Philippines – Strengthening the faith of Catholics in Mindanao

A groundbreaking formation for catechists is set to begin on the island of Mindanao, in the spirit of the Silsilah Dialogue Movement, which marks its 40th anniversary this year. The island has been plagued by interreligious violence and tension for decades, spearheaded by Islamist militant groups. Dozens of catechists will come together to attend a …

Philippines – Deadly attack at Marawi university sparks commotion and fear among local Catholic minority

A bomb detonated on Sunday, December 3, during a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University, in the city of Marawi, in southern Philippines. Local sources say that the explosion took the lives of at least four faithful, leaving over 40 injured. The attack was claimed by a group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS). A …

Philippines – Church joyous and dynamic despite challenges

The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia consisting of 7,641 islands, 2,000 of which are inhabited. The two largest islands, Luzon and Mindanao, account for two thirds of the total surface area and population. The first includes the capital, Manila, and the second is home to most of the Muslim population and has been …