A 79-year old Irish priest, who was released unharmed one month after being kidnapped in the Philippines by a militant group, says he wants to continue serving there.

The formal democracy of the Philippines disguises a welter of corruption, human rights abuse and extrajudicial killings, says Shay Cullen. The world needs to recognise and respond to what is happening.

Amidst concern among human rights groups for the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines, an Irish priest has been kidnapped by a gang of armed men there.

The mother of disappeared Philippines activist Jonas Burgos arrives in the UK next week on the first leg of a European tour highlighting the plight of her son and other missing persons.

The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) is today launching radio and TV appeals for public funds to help those affected by the earthquakes and typhoons that struck last week.

Philippine church leaders have blamed human folly and irresponsibility for the massive floods following a tropical storm which claimed more than 240 lives and adversely affected almost two million people.

Christian Aid is working to help some of the poorest people left homeless by tropical storm Ketsana after flood waters swept through the Philippine capital of Manila.

A northern Philippines Roman Catholic university has again set aside a week to teach all of its students about different faiths - believing this is the best way to overcome potential conflict.

Church leaders have urged Filipinos to help remove new signs of despotism and to protect the democracy for which former president Corazon Aquino had struggled and sacrificed.

Church groups have joined thousands of demonstrators in the Makati area of Manila to denounce plans by some lawmakers to amend the 1987 constitution in a way perceived as a ploy to prolong the term of the President.