A whole galaxy of female artists and singers of West Africa are currently gathered in the capital of Mali for the Fifth Annual Voices of Bamako Festival (18-22 January)–a forum for celebrating African women and traditional African arts, as well as for discussing various topics related to women’s issues. The Festival, which was initiated by… Read more »
News flashes
E-book Revolution?
Scattered Advance in Europe
What is the future of publishing in the Internet age? Many people are asking themselves this question, in particular the publishers, book sellers and authors who will be participating in an international e-book conference, IfBookThen, to be held in Milan from 2-3 February. The encounter, which will be entirely in English, was organized by Bookrepublic,… Read more »
“You shall not kill” at the Center of Jewish-Christian Dialogue
Never before has the world experienced so many contemporaneous acts of violence, leading to death and destruction everywhere. The widespread horrors being enacted in numerous parts of today’s world have roused the international community to denounce the dire situation, which shows no sign of diminishing. All appearances to the contrary, the commandment “You shall not… Read more »
Doctors without Borders Celebrates Its 40th Birthday
This year Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is celebrating its 40th birthday. One of the world’s largest non-governmental organizations devoted to humanitarian aid, MSF was founded in 1971 by a group of French doctors, who were shocked by the situation of famine in Biafra and concluded that a new aid organization was needed that… Read more »
Pastoral Recommendations for the Year of Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has published a Note with pastoral recommendations for the Year of Faith proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI in his apostolic letter Porta Fidei (11 October 2011). The Year of Faith will begin on 11 October 2012, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Ecumenical Vatican… Read more »
Pope’s Message for the World Day of Peace
Young people, do not yield to discouragement but continue to seek truth and justice
In spite of problems, look to the future with hope, Pope Benedict XVI urges young people throughout the world in his message for the 45th World Day of Peace, which, in keeping with tradition, will be celebrated on 1 January. Focusing on the theme, Educating Young People in Justice and Peace, the Holy Father reaffirms… Read more »
Bi-Centenary of Latin American Independence
On 12 December, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Benedict XVI will preside over a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica commemorating the bi-centenary of Latin American Independence. Organized by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, the Liturgy will be enriched with the presence of cardinals and bishops from that part of the world,… Read more »
SIGNIS Colombia
A Challenge for Catholic Communications
During their meeting at the headquarters of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference on 18 November, representatives of different institutions working in the field of Catholic communications decided to launch a coordination activity designed to establish a Colombian office of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication. Areas to which the prospective office foresees making a contribution… Read more »
Thailand Thai Catholic Writer: literature and culture, the way to witness to Christ
Bangkok (AsiaNews) – An example of Christian witness in society and staunch support of human rights and the principle of absolute non-violence, deeply rooted in Thai Buddhist culture. These are the reasons why the Catholic Church in Thailand and the country’s political leadership have conferred a special award on 92 year-old teacher and writer, Prakin… Read more »
25 November 2011 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
The date of this day was chosen by the International Women’s Movement to pay tribute to the Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, who were assassinated on 25 Nov. 1960 because they opposed the Trujillo dictatorship. The courage and strength demonstrated by the three sisters made them international heroines. They were chosen as… Read more »