the Christian church to consolidate around a canon of scriptures – and then in 1054 it split into the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches.

US steps up religious freedom push

Last week, the State Department of the United States hosted the largest ever religious freedom gathering in the world. It was the biggest ever 'human rights' event per se to take place at its headquarters in Foggy Bottom, Washington, DC.

Chinese Christians warned not to speak about persecution

As the Chinese government continues to suppress religious freedom, Christianity is facing the forcible removal of crosses and demolition of churches across the vast nation.

Xi Jinping must face the G20 music

As leaders of the 20 most significant economic and political powers in the world gather for the G20 summit in Osaka today, there is one who must face some particular questions from the others. That is China’s Xi Jinping.

Action needed to end organ harvesting in China

If governments won’t prosecute, what else could they do? They could ban their citizens from travelling to China for organ transplants, something Israel, Taiwan and Spain have done. Doctors, medical institutions, pharmaceutical companies, law firms, financial services providers, airlines and others ought to review their dealings with what has been described as a criminal state.

Taiwan stands up to big brother China

Taiwan is clearly stepping up its efforts not only to defend its own freedoms but also to promote democracy and human rights, including religious freedom, around the world. For a small island nation already vulnerable to pressure and intimidation from China, this is a bold move. It deserves support and encouragement in this quest.

Humanity is dirtying its own nest

We humans, the species with large brains, so-called intelligence and abilities and power to change the face of the planet, are doing so with a huge negative impact. We are endangering ourselves, our children and grandchildren, and generations of children to come will be harmed by our wasteful and negligent ways.

The Pope vs the populists

While some urge the Church to ratchet up its culture war against Islam and the secular world in the wake of the Notre Dame fire and Sri Lankan bombings, Pope Francis has instead become something of a lone voice against right-wing political parties, fuelled by the global surge of anti-migrant populist nationalism.

Poverty: What It Is and What We’re Doing To End It

Poverty is an international concern. It affects every country in the world, even countries that are considered “developed” experience poverty. Many people have plans to reduce or end poverty. There are a lot of good people working on a lot of good plans. Perhaps one single plan will not fix all the problems but combined it can enact real change.

Catholic bishops urge 'solidarity vote' in support of European Union

When we hurt our planet, we hurt ourselves

Many students have taken to the streets, waving banners, banging drums, singing, chanting, and calling for an end to the factors behind climate change, which is wrecking the planet. They are experiencing global warming on an unprecedented scale as huge amounts of CO2 and methane gases heat up the environment and cause the ice caps to melt at an alarming rate.