John Pontifex, Aid to the Church in Need

• Breakthrough for Russian priest’s pro-life campaign

  Groundbreaking plans are under way in a remote corner of Russia to open three pro-life centres for pregnant women under pressure to have an abortion.

• Iraq elections are 'step forward' for Christians, says Archbishop

  A leading Iraqi bishop has described the country’s provincial elections as “a step forward” for beleaguered Christians, despite a number of recent setbacks.

• Sri Lankan bishop pleads for peace

  Sri Lankan bishop returns from secret mercy dash to war-torn region

• 150-strong peace delegation heads to Orissa

  Newly-returned to his diocesan headquarters in the Orissa state capital, Bhubaneshwar, Archbishop Cheenath said he believed the mission offered a rare ray of hope not least because the team involved includes both Hindus as well as Christians.

• Killing of two Christian sisters renews panic in Mosul

  Iraqi Christians who returned to their ancient city after a wave of violence and intimidation are in shock today after two sisters were stabbed to death when attackers broke into their home.

• Iraq: The fear of massacre

  Up to 20 Christians have been killed in just 10 days as fears of an impending massacre grip the Iraqi city of Mosul.

• Bangladesh: From bamboo huts to Class C drugs

  A youth drugs crisis now overshadows a corner of north-east India where less than a century ago people were still living in huts and worshipping idols.

• Pray for China's Christians

  A leading Catholic charity has issued a call to prayer for China's suffering Christians - in the same week that pressure from the authorities forced Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong to cancel a pilgrimage.

• Iraq: Never despair

  Christians in Iraq have reacted with a show of defiance following the tragic death of an archbishop - an event which shocked the world.

• Day of reckoning for Cuba's suppressed Catholics

  Catholics in Cuba are hoping that Fidel Castro's retirement and a visit from the Vatican Secretary of State are the start of a breakthrough in relations between the Catholic Church and the Cuban state.