News

European Parliament Passes Resolution Calling for Assyrian Safe Haven in North Iraq

The European Parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for the establishment of an Assyrian safe haven in north Iraq. Citing the attacks by ISIS on Assyrians in Iraq and Syria, including the abduction of nearly 300 Assyrians, the killing of dozens of Assyrians in the attacks on their villages in Syria, the destruction of Assyrian cultural heritage such as the city of Nimrud, the resolution “is shocked and saddened at the brutal actions by ISIS/Da’esh extremists against the Assyrians in Syria…” and “Strongly condemns ISIS/Da’esh and its egregious human rights abuses that amount to crimes against humanity…”

ISIS Burned 1,500 Historical Manuscripts and Sold Assyrian Sculptures

Islamic State (ISIS) has burned 1,500 historical manuscripts in Iraq and sold Assyrian sculptures on the black market, the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities revealed yesterday.

The Undersecretary of the Minister of Tourism Qais Hussein Rashid said that the province of Nineveh in northern Iraq, which is under ISIS control, is at the forefront of Iraqi provinces that contain the largest number of archaeological sites.

Archbishop of Tunisia: “I will not leave Lybia as long as a single Christian is alive here”

Despite the alarming situation developing around the Christians living in North African countries, archpastors of the dioceses of Tunisia and Libya are continuing their ministry and refusing to abandon their flock, reports the MCN portal with the reference to theVatican Radio.

Ilario Antoniazzi, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tunis (capital of Tunisia), has described the present situation in his archdiocese in his interview with the journalists. According to the hierarch, the recent execution of 21 Copts in Libya was only one of the numerous examples of daily terror by islamists against Christians of this country where he has been serving since 2013.

Libby Lane: First female Church of England bishop installed

The first female bishop in the Church of England has been installed at Chester Cathedral.

The Rt Rev Libby Lane, 48, preached her first sermon in a service attended by hundreds of people.She was consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Stockport at York Minster in January.

Cardinal Tauran takes oath as Camerlengo

On Monday morning, in the Urban VIII Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, took the oath as Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. He was appointed on 20th December 2014.

According to head of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, Pope Francis presided over the short liturgy planned for this occasion, reading the liturgical texts provided, without making any speech.

Card. Tauran read the text of the oath, and then gave some brief words of thanks.

India Post to release Stamps on Orthodox Old Seminary – the first School of Theology in Asia

 The Indian Postal Authority will release stamps on the historic Orthodox Old Seminary in the most of March 2015.  The Orthodox Old Seminary is celebrating 200 years of its existence in year 2015. It was instituted in 1815 by the Indian Orthodox Malankara Church and is the first School of Theology in Asia. The Land for the seminary was donated by the Travancore Royal family.