" Close Guantánamo, Says Anti-torture Group Religious leaders have renewed their call to Congress seeking the immediate closure of the U.S. military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The prison “is the symbol of our country’s violation of our deepest values” and must be

Progress and Challenges as Africa Prepares for Synod Africans preparing for the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, to be held in October 2009, are emphasizing the need to find concrete ways to address the problems of a continent that has made much progress since the bishops’

Religious Leaders Assess Causes, Consequences of Christian Exodus Religious leaders met in Detroit, Lebanon and Rome in February to address the accelerating emigration of Christians from the Middle East, an exodus that seriously threatens the survival of Christianity in the region. Currently betw

Aid to Poor Gets Boost in Stimulus Small towns, large cities, social service agencies and even the manufacturers of digital converters for television sets all expect to benefit from a piece of the $787 billion stimulus measure signed by President Barack Obama on Feb. 17. But amid all the mega-milli

Arab Christians Assess Election Results ISRAEL-- Though former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-line Likud Party and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s more moderate Kadima Party both claimed victory in the Feb. 10 Israeli elections, a certain beneficiary of their virtual tie

Crisis Threatens Stability In Latin America While Latin American leaders initially struck a positive note in the face of the global economic downturn, most are now hurriedly drafting plans to create jobs, keep financial systems from collapsing and shore up social programs in the event of a prolonged

New Relief Effort on U.S./Mexico Border When Leoba Marcos crossed the Sonoran desert in northern Mexico earlier this year, she did not know what to expect. She made her way in early January with a group of about 20 people, including her husband, 13-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter. It was the se

Obama Era Begins With Prayers WASHINGTON--The inauguration of President Barack Obama began and closed in the traditional way: with prayers. The Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, delivered the invocation at the pre-inaugural celebration on Jan. 19, reminding thousands ga

Christians Pray, Plead for Peace GAZA--Msgr. Manuel Musallam, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, says Gaza is “drowning in blood” as its hospitals overflow with patients. In a message to participants read during a special Mass for peace at St. Stephen’s Church in Jerusale