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Christians in Middle East

Bassem Giacaman in his shop in Bethlehem in December 2024. The artisans in Bethlehem are almost all Christians. They primarily work with olive wood. Most of the businesses in Bethlehem are family businesses. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

War, Economic Struggles Threaten Bethlehem’s Century-old Crafts Tradition

Dec 21, 2024

The tradition of being an artisan in Bethlehem is being threatened by the flight of young people from the area and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

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Blessed Jacques-Désiré Laval (right) and Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône (right). Credit: Catholic Diocese of Port Louis

Church 2025 Jubilee Year in Mauritius: “Journey in hope” Guided by Island’s “Apostle”, Spiritan Missionary Blessed Laval

Members of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL). Credit: The Calabash Newspaper/Facebook

Pro-Abortion Activists Fabricating Maternal Death Statistics to Push for Abortion in Sierra Leone: Religious Leaders

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE). Credit: CBCE

“Let’s lay aside the tools of war, destruction, division”: Ethiopia’s Catholic Bishops in Advent Message

Nigerian Christian mother of five Rhoda Jatau was acquitted of blasphemy charges after a two-and-a-half-year legal battle. / Credit: Photo courtesy of ADF International

Major Religious Freedom Win for Nigeria: Christian Mother Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges 

Pope Francis addresses cardinals and senior Vatican officials during his annual Christmas speech to the Roman Curia, Dec. 21, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Warns against Gossip, Celebrates Family Life in Vatican Christmas Messages

Bishop Gerhard Feige of Magdeburg in Germany. / Credit: Magdeburg Diocese

German Bishops Respond to Deadly Magdeburg Market Attack, Call for Prayer and Peace

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A burned-out home in Munga Dosso, Taraba State, is among the many that were damaged in clashes between members of the United Methodist and Global Methodist churches. Two children, ages 4 and 2, were killed in the December attacks. Credit: Bishop John Schol.

Deadly Violence among Section of The United Methodist Church of Nigeria “very” Disappointing: Catholic Bishop

Members of the envisaged Association of Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe (ACBC-MAZAZI) and Apostolic Nuncio in Zambia and Malawi, Archbishop Gian Luca Perici (in white). Credit: Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM)

Catholic Bishops in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe Urge “active participation” to Foster Solidarity in three-nation Sub-Region

Christmas lights line a street in Rome, Italy, Dec. 17, 2024. / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA

Christmas in Rome As First Jubilee Pilgrims Arrive in Eternal City: PHOTOS

Nigerian Christian mother of five Rhoda Jatau was acquitted of blasphemy charges after a two-and-a-half-year legal battle. / Credit: Photo courtesy of ADF International

Major Religious Freedom Win for Nigeria: Christian Mother Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges 

Pope Francis addresses cardinals and senior Vatican officials during his annual Christmas speech to the Roman Curia, Dec. 21, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Warns against Gossip, Celebrates Family Life in Vatican Christmas Messages

Blessed Jacques-Désiré Laval (right) and Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône (right). Credit: Catholic Diocese of Port Louis

Church 2025 Jubilee Year in Mauritius: “Journey in hope” Guided by Island’s “Apostle”, Spiritan Missionary Blessed Laval

Members of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL). Credit: The Calabash Newspaper/Facebook

Pro-Abortion Activists Fabricating Maternal Death Statistics to Push for Abortion in Sierra Leone: Religious Leaders

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE). Credit: CBCE

“Let’s lay aside the tools of war, destruction, division”: Ethiopia’s Catholic Bishops in Advent Message

Bishop Gerhard Feige of Magdeburg in Germany. / Credit: Magdeburg Diocese

German Bishops Respond to Deadly Magdeburg Market Attack, Call for Prayer and Peace

Pope Francis prays during Mass at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis Prays for Victims As Death Toll in German Christmas Market Attack Reaches Five

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