Nigerian priest released from captivity after being kidnapped by Boko Haram
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&view=post&articleid=287085&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Father Alphonsus Afina. / Credit: Photo courtesy of the Diocese of FairbanksCNA Staff, Jul 22, 2025 / 14:16 pm (CNA).A Nigerian priest who served for years in the U.S. has been released after being held in captivity by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram for several weeks.Father Alphonsus Afina was captured by Boko Haram in June while serving in the Diocese of Maiduguri in the Nigerian state of Borno.The priest had previously worked in the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, for six and a half years. The Fairbanks Diocese last month urged the faithful to "pray for [Afina's] freedom from captivity and for his physical and spiritual strength" while he was in captivity.In a Facebook post on July 21, the diocese announced that Afina had been freed."Praise God! We received word today that [Father] Alphonsus Afina is unharmed and has been safely released!" the diocese wrote. "Thank you to all who have been storming heaven for him."The diocese called on the faithful to "continue to ...
Father Alphonsus Afina. / Credit: Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Fairbanks
CNA Staff, Jul 22, 2025 / 14:16 pm (CNA).
A Nigerian priest who served for years in the U.S. has been released after being held in captivity by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram for several weeks.
Father Alphonsus Afina was captured by Boko Haram in June while serving in the Diocese of Maiduguri in the Nigerian state of Borno.
The priest had previously worked in the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, for six and a half years.
The Fairbanks Diocese last month urged the faithful to "pray for [Afina's] freedom from captivity and for his physical and spiritual strength" while he was in captivity.
In a Facebook post on July 21, the diocese announced that Afina had been freed.
"Praise God! We received word today that [Father] Alphonsus Afina is unharmed and has been safely released!" the diocese wrote. "Thank you to all who have been storming heaven for him."
The diocese called on the faithful to "continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to be held captive that they, too, will soon taste freedom."
On July 21 the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need said the priest had spent 51 days in captivity.
Maiduguri Auxiliary Bishop John Bakeni told the charity that the priest was "a bit frail and tired" but was "in good health" and emotionally stable.
"We are now arranging medical checkups and rest for him," the bishop said, adding that he would be reunited with his family.
The prelate said the priest's release "should be regarded as a true miracle," according to the charity, with the bishop citing "the prayers and the intercession of Our Lady."
Afina was released alongside 10 women who were being held in captivity at the same time, Aid to the Church in Need said.
Full Article
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=287106&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Cardinal Fernando Filoni speaks to "EWTN News Nightly" on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 / Credit: EWTN NewsVatican City, Jul 23, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).A longtime Vatican diplomat now dedicated to aiding Christians in the Holy Land recently offered reflections on the Church's mission in conflict zones and its roots in the Middle East. In a wide-ranging interview with "EWTN News Nightly" on July 22, Cardinal Fernando Filoni underscored that the Middle East is not just part of Christianity's past but remains an area of vital importance."Being there means not letting this vast region be considered only historically as the beginning of the Church, without living Christian communities," he said. A portion of the interview was broadcast on Tuesday evening. Despite waves of emigration and violence, Filoni insisted, the Church cannot forget her roots. "Jerusalem is the Mother Church. No one should forget their mother's and father's home," he said.Filoni recalled vividly his serv...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=287093&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
The grounds at the Sanctuary of La Sainte-Baume. / Credit: Sanctuary of La Sainte-BaumeWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 16:17 pm (CNA).Tucked away in a rocky mountain in southeast France is a cave formed by natural erosion called La Sainte-Baume. It is one of the oldest Christian pilgrimage sites in the world as it is the place where Mary Magdalene is believed to have spent the last 30 years of her life.Esteemed by St. Thomas Aquinas as the "Apostle to the Apostles," St. Mary Magdalene is regarded by the Dominicans as a secondary patroness of their order, which was founded in Toulouse, France. Appropriately, the cave remains under the care of the friars in the Toulouse province. The Dominicans are charged with the task of welcoming and evangelizing pilgrims who make their way to La Sainte-Baume. (The word "baume" comes from the Provençal word "baumo," meaning "cave.") The friars, alongside staff and volunteers, run the hostelry located next to the convent at the f...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=287092&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Sean Graber, president of EWTN Digital (left), and Peter Gagnon, president of EWTN Studios. / Credit: EWTNWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 16:47 pm (CNA).Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) Chairman and CEO Michael P. Warsaw has announced a new organizational structure to further EWTN's mission in the digital landscape by enhancing its content creation and distribution methods under the leadership of two new presidents.EWTN will now align its operations around two new divisions: EWTN Studios and EWTN Digital. Led by Peter Gagnon, EWTN Studios will focus on content development, while Sean Graber will lead EWTN Digital, which will prioritize the network's media distribution and broadening its audience. (Note: EWTN is the parent company of CNA.)"Under the leadership of our foundress, Mother Angelica, EWTN learned to constantly adopt new technology to reach souls," Warsaw said. "Just as our major network peers in secular media have done, this change in structure will al...
