Over 400 mission leaders from 40 countries gathered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from March 9 to 13, 2026, for the MANI Consultation. The event produced the Abidjan Declaration, which outlines six priorities including leadership transition, missionary training, church unity, persecution preparedness, discipleship, and sustainable mission models. Participants emphasized the African Church’s role as a global sending force and highlighted the strategic importance of the diaspora. The gathering also featured collaboration between the WEA Women’s Commission and the African Women in Missions Network. The report was prepared by Rev. Esme Bowers of the World Evangelical Alliance.
The World Evangelical Alliance Women’s Commission held its fifth Latin American Evangelical Alliance Women’s Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from March 10 to 14, 2026. The event brought together 240 women leaders and pastors from ten countries under the theme “Women in Victory.” Organizers received institutional recognition from local evangelical leaders and the Buenos Aires government, which declared the gathering an event of public interest. Presentations focused on spiritual life, leadership, and resilience. The congress aimed to strengthen and equip women leaders across the region, fostering unity and shared learning among participants from diverse contexts.
A Tsotsil woman survived a violent attack in August 1967 in a city in Chiapas, Mexico. The incident occurred when anti-evangelical indigenous groups burned her home in a specific region. She fled the fire but suffered severe injuries from bullets. The attack resulted in the deaths of her younger siblings and a niece, while another niece survived. This event marked a significant moment in the history of Protestant expansion among indigenous populations in the area, highlighting the severe persecution faced by early converts. According to the article, judicial impunity followed the massacre.
Seo Ji-hyeong, founder of the South Korean nonprofit Love the World, shared her testimony at the 2026 Daniel Prayer Meeting. She recounted surviving two ovarian cancer diagnoses and a traffic accident that halted her missionary plans. After adopting two children, she established the organization to support unmarried mothers and fathers. Despite facing a recent lung cancer diagnosis, she emphasizes that God’s love persists through suffering. The group has assisted over 2,000 families, challenging societal stigma against single parents by offering practical aid and emotional support in South Korea. (Christian Today Korea)
A media outlet in Iraq published an editorial examining repeated tragedies faced by national and religious minorities. The text cites historical events including massacres of Assyrians, attacks on Jews, campaigns against Kurds, and genocide against Yazidis by ISIS. The outlet argues that these abuses stem from state policies favoring a single identity rather than equal citizenship. It calls for acknowledging all victims and urges educational reforms to teach accurate history. The article concludes that true democracy requires protecting diversity and ensuring justice for all citizens, highlighting the need for inclusive governance in the region.
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The World Evangelical Alliance is promoting the Season of Creation, running from September 1 to October 4, with a focus on environmental stewardship rooted in Christian hope. Secretary General Botrus Mansour and Sustainability Center director Chris Elisara emphasize caring for nature as an act of faith rather than fear. A key development is the inclusion of the Feast of Creation in Christ in the Revised Common Lectionary, with its first observance scheduled for September 6, 2026. The 2026 theme is Living Water, inspired by Ezekiel 47. The organization encourages churches to engage in practical stewardship and worship God as Creator.
The Spanish Bible Society is celebrating its 190th anniversary in 2026. Director Luis Fajardo told Protestante Digital that the organization focuses on translating and distributing the Bible to Spanish-speaking communities worldwide. The group highlights the historical censorship of vernacular scriptures by the Inquisition and the subsequent efforts to make the text accessible. Current initiatives include a study Bible based on the 2020 Reina-Valera version and a 'Easy Reading' edition designed for people with neurodiversity or cognitive impairments. Fajardo also noted the ethical use of artificial intelligence in translation to accelerate access for minority languages.
Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz stated he is spiritually participating in prayers called for by Krakow Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś following the attack in Poland. During Mass in his chapel, Dziwisz prayed for the deceased and the injured. He thanked those who helped and defended victims, risking their own lives. The cardinal entrusted the suffering to the Virgin Mary, asking for peace and the strength to overcome evil with good. This message reflects the Catholic Church's response to the tragedy in Krakow.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass on November 8, 2026, in Florida, Uruguay, honoring the country's patroness, Our Lady of the Thirty-Three. During his homily, he thanked mothers and grandmothers for preserving and transmitting the faith within families. He encouraged fathers to serve as role models and urged Uruguayans to reach out to those who have drifted from God. The pontiff referenced biblical women and local saints to highlight the importance of intergenerational spiritual transmission, noting that many families face challenges when younger generations stop practicing their religion.
Jinjap Sohamg Church in Namyangju, South Korea, operates a childcare center called Sangsang Nuri Tree. Pastor Choi Hyung-gil leads the initiative to support local children with homework and activities. The program helps reduce parental costs and provides a safe space for students after school. Attendance at church services is not required to use the facility. This approach has improved the church's relationship with the surrounding neighborhood. The pastor plans to open a free kids' cafe next to further assist families in the area.
Pope Leo XIV visited Uruguay, encouraging Catholics to remain faithful in a secular society. Addressing crowds in Montevideo and Paysandú, he highlighted that being a minority can be a strength. He urged believers to actively evangelize and live fully Christian lives. The Pope emphasized transmitting faith to future generations with courage. He called for honesty, forgiveness, and engagement within families and society. This visit aimed to revitalize the Christian mission among Uruguayan Catholics, who constitute about a third of the population. The message stressed not settling for mediocrity but offering oneself entirely to God.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Argentina's State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) announced the arrest of a 49-year-old man in Pilar for allegedly threatening Pope Leo XIV. The detention occurred less than 24 hours after the Federal Police's Anti-Terrorism Investigation Unit received an intimidating call on November 6. According to Infobae, authorities found three mobile phones and a drone at the suspect's home. The man, described as a worker, faces charges of anonymous threats and public intimidation with terrorist intent. This security measure precedes the Pope's four-day visit to Argentina, which includes mass meetings in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Lujan.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 57 outlets
On October 23, a weekly demonstration by retirees took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, outside the Casa Rosada presidential palace. The protesters were demanding improved living conditions. During the event, Father Francisco Olveira was arrested by police and detained for several hours alongside other activists. He was subsequently released. The incident highlights ongoing social tensions in the country as the Catholic Church engages with the government's policies.
Pope Leo XIV visited Florida, Uruguay, on November 8, addressing thousands of Catholics during a pilgrimage stop. The Pontiff emphasized that smallness does not equal insignificance, encouraging believers to proudly identify as Christians. He shared personal devotion to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and blessed religious items. The visit followed his earlier prayers in Montevideo and Paysandú. The Pope thanked the Uruguayan people for their generosity, stating that their faith radiates across the nation and the world, offering new meaning to their lives through God's grace.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Parish of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Juanicó, Dominican Republic, on November 8, 2026. Addressing a crowd of approximately two thousand believers, the Pope shared personal memories of his family's devotion to Saint Therese. He urged the faithful to grow in courage, stating they should not fear declaring, 'I am a Christian.' The Pontiff emphasized that God's grace accompanies humans in both joy and suffering. He concluded by reminding attendees of the Christian duty to serve others and share the joy of faith with the world.
Authorities in a Nigerian city have sealed a local church due to excessive noise pollution. A government official announced the closure following a resident's complaint and an investigation. Officials determined the house of worship breached environmental regulations and disturbed the neighborhood. The facility will remain closed until further notice, emphasizing that no institution is above the law. The government warned that all religious and commercial entities must strictly adhere to environmental standards to ensure public peace and welfare, ensuring that noise levels do not infringe upon the community's right to tranquility.
Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Blantyre urged political, religious, and community leaders in Malawi to prioritize dialogue and national unity. Speaking at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Chiradzulu District, he stated that current suffering stems from division rather than divine will. The Archbishop emphasized that cooperation is essential for overcoming social and economic challenges. Attendees included UTM president Dalitso Kabambe and MP McTimes Malowa, who supported the call for reconciliation. The event highlighted the Catholic Church’s role in fostering social cohesion as the nation faces ongoing governance and financial pressures.
Pope Leo XIV visited the first parish in Uruguay dedicated to Saint Therese of Lisieux, greeting a crowd of approximately two thousand believers. During this brief stop before traveling to the Cathedral Basilica in Florida, the Pontiff emphasized the importance of living faith courageously. He urged the faithful not to be afraid to declare, 'I am a Christian, I am a Catholic, I believe in Jesus Christ.' The Pope highlighted that God's grace accompanies people in both joy and suffering. He concluded by reminding the congregation that Christian teaching is rooted in serving others and sharing the joy of faith with the world.
Sr Jacinta Ondeng leads the Safeguarding Initiative for Catholic Sisters in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization addresses sexual and spiritual abuse against nuns, a topic often ignored. After learning about the issue in Rome, she established training and support programs in Kenya and Uganda. The initiative provides psychological and legal aid to victims who fear shame or retaliation. Sr Jacinta aims to change church culture through education and hopes for stronger Vatican regulations to protect religious women from exploitation by clergy.
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