Author Ydo Jacobs released a new book detailing how Catholic missionaries supported displaced communities in South Sudan during the conflict from 1983 to 2022. The St Patrick’s Missionary Society team, led by Bishop Paride Taban, established schools and clinics in settlements like New Kush. According to Jacobs, these missionaries used compassion to sustain hope despite their lack of political power. The account highlights the resilience of local Christians and the vital role of women in maintaining peace and social cohesion throughout the prolonged insecurity. The book was published in 2026 by the Kiltegan Fathers.
Three core leaders of a house church in Shaanxi province are scheduled for trial on fraud charges. The local court has set dates for the defendants, though defenses have requested delays. Prosecutors previously dropped initial charges related to cult activities and now seek significant prison terms. The case stems from arrests targeting unregistered church funds. Defense lawyers allege police coerced numerous congregants into providing negative testimony. Several church members remain detained as the legal proceedings continue in the region.
A senior church leader in India has urged the immediate repeal of the state’s controversial anti-conversion law, citing unfair harassment of Christians. He described the legislation, known as Freedom of Religion laws, as a violation of individual rights and human dignity. The law, passed in 2022 by the ruling party, criminalizes religious conversion through coercion or inducement with penalties of up to ten years in prison. Although the opposition party won the recent state elections and pledged to annul unconstitutional measures, conservative groups strongly oppose the repeal, arguing the law protects cultural integrity. Church leaders maintain the statute infringes on fundamental religious freedoms.
Caritas Makeni and the International Organization for Migration have signed a cooperation agreement in Sierra Leone to support the reintegration of returning migrants. The partnership, established in early November, focuses on providing psychological assistance, social support, and awareness-raising on irregular migration. According to IOM figures, over 10,000 Sierra Leoneans have been assisted with voluntary returns since 2017. Many returnees face significant challenges, including debt to smugglers, family rejection, and social stigma. The initiative aims to help vulnerable populations, particularly women, overcome trauma and economic barriers to rebuild their lives in northern Sierra Leone.
Police from a county in Jiangxi Province traveled to a city in Xinjiang to detain an environmental investigator. Authorities accused him of extortion related to his reporting on industrial waste management issues in another region. Two local volunteers were also arrested on similar charges. The investigator, who operated a social media account documenting pollution across China, had faced physical attacks during previous investigations. Despite retiring from activism in 2025, he remains in custody. Human rights groups have expressed concern over the criminalization of environmental whistleblowing in China.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, Argentina, where he met Marta Torres, a 78-year-old woman with cerebral palsy and blindness. According to ACI Prensa, Torres shared her story of being abandoned as a child and finding stability at the center founded by Saint Louis Orione. She described the facility as a home where she felt loved and accepted. During the meeting, Torres presented the Pope with a book detailing her life and faith. The outlet reports that she hopes her testimony will comfort others facing similar disabilities and rejection.
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Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, will return to Peru from November 11 to 16. The country welcomed him as a young Augustinian missionary over forty years ago. According to the outlet, Peruvians view this as a homecoming for the successor of Peter who shared their struggles. The visit highlights the nation's complex social fabric, marked by inequality and violence, yet rooted in deep faith. Former colleagues recall his pastoral style focused on solidarity with the poor and synodal inclusion. The trip aims to strengthen hope in a region seeking reconciliation.
Following a shooting in Cracow, Poland, on November 7 that killed six people, Polish bishops have called for national unity. The suspect, Michal O, died in hospital on November 9. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the attack as terrorism. Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś expressing sorrow. Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda and other church leaders offered prayers and support to victims and their families. A memorial mass was held at St Anne's Collegiate Church in Cracow on November 8. The country observed a national mourning period on November 8 and 9.
The Durham Police Department fired Corporal Joseph King following a crash in North Carolina that killed Pastor Justin Heath. King, who had served since 2010, was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle after running a red light and striking a van driven by Heath. The collision occurred on October 18 near Mount Olive, shortly after Heath preached at a revival service. Heath, 67, led Fore Christ Church and Cutting Edge Revelational Ministries. Seven other passengers were injured, with six requiring hospital treatment. Police Chief Stephanie Mardis stated the department is conducting an internal review while the state highway patrol leads the criminal investigation.
Religious leaders and stakeholders in Lomé, Togo, issued a declaration on November 6 reaffirming their commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat. The group cited declining funding, stigma, and health system weaknesses in sub-Saharan Africa as critical barriers. They highlighted that scientific advancements like long-acting injectables remain inaccessible due to financial constraints. The declaration emphasized that religious traditions prioritize equity and justice, urging the world to provide health services to all. Participants included faith-based organizations, people living with HIV, and government agencies.
An apostolate awarded first prize to a Bible study initiative at its annual meeting in a Mexican city. Created by a Spanish translator, the project helps Catholics overcome fear of scripture. Supported by a university, it includes an annotated Bible and a mobile app with personalized formation itineraries. The creator aims to make Bible reading fashionable again and reduce the perception of scripture as encrypted text. The young entrepreneur is now developing the app prototype to validate its viability as a business, seeking to empower believers through accessible religious education.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Annie Spratt on UnsplashPersecuted church
Christian Daily International - Africa section·🇸🇸 South Sudan·
Churches in South Sudan’s Lakes State are struggling to maintain worship services following deadly clashes between the Nyang and Pakam communities in Rumbek. The violence, which began on October 8, has left dozens dead and displaced approximately 500 families. According to International Christian Concern, congregations fear attending services due to ongoing insecurity. While death toll estimates vary among officials, UN peacekeepers have deployed troops to protect civilians and evacuate humanitarian workers. Church leaders have called for reconciliation and an end to retaliatory attacks that continue to disrupt community life in the region.
Following the Israeli legislative elections on October 27, 2026, Palestinian residents of Nazareth expressed cautious optimism. Sami Jabali, owner of the Liwan cultural center, stated he voted due to the actions of far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. At this Galilee institution, debates continued among locals like 20-year-old Nawras Yazbak, who wished for her voice to be heard by the new government. The outlet reports that these citizens seek influence whether from inside or outside the political system.
Vatican News reports that Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Uruguay from November 6 to 8, 2026. The trip focuses on missionary witness and includes a visit to the cathedral in Montevideo and a Mass in Paysandú. Sr. Rose Wanjiru Mwangi, a missionary from Kenya serving in Uruguay, attended the events. She described the atmosphere as peaceful and noted the Pope's emphasis on listening to and loving others like Jesus. The visit also highlighted the legacy of missionary Jacinto Vera. Sr. Rose shared how she integrates her Kenyan cultural gifts, such as music and dance, into her ministry in Uruguay and Argentina.
Canção Nova celebrated its 25th anniversary in Brasilia, Brazil, on Sunday, August 8. The event, held at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Taguatinga, gathered missionaries and faithful for prayer, homilies, and a Mass. The Jubilee of Silver featured evangelization concerts by Adriana Arydes and the Ministry of Love and Adoration. Father Gevanildo Torres highlighted the community's impact, while Father Roger Luís emphasized the mission's focus on preparing hearts for the Second Coming of Jesus. The celebration honored the prophecy of founder Father Jonas Abib regarding Brasilia as the capital of the Holy Spirit.
Anthropologist Alfredo Teixeira of the Catholic University of Portugal analyzed data from the new 'Atlas of Religion in Portugal' to explain why Catholicism is growing in certain areas. Although national figures show a slight decline to 80.2 percent, municipalities like Braga, Sesimbra, and Mafra saw increases. Teixeira attributes this trend to migration, noting that many Brazilian and other foreign residents identify as Catholic, challenging the stereotype that they are exclusively evangelical. The study, based on 2021 census data, highlights how demographic shifts are reconfiguring the religious geography of the country. The researcher emphasizes the role of these communities in social cohesion.
On Monday, November 9, 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited the Orionists’ Mercy Town in Claypole, a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This facility, founded in 1935 by Saint Luigi Orione, shelters over 400 people with disabilities. During his address to residents, staff, and volunteers, the Pope emphasized that the Gospel remains alive and active in such places of compassion. He praised the dignity of individuals with disabilities, stating their lives are a blessing rather than a burden. The Pontiff also highlighted the relic of Saint Orione’s heart kept at the site, urging attendees to respond to the call to holiness and continue serving with love and humility.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione center in Argentina. During his address, he highlighted the importance of love, dignity, and social integration. The Pope referenced the Holy Family's cities of Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Bethany as models of Christian charity. He praised the residents, staff, and volunteers for their service to people with disabilities. The Pontiff encouraged Argentina to foster a culture of inclusion and volunteerism. He also noted the relic of Saint Luigi Orione, emphasizing that love saves the world.
During his second day in Argentina, the Pope traveled to Claypole, south of Buenos Aires, to visit the Pequeño Cottolengo Argentino Don Orione. This facility supports 415 people with disabilities. The Pontiff praised the community as a city of charity, referencing biblical locations like Bethlehem and Nazareth. He emphasized that a nation's progress is measured by how it treats the vulnerable. The Pope encouraged young Argentines to become volunteers and form a new generation of charitable saints. He concluded by highlighting the relic of Saint Louis Orione’s heart, stating that charity saves the world.
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