The social action arm of the Catholic Church in the Philippines has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision recognizing red-tagging as a threat to Filipinos’ rights.  Caritas Philippines called the ruling as a game-changer for human rights defenders and a crucial step toward improving safety for all. “This decision is a victory for justice and a crucial step for a safer Philippines. Red-tagging has instilled fear and silenced dissent for far too long. The Supreme Court’s ruling sends a clear message that such tactics will not be tolerated,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Car ..read more

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) made a direct call for the protection of civilians during the conflict in Rafah, Gaza.  The organization reiterated concerns after Israel’s instructions to evacuate parts of the area amid military operations. The ICRC stressed the risks for the over 1 million displaced Palestinians now in southern Gaza. In its February warning, the ICRC stated that intensified military operations would threaten civilians, who struggle with access to essential services.  Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC’s Regional Director for the Near and Middle East, said t ..read more

At least 40,000 ethnic Rohingyas have been forced to flee intense clashes between junta troops and the rebel Arakan Army in two townships in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state since the start of the week, and are now facing a humanitarian crisis, the displaced told RFA Burmese on Thursday. The fighting in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships came amid widespread gains in Rakhine state by the Arakan Army, or AA, that prompted the junta to implement a draft to shore up depleted troop losses. As part of its efforts, the military has reportedly forcibly recruited Rohingyas into pro-junta militias which ..read more

Pope Francis called on Christians to be “builders of hope” during the official proclamation of the Jubilee of 2025 on May 9 in Rome.  He spoke after presiding over a ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he delivered the Bull of Indiction, emphasizing the importance of proclaiming and celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection and the hope it brings. The theme of the Jubilee year, which will begin on December 24, 2024, is “Pilgrims of Hope.” Pope Francis emphasized that Christian hope, based on Christ’s resurrection, should be shared worldwide throughout the Jubilee.  “Brothers and s ..read more

The Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee was officially proclaimed on Thursday by Pope Francis, who presided over a formal reading of the Jubilee’s papal bull of indiction. The papal bull, titled “Spes Non Confudit,” meaning “Hope Does Not Disappoint,” declares that the Jubilee Year will officially begin with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve 2024. The pope further decreed that every Catholic cathedral around the world should offer Mass on Dec. 29, 2024, as the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year for their local communities. Pope Francis encouraged dioce ..read more

A peasant leader expressed that the installation of 93 farmers on the 68.1-hectare piece of land in Hacienda Tinang in Concepcion town, Tarlac province is a result of the community’s collective action and “not due to anyone’s goodwill.”  “This installation process, we owe this to ourselves because we collectively fought for it,” said Alvin Dimarucut, chairperson of Malayang Kilusang Samahang Magsasaka ng Tinang (MAKISAMA-Tinang). It took three decades of struggle for land rights before the Tinang farmers were installed to their land by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on May 8. Th ..read more

During a meeting of top cabinet members, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed shock and dismay. He was very disturbed about the prevalence of online sexual abuse and exploitation of small children as young as three years old.  This is due to the inaction of the telecommunications corporations that defy the law (R.A. 11930) that mandates them to stop it. The most frequent violators and abusers of children online in the home are parents and relatives. They are responsible for about 42 percent of online child abuse.  The Catholic Church and President Marcos and his cabinet know the ..read more

Pope Francis called on the faithful to pray the Rosary, particularly during the month of May, as he entrusted the cause of peace to the Blessed Virgin Mary for regions suffering from conflict, including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Myanmar. Speaking at his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope urged people to rely on prayer and Our Lady’s intercession as conflicts continue to affect communities worldwide. “I invite everyone to invoke Mary’s intercession, so that the Lord may grant peace to the whole world, especially to the dear and martyred Ukraine, and to Palestine ..read more

The Vatican has unveiled the official logos and mottos for Pope Francis’ upcoming Apostolic Journey to Asia, promising a journey of faith, unity, and hope.  The Pope will visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore from September 2 to 13, marking his longest-ever overseas mission, according to Vatican Media. The journey begins in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 3, where the Pope will stay until September 6. The logo depicts Pope Francis with his hand raised in blessing before a golden “Garuda,” Indonesia’s sacred eagle, designed in the traditional “batik” style.  ..read more

During the papal general audience on Wednesday Pope Francis focused on the importance of the theological virtue of hope, noting that it is both a fundamental building block of the Christian life, orienting believers toward the future, as well as a powerful antidote to nihilism.  “Christians have hope not through their own merit. If they believe in the future, it is because Christ died and rose again and gave us his Spirit,” the pope said to thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.  “We say that hope is a theological virtue. It does not emanate from us, it is not an obst ..read more