In his “inner chatter", the jealous "is unable to see reality", and only “something really formidable” can open his eyes. “In the end it is a grace of God when the jealous person meets reality as Saul did: jealousy bursts like a soap bubble because jealousy and envy have no consistency”.

| 24/01/2020
| VATICAN
by Mathias Hariyadi

Built in 1928, St Joseph’s Catholic Church needs to be renovated and enlarged. Originally it could accommodate 100 people, but now it has more than 700 members. Despite having all the permits, the project is opposed by a small group of young Muslims who threaten action against public order. For the first time, Indonesian Catholics openly criticise local authorities for their incompetence and inability to uphold the country’s values.

| 24/01/2020
| INDONESIA

Supporters of the Shia cleric respond to his appeal for a “million strong” march. Many people dressed in white, ready to die for the country. Anti-government protests continue in Tahrir square. In his Friday's sermon, al-Sistani appeals again to politicians to form a new government as soon as possible.

| 24/01/2020
| IRAQ – UNITED STATES
by Sumon Corraya

Fr Mintu L Palma, vicar at the Inter-diocesan Marriage Tribunal, authored the book. For one reader, the latter lays down "the pillars of a good married life: faithfulness, responsibility, honesty and patience". Card Patrick D’Rozario, head of the Church of Bangladesh, penned the preface. For the author, “rows between parents have a negative impact on children.” The book is meant “to help families”.

| 24/01/2020
| BANGLADESH
by Nirmala Carvalho

The song was a favourite of the Mahatma Gandhi, and has been always played to mark Republic Day. The cancellation of the tune drew criticism, not only from Christians.

| 24/01/2020
| INDIA

Francis’ message is dedicated "to the theme of narration". God himself is both creator and narrator. "In fact, he pronounces his Word and things exist." "Even the Gospels are stories." The story of Jesus, then, shows how God took man to heart and that for Him "there are no insignificant or small human stories".

| 24/01/2020
| VATICAN
Editor's choices
 
While the country is getting ready to welcome Pope Francis in September, amendments have been proposed to assert the country’s Christian identity. For the Catholic Bishops' Conference, this is a “dangerous” step that “obscures ...
| 24/04/2024
| PAPUA NEW GUINEA
 
Not only Gaza and the war in Ukraine: the global arms race is also driven by Chinese pressure on Taiwan.. The 6.8% growth represents "the highest year-on-year growth since 2009". China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia among the world's top five with ...
| 22/04/2024
| ASIA - MIDDLE EAST
 
by Dario Salvi
Layan Nasir, a 23-year-old native of Birzeit, is the only Christian woman under "administrative detention". She was taken, blindfolded and handcuffed, overnight by a military patrol without an arrest warrant or charges against her. The Bethlehem ...
| 19/04/2024
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
Chinese Human Rights Defenders released a report detailing the stories of children and young people victims of human rights violations, like He Fengmei's daughter, who was separated from her mother a month after her birth and kept in a psychiatric ...
| 16/04/2024
| CHINA
 
Currently in intensive care, the seven-year-old is the only person to be seriously wounded by Iran’s attack against Israel because her house and village were not covered by Israel’s Iron Dome defence system. Nothing is known of the fate of ...
| 15/04/2024
| ISRAEL – GAZA - IRAN
 
by Daniele Frison
The auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem and patriarchal vicar for Palestine looks at the protests in Amman. Diplomatic relations with Israel allow aid to be sent to Gaza. Some students from Gaza’s Holy Family Parish arrived in Amman thanks to the Patriarchate’s ...
| 12/04/2024
| JORDAN
 
The Holy See has officially announced the long journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. Card Goh of Singapore hopes the pope will bring to his predominantly Chinese city, “renewed fervour to all Catholics [. . .], especially ...
| 12/04/2024
| VATICAN
 
by card. Anthony Poola *
The Archbishop of Hyderabad looks at the media reaction to the declaration released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on human dignity. The media are “focused on gender theory, sex change, surrogacy etc., but” people who “struggle ...
| 11/04/2024
| INDIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”