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Last Updated: 14 January 2015

CWN - The Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Babylon has denied reports that Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako approved plans for a massive move of 13,000 Iraqi Christians to Canada and Germany.

In a statement released to the Fides news service, the Chaldean patriarchy said that Iraqi Christians are free to relocate, but the Patriarch has neither encouraged nor discouraged such moves.

The Chaldean Patriarch has expressed sympathy for Iraqi Christians seeking security in other countries, but has also pleaded with the faithful to consider remaining in Iraq and preserving the ancient Christian heritage there.

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Last Updated: 13 January 2015

CWN - Islamic militants identifying themselves as allies of the Islamic State have kidnapped either 20 or 21 Coptic Christians in Libya.

The Al Arabiya news service reports that the Copts were seized in the city of Sirte. Photos displayed on the web site of an Islamic group have confirmed the abductions, although the exact number of captives is unclear.

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Last Updated: 09 January 2015

CNS - The Vatican has overturned a ruling by Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako, lifting the suspension of Chaldean priests who fled Iraq after the Islamic State came to power.

The Chaldean Patriarch had ordered all of his priests to return to their parishes, unless they had received explicit permission to leave. He reasoned that priests should serve their people even when their ministry puts them in danger.

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Last Updated: 05 January 2015

CWN - For the first time since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey has permitted the construction of a Christian church, Agence France-Presse reported.

The Syriac church will be located in a suburb of Istanbul.

“Churches have been restored and reopened to the public, but no new church has been built until now,” an anonymous government source said. Potenzmittel rezeptfrei

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Last Updated: 03 January 2015

risu.org.ua - St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brampton, Ontario burned to the ground in April will start reconstruction in May. It has received $500,000 in donations, half of which came from an anonymous donor at a recent benefit concert and dinner, the Star informs.

"The local community has really supported us," said parishioner Lu Bobyk after the Sunday service, which has been held in the atrium of St. Augustine Secondary School since the fire.

Bobyk said the St. Elias' insurance will cover $3.8 million for construction of the new building plus $1 million for interior furnishings. The church has not yet officially started fundraising, he said, but more money will be needed for furnishings.

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Last Updated: 31 December 2014

CWN - In Jordan, a Christian population already drained by emigration is struggling to support a swarm of incoming refugees, both Christian and Muslim, from Syria and Iraq.

Father Rifat Bader, a pastor in Lebanon, reports that his parish is giving temporary shelter to 40 refugees, who cannot safely return to their homes in Iraq. “Jordan may be safe, but they will not be allowed to remain here,” he tells the international Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need.

Father Bader reports that there are 180,000 Christians now living in Jordan, while another 70,000 have travelled to other country. The Christian population, with very limited resources, is attempting to provide help for incoming refugees, supporting them until they can find permanent homes elsewhere.

Christian relief workers accept Muslim as well as Christian families, Father Bader said. He observed that extremist groups have used the shoddy conditions in refugee camps as a means of fanning resentments and recruiting new members, and “we must not leave them a clear field.”