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Jerusalem: Israeli authorities confiscate historic Church property

Bulldozers smash fence and demolish orchard

The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed grave concern over the Israeli raid and land grab targeting its Church property in Silwan on June 15, 2026. During the operation, the Patriarchate's representative was forcibly removed, his equipment was confiscated, trees were uprooted, and the property was enclosed with fencing and gates. The Patriarchate said the incident constitutes an unlawful ... Read More


Nigeria: Summit launches new network to combat trafficking in Africa

Cardinal Baggio at the Abuja conference

The Inaugural Summit of the Pathways to Freedom Africa Network (PFAN) was held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 19-20 May 2026 under the theme "Inclusive Strategies for Ending Human Trafficking: Reaching the Most Marginalised." The summit brought together more than 100 participants from across Africa and beyond, including Catholic bishops, government officials, United Nations agencies, civil society organi... Read More


Nigeria: Bishop demands justice on anniversary of Yelewata massacre

Internally displaced people,  queuing for food in Daudu Camp,  Benue State. Image ACN

On the first anniversary of one of the worst massacres in Nigeria a bishop has called for justice and the return of displaced families to their homes. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that those who slaughtered more than 250 Christians in Yelewata, Benue State, between 13th and 14th June 2025 must answer for their crimes. He said: "The taking of human life rem... Read More


St Benedict Week and AWAKEN! Study Days

The Lay Community of St Benedict invites parishes, monasteries, and Christian communities to take part in St Benedict Week and the AWAKEN! Study Days, a period of prayer, study, and reflection centred on the theme 'Rule of Life.' Held from 6-19 July, around the feast day of St Benedict, St Benedict Week offers lay people, religious, and clergy an opportunity to reflect on the Rule of St Benedict a... Read More

US Catholics seek abolition of death penalty

As the United States saw a sharp rise in executions of people on death row in 2025, the Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network calls for US Catholics to uphold the Church's teaching on human dignity, from conception to natural death. In 2025, US states executed 47 men and women on death row, more than double the average number of executions over the past 10 years. "This is a marked, tra... Read More


Holy Land: The Lizard Memorial in Battir

The inscription reads: 'Animals love, fear, and feel pain just like us'

Sharing the story of the (Stellagama) Lizard Memorial in the Palestinian village of Battir during the tours and hikes I lead has been a unique and inspiring experience. It has shown me how art, environmental education, and nature conservation can come together to convey a meaningful message to both local communities and visitors. It is uncommon to find a monument dedicated to an animal anywhere in... Read More


Gospel in Art: Beware of practising your righteousness before other people

Beggars in India, Gujarat, Baroda (Vadodara),  by Henri Cartier-Bresson,  1948 © Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos

Gospel of 17 June 2026 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 'Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by othe... Read More


Pope Leo highlights faith, hope and love as themes that can help us reflect on climate crisis

Screenshot

In order to effectively respond to the climate crisis, we must address social and ethical issues at the foundation of our society, such as the equal dignity of all human beings and the value of human rights, Pope Leo XIV said in a video message to the Tenth Austrian World Summit, released today. "The environmental crisis 'is not an isolated issue, but rather the ecological aspect of the contempora... Read More


Churches in Puerto Rico and Panama rush communion hosts to Cuba

Photo by Eric Mok on Unsplash

Priests in Cuba were recently advised to ration communion wafers, because of severe shortages. For many years, the Discalced Carmelite Mothers of the Monastery of Saint Teresa and Saint Joseph, in El Vedado, have been the sole producers of communion wafers for Catholic parishes across Cuba. However, their operations have virtually come to a halt due to prolonged power cuts, made worse by a five-mo... Read More


Archbishop O'Toole concerned at re-introduction of Assisted Suicide Bill

Archbishop Mark O'Toole

Archbishop Mark O'Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, has issued a statement in response to the announcement that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is to be re-introduced to the House of Commons, where it is expected to be debated in the Autumn. Archbishop O'Toole said: "It is immensely disappointing that the Bill to legalise assisted suicide is being re-introduced to Parliament. It ... Read More


Remembering Sr Ruth Montrichard SJC

Fr Laurence Freeman from World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) writes: There is rejoicing in heaven and sadness on earth. Sr Ruth (born October 8, 1941) died on 14 June in Trinidad where she was born, entered the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny and devoted her life for love of Christ and for those she served through Servol which she co-founded with her soul-friend Fr Gerry Pantin. Her sk... Read More


WCC signs joint civil society statement on AI in warfare

Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash

The World Council of Churches is among over 100 organisations who have a statement on AI in warfare that calls on tech companies and states to halt the use of AI systems in military kill chains, including AI decision-support systems, target generation systems, remote biometric surveillance, and multimodal AI models such as large language models. The statement further urges that all other AI system... Read More


Update on young Christian woman arrested by Israeli army

Natalie Abuddayeh

Bishop Dr Imad Haddad, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land writes: Dear friends and partners, We give thanks to each of you who have prayed and advocated for the safety and release of ELCJHL youth Natalie Abuddayeh after she was detained by Israeli forces on June 2nd. Unfortunately, Natalie has still not been released. We have been informed that she had a court a... Read More


Text: Bishop Paul McAleenan at Home Office Prayer Vigil

Bishop Paul McAleenan at the vigil

Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees and Racial Justice issues in the Catholic Bishops Conference, gave the following reflection yesterday, at the Prayer Vigil outside the Home Office - marking the beginning of World Refugee Week. 'Over 9,000 people crossed the English Channel in small boats between January and 9 June this year'. With these words we immediately have an imag... Read More

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