Critics express skepticism over U.S.-Panama deportation agreement July 8, 2024By David Agren Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, World News Catholic groups working with migrants traversing the treacherous Darién Gap have expressed skepticism over a joint U.S.-Panama plan to deport people passing through the thick jungle between Colombia and Panama on journeys toward the U.S. border.
Bishops congratulate Mexico’s new president; country elects first female to top office June 4, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Mexico’s bishops congratulated Claudia Sheinbaum, who overwhelmingly won Mexico’s presidential election to become the country’s first female president — a historic accomplishment overshadowed by the killing of candidates and questions over the future of the country’s democratic institutions.
Human rights advocate: Dictatorship profanes Nicaraguan churches April 24, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Authorities in the city of León, Nicaragua, chose an unusual place for setting up a boxing ring and staging prize fights: the courtyard of the local cathedral. They even scheduled the matches for April 19 — just as Bishop René Sándigo of León was celebrating his birthday.
Mexico City is ‘waiting room’ for migrants as they sort out legal situation before heading to border April 14, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News An increasing number of migrants are now staying put for long periods in Mexico City as they attempt to get their legal situations sorted out prior to risking crossing the U.S.–Mexico border — where drug cartels target them for kidnapping.
Church warns of Mexico’s drug cartels entering politics as candidates are killed April 8, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, World News In an endless cycle of violence, the bishop of Orizaba, traveling with a group of priests, suffered an assault on a highway in the border area between Puebla and Veracruz, the Mexican bishops’ conference said April 6. The group was robbed but unharmed.
Mexican presidential candidates sign bishops’ peace plan; front-runner voices objections March 12, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News The Mexican bishops’ conference, the Society of Jesus and the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious of Mexico convened the country’s three presidential candidates March 11 to sign their National Agenda for Peace — a roadmap for pacifying Mexico and the starting point for dialogue with the next government.
Mexican presidential hopefuls meet Pope Francis February 23, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Mexico’s two main presidential candidates have met with Pope Francis in the prelude to the country’s election campaigns, marking a further retreat from the country’s previously strictly secular political culture as they court voters in the predominantly Catholic country.
Caritas Argentina, government renew agreement on soup kitchens; hunger concerns remain February 7, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Social Justice, World News Argentina’s bishops expressed concern over rampant hunger and government cuts to parish soup kitchens, warning libertarian President Javier Milei that “food cannot be a variable in economic adjustments.”
Migrant drownings stoke cross-border tensions, questions on jurisdiction January 18, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News The drownings of three Mexican migrants in the Rio Grande has deepened a jurisdictional dispute between the U.S. federal and Texas state governments over responding to the wave of migrants and asylum-seekers irregularly crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Bishop Rolando Álvarez released, exiled from Nicaragua after over 500 days of detention January 15, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News – Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa has been released from prison and sent into exile along with 18 imprisoned churchmen as the Nicaraguan government expelled its most prominent critic, whose presence behind bars bore witness to the Sandinista regime descent into totalitarianism, along with its unrelenting persecution of the Catholic Church.
Argentine President Milei to visit Pope Francis January 12, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Javier Milei, who disparaged the pope while campaigning for president, is expected to travel to the Vatican next month, according to Argentine media, marking the first meeting between the Argentine leader and Pope Francis since Milei’s surprise election victory.
Nicaraguan regime publishes photos of Bishop Álvarez as US demands release of imprisoned bishop, other clergy January 3, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News The U.S. Department of State has demanded the release of Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa and other imprisoned Nicaraguan religious leaders following a wave of detentions targeting Catholic clergy over the Christmas season.
