The United Arab Emirates has entered a new phase aimed at full achievement of “religious freedom” by enacting a new legislation that prohibits and criminalizes the defamation of religions and discourses that emit hatred everywhere, namely public forums, media outlets (particularly the electronic ones). This legislation was met with honorable worldwide acclamation. At the Arab level, it received low-level approval fearing that the “virus” would be transmitted to other countries.

The church and the religious structure as a whole dated back to the 5th century. The destructive rage of the Caliphate’s men is part of a wider strategy: the destruction of Christian symbols forms part of a sort of pornography of violence, which the world is subjected to. The demolition comes after the kidnapping of Fr. Mourad, the monastery’s prior last May.

“It is so obvious that the first victims of divorce are always the children,” notes the cardinal in his page-one interview. When the father and mother separate, “something is always broken in the life of the child.”

At today’s General Audience, on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, Pope Francis stressed that the responsibility of managing work cannot be left in the hands of the few or dumped on a deified market”.

Mark Riedemann has interviewed Jesuit Fr. Samir Khali about the increasing radicalization of Islam and the implications for Western policy.This interview was conducted for “Where God Weeps,” a weekly TV and radio show produced by Catholic Radio and Television Network in conjunction with the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. Following is the text of the interview

Q: Unfortunately we start to see an increasing radicalization in Islam. Why is this radicalization occurring and where is this leading us?

I believe that people today need a role model to encourage and influence their lives positively, thus they are advised to choose theirs wisely. A correct role model will change your life, inspire, and give self-confidence. I chose our Lord and savior Jesus Christ as my personal role model in the past five years, an issue that involved reading Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John over and over, pondering on Lord Jesus Christ’s words, they way He reacted to situations, and His style of thinking.

The Vicariate of St. James celebrates 60 years in Jerusalem. And in a pastoral letter the Vicar Father David indicates today's challenges for this community.

Legal action against hate speech involving Bentzi Gopstein who stated in a public debate that “idolatrous places must be destroyed”.

In this exclusive interview, Ambassador Ken Hackett speaks about the Pope’s visit to the US Congress and the White House, his talks to the United Nations and the World Meeting of Families, and the question of security.

Following is the text of the interview:

What is the relationship between President Barack Obama and Pope Francis? Which are the areas of agreement and difference between them? Apart from the fact that Francis will make history by addressing Congress, what are the other high points of this much anticipated visit that is sparking such enthusiasm and interest?

Facing fundamentalism and its massacres, persecution, enslavement, corruption, wars, and the plight of refugees and forced migrants.