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The History of the Epiphany: Here’s What You Need to Know

Jan 7, 2024

The feast of the Epiphany is even older than the feast of Christmas and enjoys its own season, which goes all the way until Feb. 2.

On the afternoon of Jan. 6, three Franciscan friars portrayed the Magi in Bethlehem. After the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, they descended in the Grotto of the Nativity, in Bethlehem, where they brought their gifts to the places of Jesus' manifestation. | Credit: Marinella Bandini

The Magi reach Bethlehem, finding smaller crowd of faithful amid ongoing war

Jan 7, 2024

The Magi made their appearance for the recitation of the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, marking the conclusion of the solemnity and also the end of the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem.

Bishop Gélase Armel Kema (right) and Mons. Abel Liluala (left), appointed Archbishops of Owando and Pointe-Noire Archdiocese respectively on 6 January 2024.  Credit: Ouesso Diocese, Archdiocese of Pointe-Noire

Pope Francis Appoints Local Ordinaries for Two Catholic Archdioceses in Congo Brazzaville

Jan 6, 2024

Pope Francis has appointed Local Ordinaries for the Archdioceses of Pointe-Noire and Owando in the Republic of Congo, popularly known as Congo Brazzaville.

St. Peter's Dome. | Credit: dade72 via Shutterstock

No Blessing of “irregular unions” in Mozambique, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe: Bishops

Jan 6, 2024

Church leaders in Africa, who have prohibited the implementation of Fiducia Supplicans (FS) in their Episcopal Sees and territories they govern.

Logo of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Credit: CAN

Christian Leaders Urge Nigerians to Remain United despite Terrorist Attacks

Jan 6, 2024

Christian leaders are calling on Nigerians to remain united despite the trials they face, including terrorist attacks that have become rampant in the West African nation. 

Bishop Ildo Augusto dos Santos Lopes Fortes of Cape Verde's Mindelo Diocese. Credit: Mindelo Diocese

Fiducia Supplicans “a pastoral document”: Portuguese-born Catholic Bishop in Cape Verde

Jan 6, 2024

The Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, which the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) released on December 18 is “a pastoral document”, Bishop Ildo Augusto dos Santos Lopes Fortes of the Catholic Diocese of Mindelo in Cape Verde has said.

Pope Francis delivers his homily during the Mass for the solemnity of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 6, 2024. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: The Epiphany Invites us to Adore the Lord and Help the Poor

Jan 6, 2024

In his homily Saturday, Pope Francis urged the faithful to “find God in flesh and bone, in the faces of those we meet each day, and especially in the poor.”

A chalk home blessing from the feast of the Epiphany. | Credit: A.Davey via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.

How to Bless Your Home on the Feast of Epiphany 2024

Jan 6, 2024

The letters and numbers used in the traditional Epiphany blessing have great significance. 

Adoration of the Magi. | Credit: El Greco/Public Domain

7 Facts About the Wise Men You Might not Know

Jan 6, 2024

On Jan. 6, the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

The headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in DRC. Credit: CENI

Church Leaders in DR Congo “strongly condemn” Violence Following General Elections

Jan 5, 2024

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) have “strongly condemned” cases of violence recorded in the country following the 20 December 2023 general elections.

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO). Credit: CENCO

"NO to any form of blessing of same-sex couples”: Congolese Bishops on Fiducia Supplicans

Jan 5, 2024

Catholic Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have joined other Catholic Church leaders in Africa who have prohibited the implementation of Fiducia Supplicans (FS) in their Episcopal Sees and territories they govern.

Mons. Thomas Ifeanyichukwu Obiatuegwu, appointed  Auxiliary Bishop of Orlu Diocese on 5 January 2024. Credit: Catholic Broadcast Nigeria

Pope Francis Appoints Auxiliary Bishop for Orlu Diocese, Nigeria

Jan 5, 2024

Pope Francis has appointed Mons. Thomas Ifeanyichukwu Obiatuegwu, Clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu Auxiliary Bishop of the Nigerian Episcopal See.

Berhaneyesus Cardinal Souraphiel. Credit: Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat/Facebook

Cardinal Urges Ethiopians to Respect Human Life, Holy Places in Christmas Message

Jan 5, 2024

The Catholic Archbishop of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia has urged the people of God in the country to respect human life and holy places so as to “properly” celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis meets with a delegation from the Society of Catholic Publicists of Germany on the 75th anniversary of its foundation Jan. 4, 2024, at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Catholic News Media Can’t Be "neutral" in the Message they Convey

Jan 5, 2024

The pontiff made his remarks at a Jan. 4 audience with a delegation from the Society of Catholic Publicists of Germany on the 75th anniversary of its foundation.

Members of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious – Ghana (CMSR-Gh). Credit: Fr. Dr. Paul Saa-Dade Ennin

Religious in Ghana Launch Crusade against Illegal Gold Mining in Fight for Environment

Jan 5, 2024

The Conference of Major Superiors of Religious -Ghana (CMSR-Gh) is rallying for support to end the illegal gold mining also locally referred to as Galamsey which the Religious say is contributing to environmental degradation in the West African country.

St. Peter's Basilica. | Credit: vvo/Shutterstock

Fiducia Supplicans: More Reactions from Catholic Bishops in Africa on Same-sex Blessings

Jan 4, 2024

Reactions have continued to pour in from Catholic Bishops in Africa on Fiducia Supplicans (FS), with many expressing their reservations about the Vatican declaration on the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations”, which the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (DDF) released on Monday, December 18.

Late Fr. Josiah Asa K’Okal. Credit: Consolata America

Kenyan Catholic Missionary Priest Dies in Unclear Circumstances in Venezuela

Jan 4, 2024

A Kenyan-born member of the Institute of Consolata Missionaries (IMC) who went missing on Monday, January 1 in the town of Guara, Monagas state in Venezuela, has been found dead.

Roman collar. Image via Shutterstock

Catholic Bishop in Cameroon Concerned about Priests Not Wearing Clerical Attire

Jan 4, 2024

The Bishop of Cameroon's Catholic Diocese of Buea has faulted members of the Clergy in the diocese for not wearing clerical attire while undertaking their pastoral activities.

Bishop Gabriel Mendy of Banjul Diocese in Gambia. Credit: Gambia Pastoral Institute

Gambian Bishop Encourages Unconditional Thanksgiving to God in New Year Message

Jan 4, 2024

The Bishop of Banjul Diocese in Gambia, West Africa, has encouraged the people of God in the country to always remember to thank God in the new year, regardless of the difficulties they face in life.

St. Peter's Dome. | Credit: dade72 via Shutterstock

Vatican Responds to Widespread Backlash on Same-sex Blessing Directive

Jan 4, 2024

The Vatican’s doctrine office issued a response on Thursday to “clarify the reception of Fiducia Supplicans” amid widespread international backlash to the Vatican’s recent declaration on same-sex blessings.