Police in Timor Lesté have issued warnings about potential attacks by Islamic extremists on churches and even on Dili’s bishop Virgilio do Carma da Silva. Last week there was a heavy police presence around churches, at the bishop’s palace and Sunday Masses. Both uniformed and plain-clothed officers armed with machine guns were in evidence “I got Read more
Connecting Islam with terrorism “may be on the lips of many, but that equation is a foolish lie,” says Pope Francis. Francis spoke of this and many other topics in an interview with the director of the Echo of Bergamo newspaper. Read more
After recent terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, Spain and Finland, Pope Francis is begging God “to free the world from this inhuman violence”. The world is carrying in its heart “the pain of these terrorist attacks,” Francis told the crowd in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, before leading them in prayer for the victims. Nineteen Read more
A battle between good and evil, rather than between religions is behind the global war on terror, President Donald Trump says. It is not a war between “different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations,” he said in a speech to leaders from Arab and Muslim-majority nations. Read more
Islamic terrorism doesn’t exist because religion is not about murder, President Barack Obama says. He is defending his refusal to speak about “Islamic terrorism”. He wants us to “make sure that we do not lump these murderers into the billion Muslims that exist around the world who are peaceful … responsible … fellow troops and police Read more
Religious leaders must help counter the spread of hatred and violence in the name of religion. They must also promote more inclusive and peaceful societies. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin wants protection for the victims of atrocities. He also urged both religious leaders and national authorities to step up preventive measures. He says Read more
Terrorist attacks on churches are on the increase. Thousands of churches throughout Britain are being urged to take security measures against the possibility of a terror attack or other anti-Christian hate crime. New guidelines warn of growing evidence of hate crimes against Christians and say clergy and church staff must take steps to protect themselves Read more
Religious leaders around the world have condemned terrorism and expressed solidarity with France after the attack in Nice in which scores of people died. The religious voices included Christian figures such as Pope Francis and prominent Muslims including the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawqi Allam. A truck drove through crowds celebrating Bastille Day (July 14) in Nice. Pope Francis Read more
A suspect who allegedly received orders from ISIS to attack the Vatican and Israel’s embassy in Rome is among several extremists arrested in Italy. The arrests were made in Lombardy and Piedmont late last month. They came as the result of a joint operation co-ordinated by Milan’s district attorney and the Italian anti-terror agency. Authorities Read more
Pope Francis condemned the “rejection” of migrants during his traditional Easter message in the Vatican. “All too often, these brothers and sisters of ours meet along the way with death or, in any event, rejection by those who could offer them welcome and assistance,” said the pontiff on Easter Sunday. Pope Francis urge people to Read more