Fides News - English

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Official hymn for Seoul WYD 2027 unveiled: "Take courage; I have overcome the world"

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:45:52 +0200

Seoul – Martyrs and places of martyrdom take center stage in the videos released today to introduce the official hymn for the next World Youth Day , scheduled to take place in Seoul from August 3 to 8, 2027. The hymn bears the Latin title: "Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum" .

Presented in two musical arrangements, the hymn is performed in six languages, with a chorus sung in Latin.

The lyrics "You are the light of the world; light one another's path," are followed by the repeated response, "Thy will be done," sung in the different languages.

The first version, performed by a symphony orchestra, blends traditional Korean melodies featuring the Gayageum instruments , Haegeum , Sogeum . The second adopts a contemporary K-pop-inspired style, incorporating elements of pungmul music with the taepyeongso alongside traditional percussion instruments including the janggu , the buk , the jing , and the kkwaenggwari .

Accompanied by WYD volunteers, the music video follows the path of Korea's Catholic martyrs through some of the country's most significant places of witness: the Seosomun Martyrs' Shrine, the Saenamteo Shrine, and the site of the torture of St. Andrew Kim Taegon , the first Korean priest and martyr, who is one of the patron saints of Seoul WYD 2027. The video also features Gahoe-dong Church, where the first Mass was celebrated in 1795 , and Yakhyeon Church, the first Western-style Catholic church in the capital.
It also showcases panoramic views of Gwanghwamun, Bukchon Hanok Village, with its traditional Korean houses along the Han River.

The "long march" of World Youth Day

During the Holy Year of the Redemption in 1984, Pope John Paul II invited young people to Rome for "their" Jubilee. Then in 1985, during what the UN had proclaimed "International Youth Year," hundreds of thousands of young people again gathered around the Pope on Palm Sunday . These two events gave rise to World Youth Day, which thereafter was celebrated annually at the diocesan level, usually on Palm Sunday.

The international editions have generally been held every two or three years: Rome , Buenos Aires , Santiago de Compostela , Częstochowa , Denver , Manila , which drew a record five million participants, Paris , Rome , Toronto , Cologne , Sydney , Madrid , Rio de Janeiro , Kraków , Panama , and Lisbon . These were followed by the great Jubilee of Youth gathering held in Rome in 2025.

World Youth Day returns to Asia

The choice of a host country for World Youth Day is the result of consultations involving Vatican dicasteries, the interested episcopal Conferences, and the bishops of the candidate diocese.

Addressing young people in Manila on January 15, 1995, during what remains the only previous World Youth Day held in Asia, John Paul II declared: "In the first millennium the Cross was planted in Europe; in the second, in America and Africa; we can pray that in the third Christian millennium there will be a great harvest of faith in Asia."
On that same occasion, through Radio Veritas, the Pope also sent a message of reconciliation to Chinese Catholics.
A group of young Chinese Catholics took part in the Manila gathering alongside their peers from around the world.

The context surrounding the upcoming Asian World Youth Day differs significantly from that of Manila in 1995. South Korea does not face the widespread urban poverty or mass emigration that characterized many parts of Asia at the time. At the same time, Catholics remain a minority within Korean society.
"And now, dear young people of Korea, it is your turn! By carrying the Cross to Asia, you will proclaim Christ's love to everyone. Be courageous!" Pope Francis told Korean youth during the traditional handover of the World Youth Day Cross and the copy of the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani .

The Hymns of World Youth Day

Traditionally inspired by each World Youth Day's biblical theme, the official hymns are translated into several languages and intended to be sung by young people across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Throughout the history of World Youth Day, several have achieved widespread popularity.

"The path of truth" was the central theme of "Somos los jóvenes del 2000," the hymn composed for Santiago de Compostela 1989, inspired by the pilgrimage tradition and the figure of St. James. It was followed by "Tell the World of His Love," written for Manila 1995, then "Master and Lord, You have come among us" for Paris 1997. Perhaps the most widely known World Youth Day hymn is "Jesus Christ, you are my life," composed by Maestro Marco Frisina for the Jubilee Year 2000 World Youth Day.

AFRICA/SUDAN - Drone warfare and humanitarian crisis deepen alarm in Darfur and Kordofan

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:10:26 +0200

El Obeid – El Obeid continues to be one of the main hotbeds of Sudan's conflict. The city continues to come under repeated drone attacks, while residents face severe water shortages, frequent power outages, food insecurity and an increasing risk of sexual violence, particularly for women forced to travel long distances to collect water. These challenges are compounded by the growing threat of famine in Darfur, driven by drought, soaring prices for basic necessities, the deep-rooted shortage of funds for humanitarian assistance and the role of the conflict in fueling the illicit trade in gold and gum arabic. According to the United Nations, drone strikes killed more than 1,000 civilians during the first five months of 2026.

On Sunday, August 2, the Sudanese Armed Forces carried out a drone strike on a traditional court in the village of Garra al-Zawaya, in North Darfur, according to a human rights organization. The attack reportedly killed 35 people, wounded numerous civilians and damaged the building housing the court, a customary institution responsible for settling local and tribal disputes. The village is currently under the control of the Rapid Support Forces .

Garra al-Zawaya is located near the town of Kabkabiya in North Darfur, about 150 kilometers west of El Fasher, the last remaining stronghold of the Sudanese army in Darfur, which came under intense pressure following the RSF's bloody offensive in October last year . After capturing the city, the RSF—formed from the Janjaweed militias accused of atrocities in Darfur in the early 2000s—consolidated their control over much of the region. Since then, both sides have intensified their use of drones, making them one of the conflict's principal weapons.

Last week, after losing control of a key highway linking Khartoum to El Obeid, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo released a video message urging his fighters to intensify military operations. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that any further RSF advance toward El Obeid and across the Kordofan region could trigger new large-scale massacres.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Church attacked during Sunday Mass, two people still held by kidnappers

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:59:19 +0200

Abuja – St. Joseph's Church in Inoyi, Affa, in Udi district of Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria, was attacked during Sunday Mass on August 2. At least seven armed men stormed the church at around 8:30 a.m., interrupting the liturgical celebration.
The attackers abducted at least three people—a seminarian, a catechist and a parishioner—before fleeing into a nearby forest.
The assault, which took place as heavy rain lashed the area, threw the local community into panic, with terrified worshippers fleeing the church in search of safety.
Some parishioners tried to chase the attackers but abandoned the effort after realizing the assailants were heavily armed and in no way wanted to endanger the lives of the hostages.
Police launched a search operation which, according to authorities, enabled one of the abductees to escape and return home. The escaped hostage was the catechist, while the seminarian, identified as Lawrence Chidera Igbo, and the lay faithful, identified only by his first name, Emmanuel, remain in the hands of their kidnappers.

ASIA/INDIA - Resignation of bishop of Dindigul

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:53:24 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Dindigul, India, presented by Bishop Thomas Paulsamy.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Priest killed in roadside ambush

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:50:39 +0200

Abuja – A Catholic priest was killed in a roadside ambush in Nigeria. Father Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro was attacked with a machete on Church Road in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, in central Nigeria.
The Diocese of Lokoja announced the priest's killing in a statement released by the diocesan curia on July 29."It is with deep sorrow, yet in the hope of the Resurrection, that the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja announces the passing of our beloved priest, Father Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, who died on Wednesday, July 29, 2026," the diocesan statement reads.
A police spokesperson said: "On July 29, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., the police received a report of the body of an unidentified man lying by the roadside along Church Road in Ajaokuta.
"Officers immediately rushed to the scene and found that the deceased had sustained severe machete wounds to the head. The body was taken to ASCL Hospital, where a doctor confirmed his death, and was subsequently transferred to the mortuary for an autopsy."
The deceased was later identified as Father Samuel Opeyemi of St. Paul's Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State.
The Diocese has called on priests, religious and lay faithful to remember the murdered priest in their prayers and at Masses, while also praying for his family and for the Diocese during this time of mourning.
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo described the killing of the priest as "a heinous and unacceptable act."

ASIA/BANGLADESH - The Church's Mission among Khulna's Dalits. Bishop Boiragi: "In Christ they rediscover the dignity of children of God"

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:40:40 +0200

Khulna – Accompanying Dalit communities on their journey of human development and faith by providing education, social support and proclaiming the Gospel as an experience of liberation. This is one of the distinctive missions of the Catholic community in the Diocese of Khulna, in southwestern Bangladesh, where the majority of Catholics come from Dalit communities—the "untouchables," traditionally marginalized within Bengali society.
"In our pastoral ministry among the Dalits, we focus primarily on human development projects and on helping them educate their children. We support them in finding employment, sustaining their families and addressing their everyday needs. Caritas is also deeply committed to serving these communities," Bishop James Romen Boiragi of Khulna told Fides.
The Church's commitment, however, extends beyond social development. "These aspects are important, but above all we devote ourselves to catechesis and educational support," the Bishop said. "There are around 37,000 Catholics in my diocese, and the majority come from Dalit communities."

The presence of Dalits in Bangladesh is a little-known historical reality. It is estimated that between three and five million people in the country belong to Dalit communities, descendants of groups historically relegated to the margins of South Asia's caste system. Although Bangladesh today is a largelyMuslim nation, , its social structure has inherited and maintained deeply rooted hierarchical patterns and practices of untouchability from its Hindu past.
Many Dalits continue to perform occupations traditionally regarded as "impure," such as street sweeping, sewer cleaning, waste collection and other low-paid manual labor. Although Bangladesh's Constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination, Dalits continue to experience social exclusion, limited access to education, difficulty accessing the labor market and inadequate housing conditions.
The Khulna region, a major urban and industrial hub in the country's southwest, is home to a large Dalit population—estimated at around 500,000 people—linked to specifici historical, economic and geographical factors. Many Dalit families live in peripheral neighborhoods, slums and informal settlements under precarious conditions. The Diocese of Khulna, established in 1952 and now part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Dhaka, covers eight districts in southwestern Bangladesh. Through its parishes, Catholic schools, Caritas programs and numerous pastoral initiatives, the Church has accompanied Dalit communities for decades, promoting education, vocational training and social integration.

According to Bishop Boiragi, the caste system in Bangladesh is not as rigid today as it is in other parts of South Asia, yet its consequences remain evident. "Some people from the Hindu community are still affected by it, as are the Dalits. In society at large, among both Muslims and Hindus, this problem still exists," he said.
For many Dalits, conversion to Christianity also represents a path toward human and social redemption: "When members of the Dalit community convert to Christianity," the Bishop explained, "they are treated with greater respect, whereas they are normally discriminated against. Conversion also becomes a way of improving their living conditions." The ecclesial community seeks to ensure that this transformation leads to full integration. "We try to help them become fully integrated into society, also thanks to the good relationships we maintain with other religious communities. At the same time, we encourage our faithful to welcome them as brothers and sisters," he noted.
For Dalits, Bishop Boiragi stressed, encountering the Gospel also means rediscovering their dignity. "To embrace Christ's message is to rediscover the dignity of being children of God. It is an experience of liberation from the yoke of oppression and marginalization. It is also a concrete way of improving one's life, because it often opens access to education, personal growth and development opportunities that create new possibilities."
In the Diocese of Khulna, the Church's mission continues to unite evangelization and human promotion, in the conviction that proclaiming the Gospel restores hope to the most vulnerable and contributes to building a more just and inclusive society.

ANGELUS - Pope Leo XIV: When we are with Christ, “our needs are abundantly met”

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 20:17:58 +0200

Vatican City – The encounter with the Lord is “a nourishing experience.” And when we are with Him, the “bread of life,” “our needs are abundantly met.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV highlighted key features of the Christian experience in the brief reflection he delivered from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace before reciting the Angelus prayer with Romans and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

The Bishop of Rome drew inspiration from the the Gospel according to Matthew read during Sunday’s liturgy, recounting the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, through which Jesus fed the crowd that had followed Him.

“By restoring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf,” Pope Prevost explained, “Christ is doing more than merely performing miraculous deeds; he is proclaiming to all that the Kingdom of God is near.” Today’s Gospel, he continued, “bears witness that Jesus not only restores the senses of those who lack them, but that he also fills our senses with good things. To the deaf man, who regains his hearing, the Lord proclaims the Good News to be heard; to the blind man, who regains his sight, he shows the magnificent work of redemption being accomplished for him. Similarly, Jesus gives food to those who are hungry.”

The Gospel of Matthew recounts that, following the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, “they all ate and were filled," and there were “twelve baskets full” of bread left over. Christ, the Pope said, “truly satisfies humanity’s hunger, our hunger for truth and life. At the same time, His gesture teaches us that nothing is discarded when it is shared. Hoarding and waste, on the contrary, are two sides of the same evil: greed.”
This spiritual sickness, the Successor of Peter continued, “numbs the senses” which “become intoxicated with wealth, to the point of making people forget those who weep from hunger and cry out from thirst. And so, in the face of an opulence that reeks of decay, we find the outstretched hands of those who have no nourishment, the burned homes of those who have no peace.”

In the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, “the miracle of charity,” the Pope said in the concluding part of his reflection, “we recognize the characteristic actions of Jesus, which find their culmination in the Last Supper, for it was then that the Son of God gave us his very life as our brother in humanity.” As we “savor the grace of the Eucharist,” Pope Prevost urged, “let us commit ourselves to bearing witness to its beauty in our daily actions, beginning with blessing meals at the table with family and friends.”

After the Angelus prayer, speaking in Spanish, Leo XIV said he was following “with concern the alarming situation in Ceuta,” praying to God that, through the intercession of Our Lady of Africa, “solutions may be found to bring peace, stability and justice.”
He then renewed his appeal to “continue to prayfor peace, so that wars may cease throughout the world and diplomatic solutions to conflicts may be found.” “Let us remember,” the Pontiff added, “all the victims of hostilities, especially the weakest and most defenseless: children, the elderly and the sick. May the Lord comfort those who suffer and bless the work of those who bring aid and consolation.”

TRINITARIANS IN MADAGASCAR/4 - One Hundred Years of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives. Bishop Berardi’s pilgrimage to the roots of his vocation

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0200

by Antonella Prenna

Cerfroid – From his first encounter with Spanish missionaries to leading the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi reflects on a journey shaped by memory, faith and mission. As the Order of the Most Holy Trinity marks the centenary of its presence in on the island, Bishop Aldo Berardi back on the path that, forty years ago, led him to embrace the Trinitarian religious family.

Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, a jurisdiction that includes Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is preparing to travel to Madagascar to take part in celebrations marking the centenary of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity's presence on the island, an anniversary that brings him back to the roots of his religious vocation.

The bishop is currently in Cerfroid, France, the historic cradle of the Trinitarian Order and home to its motherhouse. He stopped there after celebrating the 35th anniversary of his priestly ordination on July 26 at Saint Martin Church in Ars-sur-Moselle .

In an interview with Fides, Bishop Berardi retraced the stages of his vocational journey, which began with his encounter with the Trinitarian charism and the witness of the Order's first missionaries.

"The centenary of the Trinitarians' presence in Madagascar has a very special meaning for me. I am returning after forty years. Until now I had never managed to go back because something always stood in the way. During the Covid pandemic I was responsible for formation and had planned to visit our houses of formation, but we were stranded in Rome. Just when it finally seemed possible to travel, I was appointed bishop. This journey is a return to the roots of my vocation. As a diocesan seminarian, still searching for my path, it was in Madagascar that I found my religious family. I return as a pilgrim: we will celebrate together with the community before I travel to the Tsiroanomandidy area, where I lived for two years. It was a Malagasy bishop who ordained me to the priesthood."

What first attracted him, he recalls, was the simplicity and spirituality of the Order, combining monastic life with apostolic commitment. "I was also deeply impressed by the dedication, courage and sacrifices of the first missionaries, who left knowing they would most likely never return to their homeland."

The bishop's life has been a continuous journey across continents and cultures. "My vocation was born in France, in the Metz region, where I grew up, attended school and began my vocational journey in the minor and major seminaries. Then came Madagascar, where I discovered my religious family; then Rome for my studies, and finally Montreal, where I spent three years at the major seminary."

Berardi entered the seminary in France at the age of sixteen. After studying at the minor seminary and later at the major seminary in Villiers-lès-Nancy for the Diocese of Metz, he chose to spend two years to civil service as an alternative to military service. It was during that period that he was sent to Madagascar, where he met Spanish Trinitarians engaged in the missions of the Diocese of Tsiroanomandidy. That experience led him to make the definitive decision to join the Order of the Most Holy Trinity.

Today, the Trinitarians play a leading role in the life of the Church in four dioceses of Madagascar—Miarinarivo, Tsiroanomandidy, Ambatondrazaka and Maintirano—where their missionary commitment continues to contribute to the growth of ecclesial communities.

TRINITARIANS IN MADAGASCAR/3 - One hundred years of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives: Apostolic ‘tours’, catechists and the construction of facilities at the service of the Gospel

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:29:07 +0200

by Antonella Prenna

Moramanga – After withdrawing from the Benadir Mission in what was then Somalia, the Trinitarians continued their redemptive mission on the island of Madagascar, where they sent their first five pioneers, two of whom had previously served in Somalia. "The first missionaries of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives left for Somalia in 1907, but were forced to leave in 1924 because of pressure from the authorities," Father Luigi Buccarello, O.SS.T., Minister General of the Order, told Fides.

On June 4, 1926, after receiving the missionary blessing and the Crucifix at the Basilica of San Tommaso in Formis in Rome, the five Trinitarian pioneers departed together with the Minister General, Father Saverio dell'Immacolata. They landed at the port of Tamatave, Madagascar, on August 2. According to Father Daudet Maximilien, General Councilor of the Order, they reached Antananarivo by train on August 7, where they spent about a month to familiarize themselves with the Malagasy and French languages before settling in Miarinarivo, about 100 kilometres west of the capital, the mission territory entrusted to them.

From the outset, the missionaries devoted themselves to studying the local reality in order to identify the most appropriate pastoral strategies and respond to the needs of evangelization. Their work developed along three main areas.

The first consisted of apostolic tours—systematic visits to villages—which occupied much of their time because of the vastness of the territory and the dispersion of the Christian communities. The second focused on the formation of pastoral workers, especially catechists, through the establishment of a Catechetical Formation Centre providing both initial training and ongoing formation. The third area involved the construction of churches and other facilities essential to evangelization, such as schools and multipurpose halls, as well as the restoration of church buildings that had fallen into disrepair.

The Trinitarian missionaries' presence in Madagascar has been marked by a constant commitment to evangelization carried out with respect for local cultures and traditions. Despite many difficulties and hardships, their work has contributed to the pastoral, educational and social development of Christian communities.

One of the mission's principal objectives was the creation of autonomous local Churches.
In 1939, Pope Pius XII erected the Apostolic Vicariate of Miarinarivo, the first territory in Africa entrusted to the Trinitarians.

Later, at the proposal of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith—today the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches—the missionaries expanded their work to the Melaky region. On January 13, 1949, Pope Pius XII elevated the mission of Tsiroanomandidy to an Apostolic Prefecture, and on April 9, 1959, Pope John XXIII established it as a diocese, appointing Father Ángel Martínez as its first bishop. The Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith also entrusted the Trinitarian Missionaries with the new mission in the Ambatondrazaka region, where the Italian missionaries were assigned. On May 21, 1959, Pope John XXIII erected the Diocese of Ambatondrazaka and appointed Father Francesco Vollaro as its first bishop.

Over the years, the Trinitarians' presence has fostered the birth of new Christian communities, an increase in the number of baptized and the strengthening of the Church throughout the region. Since the 1990s, the number of local vocations has grown significantly, leading to the opening of new formation houses.

Today, the Trinitarians are present in twelve of Madagascar's twenty-two dioceses and also serve in two dioceses in Italy. The Trinitarian Province of Madagascar includes numerous religious, priests, students and novices serving both in Malagasy dioceses and in other Trinitarian communities around the world. The mission has also borne the significant fruit of five Trinitarian bishops: Giuseppe Di Donna, Ángel Martínez, Francesco Vollaro, Antonio Scopelliti and Gustavo Bombin.

After one hundred years of presence, the small seed of the Trinitarian mission in Madagascar has grown into a vibrant reality for both the Church and the Order, called to continue its service as a sign of hope, liberation and mercy.

ASIA/INDIA - Jesuit Prakash: "Young people are awakening the country's democratic conscience"

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:08:30 +0200

Ahmedabad – The large-scale student protests that have swept across India in recent weeks—organized by the newly formed Cockroach Janta Party , the "People's Cockroach Party"—are far more than a demonstration against the management of the country's education system, but "reflect the younger generation's desire to make its voice heard and to defend democracy, the Constitution and pluralism," says Indian Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash, director of the Prashant Human Rights Centre in Ahmedabad, in an analysis sent to Fides.

According to the Jesuit, the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanded by student movements and arrived after weeks of demonstrations, represents an initial sign of political responsibility. Yet, Father Prakash argues, the most significant aspect of the protests lies in the character of the movement itself. "Young people have made it clear that they will not allow xenophobia, sectarianism or any form of fanaticism to shape their ideals or extinguish their hopes," he says. Students from different religious communities, social groups and backgrounds chose to present themselves above all as "Indian citizens," united by their shared commitment to the Constitution. "No one succeeded in dividing them or setting them against one another," the Jesuit observes.
The protests emerged spontaneously, spreading from major cities to small towns and villages. "This was not an organized or paid mobilization," Father Prakash stresses. "It was the response of a generation outraged by the deterioration of the education system, by corruption, and by the tragedy of the 21 students who took their own lives following the NEET national examination paper leak scandal."

The students also received broad support from civil society organizations and Christian groups. Recalling the thousands of students who marched peacefully through the streets singing and demonstrating, Frather Prakash observes that "they walked together for change." As academic Pratap Bhanu Mehta pointed out, the younger generation has shown that those in power can be held accountable for their decisions. "For the first time in years, the government has been forced to accept political responsibility," Father Prakash notes, arguing that civic participation can still have a tangible impact on the country's democratic life.
Among the symbolic episodes of the demonstrations, the Jesuit highlights the image of Rhiya Ahir, a young woman who stood in front of a police van in Mumbai demanding the release of students detained during a protest. Following a tense exchange with officers, the students were freed, and images of the incident quickly went viral on social media. Young protesters also relied on social platforms to document events and challenge what they regarded as distorted narratives, while mainstream media—particularly during the early stages—ignored the phenomenon.
According to Father Prakash, this too represents a sign of the ongoing change in the relationship between citizens and the media.

Another important outcome of the mobilization, the Jesuit continues, concerns the recovery of democratic space for dissent. The demonstrations, culminating in a march toward Parliament and, in several cases repressed by law enforcement, have reopened the debate over the constitutional right to peaceful protest and dissent, "which are the very essence of democracy."
The student movement reflects a growing demand for honesty and responsibility in public life. "Young people are no longer willing to passively accept corruption," Father Prakash says. "They are calling for transparency, accountability and credible institutions."
This, the Jesuit concludes, is the most significant legacy of the protests: "A generation has awakened in India, determined to take part in public life by demanding rights, justice and respect for the democratic principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution."

12 theatre Companies at the XXXIV Slovak Christian Theatre Festival inspired by Saint Francis

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:01:27 +0200

by Bohumil Petrík

Bratislava – Three bishops inaugurated the XXXIV edition of the Gorazdov Močenok 2026 National Christian Theatre Festival.
The event is renewed every year with the aim of expressing, through theatrical art, a Christian vision of the world. This year’s subtitle is a quotation attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
The Festival opened with a Mass celebrated on July 27, the liturgical memorial of Saint Gorazd, the saint after whom the event is named. A missionary saint and disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Gorazd accompanied them when they arrived in Great Moravia in the 9th century and helped bring an alphabet for the Old Slavonic language to the local population.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Auxiliary Bishop of Bratislava Jozef Haľko and concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop of Nitra, Peter Beňo, and Bishop Emeritus of the Military Ordinariate, František Rábek.
In his homily, Bishop Haľko drew the attention of the faithful to the figure of Saint Gorazd and to the importance of proclaiming the Word of God through every possible means, including the language of art and theatre.
The bishops later took part in a discussion presenting the figure and legacy of Saint Gorazd.
The highlight of the Festival will take place on Saturday, August 1, with the announcement of the winning. In addition to performances open to the public by 12 amateur theatre companies, the program also includes opportunities to participate in Eucharistic celebrations, go on pilgrimage, visit an exhibition, and attend performances by choirs from nearby villages.
The Festival was founded in 1993 in the village of Močenok, near Nitra, home to the oldest Slavic diocese, dating back to 880. It is believed that Saints Cyril and Methodius may have had a residence in Nitra itself.
In addition to the 12 theater companies, with about 200 actors and creators, 160 singers from various gospel and other groups - the organizers explain to Fides –
the Festival also welcomed dozens of special guests from ecclesial and cultural institutions, including priests from the Saint Gorazd Seminary in Nitra.
The event is regularly attended by hundreds—and at times thousands—of spectators from the region.
The final performance of the Festival will be dedicated to Don Quixote.

XV CONAJUM: Archbishop Nwachukwu to 6,000 Mexican young people: “Your heart is made to sail the open sea, not to remain closed in an aquarium”

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:51:15 +0200

San Luis Potosí – “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. This call is for you. The mission is not small. It is not comfortable. It is not safe. It is universal. Wherever you are—in schools, universities, neighborhoods, families, and even in digital spaces—you are called to cast the net of the Gospel into the vast sea of humanity.”
With these words, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization , addressed more than six thousand young people who travelled to San Luis Potosí from dioceses throughout Mexico to celebrate the 15th National Missionary Youth Congress .

From July 23 to 26, the Archdiocese of San Luis Potosí became the center of missionary animation for Mexican youth. Under the theme “With Mary, Virgin of Expectation, Young People Bearers of Hope Through Mission!”, the Congress—organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies of Mexico, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of San Luis Potosí—was an ecclesial experience of communion, formation, and prayer. It showed a new generation the beauty of being transformed by the joy of the Gospel and of witnessing to Christ’s salvation, experienced personally in their own lives.

Held in the context of the centenary of World Mission Day and the 75th anniversary of the Mexican Missionary Youth League, the 15th CONAJUM offered an opportunity to contemplate the continuity of the Church’s evangelizing mission and to look with hope toward the future. In this context, young people rediscovered that the missionary vocation is not reserved for specific groups within the Church, but springs from the gifts of grace received through Baptism.
“From the moment of your Baptism, you have been sent. You have been entrusted with a mission: to make Christ known, to love him, and to follow him,” Archbishop Nwachukwu said. Referring to the Gospel passages in which Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee and calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to become “fishers of men,” the Archbishop continued:
“These men were accustomed to casting their nets in familiar waters. Yet Jesus invites them to something much greater: the vast and unpredictable sea of humanity. You are not sent into an ‘aquarium’—a small, safe, predictable, and controlled space—but into the open sea: vast, deep, and sometimes stormy.”

In his address, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization also highlighted three essential qualities of the missionary: detachment, understood as the ability to leave behind everything that prevents a person from fully following Christ; encounter, which places people before ideas; and acceptance of the Cross. Mission, he explained, necessarily involves sacrifice. Results are often not immediate, yet missionaries are called to remain faithful—even in suffering and even when they do not see visible fruits.
“The sea of humanity is vast. The world needs missionaries. The Church needs you. And Christ calls you. Do not be afraid to set out into the deep. Do not be afraid to give your life. Do not be afraid to trust in God,” Archbishop Nwachukwu concluded, asking the young people: “For this reason, I ask you from the depths of my heart: Are you willing to sacrifice something in your life in order to bring the face of Christ to others?”

Antonio de Jesus Mascorro Tristán, MG, National Director of the Mexican Pontifical Mission Societies, recalled that these congresses are part of a process begun in 1982 and represent an ongoing journey of missionary formation. The program was carefully designed to offer an integral experience combining doctrinal formation, spirituality, liturgical celebration, sharing, and mission.
During the four-day event, participants took part in conferences, round tables, testimonies, Eucharistic celebrations, the Missionary Rosary, the Vocational Expo, and various moments of prayer and encounter.
One of the main innovations of the 15th CONAJUM was the introduction of a specific space dedicated to digital evangelization. The panel of Digital Missionaries, accompanied by a conference by Father José Juan Montalvo on evangelization in the “sixth continent,” brought together twelve Catholic content creators who shared their experiences, challenges, and opportunities for proclaiming the Gospel through social networks.

The XV National Missionary Youth Congress concluded with the Missionary March and the closing Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico, Archbishop Joseph Spiteri, who conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s closeness and blessing to the participants.
However, the true conclusion of the Congress was not marked by a farewell, but by a sending forth. As the National Director of the Mexican Pontifical Mission Societies recalled in his message, no one had been called merely to attend an event, but rather to become an authentic missionary disciple who returns to his or her own community, willing to share the joy of the Gospel.

Link correlati :ADDRESS by Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu

AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Attack on the ancient monastery of Saint Arsema: “Buildings may be destroyed and lives broken, but our faith in Christ remains”

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:35:53 +0200

Addis Ababa – The ancient monastery of Saint Arsema, in South Wollo, in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, was severely damaged in a drone attack on July 22, 2026. Numerous casualties were reported among monks, priests, nuns, and faithful of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church who were at the monastery to participate in the liturgy.

According to several local sources, two nuns and six priests and religious members lost their lives. Numerous civilians and worshippers present at the site were also injured.

For many Ethiopian Christians, this tragedy represents far more than the loss of human lives: it has shaken the sense of security associated with places that have always been considered sacred. “Our churches and monasteries have always been places where people come to seek God, pray, and find peace,” an Ethiopian pastor said, describing the climate of fear that has spread among Christian communities.
“When a place of worship becomes a place of death, the faithful begin to ask themselves where they can gather safely,” reads a statement released on social media. “Whether the target was armed fighters or not, those who lost their lives were worshippers, priests, and nuns. Families have lost their loved ones and the Church is mourning. Innocent people should never pay the price of war.”

The attack occurred in the context of the ongoing conflict between Ethiopian government forces and fighters from the Fano militia in the Amhara region. The government has claimed that the militia members were using the monastery as a shelter.

The pastor quoted on social media statements explained that the incident has intensified fears among many faithful about attending religious celebrations, especially in areas affected by the conflict.
“Many people are living in fear and are afraid to gather for worship,” he said. “Parents are asking themselves whether it is still safe to bring their children to church, because they fear that what happened at Arsema monastery could happen elsewhere. This is a fear we never wanted to see among our people. We spend our days comforting those who ask why all this has happened. We do not always have answers, but we point them toward Christ.”

Despite the tragedy, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church continues to bear witness to its faith and calls on Christians around the world to support it during this time of trial.

“Our hope has not disappeared,” said another member of the Ethiopian Orthodox community. “Buildings can be destroyed and lives can be broken, but our faith in Christ remains. We continue to pray for peace, justice, and reconciliation in our country, and we pray not only for the families of the victims but also for peace in Ethiopia.”

ASIA - “Choral compassion” to stop migrant tragedies in the “Mediterranean of Asia”

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:19:11 +0200

Jakarta – Forced migration and human trafficking, two deeply interconnected phenomena, are among the most serious crises affecting the Asian continent. In the face of the ongoing maritime tragedies in the Bay of Bengal, Catholic communities in South and Southeast Asia—particularly in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia—are called to a “choral compassion” aimed at creating networks of welcome and humanitarian corridors to protect migrants from human traffickers.
Father Ignatius Ismartono, an Indonesian Jesuit active in Jakarta in the fight against human trafficking with the organization ‘Sahabat Insan’ , shared these reflections in an interview with Fides. The Jesuit renews the appeal to compassion expressed by bishops at the recent Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences , recalling the tragedies unfolding in what has been described as the “Mediterranean of Asia.”
The term refers to the maritime area stretching from the northern part of the Bay of Bengal to the Indonesian province of Aceh, located at the northern tip of the island of Sumatra.

The Rohingya emergency

The latest episode that has provoked outrage and concern involves the Rohingya people, who continue to travel along one of the deadliest maritime migration routes in the world. Two boats carrying more than 500 people capsized off the coast of Myanmar in recent weeks.
“According to preliminary information,stated a joint communiqué from the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Refugee Agency , “the two boats departed from Myanmar’s Rakhine State at the end of June, carrying mainly Rohingya passengers. Among them were people from the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. One of the boats, believed to have been carrying around 250 people, sank shortly after departure. The second, with approximately 280 people on board, capsized on July 8 off the coast of Ayeyarwady, Myanmar.”
For Father Ismartono, “this is one of the most serious maritime disasters involving refugees in recent years. International agencies have urged governments in the region to strengthen search-and-rescue operations and to uphold their international obligations to protect those fleeing violence and persecution. They have also called for greater international cooperation to address the root causes of forced displacement and to create safe pathways for refugees.”
The Jesuit notes: “As the bishops of Asia have emphasized, this tragedy echoes the appeals of Pope Leo XIII to defend the dignity of every human person, especially migrants and refugees forced to leave their homes in search of safety.”

A transnational ecclesial action

The Jesuit shares the proposal of Bishop Socrates Mesiona, Bishop of Puerto Princesa and president of the Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, who highlighted “the urgency of ecclesial action at a transnational level.”
Forced migration in South Asia, the bishop said, “can no longer be treated by governments simply as a social burden or a legal problem.”
Father Ismartono adds that Catholic communities in Southeast Asian countries “feel called to participate in the mission of safeguarding the dignity of every person. They are called to make themselves available wherever the State fails or is unable to reach, promoting appropriate forms of pastoral outreach and reception.”
According to United Nations data, in 2026 alone more than 5,400 Rohingya have attempted dangerous journeys by sea. Humanitarian agencies describe the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea as among the world’s most dangerous migration routes. In 2025, more than 6,500 Rohingya fled by sea, with nearly 900 reported dead or missing.
The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority from Myanmar, have endured decades of discrimination, forced displacement, violence and denial of citizenship, leaving many stateless. Many remain confined to Rakhine State, while around 1.2 million continue to live in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
In this context, limited opportunities for education, employment and resettlement push many to undertake dangerous sea crossings. On one side, violence and conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State; on the other, declining humanitarian assistance and worsening living conditions in Bangladesh’s refugee camps continue to drive thousands of families into the hands of human traffickers, who organize sea journeys that frequently end in tragedy.

The field commitment of “Sahabat Insan”

Father Ismartono views the phenomenon from the privileged and practical perspective of “Sahabat Insan,” an organization officially recognized both by the Indonesian state and by the Catholic Church. This commitment, he explains, is “deeply rooted in Ignatian spirituality and in the principles of Catholic social dcotrine, and is founded on the protection of human dignity.”
The people assisted, he recalls, “are not considered mere numbers or statistical cases, but human beings endowed with an intrinsic and inviolable dignity—people in whom the face of Christ is revealed.”
“Sahabat Insan” operates according to the principles of compassion and proximity, opening itself to cooperation with networks of other faith in order to combat the global scourge of human trafficking, which is deeply rooted in the Bay of Bengal region.
“Southeast Asia, with its many nations,” the Jesuit explains, “is severely affected by illegal labor recruitment and human trafficking.” For this reason, the organization provides protection and direct assistance to victims, establishing systems of reception and offering psychological, legal and healthcare support to Indonesian migrant workers and those from neighboring countries who have fallen into the hands of traffickers. It also runs social reintegration programs to help survivors safely rebuild their lives within the local social and economic fabric.
“Prevention and awareness are extremely important,” he notes. “That is why we promote educational campaigns and seminars to inform communities and potential migrants about the dangers posed by traffickers, who often exploit poverty and lack of education by falsifying documents with the complicity of corrupt officials.”
In the effort to combat a phenomenon involving multiple actors—including governments, security forces and civil society—cooperation with other organizations, such as the Catholic sisters’ network Talitha Kum and the Jesuit Refugee Service, is essential to monitor migration flows and facilitate safe returns.
“Since trafficking is a transnational crime without borders,” he observes, “the response of the Church and civil society must be equally coordinated and global. For this reason, we are fully integrated into the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific .”
Building on this cooperation, the effort extends beyond the boundaries of the Catholic Church to engage institutions and governments within the ASEAN region .
“To parliamentarians of ASEAN countries,” he states, “we ask that the prevention of human trafficking be included directly in national school curricula, in cooperation with secular NGOs and the whole of civil society.”

The Manual of Latin American Ecclesial Communities to address the addiction crisis: A story of Communion

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:56:54 +0200

by Monica Poletto

Bogotá – The meeting is scheduled for the end of August in Rome. For two days, a group of men and women from across Latin America who contributed to the development and drafting of the “Manual” will gather for an intensive working session. The visit will conclude with an audience with Pope Leo X, to whom a copy of the manual will be presented along with an account of the communities' significant involvement in its creation.

The "Manual" in Spanish entitled "Manual de Adicciones" , was promoted and developed at the initiative of an office of the Latin American Episcopal Council , specifically the one dedicated to Latin American Pastoral Care for the Accompaniment and Prevention of Addictions .

The Manual is intended as a practical resource of universal value, offered to all institutions, organizations and groups engaged in the direct care and accompaniment of people living with addiction. At the same time, it is the fruit and testimony of a new ecclesial reality—dynamic and fruitful—that has been growing spontaneously across Latin America for nearly twenty years around initiatives of welcoming and fraternal accompaniment for vulnerable people, especially in the working-class neighborhoods of cities.

On June 25, the eve of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, the Manual was officially presented at CELAM's headquarters in Bogotá. On that occasion, the work was presented by Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and by Father Charly Olivero, coordinator of PLAPA.

Father Charly, a priest from Buenos Aires, explains in an interview with Fides News Agency the origin and purpose of the Manual, conceived primarily as a pastoral, theological, and methodological aid for communities to accompany people struggling with substance abuse.

Overcoming "reductionism"

The Manual, Father Charly explains, also arose from the desire of Christian communities throughout Latin America to confront together the serious problem of the spread of drugs, supporting one another with a shared perspective and path.
A previous manuel, entitled “Church, Drugs and Drug Addiction,” published in 2001 during the pontificate of Saint John Paul II, was for a long time a reference text and a valuable resource. However, it was now necessary to update it, taking into account scientific advances and the pastoral responses developed over the years.
From various regions came the call for a new tool that would take into account the cultural characteristics of each country while never losing sight of the structural causes of the widespread growth of addiction.
During his many years of fieldwork in the slums and working-class neighborhoods of Argentina, Father Charly had experienced the importance of looking at and embracing the whole person: without this perspective, no technique based on a partial view can be truly effective. From there, he began a dialogue with the many people in different communities who share, day after day, the lives of those marked by addiction.
More than three hundred people eventually became involved in PLAPA, forming the extensive network that made the preparation of the Manual possible.

"This tool," the Argentine priest emphasizes, "helps us minimize what we call reductionisms, which prevents us from walking together. When we limit our view to our own way of doing things, to our own perspective, and do not open it up to the totality of reality, we limit our ability to understand its complexity. Thanks to everyone's contribution, this manual has attempted to embrace this complexity."

The process that guided the collaborative drafting of the Manual recalls one of the key principles reaffirmed by Pope Francis in the apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium”: reality is greater than the idea. It is not about confronting ideas, but rather lived experiences.
As Frather Charly explains, the Manual is structured according to the three-step pastoral and social methodology—see, judge, and act—historically adopted by the Churches of Latin America and later codified by Saint John XXIII in the encyclical “Mater et Magistra.”

"The first stage, ‘seeing’," Father Charly explains, "consists of analyzing the situation. The ‘judging’ stage begins with the questions that arise in the heart of a person who wants to answer them from a specific place: a parish, a diocese, a school, the street. From the encounter with that reality, questions begin to emerge, which, in turn, open up new questions." We have chosen the scholastic method to structure this section: examining the questions, the answers, and the possible objections, always with the intention of broadening our perspective to encompass the complexity of reality."
He adds: "There are many hypotheses, approaches, and objections concerning the issue of drugs. We analyze them to begin a process of discernment. We want our perspective to be comprehensive, not abstract, and to take into account all the factors of reality. The manual originates from specific places, from our own territories. We have been touched by a reality that, in different ways, has shaped our lives."

The trap of abstractions

Reflecting on the origins of the work, Father Charly explains that everything began in 2018, when the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development convened a meeting in which he participated as a representative of the Familia Grande Hogar de Cristo.
"Representatives from the U.S. State Department were also present at that meeting, and they informed me of their intention to develop a text on the topic of addiction that could be used by the Church."

The idea was further developed at a meeting organized by CICAD , within OAS . On that occasion, the training proposal they were working on was presented, but that material had a strong scientific focus to which they were attempting to add a spiritual dimension.
According to Father Charly, this approach still fell short of the broader perspective needed to look at the person in his or her entirety. It reduced complexity, because an exclusively empirical approach addresses some dimensions of reality while neglecting others.
“For example, it does not talk about love. And yet, how many people begin their journey to overcome drug addiction thanks to the presence of people who love them!”

Many courses developed by international organizations, he observes, overlook crucial elements and real factors that influence people’s lives and decisions. For example, they start from a dualistic view of real life and religious sentiment, as if the latter were merely an addition rather than a constitutive dimension of the human heart.

The contagion of communion

Faced with his refusal to adhere to that perspective, he was asked to involve people working on the ground in writing their own text. Thus, a first version was born, which, in 2023, was also developed into training modules.
Thanks to the proposed training activities, the group traveled to different Latin American countries, deepening their understanding of the territories and gradually creating a network of people involved in the work on the Manual and in the nascent PLAPA.
From this journey also emerged the need to develop within CELAM a specific pastoral approach for people facing situations of addictions. The topic was shared with Bishop Jorge Lozano, then Secretary of CELAM, who initiated the process in that direction. Gradually, the people involved in the training activities became part of PLAPA.

Communities and organizations engaged in pastoral work across Latin America gradually came together within this new ecclesial initiative, sharing their experiences and learning from one another. Through this ongoing dialogue, the need emerged for a common vision that could also give rise to a common tool, one shaped by mutual exchange and woven from the richness of diverse experiences.
The meetings involved hundreds of people and addressed different topics, often working in small groups: supporting women, providing care to prisoners with substance use disorders, the reality of those experiencing homelessness, the expansion and globalization of organized crime, and how it shapes local communities. Each participant contributed from their own experience.

To integrate all this wealth of information into the manual, the group also enlisted the help of artificial intelligence, used to identify common elements across different regions and organize the collected material. "It helped us, but it did not replace us," explains Father Charly. The work of reading and understanding all this information was time-consuming; only then did the writing begin.

This comprehensive vision culminates in what Father Charly defines as an ethic of care. Between two extreme positions—harm reduction and abstentionism—the ethics of care occupies another level: it is a continuation of the focus on the person and their heart.
Sometimes a person simply needs a shower, and every effort is made to ensure that he or she can have one. when they later begin the journey of abstaining from substance use, they are supported so they can continue along the way.

Now begins the phase of disseminating the Manual, also through training programs for dioceses and those involved in this work.

"The training itineraries," explains Father Charly, "are intended to be a concrete aid for the work of parishes and communities, and a way to continue the method used to create the manual. They offer examples of relevant experiences. And when someone shares their own experience, it is easy for a relationship to develop. The most important thing is that this exchange continues among us and with all those who want to get involved."
The wealth of experiences and contacts shared around the manual will continue to enrich this tool, conceived as an instrument in constant development.

The goal is not to bring one chapter to a close, but to begin offering this work to everyone.

TRINITARIANS IN MADAGASCAR/2 - One hundred years of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives: Men without borders

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:24:12 +0200

by Antonella Prenna

Moramanga – As the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives celebrates one hundred years of Trinitarian presence in Madagascar, it renews its awareness of its missionary identity.

On June 4, 1926, a few days after the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the first group of Trinitarian religious left Rome accompanied by the then Minister General, Father Francis Xavier of the Immaculate Conception. They set out with the desire to proclaim the Gospel, bear witness to redemptive charity, and bring the Trinitarian charism to a new mission territory.
"That moment represented far more than a simple geographical expansion of the Order. Looking back today, we can recognize in those brothers—and in all the Trinitarian men and women religious who followed them to Madagascar—the evangelical courage of those willing to cross cultural, linguistic, and religious boundaries in order to be guided by the Holy Spirit," said the Minister General, Father Luigi Buccarello, in a message to the community on the Feast of the Ascension.

Born from the intuition of Saint John de Matha and Saint Felix of Valois during an era marked by division, religious conflict, and slavery, the Trinitarian charism found its original expression in the redemption of captives, transforming contemplation of the Holy Trinity into a concrete commitment to defending human freedom and dignity. "From the very beginning, the Trinitarians were men without borders," he emphasized.

Their mission of redeeming captives led the Trinitarians to cross political, cultural, and religious boundaries, fostering dialogue with the Muslim world through charity and mercy. "This was not merely a historical necessity," he said. "It reflected a clear evangelical choice: to be a sign of peace and a bridge of fraternity with the Muslim world, promoting dialogue through charity for the good of all. This missionary openness continues to define the Order today, as it is called to reach the new peripheries of our time, marked by poverty, war, religious persecution, addiction, social exclusion, and the loss of meaning in life."

The centenary of the mission in Madagascar is a significant milestone in this history.

"Since 1926, generations of religious men and women, together with lay faithful, have shared the life of the Malagasy people, contributing to the growth of the local Church and to the spread of the Trinitarian charism. One hundred years later, we give thanks to the Lord for all those who gave their lives in that land. Many lived in anonymity; others endured sacrifice, illness, and loneliness.
Today, Madagascar is not only the fruit of past missionary commitment, but has become a protagonist in the universal mission of the Church, thanks to the many vocations that enrich the Order. This centenary is not simply a commemoration of the past, but an invitation to look to the future with renewed missionary zeal. The Order is called to form men and women capable of reading the signs of the times and bearing witness, through their lives and works, to the Gospel of freedom and redemption. Even today, the Lord continues to lead us toward new frontiers," Father Buccarello said.

"These borders do not always coincide with distant lands. There are cultural, spiritual, social, and existential borders waiting to be inhabited by men and women capable of bearing witness to the freedom of the Gospel. We live in a world marked by profound contradictions. Opportunities for communication continue to expand, yet loneliness and individualism are also increasing. Contacts among peoples and religions are multiplying, but so are new fears, conflicts, and attitudes of rejection are emerging. Awareness of human dignity and fundamental rights is growing, but so too are forms of oppression and violence. We are all called to bring hope and redemption to a wounded humanity that is too often denied its dignity and its rights."

AFRICA/KENYA - Controversy over British military presence

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:44:47 +0200

Nairobi – How can national and international security be reconciled with human rights and the well-being of local communities?
These are the issues being debated in Kenya after the Great Britain announced its intention to relocate a planned exercise by the British Army Training Unit Kenya from Laikipia County, Kenya, to neighboring Tanzania. The move came after the Kenyan government failed to grant the necessary authorizations, opening a new chapter in relations between London and Nairobi.
The controversy, however, was resolved after Nairobi and London announced on July 29 that the exercises will finally take place in Kenya this September.
The possibility of moving these military exercises from Kenya to Tanzania had provoked mixed reactions among the Kenyan population.
For decades, BATUK has been a cornerstone of military cooperation between the two countries. From its base in Nanyuki, thousands of British soldiers conduct annual training exercises in Kenyan territory alongside the Kenya Defence Forces, under a defense agreement in place since the years following Kenya's independence.
However, in recent years the British presence has been the subject of increasing criticism. Kenyan authorities have called for a revision of the bilateral agreement, seeking greater powers to prosecute any crimes allegedly committed by British military personnel on Kenyan soil. At the heart of the debate are demands for greater legal accountability, fueled by several high-profile cases that have sparked public outrage. These include the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, for which a British soldier who has been charged and is awaiting an extradition hearing, as well as other allegations of assault and abuse attributed to British military personnel.
At the same time, the possible withdrawal of the British Army from its Kenyan base could have significant economic consequences for communities in Laikipia County, which have long benefited from the business and employment generated by the presence of British troops.
It is no coincidence that former Deputy President and leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party , Rigathi Gachagua, accused President William Ruto's administration of being responsible for the planned relocation of BATUK activities from Nanyuki to Tanzania. Addressing the faithful gathered at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Imenti on Sunday, July 26, Gachagua warned that the loss of the military facility would lead to the collapse of Nanyuki's local economy and the loss of hundreds of jobs.
"This training facility has greatly benefited the country, also through joint military training and counterterrorism programs. It has also provided employment for 500 people in Nanyuki," Gachagua said, adding that the region risks losing significantly if the license were not renewed. "The British Army has brought major benefits in terms of supplies, hospitality, and transport, contributing to Nanyuki's growth."

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Farewell to Father Mahboob Evarist, the first Punjabi Capuchin priest: A life dedicated to the Gospel and the inculturation of the faith

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:59:51 +0200

Lahore – Father Mahboob Evarist, the first Capuchin priest of Punjabi origin in Pakistan, died on July 27, 2026, at the age of 75.
His funeral Mass was celebrated on July 28 at St. Mary's Convent in Lahore, and was presided over by Archbishop Khalid Rehmat, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Lahore, who paid heartfelt tribute to Father Mahboob's decades of dedicated priestly ministry.
Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi also recalled with affection the journey he had shared with the late friar, while Father Ajaz Bashir, OFM Cap., Custos of the Capuchin Custody of Mariam Siddeeqa , described him as "a true father figure and a beloved elder brother within the fraternity."
The funeral liturgy brought together a large assembly of diocesan and religious priests, men and women religious, civil and social authorities, and countless lay faithful whose lives had been touched by his humble service.
Archbishop Rehmat recalled that Father Mahboob "embodied the Franciscan spirit of ‘minoritas,’ living in profound humility, joyful simplicity, genuine fraternity and vigilant prayer, as a true Little Poor Man of Christ in the heart of Pakistan."
"Sociable, cheerful and deeply perceptive, he possessed a captivating personality that naturally put people at ease and fostered deep bonds of fraternity," the Archbishop added.
A lasting testimony to his artistic and spiritual legacy can be found in the Holy Rosary Parish in Faisalabad, where he designed and built the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This magnificent “Marian grotto,” Archbishop Rehmat noted, "stands today as a living monument of faith, architectural beauty and profound Marian devotion, and will continue to inspire generations of pilgrims."

"In the Franciscan spirit, Father Mahboob also nurtured a tender love for God's creation, finding divine harmony in plants and animals," Father Lazar Aslam, OFM Cap., coordinator of the Capuchins' Commission for Justice, Peace and Ecology in Pakistan, told Fides.
Father Mahboob was also a gifted writer and eloquent preacher. "He gave special attention to the Punjabi language and culture," Father Aslam recalled. "He regarded local cultural traditions as a privileged channel for the incarnation of the Gospel, skillfully weaving regional expressions, idioms and indigenous traditions into his homilies, writings and pastoral ministry, thus becoming a pioneer of the authentic inculturation of the faith."
"Father Mahboob remained a faithful witness to Christ in both word and deed, embodying the beauty of community life, contemplative prayer and Franciscan fraternity, while bringing comfort to the poor and the most vulnerable," he added.

Father Mahboob was laid to rest in the historic Capuchin cemetery of Sahowala, where many Belgian Capuchin missionaries and other Pakistani and foreign religious who devoted their lives to proclaiming the Gospel in Punjab are buried.
In a historical overview shared with Fides, Father Lazar Aslam recalled that on November 15, 1888, the Vatican Congregation of Propaganda Fide entrusted the mission territory of Lahore to the Capuchin friars of the Province of Belgium. The Belgian Capuchins sent eight priests and eight religious brothers who, in 1889, were welcomed by the first Bishop of Lahore, Msgr. Symphorien Mouard, OFM Cap.
Their missionary work began in Sialkot and the surrounding villages, where they visited communities, taught the faith and proclaimed the Word of God. Already in 1889, seventy adults received Baptism. Each missionary cared for approximately eighty villages, while the Capuchins established eighteen schools to provide education for children. Despite many hardships, the Catholic community grew to around one thousand faithful within the first year.
"This missionary work continued, by God's grace, also thanks to the invaluable contribution of the first catechists," Father Aslam noted.

Responding to the needs of the local population, the Bishop of Lahore established two important mission stations in Adah and Sahowala, where churches were built. From these centers, the Franciscan missionaries reached numerous villages, proclaiming the Gospel, distributing medicines, opening dispensaries and caring for the poor and marginalized. Many people from the poorest social classes and lower castes were drawn to Christianity.
In 1892, the diocese acquired a large plot of land to establish a stable Christian community, giving birth to the village of Mariamabad, conceived as a missionary model community where Catholic families could live together, strengthening both the Christian presence and community life.
In 1900, Father Henri Finck, known as "Father Felix," allocated farmland to several Christian families in Khushpur, which flourished and eventually became what is now widely known as the "Vatican of Pakistan." To further strengthen Christian communities and improve their living conditions, the Capuchins also founded Francisabad in 1904, Anthonyabad in 1916, and several other predominantly Christian villages.

During the “Partition” of India and Pakistan, the missionaries endured enormous hardships. With the creation of Pakistan in 1947, part of the territory of the Diocese of Lahore remained in India, but the missionary work continued uninterrupted. The Diocese of Lahore had already been divided in 1939, and further changes followed in 1947 with the establishment of the Diocese of Rawalpindi.

Today the Capuchins serve mainly in the Archdiocese of Lahore, in northern Punjab—the historic heart of their presence—and in the Archdiocese of Karachi, the major coastal metropolis of Sindh Province. The Order operates formation houses, seminaries and numerous educational institutions, while continuing to experience steady growth in Franciscan vocations. The Capuchins also continue to care for the National Shrine of Mariamabad, one of Pakistan's foremost centers of Marian devotion and pilgrimage.
In a country where Muslims make up the overwhelming majority of the population, the Capuchins continue to build relationships of peace and fraternity. Inspired by the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, they promote dialogue with Muslim leaders, fostering interreligious understanding, social integration, peace, justice, and the protection of human dignity and fundamental rights.

World Day Against Human Trafficking: Women religious and Church networks stand alongside victims across Latin America and Europe

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:43:05 +0200

Madrid – According to the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration , around 50 million people worldwide are living in conditions of modern slavery, while human trafficking generates an estimated 236 billion dollars in illicit profits every year.

Faced with a form of slavery that continues to evolve and take on new forms of exploitation, Church networks and religious communities are renewing their commitment to prevention, accompaniment and the defense of the dignity of victims of human trafficking.
On the occasion of the World Day Against Human Trafficking, celebrated today, July 30, Church networks recall that behind this phenomenon lie the stories of people marked by poverty, violence, lack of opportunities and situations of extreme vulnerability. Children, women, migrants and displaced persons continue to be targeted by criminal organizations, which use deception, fraudulent job offers, threats and new digital tools to recruit their victims.

According to the Global Report on Trafficking 2024, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime , children now account for 38 percent of identified trafficking victims worldwide, compared with 20 percent two decades ago. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of identified victims increased by 25 percent, with particularly sharp growth among boys and girls.
Among the contexts where vulnerability is increasing is the "Tapón del Darién", the dense rainforest region between Colombia and Panama that has become one of the main migration routes in the Americas. Along this route, thousands of people exposed to violence, lack of resources, and lack of protection become easy targets for trafficking and exploitation networks.

Talitha Kum: A Church network present wherever vulnerability exists

One of the Church initiatives working in these contexts is Talitha Kum, the network promoted by the International Union of Superiors General , which brings together women religious, collaborators and local organizations across the continents to prevent trafficking, accompany victims and support survivors.

In 2025, Talitha Kum operated through 68 national networks in 113 countries. Its mission was carried out by 6,387 women religious and collaborators, a 5.7 percent increase compared to the previous year, with the participation of 882 female religious congregations and 100 male congregations.

In Latin America and the Caribbean—a region facing structural challenges such as poverty, violence, organized crime, climate change and forced migration—Talitha Kum coordinates 14 national networks, working alongside women religious, young leaders and lay collaborators in prevention initiatives and in accompanying the most vulnerable.

In 2025, representatives from twelve of these networks took part in the First Regional Talitha Kum Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, strengthening cooperation and the exchange of experiences in responding to new forms of trafficking.
"Latin America and the Caribbean face complex challenges that increase the vulnerability of many people, yet we also recognize with hope the resilience and commitment present throughout the region," said Ana María Vilca Mamani, SNJM, Talitha Kum's Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean. She stressed the importance of walking "in network and in synodality," strengthening integrated responses that combine prevention, protection, advocacy and accompaniment in order to promote the freedom, justice and dignity of every person.

The scope of this mission is reflected in a significant figure: in 2025, initiatives promoted by the network reached 121 million people through awareness campaigns, education, prevention programs and accompaniment.

Talitha Kum's international Coordinator, Sister Abby Avelino, MM, highlighted the evolving nature of the phenomenon. "Human trafficking continues to change, taking on increasingly complex forms," she said. Among the emerging challenges, she pointed to the spread of organized online scams that lure young people with false job offers before forcing them, through violence and intimidation, into participating in criminal activities.

"Wars and conflicts, forced displacement, climate crises and growing inequalities continue to expose millions of people to trafficking because criminal networks exploit fear, vulnerability and desperation," she added.
For Talitha Kum, the response must begin before exploitation occurs by strengthening prevention and accompanying people precisely where situations of risk first emerge. "Migration is a human right, but people must know their rights and understand the risks involved," Sister Avelino emphasized.

Spain: A bridge between Latin America and Europe in the fight against trafficking

Because of its historical, cultural and linguistic ties with Latin America, Spain has become a destination, transit point and place of accompaniment for many people arriving from the American continent. The connection between the two sides of the Atlantic illustrates how trafficking is a transnational phenomenon requiring coordinated responses.

According to figures released by Spain's Ministry of the Interior, 1,869 victims of trafficking and sexual or labor exploitation—including 28 minors—received assistance in Spain during 2025. The data also point to an increase in cases linked to labor exploitation. Colombia continues to be among the principal countries of origin of identified victims.

Alongside public institutions, numerous Church and civil society organizations are working to prevent trafficking and accompany survivors. In Madrid, for example, the Fundación Madrina has drawn attention to the particular vulnerability of mothers and children in migration contexts and to the link between child poverty and the risk of exploitation. According to Spain's Platform for Children, 33.2 percent of minors in the country are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

Church networks stress that combating trafficking cannot be limited to rescuing victims after exploitation has occurred. It must begin with prevention, information, hospitality and the creation of pathways for recovery and reintegration. From Latin America to Europe, women religious, Christian communities and lay collaborators continue to accompany vulnerable people, defending the dignity of every human being and building networks of protection against new forms of slavery.

"We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in Talitha Kum for their dedication and passion in seeking justice for those trapped in situations of exploitation," said Sister Oonah O'Shea, President of the International Union of Superiors General , encouraging religious congregations to continue supporting this ministry and to deepen their commitment to the fight against human trafficking. "Together we continue to build a world free from human trafficking, where every person can live in freedom and dignity."

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - One year before World Youth Day Seoul 2027, church and civil authorities move into full operational phase

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:14:51 +0200

Seoul – With just twelve months to go before the opening of World Youth Day Seoul 2027, preparations by both Church and civil authorities have entered their full operational phase. After three years devoted to planning and establishing the organizational framework, attention is now focused on welcoming pilgrims, logistics, security, transportation, healthcare services and international coordination.

World Youth Day will take place in Seoul from August 3 to 8, 2027, preceded by the traditional “Days in the Dioceses,” scheduled for July 29 to August 2, involving fifteen Korean dioceses. Thousands of young pilgrims from around the world will be welcomed by local parishes and host families, offering them a firsthand experience of the faith and culture of Korea.
The event carries strong symbolic significance. It will be only the second World Youth Day ever held in Asia, following Manila in 1995, and the first to take place in a country where Christians are a minority. Catholics account for about 12 percent of South Korea's population, within a society marked by considerable cultural and religious pluralism.
"Over the past three years we have laid the foundations for this event. The coming year will be the time to complete the preparations and welcome young people from every part of the world," said Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung of Seoul, President of the Organizing Committee, in a statement sent to Fides. He reaffirmed the organizers' commitment to making WYD "a celebration of hope and a witness to Korea's hospitality and solidarity."
Following World Youth Day in Lisbon in August 2023, the official logo of WYD 2027, the biblical theme — "Take courage; I have conquered the world" — and the five patron saints of the event were unveiled, while numerous spiritual preparation initiatives have also been launched.

Among the events in the countdown is August 3, 2026, when the official WYD anthem, "Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum," will be presented. Composed by Korean musician Francis Jiyoon Kim, it was selected from 434 compositions, including 294 from abroad. On the same day, the international environmental campaign "Breath of Life", promoted together with the Laudato Si' Movement, will also be launched, encouraging young people around the world to plant trees in their own countries as a concrete gesture of care for creation.
The second international preparatory meeting, scheduled for September 14–17, will bring together around 250 youth ministry leaders from Bishops' Conferences worldwide to coordinate the organization of the international delegations.

International registration for pilgrims is expected to open in October 2026. The Organizing Committee will offer eleven participation packages, including accommodation, meals, transportation, insurance and a pilgrim kit. At the same time, work is underway on a dedicated digital application, an integrated service management platform and a prepaid card for transportation and purchases.
Particular attention is being given to hospitality. Around 230 parishes in the Archdiocese of Seoul are already participating in the host-family program, while public facilities will also be used if necessary.
The organizers can count on the support of both national and local institutions. During 2026, the South Korean Government, the National Assembly and the Seoul Municipality have adopted specific legislative and administrative measures covering transportation, public security, healthcare services and the use of urban infrastructure. In recent weeks it was also officially announced that the national public broadcaster KBS will serve as the event's ‘host broadcaster,’ responsible for producing and distributing the international television signal for World Youth Day.
The Organizing Committee expects to rely on approximately 30,000 volunteers, including central services and parishes. Nearly 400 Korean and international volunteers are already working full-time on preparations for the event.

According to WYD leaders, Seoul 2027 will not only be a major international gathering of young Catholics but also an opportunity to witness the vitality of the Korean Church, born through the initiative of the laity and strengthened by the witness of the martyrs. The event aims to foster an encounter between the universal Church and an Asian society deeply shaped by cultural and religious pluralism.