Bishop Álvarez briefly materialized in Managua for a pre-trial hearing, accused of “conspiracy to undermine national integrity and propagation of false news.” A frequent government critic, Bishop Álvarez had strongly objected to the closing of Catholic radio and television stations last year.
International
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Is Ireland’s civil war finally over?
The peaceful sharing of power by Irish political parties that once went to war may be understood as a triumph of the common good.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Pope Francis and Catholic leaders condemn attacks on Brazil’s capital
“This has no place in democratic coexistence,” Cardinal Odilo Scherer tweeted on the day of the riots.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis denounces arms race, death penalty and Ukraine war in speech to diplomats
Pope Francis also flatly rejected that there is a “right to abortion” and hit out strongly against what he called “ideological colonization” as well as gender theory.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
As Lula takes office (again), the church in Brazil calls for reconciliation and a campaign to end hunger
After four years of the far-right government of Jair Messias Bolsonaro, Brazilians peacefully welcomed—for the third time—the inauguration of the popular center-left leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on New Year’s Day.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Hong Kong allows Cardinal Zen, who was arrested last year, to attend Benedict’s funeral
Zen was elevated to cardinal by Benedict in 2006, which he said signaled the pope’s focus on China.
Posted inFaith, News
Ukrainian archbishop urges people to celebrate Christmas even amid war
In his Christmas message, he offered special greetings to “our soldiers at the front,” to civilians and soldiers who have been wounded and to all those mourning the loss of loved ones.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
State of emergency in El Salvador brings arbitrary detentions and violence
Twenty-two men from Espíritu Santo Island who were arrested between under President Nayib Bukele’s state of emergency decree in El Salvador.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
For Palestinians with disabilities, there is room at the inn this year in Bethlehem
The latest boutique hotel to open its doors in Bethlehem’s Old City, just minutes away from Manger Square, is the Morcos Nassar Palace, which doubles as a humanitarian project unique in Palestine and possibly in the Arab world.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Republicans accuse Catholic Charities of breaking the law in its border response
Catholic Charities USA officials pushed back strongly against allegations from Republican House of Representatives members that its humanitarian responses to the U.S. border crisis were potentially criminal acts.