Tarsus diocese restored after more than a century

There is now an episcopal presence in Tarsus; dioceses in Ireland and Canada are celebrating ordinations; a Nigerian priest is freed, and more in this week’s roundup of world news.

Tarsus diocese restored after more than a century

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch has restored an episcopal presence to Tarsus after more than a century, following the consecration of Bishop Paul Orduloglu in Mersin, Turkey. Orduloglu now serves the newly formed Diocese of Tarsus, Adana and Hatay, and as patriarchal vicar in Antioch, a region still recovering from the devastating 2023 earthquake.

The bishop told ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, that in the earthquake, nine churches were destroyed, roughly 80 Christians were killed, and reconstruction costs remain far beyond the community’s means. For now, his priority is not only rebuilding churches but renewing parish life through catechism, choirs, youth groups and efforts to preserve both Arabic and liturgical identity in a community facing emigration and economic pressure.

Three priests ordained in Armagh Archdiocese

In the Armagh Archdiocese in Ireland, three new priests were ordained in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 9.

Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh expressed his gratitude for the ordinations. “I give thanks for their generous ‘yes’ to God’s call, and my hope is that they will have many years of fulfillment in serving God’s people here in the Archdiocese of Armagh. Our celebration will bring to 12 the number of priestly ordinations for the archdiocese in recent years. At a time when the Church in Ireland continues to face many pastoral challenges, these ordinations are a moment of encouragement and hope for the archdiocese,” he said.

As of September 2025, 77 men were in training for the priesthood for Irish dioceses.

Canadian archdiocese welcomes four new priests

The Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated the ordination of four new priests on Saturday, May 9.

“We gather this morning in our Cathedral to celebrate something truly extraordinary. Each, in your own way, years ago, at different times, and in different circumstances and different places, heard the words of Christ saying, ‘Come, follow me,’” Cardinal Frank Leo told the ordinandi at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, according to the Canadian Catholic Register.

Hong Kong diocese celebrates 80th anniversary

Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, Bishop of Hong Kong, marked the 80th anniversary of his diocese’s founding in a celebration on Saturday, May 9.

“The joy of our Church lies in being able to share the joy of the Gospel with Hong Kong,” Chow said during the event, which included the inauguration of a historical exhibition on the local church, according to Fides News Agency.

The exhibition will feature photographs, oral testimony, and guided tours on the growth of the diocese, the work of Caritas International, and Catholic education. Hong Kong is home to around 600,000 Catholics.

The event also marked the 180th anniversary of the founding of the mission there. “The heart of evangelization is unchanging, and in this way, people can experience the love of the Gospel,” the cardinal said.

Kidnapped Nigerian priest freed after 3 months in captivity

Father Nathaniel Asuwaye of Holy Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Kafanchan, who was kidnapped on Feb. 7 during an attack by gunmen, has regained his freedom after more than three months in captivity, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News, reported May 13.

“We are pleased to inform you that Father Nathaniel is now safe and receiving care. He is in stable condition, remains in good spirits, and appreciates your prayers and support,” Father Jacob Shanet, the chancellor of the diocese, said in a May 12 statement.

Notre Dame marks 170 years of ‘L’Œuvre d’Orient’

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted the Day of Eastern Christians under the theme “Bearers of Hope,” coinciding with the 170th anniversary of L’Œuvre d’Orient, ACI MENA reported on May 11.

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, presided over the liturgy in the presence of Eastern Catholic patriarchs and representatives, bishops, and supporters. Speakers stressed that aid to Eastern Christians is not only material but also spiritual and ecclesial, affirming that they belong fully to the universal Church.

Gugerotti warned against the world’s silence in the face of suffering in the Middle East, while Eastern Catholic leaders thanked French Catholics for their solidarity and cautioned that the disappearance of Christians from their homelands would be a loss for the entire Church.

Irish parliament rejects bill to expand abortion access

In Ireland, pro-life campaigners hailed a significant success this week when the Social Democrats’ Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill was defeated in the Dáil.

The bill would have abolished the current three-day waiting period for an abortion, revised abortion criteria on the grounds of fatal fetal abnormality, and removed criminal sanctions found in the current law. While the government allowed a free vote of conscience, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill raised “significant legal and operational concerns” regarding the proposed legislation, which will not now proceed. The bill was heavily informed by the controversial O’Shea review of 2018 abortion legislation, which proposed 10 legislative changes and which pro-life advocates argue overlooks the rights of the unborn child.

Welcoming the vote, Eilis Mulroy of Pro Life Campaign Ireland said that the vote would not have happened without a core group of pro-life TDs who stood firm. She also pointed to the coordinated pro-life lobbying effort in the final 72 hours before the vote, which made a decisive difference by informing and persuading elected representatives.