Fides News - English

ASIA/CHINA - Coadjutor Bishop Anthony Li Hui succeeds Nicholas Han Jide at the helm of the Diocese of Pingliang

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:19:37 +0100

Pingliang – Anthony Li Hui, currently Coadjutor Bishop of Pingliang, in the Chinese province of Gansu, has assumed the leadership of the diocese, succeeding 85-year-old Bishop Nicholas Han Jide OFM Cap, who is now Bishop Emeritus of the same diocese.

The Chinese Catholic online portals Xinde.org and chinacatholic.cn report that the Bishop's installation took place during a solemn Eucharistic celebration on January 15, with the participation of the faithful and in the presence of representatives of the civil authorities.
In his homily, Bishop Anthony Li emphasized that he will continue the pastoral approach of his predecessor, supporting the clergy and the faithful on their journey of faith and working to foster the beginning of a new era of evangelizing mission.
Bishop Emeritus Nicholas Han also thanked the civil authorities for their presence.

Anthony Li Hui, who was appointed by Pope Francis as Coadjutor Bishop of Pingliang on January 11, 2021, received episcopal ordination on July 28, 2021, in the Cathedral of Pingliang. On that occasion, Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, stated in response to journalists' questions: "I can confirm that today, Wednesday 28 July 2021, in the cathedral of Pingliang, Gansu Province of China, the liturgy of episcopal ordination of the Reverend Anthony Li Hui, appointed by the Holy Father as coadjutor of Pingliang on 11 January 2021, took place. Bishop Li is the fifth Chinese bishop to be appointed and ordained under the Provisional Agreement on the Appointment of Bishops in China."

The fifth bishop, appointed after the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China on the appointment of Bishops came into effect, was born in 1972 in Mei County, Shaanxi Province. He entered the Pingliang Diocesan Seminary in 1990 and graduated from the National Seminary of the Catholic Church in China. He has been a priest since 1996. Before his appointment as bishop, he served for many years in the Diocese of Beijing. He continued his studies at the Faculty of Chinese Literature at the People's University in Beijing.

Belgian and German missionaries were active in the Pingliang region from 1910 until January 25, 1930, when the Pingliang Apostolic Prefecture was established and entrusted to the Spanish Capuchin Franciscans. The Prefecture was elevated to the rank of a diocese in 1950. Today, the diocese has approximately 12,000 baptized Catholics, with about twenty priests and 18 nuns of the Congregation of the Holy Family serving in 10 parishes and 11 chapels and mission stations.

AMERICA/PERU - Online course for Bolivarian countries on the history and mission of the Pontifical Mission Societies

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:46:49 +0100

Lima – What are the Pontifical Mission Societies , what is their mission, and what are their field of action? These questions will be answered in detail in an online course for Bolivarian countries, which begins on January 31. “The National Directions of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Bolivarian countries – Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia – have joined forces for the second consecutive year to offer a course on the activities of the Pontifical Mission Societies. This is a very important opportunity to raise awareness of the four Societies and, at the same time, to show how the Mission Societies are promoted and developed on our continent,” explains Father José Hipolito Purizaca Sernaque, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru.
These five two-hour sessions will be held on Saturdays .
The course is designed as an educational opportunity to foster community and missionary engagement, uniting the Bolivarian countries in a single spirit, as is also reflected in the theme of the next World Mission Sunday 2026, "One in Christ, united in Mission."
"We will explore what Missionary Childhood and Adolescence consists of; how young people are accompanied and supported; how mission is lived within families, remembering that missionary families exist; and also how the sick and elderly actively participate as missionaries in their own circumstances," explains the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru.
"Especially in our countries, missionary volunteer work, as well as ongoing vocations ministry, is valued and encouraged." The initiative is aimed at pastoral workers, young people, teachers, and all those who wish to deepen their understanding of the identity, mission, and evangelizing work of the Pontifical Mission Societies in order to strengthen their service to the Church.
“All these efforts,” Father Purizaca concluded, “aim to present and understand the Church in its essentially missionary dimension in light of the experience of the Pontifical Mission Societies, and to raise awareness of the importance of mission territories for the Catholic Church.”

Link correlati :Poster

ASIA/MYANMAR - A new church opens amid conflict: a sign of faith and hope

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:20:40 +0100

Myitkyina - The blessing of a new Catholic church and a grotto with the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, the "Regina Pacis," is a significant event in the Diocese of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State in northern Myanmar. Amid the ongoing civil war, the surrounding area is the scene of violent clashes between the regular army and Kachin ethnic militias, causing immense suffering for the civilian population and a steady increase in the number of displaced persons.
In this context, the construction and opening of a church for Catholic faithful on January 13 holds special significance: It underscores that “in times of crisis and need, the faithful are called to be a community of living stones, as the Apostle Peter says in his first letter,” said Bishop of Myitkyina, John Mung Ngawn La Sam as he blessed the new Church of St. John in the Takkone Htoi San district of the capital, Myitkyina. The new church had become necessary due to the considerable growth of the local Catholic community in the diocese, which now numbers over 95,000. Cardinal Charles Bo, Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye, Bishop Francis Than Htun, and Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun, the three auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Yangon, as well as numerous members of the faithful, attended the event. In his address to the faithful, Cardinal Bo recalled the spiritual significance of the new church, dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, and reminded them that “the true Church is made up of the People of God, who walk in the light of the Lord.” He described the new church as “a future house of prayer, consolation, and forgiveness, and a place from which the community is sent out to proclaim the Gospel.” “The walls of the church,” the Cardinal stated, “are not meant to restrict the community, but to protect and nourish it so that it may be a witness to love, peace, and justice in the world.”
The Htoi San community comprises 154 Catholic families with a total of 902 faithful, who are assisted by two catechists. The Church of St. John and the Grotto of the Queen of Peace, where the faithful gather to pray the Rosary and ask for the protection of the Virgin, “are tangible symbols of a faith that remains alive amidst conflict, as the Kachin people fight for justice and peace,” concluded Bishop La Sam. According to Fides sources in the area, Kachin families, facing an acute social crisis, regularly organize prayer meetings in their homes to support one another and keep their faith alive in daily life. “These meetings involve prayers of thanksgiving and requests for prosperity, health, and peace. They devote themselves to prayers, hymns, reading the Gospel, and sharing their thoughts on the readings. Sometimes the Rosary is prayed. These are spiritually intense and fruitful moments that keep hope alive,” reports Michael Javier, a lay missionary from St. Columban in Myanmar.

Archbishop Sangalli at the funeral chamber of fashion designer Valentino Garavani for a moment of prayer and reflection together with family members

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:33:24 +0100

Rome - Among the thousands of people who paid tribute today to the mortal remains of fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who passed away on Monday 19 January at the age of 93, there was also a delegation from the Dicastery for Evangelisation , composed of Archbishop Samuele Sangalli , Monsignor Sergio Bertocchi and Sister Benedetta Chinellato.

The so-called ‘Valentino Palace’ the Roman headquarters of the historic fashion house and the Garavani-Giammetti Foundation, where the designer's funeral chamber was set up, is located in Piazza Mignanelli, adjacent to the “Palazzo di Propaganda Fide”, the historic headquarters of the Missionary Dicastery.

The premises of the Foundation are owned by the Dicastery for Evangelisation. The Foundation has always honoured its commitments to the Dicastery with punctuality and fairness.

Archbishop Sangalli, Monsignor Bertocchi and Sister Chinellato, on behalf of the missionary Dicastery, offered their condolences to the family and to the designer's long-time collaborator, Giancarlo Giammetti. Archbishop Sangalli led a moment of prayer and blessed the coffin. Monsignor Bertocchi will represent the Dicastery at the funeral Mass, which will be celebrated on Friday, 23 January, at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome.

Valentino Ludovico Clemente Garavani, known as Valentino, was born in Voghera on 11 May 1932 and was a key figure in high fashion and “Made in Italy”. At the age of seventeen, he moved to Paris, where he studied at the prestigious École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and began working with some of the big names in French fashion. In 1959, he presented his first collection in Rome, where he founded his fashion house. 1962 marked the official start of Valentino Garavani's long and successful career. He presented his collection at Pitti Moda in Florence, where it was received with enthusiasm.

A world-renowned fashion designer, Valentino dressed celebrities and contributed to the success of Italian fashion in the post-war period. With boutiques in cities such as New York, Paris and Tokyo, he received numerous awards and enjoyed artistic collaborations of the highest level, including collaboration with Andy Warhol, who dedicated a portrait to him.

AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Bishops launch creation of Catholic University of Ivory Coast

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:26:08 +0100

Abidjan – The creation of the Catholic University of Ivory Coast and a spiritual retreat center for priests are the two main topics at the heart of the 128th Plenary Assembly of the Episcopal Conference of Ivory Coast, being held from January 20 to 25 in San Pedro.
The Assembly opened on January 20 in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Ivory Coast, Msgr. Mauricio Rueda Beltz, and Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Abidjan, with a Mass presided over by Msgr. Marcellin Yao Kouadio of Daloa, President of the CECCI .
In his homily, Kouadio expressed his deep concern about the state of democracy in several African states, referring to "independence under tutelage and confiscated sovereignty." The bishop further emphasized that "there is an attempt to imitate Western democratic models in a context marked by violence, economic exploitation, and interference," recalling the numerous cases in which "access to power is achieved through illegality, electoral fraud, or poaching." "Fraudulent winners are congratulated and celebrated at the expense of the ballot box's verdict," he lamented, launching an urgent appeal to those in power to be "a blessing for the people they claim to represent." One of the topics analyzed by the bishops is precisely the socio-political situation of the country, also in light of the presidential and legislative elections held in 2025.
On the ecclesial level, the CECCI discussed the creation of the Catholic University of Côte d’Ivoire , a project presented during the 126th Plenary Assembly in January 2025. The University will be established under the direction of the Catholic Academy of Côte d’Ivoire .

ASIA/MACAU - The Diocese of Macao celebrates the Jubilee of the 450th anniversary of its establishment

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:18:09 +0100

Macau – On Friday 23 January, at 7 pm, in the cathedral dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady, a solemn liturgy will be celebrated to open the programme of celebrations and initiatives to mark the 450th anniversary of the establishment of the diocese of Macau.

The program of celebrations involves the nine parishes, where on Friday the ‘Lux Vera’ is lit and a prayer vigil is held.
The Jubilee Year, proclaimed to mark the 450th anniversary of the diocese, will end on 23 January 2027.
Macau has played a key role in the evangelizing mission in the Far East: a bridge between East and West, a driving force for charitable works and decisive initiatives in the fields of education and culture.
During the Jubilee Year, those who go on pilgrimage to the parish of St Joseph of the Diocesan Seminary will be able to obtain a plenary indulgence granted by the Apostolic Penitentiary, fulfilling the traditional conditions required.
The Pastoral Letter written by the Bishop of Macau for the 450th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Macau is entitled: "From Macau to the World: We Build Future with an Eye to the Past;
Witness to the Heritage, Mission in the World". In the text, Bishop Lee retraces the history of the Diocese of Macau, expressing gratitude to the missionaries and all those who have preserved and transmitted the faith of the Apostles from generation to generation.
450 years ago, the document reads, "Pope Gregory XIII promulgated the Papal Bull that officially established the Diocese of Macao. Since then, Macau has become an important hub for evangelization in the Far East. Countless diocesan priests, missionaries from various lands, and members of male and female religious orders and societies of apostolic life – especially those missionaries who came to the East from Portugal in the past—used Macau as a base to sow the seeds of the Gospel in Mainland China, Japan, Korea, and throughout Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malacca, and Timor-Leste."
Solemnly celebrating the 450th anniversary of the diocese is not about "boasting past glory, but to discern the future direction in Christ."
"It is an act of memory , to give thanks in memory for God’s work of redemption."
Along with the opening ceremony, commemorative stamps for the Jubilee will also be presented on Friday. The Diocese’s new landmark, the “Catholic Centre,” will open in the middle of the year and will host two special exhibitions: ‘We Build Future with an Eye to the past,’ and ‘Witness to the heritage, Mission in the world’. The “Diocesan Family Day Carnival” will be held on 28 November, and the “Walking Together, Setting Sail Anew” Youth Gathering will take place on 5 December.
The second quarter will feature a symposium entitled ‘Catholic Education: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ and a roundtable discussion among school principals as part of the academic exchange program.
Since its founding, the Diocese of Macau has venerated St Catherine of Siena and St Francis Xavier as its patron saints, thus affirming its missionary character, together with its vocation for cultural exchange and the promotion of moral virtues, characteristics that are also reflected in the diocese's motto ‘Scientia et Virtus’ .
Today, the diocese has 9 parishes, 28 educational institutions, Caritas centres and a publishing house that also takes care of communication. Over 70 priests and seminarians, together with about 130 nuns, offer pastoral service to approximately 30,000 baptized persons.

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Bishops: "Corruption is the result of "withered hands"

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:12:46 +0100

Quezon City – Corruption and social injustice are the result of "withered hands" that deprive citizens of goods and resources. Drawing on the Gospel story of Jesus healing a man's withered hand , Bishop Dave Dean Capucao of the Territorial Prelature of Infanta, east of Manila, reminded the faithful of "the need to address systemic injustices instead of hiding from them." "Many hands are withered today because the theft of public funds has become systemic," Capucao said during a Mass celebrated with other bishops at Cubao Cathedral in Quezon City on January 21, as part of a study seminar in preparation for the 131st Assembly of the Philippine Bishops, which will take place from January 23-26. Regarding corruption, the bishop stated that the theft of public funds “leaves deep moral and social wounds that require repentance and healing, not silence or excuses from religious and civil leaders.” Corruption, he added, harms both society and the moral character of those involved, and therefore it is urgently necessary to address “the deeper social and spiritual causes that keep people trapped in poverty and exclusion.”
In this context, Msgr. Capucao also urged bishops and church leaders not to be “detached administrators” who focus on rules and “ignore the suffering communities affected by hunger, inequality, and abuse of power.” The bishop reiterated that the church community is called to actively combat injustice, stand with the marginalized, and fight corruption and inequality “with decisive and compassionate action.”
The assembly of the Philippine Bishops is being held as the country is shaken by a social and political crisis that has gripped its institutions. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. faces impeachment proceedings over corruption allegations and the manner in which former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Analysts say that while President Marcos's impeachment is unlikely to succeed, it could still damage his reputation. Vice President Sara Duterte also faces new allegations of misuse of public funds and corruption, brought by a civil society group, after an impeachment attempt against her last year was declared as unconstitutional.
Observers say this situation signals that national politics is heading toward a new wave of internal power struggles, particularly due to the power struggle between the Marcos and Duterte clans. “The long-standing problem of corruption, which is now at the center of public debate, particularly in connection with the oversight of flood control projects, is becoming highly politicized,” confirms Father Pedro C. Quitorio, head of the media office of the Philippine Episcopal Conference, in an interview with Fides. “The bishops address this moral issue on numerous occasions,” Father Quitorio notes, “in their homilies, such as during the large gathering for the Feast of the Black Nazarene at the Quiapo Basilica in Manila, which drew hundreds of thousands of faithful,” he emphasizes. “This will certainly be one of the topics discussed at the Episcopal Conference assembly as well,” he affirms, since “the issue touches upon the moral and spiritual sphere of every citizen, every politician, every community, and the nation.”

AFRICA/DR. CONGO - Missionary Sister in Eastern Congo thanks the Holy Father: “Our pain, our hope matter”

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:31:11 +0100

Kinshasa – “It was a wonderful surprise to hear that, given the many difficult situations, the Pope dedicated his thoughts and words on Sunday, January 18, to the displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, especially the approximately 200,000 people living in refugee camps under makeshift tarpaulins in Burundi, struggling with the rainy season, lack of food and medical care, and daily deaths,” Sister Teresina Caffi, a Xaverian missionary in South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, told Fides.
After the Angelus prayer on Sunday, January 18, Pope Leo XIV said: “Today, I would like to recall in particular the great suffering of the people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many have been forced to flee their country – especially to Burundi – due to violence, and they are facing a serious humanitarian crisis. Let us pray that dialogue for reconciliation and peace may always prevail among the parties in conflict.” Sister Teresina affirms that the difficult situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has always been close to the Holy Father’s heart. “Last November,” the nun recalls, “the Pope assured Néné Bintu Iragi, the exiled president of the South Kivu Civil Society Coordination Office , that he carried DRC in his heart and in his prayers.”
“To be mentioned in this world means to exist, to deserve attention and dignity. I believe that the Pope’s words resonated in the ears and hearts of the Congolese who heard them: Our pain, our hope, matter!” Sister Teresina emphasizes.
The missionary concludes by pointing to the role of the media in keeping the forgotten conflict in eastern DRC alive: “I hope that the Pope’s appeal will encourage the media to refocus their attention on this protracted tragedy in eastern DRC.” “Thirty years of wars of varying intensity should now allow for a clear analysis of the facts and foster the courage to take decisive action. This is still lacking, at the local, regional, continental, and international levels,” Sister Teresina continues. Despite the announcement of peace agreements , the situation in the three eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo remains dramatic. Particularly in South Kivu, the M23 movement rebels, after capturing the capital Bukavu on February 16 , also seized Uvira , forcing a large portion of the population to flee to neighboring Burundi.

ASIA/HONG KONG - A music prayer service for the "Blessing" of Hong Kong on the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:56:30 +0100

Hong Kong – The Governor of Hong Kong is convinced that the Diocese of Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the governance of the special administrative region and to its citizens in promoting social harmony and communion, as Hong Kong experiences a crucial transition in its journey to strengthen stability and prosperity.
This was the message conveyed by Catholic John Lee Ka-chiu, the sixth Chief Executive of the former British colony, on the occasion of the concert held on Sunday, January 18, as part of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Hong Kong.

The musical and prayer event, entitled “Love – a Spring of Hope,” was also attended by two former governors, both Catholic: Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen.

The concert was held at Chater Garden and was attended by Jesuit Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, Bishop of Hong Kong; Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo; Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen; Bishop Stephen Lee Bun of Macau; Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose, California; Auxiliary Bishop Peter Chao Yungchi of the Diocese of Taipei; as well as prominent members of other Christian denominations.

During his address, Cardinal Chow affirmed that the door of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “is always open to those with weary and oppressed hearts.” He added that, in celebrating eighty years of diocesan journey, “we sincerely hope that, through this meaningful and prayerful event, we can bless Hong Kong, our beloved citizens, and our city.”

That same day, the Church in Hong Kong also celebrated the 60th, 50th, and 25th anniversaries of the priestly ordination of fourteen priests, as well as the 75th, 70th, 60th, 50th, and 25th anniversaries of the religious vows of twenty-five nuns.
The Diocese of Hong Kong began the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of its establishment on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. Throughout the year, various commemorative events will take place, including a retrospective on the history of the Church in Hong Kong, dialogue with young people, and the promotion of the apostolic work entrusted to the local community.

ASIA/INDIA - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: “Indian Christians are caught between rich diversity and a real division”

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:26:37 +0100

Srikakulam – In recognition of the Church's commitment to unity, peace, and mutual understanding among Christian denominations, the Catholic community in the Diocese of Srikakulam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity , inviting believers of all Christian denominations in the region to participate in liturgical celebrations, moments of reflection, and encounter. At an ecumenical gathering held yesterday, January 20, the Bishop of Srikakulam, Msgr. Vijaya Kumar Rayarala, PIME, in his address to over 200 faithful, emphasized the growing importance of ecumenical engagement in the current ecclesiastical and social context. He called upon the faithful to "build bridges of harmony and cooperation among Christians, especially in light of the challenges facing faith communities in India today."
Particular attention was paid to the conciliar document “Nostra Aetate,” which promotes dialogue, respect, and peaceful coexistence. The document was presented as especially relevant for addressing current problems that often lead to Indian Christians being divided by misunderstandings and a lack of unity, even on fundamental issues affecting them all, such as their relationship with state institutions or the violence they face in society. Father John Singarayar, SVD, a Divine Word Missionary, anthropologist, and sociologist, emphasizes: “The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity now seems particularly urgent in a country with over 1.3 billion inhabitants, where Christians constitute a vibrant minority navigating between rich diversity and a real division.”
“This year’s theme, which comes from Ephesians 4:4,” the priest continued, “speaks directly to the heart: ‘There is one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call.’ The words of Saint Paul remind us that unity is not achieved through strategies or negotiations: it is a gift rooted in the Spirit, who breathes life into the Church. And yet it is also a call that demands something of us: the willingness to forgive and the courage to move forward together when differences become great.”
“For Indian Christians,” the Divine Word Missionary said, “this message has a special meaning. Our communities perform a common service by feeding the hungry, teaching children, caring for the sick, and advocating for the marginalized in villages and cities. Yet, we are often separated by barriers of history, liturgy, and culture. From the Syrian Christians in Kerala, whose roots stretch back to the first century, to the members of Pentecostal churches who practice fervent worship, to the Catholics who focus on the depth of the sacraments, our expressions of faith differ considerably. These differences are real, but they are valuable.”
“The Week of Prayer does not call on us to abandon what makes each tradition unique. It calls on us to look beyond old wounds and mistrust and to support one another like a family,” he explained. And in the prayers spoken in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and other languages of the subcontinent, it becomes clear that “the call to unity reaches the faithful in their mother tongues. These moments strengthen trust and remind us that our common baptism is deeper than any division.” “The unity of Christians is a quiet but powerful witness,” affirms Father John Singarayar. “Amidst growing tensions, including reports of attacks on churches in various states and conflicts that test India’s constitutional mandate of equality, the faithful who pray together affirm that faith flourishes in dialogue and fraternity. And when pastors of different denominations preach together from the pulpit, they are a model of reconciliation for young people who wonder whether the Gospel still speaks in a fragmented nation and world.” Christians in India, with approximately 28 million believers out of a total population of 1.3 billion, constitute a minority . Their roots trace back to the arrival of the Apostle Thomas in 52 AD. Various Christian denominations coexist in India today, each with its own distinct rite. Catholics in India are divided into three rites: Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara.

AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Floods in the region: "People are exhausted and dying of hunger, poverty, natural disasters, and disease"

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:49:45 +0100

Maputo – Mozambique is currently experiencing one of the worst floods in years, affecting over 600,000 people, more than half of them children. Over 50,000 people have been forced to leave their homes and are housed in 62 emergency shelters, many of which are overcrowded. According to UNICEF, this could be the start of an even bigger and worse disaster as the country faces its annual cyclone season. “

“The flooding problem has worsened with the opening of the four gates of the Massingiri Dam in Gaza Province. It is as if a sea has been opened up in a city. Everything has been flooded. Those in charge should have found a drainage channel first to minimize the damage to the population,” a Comboni missionary working in Maputo told Fides. “People are exhausted,” Sister Maria continues, “they are dying from hunger, poverty, natural disasters, and disease… We have run out of medicine because the Ministry of Health’s truck got stuck. The road from south to north is blocked; it is impassable, with gaps several meters wide! And I wonder why they do not send the medicine by plane or boat?”

“We are also lacking medication for the diabetics I care for daily,” emphasizes the missionary, who looks after heart patients at the hospital that serves the entire northern part of Mozambique. “I called the head of the supply depot and asked him to find other ways to transport the medicines and not to delay too long. I am tired of seeing people suffer. Every day they bring children in very worrying condition. One boy came and said to me, ‘Sister, I came alone because my father cannot cross the road since the bridge has collapsed due to the water, and you cannot get through by canoe.’ I told him it was good that he came. But what will become of all the others? We need God’s help,” the nun concludes.

Meanwhile, in light of the devastation that continues to ravage various regions of the country, the Archbishop of Maputo, João Carlos Hatoa Nunes, has sent a message of solidarity to the affected families and called for prayer, willingness to help, and concrete engagement from the Church and society. In a message published by the Mozambican Bishops' Conference, the prelate laments the particularly painful time the country is experiencing and declares that, as Pastor of the Church, he feels called to offer words of comfort, solidarity, and encouragement, emphasizing that "the pain of our people is real and tangible and cries out for compassion."

The Archbishop calls for spiritual and human unity and prays for strength for those who have lost everything and for courage for those dedicated to helping the victims. He also reminds us that the Christian faith is not limited to outward gestures but requires listening, discernment, and a responsible commitment to the most vulnerable and to the care of our common home. Archbishop Nunes also warns against engaging in divisive discussions filled with fruitless accusations and instead calls for a time of awareness, conversion, and commitment, in which faith is translated into concrete acts of love and solidarity. In this context, he refers to the relief effort of the Archdiocese of Maputo and encourages parishes and communities to join in to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable. In addition to providing immediate aid, he emphasizes the responsibility to care for our common home and to rebuild relationships so that Mozambique becomes more united and better prepared for future disasters, trusting in God's protection and the power of hope. The prelate called for help for the many people who have lost their homes, possessions, and even family members, and are experiencing one of the most painful moments in recent memory.

Mozambique is a country of children and young people. More than 17 million people are under the age of 18, and the average age is just 17. UNICEF is calling for immediate action to avoid the worst.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Kidnapping of 177 Christians confirmed: "No Catholics among those kidnapped"

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:26:59 +0100

Abuja – Nigerian authorities have confirmed the mass kidnapping of nearly 200 faithful from several churches on Sunday, January 18, in Kurmin Wali, in the Local Government Area of Kajuru in the State of Kaduna. After initially denying the incident vehemently , federal police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin admitted that the initial denial by Kaduna State authorities was aimed at "avoiding unnecessary panic while the facts were being verified." "These statements, which have since been widely misunderstood, did not constitute a denial of the incident, but rather a considered response pending confirmation of the details on the ground, including the identities and number of those involved," the police spokesman added. “Subsequent checks by law enforcement and intelligence sources have confirmed that the incident did indeed occur.”
As Archbishop of Kaduna, Msgr. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso told Fides yesterday evening, January 20, according to his information, 176 faithful from two churches of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church were abducted on Sunday, January 18. No Catholics were among the abducted Christians. The mass abduction, the Archbishop said, took place in very remote villages, and information from these areas is very difficult to verify.
The Christian Association of Nigeria , the ecumenical organization that brings together Christian denominations including the Catholic Church, which had disseminated the news of the kidnapping, has meanwhile published the names of the 177 people abducted .

EUROPE/RUSSIA - Prayer for Christian unity at the Catholic Cathedral in Moscow

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:59:17 +0100

Moscow – “Unity is not a utopia. Only facts make it possible to overcome divisions,” said Archbishop Paolo Pezzi of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow on Tuesday, January 20, during the prayer service held at the Catholic Cathedral as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity .
Representatives of various Protestant ecclesial communities were also present at the celebration.

“The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a particular challenge for us Catholics, because praying for unity is only possible if we already experience this unity in Christ in some way,” the Archbishop remarked in an interview with Fides.
“To experience it,” he explained, “one must experience the love of Christ, the love given by the Father that united Jesus and his disciples, as well as all those who will believe the word of the Apostles. Secondly, it is a challenge for society: when we live this love, this unity, it spreads, and when it spreads, one cannot remain indifferent; one must take a stand. And there are two options: to embrace this unity, which creates relationships and bridges, or to reject it, which leads to violence and persecution. This happens when one does not accept that God intervenes in human reality. However, unity with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit can also be experienced amidst ugliness, conflict, and division, and makes it possible to bear witness to love in the midst of it all.”

On January 24, a prayer for Christian unity will take place at the Catholic parish of Saints Peter and Paul, organized by and for young Christians in the Russian capital.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place between January 18 and 25 in the Northern Hemisphere and on different dates in the Southern Hemisphere . The reference texts for the 2026 celebrations were compiled by the Department for Interfaith Relations of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The theme for the 2026 Week of Prayer is taken from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call” .

AMERICA/COSTA RICA - Bishops in view of the elections: forming consciences, illuminating with the Gospel, and reawakening the civic commitment of the faithful

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:09:41 +0100

San José – The mission of the Church is “to form consciences, illuminate with the Gospel, and reawaken the civic commitment of the faithful.” This is the message from the bishops of Costa Rica in view of the general elections scheduled for February 1.

In a joint statement, the country's bishops addressed the population, particularly young people, emphasizing the importance of voting. They encouraged them to participate “responsibly and consciously” as a means of combating abstention and to consider the electoral process a key moment for the country's democratic life. The bishops expressed concern about “the high level of abstention recorded in previous elections.” According to data from the 2022 presidential elections, in which the current president, Rodrigo Alberto de Jesús Chaves Robles, was elected, 1,418,062 Costa Ricans eligible to vote did not cast their ballots, registering the highest abstention rate in the country's history: 40%.

"You are the present of Costa Rica; vote with awareness, with memory, and with critical hope. Inform yourselves, engage in dialogue, compare the proposals, and think about those most in need," reads the statement released by the Permanent Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica . "As your pastors, we tell you: Costa Rica needs your perspective, your energy, your creative dissent, and your commitment. Dear young people, your pastors ask the Lord of life and history to intercede for you, so that you may not inherit weariness or disillusionment, but rather the desire to participate, to care for what we share, and to believe that democracy can and must be renewed and strengthened.”

In the message from the Costa Rican Episcopal Conference , the prelates also addressed the priests, emphasizing that “the exercise of the vote is a concrete expression of civic responsibility, a legitimate means to seek the common good, and an expression of a solid and edifying democracy. We urge you to encourage the People of God to inform themselves, discern, and participate actively at the polls, remembering that the future of Costa Rica is built on the commitment of today.”

On February 1, the President—who must obtain 40% of the votes in the first round in order to avoid a runoff—and the members of Parliament will be elected. There are 20 presidential candidates, including five women.

The Churches in the Holy Land and “Christian Zionism”

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:47:57 +0100

Jerusalem – A recent joint statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem addresses the themes of “unity” and “representation” among the Christian communities in the Holy Land. At the heart of the statement is a phenomenon that is being observed with growing concern within the church communities in the Holy Land: the hyper-activism of groups and individuals associated with networks of “Christian Zionism.”

In the joint statement of January 17, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem reaffirm “before the faithful and before the world that the ﬂock of Christ in this land is entrusted to the Apostolic Churches, which have borne their sacred ministry across centuries with steadfast devotion.” They then condemn “the recent activities undertaken by local individuals who advance damaging ideologies, such as Christian Zionism.” These activities “mislead the public, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our ﬂock” and have found favor “among certain political actors in Israel and beyond.” These actors, in turn, “are seeking to push a political agenda which may harm the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East.”

The statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches contains no direct references to organizations or individuals, but the description perfectly matches the modus operandi of groups like “The Israeli Christian Voice,” accredited by political actors both inside and outside Israel as representative organizations of Christians in the Holy Land.

“To claim authority outside the communion of the Church,” wrote the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, “is to wound the unity of the faithful and burden the pastoral mission entrusted to the historic churches in the very land where our Lord lived, taught, suﬀered, and rose from the dead.” For this reason, they affirm in their joint statement that “they alone represent the Churches and their ﬂock in matters pertaining to Christian religious, communal, and pastoral life in the Holy Land.”

“The Israeli Christian Voice” describes itself as a civil association registered in Israel, advocating for the interests and future of the local Christian community. Its leader, Colonel Ihab Shlayan, was recently seen alongside Israeli President Isaac Herzog in photos at the official meeting between the Head of State and the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches, held on January 12, 2026, to exchange New Year's greetings. But, as Marie-Armelle Beaulieu writes on terrasanta.net, “the actual weight of this ‘Voice of Israeli Christians’ within the Christian public sphere in Israel “remains difficult to assess. The group lacks both recognized ecclesiastical affiliation and clear public support from the major local Churches. To what extent are the more than 18,000 followers of its Facebook page significant?”

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Authorities in Kaduna State deny the kidnapping of more than 100 faithful from several Christian churches

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:34:51 +0100

Abuja – “The news is completely false; we have no evidence of any such attack,” said Sule Shuaibu, Commissioner for Internal Security in Kaduna State, refuting to the press the reports of the alleged kidnapping of 163 faithful. This mass kidnapping reportedly took place on Sunday, January 18, in Kurmin Wali, a community in the Kajuru area of Kaduna State, while several religious services were being held simultaneously: a mass at the Evangelical Church Winning All , another at a community belonging to the Cherubim ae Seraphim denomination, and another at a Catholic parish.
After stating that Kaduna State authorities had investigated the area and found no evidence of a mass kidnapping, Sule Shuaibu declared, "we will not tolerate the spread of such false information." "Our men have found no evidence of attacks or mass kidnappings in the Kajuru area," said Muhammad Rabiu, Kaduna Police Chief, adding that he believes those who spread false information are trying to plunge Kaduna State into chaos. Speaking to reporters after the State Security Council meeting on January 19, the police chief challenged those who spread false information to provide a list of the names of those kidnapped.
The report of the alleged mass kidnapping was initially spread by John Hayab, president of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria. However, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria , Enoch Kaura, insisted on the veracity of the kidnappings and stated that CAN is compiling a list of the abducted individuals to present to the authorities. Catholic Church sources contacted by Fides say that the Episcopal Conference of Nigeria has not received any information about these kidnappings.

ASIA/MYANMAR - A statue of Carlo Acutis in Myitkyina: an example of youthful holiness for young Burmese people amid the current crisis

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:23:44 +0100

Myitkyina – The Diocese of Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State, a region ravaged by intense fighting in the ongoing civil war, has erected a statue of Carlo Acutis in the Cathedral of St. Columbanus. The inauguration of the statue, the first of its kind in Myanmar, took place on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the priesthood and the first anniversary of the episcopate of the Bishop of Myitkyina, John La Sam. “The intention behind the statue is that young people can learn from Carlo Acutis how to bear witness to the faith in their lives, even in times of trial, especially during this difficult time the nation is experiencing,” Father John Aung Htoi, a priest of the Diocese of Myitkyina, explained to Fides. “It is also intended to highlight that young people in Myanmar can draw inspiration from Acutis to live their faith through the internet and social media,” he added.
“Carlo Acutis is an example of youthful holiness for young people today, who face a great challenge on their journey to adulthood: they must navigate and survive this crisis affecting a country torn apart by civil war. Young Burmese face many social and moral threats: drugs, violence, family disintegration, crime, and the use of social media in a context lacking legal protections,” the priest explains. “Therefore, they are frightened and seek points of reference such as the teachings of the Church. They need to trust in institutions like the Catholic Church, which has solid foundations and encourages them to build their lives on the rock that is Christ himself. As a Catholic community in Myitkyina, but also in other dioceses, we try to organize annual youth camps, faith formation programs, and educational programs as much as possible. We try to be close to and accompany young people in their process of growth,” he observes.
“Young people in Myanmar today,” he continues, “need understanding, guidance, and trust.” At the same time, they must learn to take responsibility for their own actions, acknowledge their mistakes, heed the advice of their elders, and actively participate in socially beneficial activities.
“Young people are a vital resource for the future, and therefore we must take care of them,” he concludes.
In various regions of the country, and especially where conflicts and fighting are ongoing, adolescents and young people represent a particularly vulnerable segment of the population: many live on the streets, are orphans, or lack a family capable of protecting them, and are at risk of becoming a “lost generation.”
To address these challenges, in the Archdiocese of Mandalay, in the north of the country, the “Don Bosco” Youth Center, founded in 2014, welcomes some 60 young people and adolescents from difficult backgrounds, often orphans or living on the streets. The Salesian missionaries care for them, providing shelter, food, accommodation, schooling, healthcare, and education, along with sports, music, and cultural activities characteristic of the Salesian charism. “Our mission,” write the Salesian priests, “is to accompany them in their growth with security, dignity, and hope.” Myanmar is experiencing a very delicate historical moment: the military junta’s coup in 2021 interrupted the fragile democratic process that had lasted nearly ten years. Thousands of young people protested peacefully for the restoration of democracy and subsequently joined the armed struggle in the ranks of the resistance, both in the People’s Defense Forces and in the armies of ethnic minorities. The implementation of the conscription law, enacted by the military junta in 2024, has created further hardships for young people in Myanmar, with 60,000 young men forcibly recruited and sent to the front lines. The campaign has forced nearly 100,000 young people into hiding or to flee abroad, especially to Thailand. Young people between the ages of 15 and 35 represent 33% of Myanmar’s 60 million inhabitants, with a national median age of 27. From 2010 to 2020, young people in Myanmar glimpsed a glimmer of freedom and opportunity. However, the 2021 coup halted this process, but it also triggered a new wave of resistance and civic engagement led by young people. For many of them, the 2021 coup was not just “a political event”: it had a profoundly personal impact, erasing their experience of democracy and the enjoyment of individual rights. The 2021 coup contributed to strengthening the political awakening of young people in Myanmar, who wish to fight to rebuild a nation based on the values of peace, justice, democracy, dialogue, and unity.

AFRICA/UGANDA - President Museveni claims responsibility for the arrest of the priest reported missing in early December

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:43:51 +0100

Kampala – “We will only release Father Deusdedit Ssekabira if he confesses the truth,” said Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on January 18 in his speech celebrating his victory in the January 15 presidential elections . According to Museveni, the priest, who was arrested by the army illegally on December 3 , is said to have connections to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine.
According to the Ugandan President, during a meeting with Msgr. Severus Jjumba, Bishop of Masaka , he urged the Head of State to release the priest. “When I met Bishop Jjumba here some days ago, we had arrested a priest in Masaka because he was involved with Kyagulanyi,” Museveni explained. “They wanted me to release him. I said no! We can release him if they tell the truth, and they stop because our interest is not to punish, but our interest is that they must stop doing this and never do it again.”
Initially, Father Ssekabira was reported missing before the army confirmed his detention on subversion charges. More than two weeks after his disappearance, the priest was brought before a court in Masaka and charged with money laundering on December 23. Meanwhile, the Ugandan Election Commission declared Museveni the winner of the January 15 elections with 71.65% of the vote, extending his term to almost 40 years, despite allegations of irregularities, errors in the biometric identification systems, and an internet blackout. His new term of office begins in May 2026.

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Cardinal Tagle: Apostolic succession is succession in mission

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:18:24 +0100

Manila – Bishops are successors of the Apostles. And the apostolic succession they receive at the moment of their episcopal ordination is a succession in the mission that Jesus himself entrusted to his Apostles before ascending to Heaven.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle emphasized this point, highlighting the essential factors that characterize the unique nature of apostolic succession, recalling that the office and ministry of every bishop originates in the mission to proclaim salvation, which Christ himself entrusted to his Church.

The occasion to once again highlight the special character of the ministry of Bishops, the Successors of the Apostles, was the episcopal ordination of Samuel Naceno Agcaracar as Bishop of San Jose in Nueva Ecija, in the northern Philippines.

The episcopal ordination liturgy, presided over by Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization , was celebrated on Saturday, January 17.

"Many," Cardinal Tagle said in his homily, "ask what a bishop is. And we bishops also ask ourselves: who are we?"
To answer this question, the Cardinal drew inspiration from the Gospel reading chosen for the ordination liturgy: the end of the Gospel according to Matthew, where the risen Christ entrusts the eleven apostles he met in Galilee with the mission of teaching “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,” promising to be with them “always, until the end of the age.”
The Apostles, Cardinal Tagle explained, are people "sent" by Christ. And every Bishop is sent to continue the mission entrusted to the first Apostles.

Through Apostolic Succession, Bishops do not receive prestige or privileges per se, but rather the same mission entrusted by Christ to the first Apostles.
And the episcopal office, as the Pro-Prefect of the Missionary Dicastery commented, "is not a reward for good performance, nor a promotion to a more prestigious rank. It is a mission."

And just as the Apostles were "sent by Christ," so too must every Bishop, writes Leahna Villajos on the Radio Veritas Asia website, quoting the Cardinal, "live the tension between remaining with Jesus and being sent by Him. 'You remain by going, and you go still remaining with Jesus.'"

An authority to be exercised by embracing one's weaknesses

Bishops, in their mission, are also called to exercise their episcopal authority. But “we are not called to supplant the authority of Jesus,” Cardinal Tagle emphasized.

All authority remains with Christ. The same authority with which he worked through the weaknesses and limitations of the first apostles and made them missionaries.

"Embracing your weakness," Cardinal Tagle said, addressing the new Bishop Agcaracar, a member of the Society of the Divine Word , "will not diminish your episcopal mission and authority." While "the bishop who cannot empathize with the weakness of others usurps the authority of Jesus."

Bishops for all nations

In the final part of his homily, Cardinal Tagle, recalling the end of the Gospel according to Matthew, recalled that Bishops, Successors of the Apostles, are called to "go and make disciples of all nations," and to exercise their local mission in the communion that unites the universal Church.

ASIA/INDIA - Claretian priest: "In Manipur, ethnic groups remain divided in the search of a new path of coexistence and dialogue"

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:30:29 +0100

Imphal - "As things stand, reconciliation in the state of Manipur is still premature. As far as I can see, there is still resentment in people's hearts, much suffering, and psychological trauma. It will take some time before the wounds heal and we can speak of dialogue again," says Father Marcus Thangminlun, CMF, a priest of the Claretian Missionaries who was recently ordained in the Claretian community of Manipur, in an interview with Fides. Father Thangminlun is the first Claretian priest of the Kuki-Zo community. The Claretians are present in various states in northeastern India and have been organized into a religious province since 2023. They fulfill their mission in parishes and schools, while the state of Manipur still feels the effects of the inter-ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-zo groups.
“The state’s society remains marked by trauma and division: the Kuki and Meitei groups are strictly separated, and the state also has the Naga, who are part of a society that was drawn into and torn apart by the conflict. The Kuki-zo are demanding an autonomous state, which the other groups disagree with.
Today, it is very difficult to speak of coexistence,” he observes. Father Marcus, who comes from Manipur and serves as a priest in this complex situation, emphasizes: “As a priest, I speak about peace and try to be an apostle of peace among both ordinary people and civil leaders. Above all, we always pray for peace.” Regarding the Claretian mission in Manipur, he reports: “Our charism is to proclaim the Word of God and respond to the signs of the times: We are trying to do this here in Manipur, in a torn society. Only the Spirit of God can heal the wounds and bring about an era of reconciliation.”
The Claretians have established the “St. Claret Mission” and opened three centers for displaced people in three rural districts of Manipur: “We help the people; we have established schools in the parishes to meet the needs of the displaced. These are internally displaced persons who have come primarily from the capital, Imphal, and cannot return to their homes and their lives before the conflict. In some cases, their homes and property have been destroyed. Today they are alone and have no means of survival; they have no schools. Among my confreres, four Claretians dedicate themselves to these people, bringing them comfort and concrete help.” “Some of the displaced,” he recalls, “have found a small house to settle in, thanks to the help of the Diocese of Imphal. Many others have nothing; they live in total poverty. The social and political situation is at a standstill, and there are no easy solutions. We are hoping for everyone’s goodwill.”
In Manipur, violence erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei tribe and the Kuki-Zo tribe . Various Naga ethnic groups also live in this state, along with other minority groups. More than 60,000 people have been displaced, and the different ethnic groups are isolated in strictly segregated areas. The tribal groups have demanded the division of the state and separate administration for the tribal-majority areas, but the Meitei reject this, and neither the central nor the federal government has yet agreed to this request. Since February 13, 2025, Manipur has been under the direct presidential administration of New Delhi, while the formation of a government is being considered, which could include members of the Kuki, Meitei, and Naga groups.
According to observers, consultations regarding the formation of a "people's government" in Manipur are intensifying in the coming weeks. The Kuki-Zo groups are seeking written guarantees for a political agreement, and meetings are currently underway with various groups and leaders from the state and federal governments. The goal is to form a government in Manipur by February 2026.