Fides News - English

ASIA/HONG KONG - The parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, of the Missions Étrangères de Paris, celebrates 130 years of its missionary history

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:07:42 +0100

Hong Kong – With a Marian procession and the sending forth of young missionaries, accompanied by the presentation of a Bible, as a sign of continuity with the evangelizing work of the parish community, which began 130 years ago by missionaries of the Missions Étrangères de Paris , the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Pok Fu Lam district of Hong Kong celebrated its patronal feast day on Saturday, February 7, commemorating the beginning of its history, which started thanks to the passion of the missionaries who came from France.

According to the diocesan magazine "Kung Kao Po," the liturgical celebration for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes was presided over by the Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau Yan. In his homily, Cardinal Chow encouraged all parishes in the diocese to have faith in young people and to walk alongside them: “I give thanks for the many young people present in the Church. Let us allow them to help us so that the Gospel may be passed on.”
In the presence of the parish priest, Christopher Chor Yuk Wa, and the Provincial Superior of the Society for Foreign Missions for the Province of Hong Kong, Father Matthieu Masson, the community reflected on the history of their parish, which began with the work of the French missionaries.
The Cardinal emphasized that the parish's long journey has been accompanied by the Virgin Mary and highlighted the importance of continuing on this path into the future, imploring the help of Our Lady of Lourdes, and bearing witness to the love and communion of the Sacred Heart. The Bishop of Hong Kong recalled the urgent needs of the parish and the entire diocese, addressing in particular the generational shift in parish life. He encouraged the older members to make way for the younger ones. Cardinal Chow expressed his conviction that the young people of the parish respect history and, in response to the challenges of our time, will find new ways to proclaim the Gospel. He also encouraged them to listen to and learn from the experiences of past generations.
In 1875, the Missions Étrangères de Paris founded the Bethany Monastery . In 1885, the missionaries built the Nazareth Printing House and the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes . In 1982, the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes moved to its current location in Chi Fu Park. The new church in Pok Fu Lam was consecrated in 1983.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Protest Rally: Priests from the Dioceses of Wukari and Jalingo denounce violence in Taraba State

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:35:20 +0100

Abuja – “So far, more than 80 people have been killed, many more injured, over 200 communities and churches destroyed, and more than 90,000 Christians have been forced to leave their homes,” denounced Father James Yaro, Apostolic Vicar of Wukari, who led the protest march of priests from the dioceses of Wukari and Jalingo yesterday, February 12, in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State in eastern Nigeria.
The marchers demanded immediate government intervention to stop the wave of murders, kidnappings, and destruction affecting rural Christian communities, especially the Tiv people in southern Taraba, where, according to Father Yaro, “a genocide against Christians” is taking place. According to the organizers of the protest, the attacks are concentrated in the local government districts of Takum, Donga, and Ussa. The attacks are carried out by Fulani militias, who typically strike at night, killing anyone in their path and looting and burning homes and churches.
In this way, according to Father Yaro, “the Fulani militias have managed to take control of the farms of Christian families and have now begun harvesting the agricultural produce of the displaced communities and feeding it to their animals.” “They have also committed countless atrocities, including rape, and sometimes they block roads and kill innocent farmers,” reports the Apostolic Vicar. Father Yaro calls for "an adequate number of security personnel to be urgently mobilized and deployed inland, where this carnage continues unabated.” “The government must work at all levels to ensure security and bring the accomplices and perpetrators of these heinous crimes against humanity to justice, regardless of their ethnic, political, or religious affiliation.”
The Apostolic Vicar of Wukari also addresses the plight of internally displaced persons, which “requires immediate intervention by the government, humanitarian organizations, non-governmental organizations, and people of goodwill.” “Among the most urgent needs of the displaced are food, bedding, hygiene items, medical supplies, and temporary tents to prevent a severe humanitarian catastrophe,” the Apostolic Vicar states. Father Yaro concludes with a call for dialogue to end the violence. “It is appropriate,” he says, “for the key stakeholders, such as traditional chiefs, religious leaders, security forces, local government officials, and politicians of the affected region, to meet and sincerely commit to constructive dialogue to promote lasting peace and stability in the southern Taraba region.”

AFRICA/UGANDA - Priest arrested under unconstitutional circumstances released on bail

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:18:58 +0100

Kampala – The Masaka High Court has granted bail to Father Deusdedit Ssekabira, who has been in custody since December 2025. Father Ssekabira was reported missing on December 3. Nearly two weeks after his disappearance, the Ugandan Ministry of National Defence announced on December 14 that the priest had been arrested by security forces on charges of participating in “violent subversive activities against the state” . The circumstances of his arrest have been described as unconstitutional by the Uganda Catholic Lawyers Society . On December 23, the priest, who is parish priest of Bumangi Parish in the Diocese of Masaka, was charged with money laundering and subsequently transferred to the Masaka court for trial .
On February 10, Judge Victoria Nakintu Katamba ruled that Father Ssekabira would be released on bail of 15 million shillings and a guarantee of 50 million shillings . The ruling ended more than two months of detention after previous attempts to secure his release had failed.

AFRICA/CAMEROON - Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Bamenda

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:09:14 +0100

Vatican City - The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend John Berinyuy Tata, until now rector of the Catholic University of Cameroon in Bamenda, as auxiliary bishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of Bamenda, Cameroon.
Msgr. John Berinyuy Tata was born on 18 December 1975 in Mbuluf-Shisong, in the diocese of Kumbo. He studied philosophy and theology at Saint Thomas Aquinas Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Bambui, Bamenda.
He was ordained a priest on 30 March 2005.
After ordination, he held the roles of parish vicar of Saint Joseph in Bafut and parish priest of Saint Patrick in Babanki-Tungo . He studied spirituality at the Dominican monastery of Bambui, and was awarded a doctorate in theology, specializing in Christian anthropology, at the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum in Rome. He went on to serve as spiritual director and lecturer at Saint Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui, chaplain of the diocesan Charismatic Movement, and, to date, rector of the Catholic University of Cameroon in Bamenda.

ASIA/BANGLADESH - Bishop Gomes on the parliamentary elections: "Bangladeshi Christians have great hope for a future of stability and peace"

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:06:22 +0100

Dhaka – "We were positively impressed that the elections were completely peaceful. There were no casualties and no violence in connection with the elections: This is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh. The general atmosphere was very good, characterized by great enthusiasm," said Msgr. Subroto Boniface Gomes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka, commenting on the parliamentary elections of February 12 to Fides. "We saw impressive security measures and soldiers guarding the area and the polling stations. People were able to exercise their democratic right to vote in peace," the bishop noted. The election resulted in a victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party : “As far as I can tell,” said Bishop Gomes, “this is a party generally appreciated by Bangladesh’s minorities for its moderate stance towards Islamist parties. I observe that Bangladeshi Christians, by and large, are satisfied with the BNP’s history and have high hopes for the future.” The BNP leader, Tarique Rahman, has called for a nationwide day of prayer in Bangladesh today, February 13. “We understood this call as a very important sign: it means bringing public life back to a spiritual level. We hope that the BNP leader, who has lived in England for 17 years, can bring something good back to our country from this experience. He has made it clear that the nation needs peace and stability and that we all have to work together for it. As Christians, we share this approach,” said the auxiliary bishop. The election commission announced that voter turnout was 60%. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a majority in the country's first elections since student protests in August 2024 ended the 15-year rule of exiled politician Sheikh Hasina. Hasina's party, the Awami League, was barred from participating in these elections. According to preliminary results, the BNP won over 212 of the 300 seats in parliament, a majority of more than two-thirds, while the coalition of Islamist groups led by Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to win around 76 seats. The BNP is led by Tarique Rahman, 60, who returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile in the UK. He is the son of three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who died on December 30. Rahman will lead the new government as Prime Minister. Bangladeshi voters overwhelmingly approved several institutional reforms in a referendum aimed at preventing the return of an authoritarian regime. Father Peter Chanel Gomes, a priest in Dhaka and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the country, told Fides: “The election has shown that democracy in Bangladesh is alive and strong. For many citizens, these elections were a relief in the face of corruption, unrest, and insecurity. People voted freely and safely. The election day, marked by freedom and optimism, demonstrated that the people can truly contribute to the future of the country when given the opportunity.”

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - 1500th Mass for Korean Reconciliation; Faithful from South and North North Pray in spiritual communion

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:45:00 +0100

Seoul – “To celebrate Masses regularly for a single intention with unwavering devotion for almost 31 years is an unprecedented undertaking in the entire history of the Catholic Church in Korea. This demonstrates how important the task of peace on the Korean Peninsula and reconciliation and unity between North and South Korea is for our people,” emphasized Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick, OCD, Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang, as well as Chairman of the Committee for Reconciliation in Korea, when he celebrated the 1500th Mass for the Reconciliation and Unity of Korea on February 10 in the cathedral of the Korean capital. The special Eucharistic celebration takes place every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where the faithful pray for true peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. Over 400 people attended the service, which was organized by the Committee for Reconciliation of Korea in the Archdiocese of Seoul. Among them were the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari; the former and first chairman of the Committee for Reconciliation of Korea, Archbishop Choi Chang-mou; and several politicians, including the Minister of Unification, David Chung Dong-young, as well as priests, religious, and members of the faithful. As a statement from the press office of the Archdiocese of Seoul indicates, Archbishop Chung emphasized in his homily: “Over the past 30 years, there have been moments when peace on the Korean Peninsula seemed within reach, and times when dialogue completely broke down and tensions reached their peak.” Today, he said, “it is unclear where and how dialogue can be resumed.” Nevertheless, he affirmed: “The efforts to understand the other side and to strive for reconciliation are by no means signs of weakness or a loss of touch with reality, but rather represent the most courageous decision.”
Regarding inter-Korean relations, Archbishop Chung pointed out that it is necessary to let go of the attitude of “feeling superior to others” in order to see one another “as brothers and sisters and neighbors.” Considering the significance of the Mass of Reconciliation, he remarked: “This Mass has safeguarded peace on the Korean Peninsula; it is a Eucharistic celebration of introspection and preparation for a new future.”
At the celebration of the 1500th Mass, Father Jung Soo Yong, Vice President of the Committee for Reconciliation in Korea, reported on the progress made so far, stating: “This Mass is being celebrated together with the new priests and pastoral workers of the year as part of the ‘The North Korean Church in My Heart’ campaign. Every week, in our prayers, we remember one of the 57 parish churches that existed in the North immediately after liberation.” He promised: “We will continue to carry the desire for peace on the Korean Peninsula and for better inter-Korean relations in our hearts. We will continue to pray together.” Minister David Chung Dong-young declared: “I hope that today’s Mass will be an opportunity for God’s will to be fulfilled on this earth, transforming hatred into love, discord into reconciliation, and division into unity.” The Mass, celebrated every Tuesday since the establishment of the Committee for Reconciliation in Korea in 1995, testifies to the faith, devotion, and perseverance of the faithful who began it 31 years ago. It was first celebrated on March 7, 1995, by the late Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan and continued by the Committee for Reconciliation, which was founded on March 1, 1995, the year marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation and division of the peninsula. At the end of the service, the faithful present recite the "Simple Prayer for Peace" by St. Francis of Assisi, "God, make me an instrument of your peace," which is recited simultaneously in Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul and Changchung Church in Pyongyang, the only Catholic church in North Korea. This practice stems from an agreement reached on August 15, 1995, between the Committee for Reconciliation in Korea and the official Catholic organization of North Korea, the Korean Catholic Association . Since then, the faithful in South Korea and North Korea have been united in spiritual communion once a week, praying for peace on the same day and at the same time. In Seoul, for about nine years now, a Rosary has also been prayed after Mass, invoking the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the world.

ASIA/CHINA - Catholic communities visit the families of priests and nuns ahead of the Lunar New Year

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:45:07 +0100

Shijiazhuang – Vocations usually spring from the fertile ground of faith, hope, and charity that the families of priests and religious sisters represent. With the Chinese New Year approaching on Tuesday, February 17, the various Catholic parishes in mainland China have begun the traditional initiatives linked to this event, such as the customary visits to the families of religious sisters and priests. These visits, often accompanied by diocesan bishops, express the care for the treasure that Catholic families represent. Often, the parents or family members of the young men and women who feel a vocation to the priesthood or religious life are also very active members of their parish communities. The visits also provide an opportunity for mutual edification and support on the path of faith.
According to the church news portal xinde.org, three groups from the Archdiocese of Taiyuan, the capital of Changzhi Province, extended greetings to the parents of priests and nuns, expressing concern for their health and that of their children consecrated to the Lord. The visits also provided an opportunity to reflect on how the families nurtured and supported their sons and daughters' early vocations. Paul Meng Ningyou, Bishop of Taiyuan, encouraged the parents to continue providing their children with support and spiritual guidance so they can serve the Church in the diocese and assured them that the Church would continue to care for their families.
The group, led by Father Meng Tongbao, also visited the parents of Sister Yan Youmin, who passed away seven years ago. The church community wanted to offer the parents comfort and show them that they cherish the memory of their daughter with gratitude and care for her entire family.
In the Diocese of Changzhi, Bishop Peter Ding Lingbin, along with the chancellor and the nuns, delivered New Year's greetings to the 78 families of young people who have entered the priesthood in recent years and are represented in all 30 parishes. In Fujian Province, Bishop Joseph Cai Bingrui of Fuzhou sent greetings and gifts to dozens of priests and nuns of the Diocese of Xiamen, the diocese currently vacant, where he was bishop.

Bishop Peter Liu Genzhu of Linfen wanted to personally visit priests and nuns who are on the front lines of proclaiming the Gospel, to hear about their difficulties and urgent concerns, and to exchange views with them based on the teachings of Pope Leo XIV on the priesthood and consecrated life. The bishop reminded the religious orders of the sisters that “the diocese and the religious orders are inextricably linked and work together for the Kingdom of God.” Even in many other places, such as Tangshan and Jiangxi, ecclesial communities have carried out and are continuing the traditional Chinese New Year visits to the families of priests and religious.

EUROPE/POLAND - " Strengthening Ukrainian Refugee Resilience": Camillian missionaries support Ukrainian refugee women in Poland

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:57:47 +0100

Ursus – Strategically, cooperation between CADIS International and the Camillian Province of Poland proved effective, with clear communication and aligned goals regarding the project “Strengthening Ukrainian Refugee Resilience ”, launched by the humanitarian organization of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm, to support Ukrainian refugee women in Poland.

When war broke out between Russia and Ukraine on February 24, 2022, CADIS, in cooperation with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation and the Camillians in Poland, mobilized emergency relief efforts in Poland. The project was designed to help Ukrainian refugees gradually adapt and integrate into Polish society. It is estimated that between 1.5 and 2 million Ukrainian refugees live in Poland, of whom approximately 1.2 million have registered for protection. About 90% of the Ukrainian refugees are women and children.

The director of CADIS, Father Aris Miranda, MI, recently traveled to Poland to evaluate the fourth phase of the program for building resilience after the war. In a statement sent to Fides, the Camillian aid organization emphasizes the crucial role of the program in supporting Ukrainian women refugees in Poland, rebuilding their professional lives, achieving economic independence, and strengthening their social integration. Community events, joint celebrations, and extracurricular activities helped reduce stereotypes and build personal ties between refugees and local residents. Children developed a sense of belonging in Polish schools, and individual friendships emerged, illustrating the human impact of direct contact and shared experiences.

Specifically, the Camillians set up emergency shelters in the Ursus and Łomianki districts and converted the seminary's residence into a reception center. In Ursus, they integrated the care and accommodation of Ukrainian refugees into the social welfare program for the homeless at the San Lazzaro Pension House for the Homeless.

Job opportunities, safe housing, healthcare, and education were the refugees' main concerns. According to Father Aris, the project has played a crucial role over the past year, thanks to which all participants now have legal employment, and 25 individuals have secured stable and decent jobs in sectors such as gastronomy, warehousing, cleaning, and especially beauty and hygiene services. Several women also returned to the project after earlier participation, seeking support to change jobs and improve their working conditions. Alongside employment, the project strongly fostered entrepreneurship. “For these women, self-management marked a turning point,” emphasizes Director Cadis, “from uncertainty and dependence to confidence, stability, and integration into the Polish labor market. Accomplishing this in a new country, often with language barriers and limited prior experience, demonstrated both the women’s determination and the effectiveness of comprehensive, hands-on support.”
Beyond compliance, this process strengthened their sense of responsibility, financial literacy, and self-worth. Women have begun to see themselves not only as workers, but as entrepreneurs capable of growth and long-term planning. Language has ceased to be a barrier and became a tool for social and economic participation.”

AFRICA/NIGERIA - 30 people, including a catechist and his pregnant wife, kidnapped in Kaduna State

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:13:18 +0100

Abuja – A catechist, his pregnant wife, and 30 other people were kidnapped in Kadarko, in the Kadarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, in north-central Nigeria. The catechist serves at the local parish of St. Joseph. The mass kidnapping occurred around 2:00 a.m. on February 10, when a group of armed bandits stormed into two areas near the village. The parish priest of St. Joseph Church, Father Linus Matthew Bobai, told local broadcaster Arise TV that "before the attack, the bandits had called one of my parishioners demanding 10 million naira , threatening to kidnap him if he did not comply."
According to the priest, the attackers kidnapped 16 people in Kutaho, including the catechist, his pregnant wife, and their child, and another 16 people in Kugir, bringing the total to 32 hostages. Father Bobai explained that the bandits initially kidnapped 20 residents of Kutaho, but later released the elderly and those with health problems. Then, the attackers stormed the mission station in Kugir, where they kidnapped several residents, including some children. Some of the kidnapped people managed to escape while being taken away.
According to the priest, the village chief was attacked with a machete and barely survived. Father Bobai emphasized that the situation in Kadarko remains very tense and that many residents are fleeing because they do not feel protected by the authorities. "Initially, after the incident, some soldiers arrived from a nearby village. After staying for a few minutes, we saw them leave." “We are in a vulnerable situation. The community is living under tension, and more than 98% of the inhabitants have moved to a nearby village, where they spent the night yesterday and today,” the priest added.
Despite the fear of further attacks, some residents, particularly the pastors, have decided to stay to support the community. “Some of us are afraid, but we cannot flee because we are pastors. We encourage others to stay, to care for the community, and to trust in God’s faithfulness,” Father Bobai concluded.
During the past week, at least two other mass kidnappings of Catholic faithful have been reported. The first occurred on February 6 at the St. John of the Cross mission station in Ojije-Utonkon, belonging to St. Paul Parish in the Ado Local Government Area, where nine Catholic faithful were kidnapped . The second incident, also in Kaduna State, occurred on February 7, when three people were killed and eleven others were kidnapped during an attack on Holy Trinity Parish in Karku, Kauru Local Government Area . Among those kidnapped was the parish priest, Father Nathaniel Asuwaye. It is worth noting that at least three Nigerian priests remain in the hands of the kidnappers. In addition to Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, Father Joseph Igweagu, of the Diocese of Aguleri in Anambra State, kidnapped on October 12, 2022 , and Father Emmanuel Ezema, of the Diocese of Zaria in Kaduna State, kidnapped on December 2, 2025 , are also being held captive.

ASIA/MYANMAR - Cardinal Bo: "There is still hope in Myanmar, devastated by war and abandoned by the world"

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:52:29 +0100

Yangon – “In the collective drama marked by insecurity and uncertainty about the future, it is still possible to maintain hope in Myanmar, even amidst conflict, poverty, and the painful feeling of international abandonment. But this hope is not naive optimism: it is a Christian hope born from the Cross and the Resurrection. Hope in Myanmar today is a crucified hope, and yet it is not dead.” This is what the Archbishop of Yangon, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, stated in a message sent to Fides, in which he describes the situation in the country five years after the coup. “First of all,” he points out, “our hope is placed in God, not in circumstances. The people of Myanmar have lost many securities—peace, livelihoods, stability, and even international attention—but they have not lost the presence of God.” As the Psalms remind us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” In villages displaced by war, in camps of the internally displaced, in silent tears of mothers and the perseverance of catechists and religious, God is still walking with His people.
“Secondly,” the Cardinal explains, “the poor themselves have become signs of hope. In Myanmar, the poor continue to share what little they have; families continue to pray together; young people still volunteer, serve, and dream of a better future. The Church remains close to the suffering—through education, health care, humanitarian assistance, and quiet mediation. These are not spectacular signs, but they are Gospel signs, like the mustard seed.”
Thirdly, Cardinal Bo emphasizes that “the Church’s faithfulness is itself hope. When the Church refuses hatred, rejects violence, and continues to speak the language of reconciliation and human dignity, she becomes a sacrament of hope. Even when the world seems indifferent, the Church in Myanmar continues to believe that violence will not have the last word.”
He also points out that, although there may seem to be indifference on the part of the international community, “that does not mean abandonment by God, who often works in forgotten places. Myanmar may feel overlooked, but it is not forgotten in God’s plan. The blood of the innocent, the prayers of the suffering, and the resilience of the faithful are not wasted.”
The Archbishop of Yangon adds that “hope in Myanmar is a moral duty. To lose hope would be to surrender the future to violence and despair. Christian hope empowers us to resist injustice nonviolently, to protect life, to educate children even in exile, and to prepare the ground for reconciliation—long before peace agreements are signed.” “Myanmar hopes,” he affirms, “not because the situation is easy, but because God is faithful.” And as long as there are people who pray, forgive, serve, and refuse to hate, hope is alive in Myanmar.” In the context of widespread violence, suffering, and forced displacement, Cardinal Bo emphasizes that “communities continue to care for one another, and religious leaders, particularly Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims, continue to raise their voices in favor of peace.”
The Christian communities in Myanmar, both Catholic and Protestant, supported by ecumenical organizations, the Cardinal concludes, “are actively engaged in efforts to build peace and reconciliation at various levels.”
Their leaders continue to disseminate appeals for an end to the violence and invite the population to embrace reconciliation and forgiveness. Throughout the country, Churches organize inter-faith prayer meetings for peace, initiatives that “promote and strengthen a framework for coexistence.”

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Archbishop Arshad: "Attacks on places of worship strengthen unity among believers in Pakistan"

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:27:13 +0100

Islamabad – "Attacks on places of worship are an attack on interreligious harmony and efforts toward peace: this cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Terrorism has no religion, and such elements that aim to divide society must be stopped," said Msgr. Joseph Arshad Archbishop of Rawalpindi-Islamabad in a message sent to Fides, expressing his outrage and condemning the suicide bombing carried out a few days ago on a Shiite mosque in Islamabad.
On the morning of February 6, a suicide bomber attacked a Shiite mosque in Islamabad, first shooting at security personnel, then entering the mosque and detonating an explosive vest. At least 31 people were killed and another 169 hospitalized; the death toll continues to rise. The Islamic State – Khorasan Province , which operates in Afghanistan and Pakistan and has been involved in a number of recent attacks, claimed responsibility for the attack.
While families mourn their loved ones, the Archbishop expressed his solidarity with the Shiite community and reiterated that “the attack on innocent civilians is a heinous crime against humanity” and that “all believers in Pakistan, regardless of their religion, must remain united to protect religious values and social harmony.” The Archbishop of Rawalpindi-Islamabad expressed his solidarity with those injured in the attack, offered his condolences and prayers to the victims’ families, and assured them that “the Christian community in Pakistan stands with them.”
The Archbishop expressed his confidence in the federal government and its institutions, calling for those responsible for the attack to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. He also addressed the entire population: "Let us show patience, unity, and mutual respect, and spread the message of peace and tolerance instead of hatred, so that such tragic incidents will not be repeated in the future."
The spokesman for the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, Father Qaisar Feroz, OFM Cap, told Fides: "The attack on the place of worship fills us all with great concern. It was carried out in revenge and is intended to send a message to the establishment: The Taliban and terrorists remain powerful and influential. We Christians clearly affirm that the loss of innocent lives cannot be justified by any religious ideology. These attacks, regardless of the community they affect, lead us to draw closer together and support one another in combating extremism and violence and fulfilling our important responsibility to promote peace and fraternity in Pakistan."

“Perché nessuno cammini solo” (“So that no one walks alone”). Father Proserpio and Archbishop Sangalli speak about being close to people at the end of their lives

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:56:19 +0100

Rome – “In today’s society, it seems almost taboo to talk about the end of life, as if naming it would bring it closer. But ignoring it does not make it any less real,” wrote Father Tullio Proserpio in a recent article about the processes – conscious or unconscious – that, in many societies, aim to push this inevitable event from everyday life.

Father Tullio, who exercises his priestly mission as a hospital Chaplain at the National Cancer Institute in Milan, experiences every day that, in the face of illness, frailty, and the profound questions faced by those who are dying, hope does not arise from abstract formulas, but can be realized in concrete gestures of closeness and accompaniment.

The experiences of Father Tullio Proserpio are recounted in a book entitled "Perché nessuno cammini solo. Venti riflessioni sulla morte" . The book's chapters are based on twenty questions arising from the daily experience of accompanying sick people in the final stage of their lives. These questions are prompted, for example, by the difficulty of caring for the ailing body of a loved one over an extended period, or by the uncertainty of those who wonder whether there are truly helpful words one can say when comforting a sick person in moments of darkness and despair.

The book includes a preface by the Archbishop of Milan, Mario Delpini, and an afterword by Archbishop Samuele Sangalli, Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Father Proserpio and Archbishop Sangalli will meet on Friday, February 13, at 6:00 p.m. in Rome at the "Libreria San Paolo", Via della Conciliazione 16/20 to discuss the themes and questions addressed in the book. This will be an opportunity to bear witness and acknowledge the potential fruitfulness of closeness to people at the end of their lives, closeness that consists of gestures and not just words. A silent closeness that humbly accompanies those who are suffering, without judgment, without trying to "explain" everything.
Recognizing that no one can face the hour of anguish alone. Thus, in simple, silent closeness to those who are approaching death, which remains a mystery of pain, a glimmer of hope can open to an encounter with the One who conquered death.

Waste as a new form of colonialism in Africa and Asia

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:53:14 +0100

by Cosimo Graziani

The search for rare earths for energy transition is often regarded as a form of neo-colonialism, and today it is the area in which this phenomenon manifests itself most clearly, especially due to its geopolitical and economic effects. However, there are other neo-colonial practices that are less visible but with equally negative consequences at the local level. One of these is the export of waste to Africa and Asia by Western countries, particularly the export of plastic, clothing, and electronic waste. The export of waste to the Global South is a phenomenon that has been ongoing for decades and that in the past was addressed through attempts to regulate and stem, notably with the drafting of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes . In addition to halting waste movements, the Convention also aimed to assist developing countries in the ecological management and disposal of waste.
Unfortunately, despite its intentions, the Convention failed to produce concrete results in international waste management. On the contrary, the situation has worsened over the years. The global export of waste has been dubbed "Waste Colonialism," precisely because it remains a form of exploitation by countries with a colonial past over their former colonies.
The most traditional form of this colonialism concerns the export of plastic, which was initially not included in the Basel Convention and was only included in 2019 with the introduction of a specific amendment.
For years, China was one of the main destinations for exported waste; however, it stopped importing plastic and other waste in 2018. As happens in all economic mechanisms affected by restrictions, trade flows subsequently shifted toward other destinations in Asia, beginning with countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Between 2021 and 2023, these three countries received respectively 1.4 billion, 1 billion, and 600 million kilograms of plastic waste. Among the new destinations, though with smaller quantities, India should also be mentioned. Another country in the region, Thailand, followed China’s example and banned plastic imports starting in 2025, after importing one million tons of plastic between 2018 and 2021.
What all these countries have in common is that the origin of the waste reflects colonial past: Malaysia and India import plastic from the United Kingdom, while Vietnam imports it from the European Union.
What makes the situation even more alarming is the increase in the value of imports of all types of waste to Asia: according to data released by the United Nations Commission on Drugs and Crime , between 2017 and 2019, the value of waste exports from the European Union to ASEAN countries—which include all the Asian countries mentioned so far are members except China and India—increased by 153%.
This situation has obvious environmental consequences. The fact that waste imports have increased in recent years in Southeast Asian countries, and that this waste includes plastic, also has a significant impact on ocean pollution, because estimates suggest that most of the plastic in the seas originates from Asian rivers .
The problem of waste colonialism is also present in Africa. In addition to plastic, the African continent is the destination of second-hand clothing and, above all, technological waste. Both types of waste are collected in landfills in major African cities, around which densely populated neighborhoods have developed: in Nairobi, the Dandora landfill; in Accra, Ghana, the Agbogbloshie neighborhood adjacent to the landfill; in Lagos, Nigeria, Makoko; and in Dar el Salaam, Tanzania, Tandare.
One of the most important collection centers for second-hand clothing in Africa is Ghana’s capital, Accra. The core issue lies in the fact that these clothes are second-hand and made of synthetic materials, which makes reuse more difficult. This is a consequence of the fast fashion industry, whose effects include rapid consumption and a lack of a culture of reuse. This phenomenon is fueled primarily in Western countries but also involves China, which in just a few years has shifted from being a recipient of waste to becoming an exporter.
Clothing that reaches Africa is either collected for resale in second-hand markets, dumped in landfills, or even burned. The latter two options have devastating environmental consequences: according to a 2024 Greenpeace study analyzing the phenomenon in Accra, a significant portion of the clothing arriving in the Ghanaian capital is collected by local residents and used as household fuel. This causes the release of polluting and carcinogenic substances into the air. But this is not the only form of pollution: the longer synthetic clothing remains in landfills, the more microplastics it releases, contaminating rivers, soil, and air, also impacting local ecosystems.
Another form of pollution resulting from waste colonialism is electronic waste. This is the most modern and most worrying form and one of the fastest-growing worldwide, according to United Nations estimates updated in the latest 2024 report, which recorded 62 billion kilograms of electronic waste produced globally in 2022. The shipment of this type of waste is disguised by countries in the Global North as donations of recyclable and reusable materials. For a long time, the export of electronic materials to countries in the Global South was able to benefit from a flaw in the Basel Convention: the absence of a precise rule regulating flows between exporting and importing countries. Only recently has the issue been addressed with the introduction of a new amendment regulating these flows, which entered into force on January 1, 2025. One of the promoters of this amendment was Ghana, because Africa—despite being the continent that produces the least electronic waste according to the UN—is its main destination, with Nigeria and Ghana as the points of arrival. A true labor market has developed around electronic waste, similar to the emergence of second-hand clothing markets imported from imports from the Global North. According to estimates reported by the International Labour Organization in a report published in 2019, Nigeria has at least 100,000 informal jobs in the electronic waste sector, with the capacity to process half a million waste units per year. The same applies to Ghana: according to the Catalan NGO Ciutats Defensores dels Drets Humans, for every ton of electronic waste in Ghana there are fifteen workers involved in recycling and two hundred in repair activities. There is, however, another factor that hinders effective action: Ghana earns approximately 100 million dollars annually in taxes from electronic waste-exporting countries, making this trade a source of revenue the government can hardly do without.
The problem is that all forms of work related to the reuse and recycling of these materials have health and environmental consequences similar to those related to the disposal of plastic and clothing. According to a study by the World Health Organization, the disposal of such waste exposes populations to as many as one thousand different chemical substances that can damage the brain, lungs, and nervous system. As with plastic waste, this situation disproportionately affects the most vulnerable segments of the population, such as women and minors.

EUROPE/UKRAINE - Seeds of hope amid freezing temperatures and bombings

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:12:20 +0100

Kiev - Temperatures ranging from -10 to -20 degrees, lack of electricity, heating and, in some cases, running water. From Borodjanka, near Kiev, Father Luca Bovio, Consolata missionary and director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Ukraine, shows in a video one of the many refreshment points where people can find ‘respite’ from the cold, hot meals are distributed and play areas have been set up for children.

The massive attacks on the energy infrastructure across the country are putting a strain on a population exhausted by almost four years of war.
Father Bovio tells Fides about the first months of the National Direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which is gradually taking shape.
The new National Direction was established in March 2025 and is currently based at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kiev, where Father Luca Bovio has been working since last summer.

“Despite the bureaucratic processes for the legal recognition of our Direction by the State, which are normally lengthy and made even more complex by the ongoing conflict,” reports the missionary priest, "our work is developing: on our proposal, people are being identified who can be appointed as diocesan directors by their respective bishops: these are collaborators who, once trained, carry out valuable and widespread work in the individual dioceses. At the moment, three have already been appointed.”

The current ecclesial reality in Ukraine has been shaped by a rich and complex history linked to the events of Orthodox Christianity in those lands. “As Pontifical Mission Societies,” explains Father Bovio, "we work mainly within the Latin Rite Catholic Church, which accounts for about 1% of Christianity in Ukraine. But even at this early stage, our Direction is expanding its field of work with Catholics of both the Latin and Greek Byzantine rites. In the near future, we would also like to collaborate with a small community of Armenian Catholics."

An important sign of this collaboration with the local Church was the official invitation extended to Father Bovio last October to participate in the Synod of the Greek Catholic Church, to which 12-13% of the population belongs. On that occasion, Father Bovio illustrated the mission and work of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

“With surprise and amazement,” adds the missionary, “I have also witnessed the formation of missionary children's groups in recent months. Especially during Christmas, there were many moments of missionary animation by these children and adolescents, who showed the joy and generosity typical of children and cultivated by the PMS for the benefit of the most distant children.” “I think it is a sign of great hope,” he adds, “to find children who, despite living in situations of constant precariousness, bring the Gospel with their hearts turned to their peers who are most in need.”

Looking to the future, Father Luca Bovio states: "I believe that the PMS in Ukraine are called to an important commitment in missionary and vocational animation. In this initial phase, I believe that the urgency of proclaiming Christ beyond one’s own borders, to the whole world, is not yet widely perceived; here, Christianity is lived with an emphasis on other aspects that are undoubtedly important—there is, for example, great attention to the liturgy. “In this land blessed by God, rich in so many stories of saints and so many beautiful examples of Christian life, we will also seek to work so that vocations may arise which embrace the beauty of proclaiming Christ to the ends of the world.”

AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen is approaching

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:21:48 +0100

Peoria – The beatification of the American Archbishop Fulton Sheen is approaching.
The announcement that the Cause for the Canonization of the Archbishop may now proceed toward beatification was made by the Bishop of Peoria, Louis Tylka, in a written and video statement released on Monday, February 9, on the websites of the diocese and the Sheen Foundation.
“The Holy See,” Bishop Tylka stated, “has informed me that the cause for the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen can proceed to beatification,” adding that “we are working with the Dicastery of the Causes of Saints at the Vatican to determine the details for the upcoming beatification.”
The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States promptly issued a statement expressing joy at the announcement from Peoria. “Archbishop Sheen,” the statement from the U.S. Pontifical Mission Societies recalls, “served as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States from 1950 to 1966.” His preaching, writings, and pioneering presence on radio and television “ignited in countless American Catholics a deep love for the Church’s mission ad gentes.”
It is also recalled that the future Blessed “entrusted much of his patrimony to the Pontifical Mission Societies, including his writings, audio recordings and other assets.”
“It is profoundly moving that, in God’s providence, the first U.S.–born Pope is able to advance the cause of his fellow Illinois native, the most iconic evangelizer ever produced by the American Church,” emphasized Monsignor Roger J. Landry, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA.
“Archbishop Sheen,” Landry recalled, “reminded Americans that the Lord’s final command — ‘Go and teach all nations’ — was not a suggestion but a mandate. His passion for the missions remains a contagious example and bright light for the Church today.”
Shortly before his death in 1979, Fulton Sheen had declared: “My greatest love has always been the missions of the Church.”
From 1930 to 1950, he hosted the evening radio program ‘The Catholic Hour’ on NBC.
In 1950 he was appointed National Director of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the United States, a role he held until 1966. During that period, his television program ‘Life Is Worth Living’ was widely followed, with an average audience of more than 30 million viewers, and earned him two Emmy Awards for his communication skills. From 1961 to 1967 he hosted ‘The Fulton Sheen Show’.

On May 28, 1951, Pope Pius XII appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of New York. He took part in the Second Vatican Council, and on October 21, 1966, Pope Paul VI appointed him Bishop of Rochester. A professor of philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, Fulton Sheen was also the founder of the magazine ‘Christ to the World’ and wrote approximately 300 books and articles.
His Cause for Canonization was opened at the diocesan level in 2002, and its Roman phase began on April 15, 2008, at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On June 28, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI recognized his heroic virtues. On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree concerning the miracle attributed to his intercession. At the beginning of December 2019, a statement by Daniel Jenky, then Bishop of Peoria, announced “with deep regret” that the liturgy for his beatification, scheduled for December 21 of that year, had been postponed to a later date. The postponement—according to the statement—occurred “at the request of a few members of the Bishop’s Conference who asked for further consideration. In our current climate,” the text specified, “it is important for the faithful to know there has never been, nor is there now, any allegation against Sheen involving the abuse of a minor.”

ASIA/THAILAND - Bishop of Surat Thani: “The new government must promote a lasting peace agreement with Cambodia”

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:03:31 +0100

Bangkok – “The social situation after the elections seems calm. What Thais expect is governability and stability for the country; this is what the vote reflected,” Msgr. Paul Trairong Multree, Bishop of Surat Thani, in southern Thailand, told Fides after the February 8 elections, in which the Bhumjaithai party, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, emerged victorious.
“It is true that, due to the recent conflict on the border with Cambodia, nationalist sentiments have marked the last few months in Thailand,” the Bishop noted. “Currently, the conflict is in a truce phase, which we hope will be respected by both sides, and we trust that the new government can transform it into a lasting and definitive peace agreement that restores good relations and normalcy to economic and trade exchanges.” “In my diocese, in the south of the country,” he explains, “this tension is not felt: it is mainly experienced by the Thai populations in the provinces bordering Cambodia.” “Nationalism has gained ground,” he adds, “also because there are groups in both countries that have tried to exploit this situation for their own benefit.”
Regarding the election results and the prospects for government, Peter Rachada Monthienvichienchai, a Thai Catholic layman and Secretary General of the organization Signis, tells Fides: “The people voted overwhelmingly for the incumbent administration, rejecting radical reforms.” “The parties that came in second and third place,” the analyst continues, “suffered significant losses. In particular, the Pheu Thai party, for the first time in its history, won fewer than one hundred parliamentary seats.” Likewise, “the poor performance of the second-place party, the People’s Party, was surprising. Their campaigns displayed great energy, with intensive use of social media and online and offline influencers, and yet they still lost more than 30 seats.” Today, Peter Rachada concludes, “the key challenge for the future will be to form a coalition government that allows the winning party, Bhumjaithai, to fulfill its campaign promises.”

AMERICA/HAITI - Security, change, aid, and structured elections: the priorities of the population at the mercy of gangs

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:23:13 +0100

Pourcine Pic Makaya – The mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council , created in April 2024 following an agreement between the country's main political and social forces and chaired by Laurent Saint-Cyr, ended on February 7. Currently, executive power in this Caribbean nation, which has been without a president since 2021 following the assassination of Jovenel Moïse , is now under Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who focuses his administration on “Security, political dialogue, elections, and stability.” However, this transition has further destabilized the political and social climate in Haiti . Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for August 30, 2026.

According to the latest report from the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti , at least 5,915 people were killed and 2,708 injured in 2025 due to gang violence that controls numerous areas and activities in the country. In the last quarter of 2025 alone, the violence left at least 1,523 dead, 806 injured, 145 kidnappings for ransom, and 400 victims of sexual abuse. The United Nations also warns of an increase in violence against women in reception centers for internally displaced persons. The majority of the population, especially internally displaced persons, lacks access to adequate sanitation facilities.

In this context of violence and a growing humanitarian emergency, Father Massimo Miraglio, a Camillian missionary and parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the small mountain community of Pourcine Pic Makaya, told Fides about the population's continued efforts despite the precarious and difficult conditions. “The situation in the last ten days has been complicated,” he confirmed. “Heavy rains and low temperatures make daily life difficult, the roads are impassable, and we are isolated from the rest of the region. Internet access is very limited. Even so, people continue, with great sacrifice, preparing the land for sowing at the end of February.”

“Despite everything, we are continuing, albeit sporadically, with the primary and nursery schools, and with the adult education center, which closed on December 17 for exams and the Christmas holiday . In recent days, I gathered the teachers of the literacy school for a review meeting and to distribute some school supplies.”

The United Nations Security Council decided to extend the mandate of BINUH for another year, until January 2027, to coordinate humanitarian aid efforts. Gangs operating in areas under their control in Port-au-Prince, home to more than one million people and approximately 300,000 displaced by violence, have continued to commit serious abuses, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, sexual violence, child trafficking, and property destruction. In rural areas near the capital, such as the departments of Artibonite and Centro, gangs carried out indiscriminate attacks in numerous towns and villages to consolidate and expand their territorial control.

BINUH urges the international community to “keep Haiti on the international agenda and provide adequate financial and human support to ensure the full deployment of the Gang Suppression Force ,” as agreed by the UN Security Council on September 30, 2025.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Nine Catholics kidnapped over the weekend in Nigeria

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:41:40 +0100

Abuja – Another kidnapping of Christians has occurred in Benue State, north-central Nigeria. On February 6, nine Catholics were forcibly taken away by unidentified assailants. The Diocese of Otukpo issued a statement indicating that on February 6, a kidnapping occurred at the St. Paul's Parish in the Ogie-Utuncon St. John's Cross Mission in the Addo Local Government Area. According to a statement sent to Fides, nine parishioners were participating in a prayer vigil inside the church when they were suddenly kidnapped by intruders who broke into the church and dragged them outside to an unknown location.
The Diocese of Otukpo is appealing to the faithful to pray for the swift release of the nine abductees.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the kidnapping of the nine believers in Ogie and announced the deployment of tactical operations forces in the area for a search and rescue operation.
This is the second large-scale kidnapping incident in Nigeria over the weekend. On February 7, an attack occurred in the Karu local government area of Kaduna State, from Kalku to the Holy Trinity Parish, resulting in three deaths and 11 kidnappings .
According to a report from the Kavanchan Diocese, among those kidnapped was Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest.
On February 8, Pope Leo XIV in his Angelus, expressed deep concern about the serious security situation in Nigeria: "It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria leading to a heavy loss of life."

ASIA/INDIA - Indian Catholics "rooted in Christ and faithful to the Constitution" call for an end to discrimination and equal rights for Dalits

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:52:41 +0100

Bangalore - Christian faithful in India, as "proud citizens" and "authentic disciples" of Christ, contribute to India's growth, harmony, and unity, and cherish the freedom to practice their faith. However, "we witness rising inequality, ecological degradation, misinformation, polarization, and anxiety about identity and belonging," the Indian Bishops stated in the final statement of the 37th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India , held from February 4 to 10 in Bangalore, on the theme "Faith and Nation: The Church's Witness to India's Constitutional Vision."
The text released today and sent to Fides states: "Genuine Christian living inspires us to be law-abiding citizens who promote peace and defend human rights. Fidelity to the Constitution of India flows from our Christian faith and our commitment to the common good, freedom of conscience, the dignity of every person, and the protection of India’s plural, secular, and democratic character. The socially uplifting initiatives of the Church spring from our deep rootedness in Christ and our faithfulness to the Constitutional values. We encourage all the faithful to continue participating actively in nation-building, guided by truth, compassion, and moral courage." " At a time when freedom and human rights are increasingly disregarded," the Bishops note, "we reaffirm our faith in the Constitution of India which envisions our country as “a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic” which secures to all its citizens “justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity” . Whenever Constitutional rights are unjustly restricted, particularly concerning the poor, the marginalised, the Dalit and tribal people, it is important to advocate for the protection of fundamental rights for all individuals, regardless of caste, creed, and language."
In particular, "the denial of rights to Dalit Christians continues for decades as an indirect form of discrimination, despite numerous appeals for equality and justice." Therefore, "we express our concerns about the denial of rights to the minorities, as such acts weaken the democratic fabric of our society. While maintaining our commitment to eliminate any type of discrimination existing in the ecclesial communities based on caste or language, we urge the Government to ensure that no citizen is denied of fundamental rights of equality and freedom."
The text makes an explicit request to civil authorities: "As many innocent individuals are incarcerated based on unfounded allegations of forceful religious conversions, we strongly demand the repealing of legislations which are inconsistent with religious freedom and right to privacy. Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees that, “all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion”. Let us remember the great example of Mahatma Gandhi whose entire life was for forming “an India in which the people shall feel that it is their country, in whose making they have an effective voice, an India in which there shall be no high class and low class of people."
Two points in the text are dedicated, respectively, to the commitment "to accompany youth through leadership formation, civic education, and ethical engagement and encourage them to participate actively in public life and democratic processes; and to the "option for the poor": The Bishops recall "the vital role of Christian educational and social institutions in forming conscience, and ethical leadership. Academic excellence must be inseparable from inclusivity, justice, and a preferential option for the poor." They state: "We uphold the vision set by Pope Leo XIV: Wherever access to education remains a privilege, the Church must push open doors and invent new pathways because to ‘lose the poor’ is to lose the very meaning of the school.”
Furthermore, "in a context of polarisation and mistrust, we maintain the Church’s calling to foster dialogue, reconciliation, and fraternity. The Christian faith has always inspired us to seek the way of forgiveness whenever we have been deprived of human dignity and rights. We take upon sustained inter-religious dialogue and civil-society engagement," the church leaders state.
"Rooted in Christ and faithful to the Constitution," the text concludes, "we recommit ourselves to be a Eucharistic presence in the heart of the nation, serving the common good with humility, courage, and wisdom, in solidarity with all people of goodwill, working for a just, inclusive, and fraternal India."

ASIA/CHINA - Pushanghui Catholics restore their parish church with their own hands

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:39:16 +0100

Zhouzhi – Expressing grateful faith in the Lord through concrete acts of ecclesial charity. With this spirit and desire, the Catholics of Pushanghui, in the Diocese of Zhouzhi , restored their parish church with their own hands and resources in 63 days, returning splendor to the house of God.

Parishioners of all ages, from young to old, guided by Father Ma Junxiao – according to the Church news portal xinde.org – volunteered their time and energy to carry out the restoration as a community. Some temporarily postponed their work commitments to participate; others donated building materials, while several remained at the construction site to act as night watchmen. The parish community also contributed by preparing food and offering logistical support. From the preparation of materials to the construction work, each stage demonstrated the dedication of the faithful and the spirit of communion that animates the entire community.

In this context of the restoration of their church, undertaken as an opportunity and testimony of communion, on February 4th the parishioners also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Father Ma Junxiao, highly esteemed for his pastoral care and missionary zeal.