Worldwide
Venezuela: poverty, politics, and protests
71% of Venezuelans identify themselves as Catholic, and the Church runs numerous charities plus 170 schools for poor children. The country faces 50% hyperinflation, food shortages, black market influences on prices, and failing health systems, with…
Canada: Toronto prayers after van attack
Ten people were killed and fifteen injured in Toronto’s North York district on 23 April, after a white rental van deliberately drove along the pavement and into the crowds of pedestrians who were outside enjoying the…
Armenia: urgent international appeal
On 21 April, 37 human rights organisations and NGOs made an urgent appeal to the UN Council of Europe on behalf of Armenia. The opening sentence was, ‘We, the undersigned civil society organisations, wish to bring…
Iraq and Afghanistan: elections
Iraqi religious figures and institutions are debating the 12 May elections in public. Some call for boycotting them, some recommend voting for new candidates. The Shi’ite religious establishment, believing the previous ‘corrupt people’ robbed the nation,…
