The spiral of violence in the Middle East is driving Christians in Palestine into exile and forcing them to abandon their homeland. In Lebanon, they are marginalised; in Iran, they are persecuted; and in Syria, they are treated as geopolitical pawns. The war is not only redefining the geopolitical borders of the Middle East, but also its religious geography. This is to the detriment of Christians and demonstrates Western hypocrisy.
A morning in St Peter's between distracted visitors and absent sacredness
What does St Peter's Basilica look like to visitors? We spent a morning in the most important Catholic church in the world. Since 1 March, a route has been reserved for worshippers, but everything, even Mass, is overshadowed by the confused chatter of visitors who have no concept of silence or the sacred. They stroll around as if it were any other tourist attraction. This is what we saw.
- Photogallery
Israel army veterans suffer psychiatric trauma
Netanyahu's government has called up over 100,000 reservists, but has to deal with 30,000 soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It is estimated that this number will rise to 100,000 by 2028.
Without natural law, international law is not possible
Everyone invokes 'international law', but few recognise its objective foundation: the natural order, which is not favoured by either Islam or the dominant way of thinking in the West. One worldview is no better than another, not even in the field of relations between States.
Khamenei Jr. promises an even tougher regime
The Islamic Republic of Iran is digging in its heels. Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, has been appointed Supreme Leader. Although he is not a recognised doctrinal leader, he acts as an intermediary between the clergy and the Revolutionary Guards. He is even more extremist than his father.
'Sacramental distancing' is now the doctrine of St Pius X, which considers the new rites to be invalid or, at the very least, dubious. It also rejects the ancient rite celebrated by others. The Fraternity asks its followers not to accept the sacraments from outsiders, not even the Pope.
- 1. The stages of an agreement that was always rejected
- 2. 'When even Fellay feared schism'
- Dossier: The FSSPX Case
When Fellay looked to Rome and feared schism
For St Pius X, no agreement with the Apostolic See was or is possible. This schismatic attitude was denounced in 2012 by the then Superior General, but it has now become firmly established, even at the highest levels of the Lefebvrian world. The watchword is to continue the inconclusive talks.
- 1. The stages of an agreement that was always rejected
- Dossier: The FSSPX Case
Israel and US reckon with ammunition stocks
The illusion that war creates a better world
No sympathy for the Ayatollahs. No mourning for the death of a ferocious tyrant. But to think that his assassination and the eventual destruction of his regime will change the world for the better is a dangerous illusion. We are merely witnessing a game of power politics.
Attack on Iran: Israel drags the US into 'its' war
At dawn today, several Iranian cities were bombed, including the capital, Tehran. The real goal is to overthrow the Ayatollah regime — a dangerous illusion that in this way it is possible to achieve Israel's security and balance in the Middle East.
United Kingdom: doctors withdraw treatment and call it natural death
Contrary to the wishes of his family, doctors suspended dialysis for RB, a stroke victim, without going through the courts, condemning him to a certain and rapid death. They justified this as a 'clinical decision'. R.B. died during the night, before the judge ruled today on the legality of this new practice.
The bones of Saint Francis proclaim that God has redeemed the flesh
There is a common thread linking the disputes surrounding the body of the ‘Poverello’ with the veneration of his mortal remains in Assisi today. Christianity is not spiritualism; the Word can also be seen and touched in the material traces left by a holy life.