Cardinal John Ribat of Papua New Guinea is all for policies of compassion and welcome for immigrants around the world. But he says immigrants for their part have to show respect for their host societies. “As a visitor to a country, or even to a home, you’re always conscious you’re a visitor,” he told Crux Read more
A young Iraqi seminarian who risked his life to save the Blessed Sacrament from being desecrated by ISIS during an invasion has returned to the same church as a priest. Martin Baani was 24 when these events unfolded. Rather than leave Iraq with his family, Baani chose to stay and complete his training in Erbil, Read more
Six months after Muhammed Yusuf had been sold, tortured and forced to watch as a friend died, he found himself back at the parched, dusty bus station where his ordeal began, facing the man who had made him a slave. Unembarrassed and unrepentant, the smuggler was still touting for business among the crowds flooding into Read more
Inter-religious dialogue, aid for migrants and refugees and the protection of minority Christian communities are included in a formal agreement between the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Community of Sant’Egidio. The Community, which is a Catholic charity, has been helping the poor in many countries since the 1970s. The accord with the French ministry Read more
Migrants are paying a heavy price in Europe because of an agreement made a year ago between the European Union (EU) and Turkey, says Caritas The agreement aimed to stem the flow of migrants and refugees seeking protection in Europe. Caritas says the agreement has left thousands of vulnerable people stranded in degrading conditions in Read more
The Joy Bells of Christ Church Cathedral in the Irish city of Waterford will peal once again this St. Patrick’s Day in a message of fellowship and welcome to refugees and immigrants. Read more
Iraqi Christian refugees’ situation is “critical and dangerous”, according to Jordanian priest, Fr. Khalil Jaar. He says their situation will deteriorate as access to international aid tightens. “This is now the third year of displacement for the Iraqi Christians. It’s very tough. Donations are becoming less, while global attention is waning,” Ra’ed Bahou, regional director Read more
Tomorrow Bill English has his first pyjama party with Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull in Queenstown. This style of diplomacy has been going on for a number of years. Whether it’s morning-after kayaking on Sydney harbour or taking in our own Southern Alps, the annual Prime Ministerial sleepover says a lot about the relationship between New Zealand Read more
Christmas cards showing a different reality from the traditionally peaceful Nativity scene are on offer from Doctors of the World. In one scene, a missile flies over the Holy Family. The humanitarian group’s website says they want the cards “to remind people that war has forced millions from their homes this year, and they need Read more
As waves of refugee crises continue to make international headlines, Southeast Asian nations face their own challenges to support and protect millions of refugees and asylum seekers. Across the region, people continue to flee conflict and political persecution and have sought to make new homes with varying degrees success or failure. For some nations the Read more