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Good news and the persecuted church, from around the world

SermonWave World News

Thursday, November 12, 2026 Updated 2:46 AM Central Time 29962 stories

Illustrative photo: a view of an old church in the middle of a forest
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Zorayr Zakaryan on Unsplash
Persecuted church

Carlson and Kiriakou condemn religious support for Gaza war

actualidad-rt.com Palestinian Territories

On November 7, journalist Tucker Carlson interviewed former CIA officer John Kiriakou regarding the conflict in Gaza. They criticized religious leaders who justify violence against civilians in the name of Christianity. The discussion highlighted the Not in Christ's Name event, which calls for an end to fighting and humanitarian aid. Kiriakou noted the drastic decline of Christians in Gaza and condemned the destruction of the Saint Porphyrius church. Both speakers argued that military operations cannot be religiously justified and expressed skepticism about potential changes in US military aid policy toward Israel.

Translated from Español

Good news

Universal Church faces evangelization challenges in Italy

universal.org Italy

The Universal Church has operated in Italy for over three decades since opening its first temple in Rome in 1993. Bishop Jorge Silva notes that evangelization is difficult due to declining religious practice among older Italians and rising skepticism among youth. The congregation is now 60% foreign residents and 40% Italians, with many members serving the elderly amid a national brain drain. Despite having 15 churches, the ministry reports a shortage of workers, urging more volunteers to support the mission in a country with significant spiritual potential.

Translated from Português

Persecuted church

Guatemala beatifies priest killed for keeping confession secret

prensalibre.com Guatemala

Guatemala beatified Augustin Ramirez Monasterio, a Franciscan priest murdered in 1983 for refusing to break the seal of confession. The ceremony took place in Sacatepequez, presided over by Cardinal Jose Francisco Robles Ortega. Ramirez was kidnapped after a confessor sought amnesty, and he was tortured and killed rather than reveal the person's identity. Pope Leo XIV recognized him as a martyr. This event coincides with the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's death. Ramirez is the tenth blessed person from Guatemala, joining other religious figures killed during the country's internal armed conflict.

Translated from Español

Persecuted church

Article Claims Somali Terrorists Target Non-Muslims in Minnesota and Abroad

rightspeak.net United States

Rightspeak.net reports that 18-year-old Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud planned to attack a Hmong event at the Mall of America in Minnesota to kill non-Muslims. The outlet states Mohamud admired Al-Shabaab and sought to avoid harming Muslims. The article also cites the St. Cloud mall stabbing by Dahir Ahmed Adan and the Westgate Mall attack in Kenya as examples of targeted violence. It claims these groups use religious tests to identify victims. The text further alleges that Somali migrants in the US, including Muna Osman Jama, supported such acts. The outlet characterizes these events as ethnic cleansing rather than standard terrorism.

Good news

Cotolengo Don Orione faces funding cuts and staff shortages

lanacion.com.ar Argentina

The Cotolengo Don Orione center in Claypole, Argentina, serves over 1,300 people with disabilities but struggles with severe financial strain. The institution receives only 35% of its operational costs from the government, leading to delayed salaries and a loss of medical staff. Since November 2025, the facility has covered its own medical and food supplies after losing state program support. Father Aníbal Quevedo notes that bureaucratic delays and unpaid taxes worsen the crisis. The center, which houses more than 400 residents, relies heavily on charity to maintain operations and care for vulnerable individuals amidst ongoing regulatory challenges.

Translated from Español

Persecuted church

Legionaries of Christ report five new abuse complaints in 2025

infovaticana.com Vatican City

The Legionaries of Christ published their sixth annual report on November 5, covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2025. The document, signed by General Director Father Carlos Gutiérrez and International Director of Safe Environments Catalina Gallego Barbier, details the congregation's accountability regarding abuse victims. According to the report, five new complaints were received in 2025, resulting in six ongoing canonical procedures. Since 2022, the independent Eshmá channel has assisted 62 victims, with 31 receiving active support. The congregation also noted the signing of two new compensation agreements in 2025, bringing the total to 64 since 2022. The report emphasizes ongoing commitments to truth, justice, and healing within the order.

Translated from Español

Good news

Pope Leo XIV warns against poverty and division before Argentina visit

eldia.com.do Argentina

Pope Leo XIV visited Uruguay before arriving in Argentina on November 8. During his trip, he emphasized protecting vulnerable children, rejecting societal polarization, and addressing the risks of artificial intelligence. He met with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi and former leaders in Montevideo. The Pontiff also visited Casavalle to highlight housing needs and child welfare. His messages in Uruguay are seen by Argentine church leaders as a preview of his stance on poverty and social cohesion during his upcoming official reception in Buenos Aires.

Translated from Español

Good news

USCCB President Calls Pregnancy Support Work Heroic

thebostonpilot.com United States

Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, praised the work of pregnancy help organizations in the United States. Speaking on October 27, he described their services as heroic ahead of the annual Pregnancy Help Appreciation Week. The USCCB president highlighted resources like free medical care, housing, and job counseling provided by centers and adoption agencies. Heartbeat International organizes the event to honor staff and volunteers. The group says over 2,750 centers operate in the US to support vulnerable mothers. Thomas also recognized the Walking with Moms in Need initiative, which connects women with local church resources.

Translated from Español

Persecuted church

Spanish Judge Luis Mosquera Beatified in Santander

lavozdegalicia.es Spain

Luis Mosquera Caramelo, a Spanish judge born in A Coruña in 1900, was officially beatified in Santander on November 7, 2026. The ceremony took place at the Santísimo Cristo temple within the Santander cathedral, where his remains rest. He is recognized as the first Spanish judge to achieve this status. Mosquera was executed by firing squad on December 27, 1936, aboard the prison ship Alfonso Pérez. According to the outlet, he was killed for defending a priest and criticizing prison conditions. The beatification also honored 79 other martyrs from the Spanish Civil War era.

Translated from Español

Good news

Jakarta Concert Unites Musicians for Disability Economic Empowerment

beritasatu.com Indonesia

The Archdiocese of Jakarta’s charity arm is hosting the Senada 2026 concert at Balai Kartini on November 15, 2026. Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo describes the event as a concrete movement to honor human dignity. The performance features Indonesian pop singer Krisdayanti and aims to unite musicians across faiths. Organizers state the goal is to create economic opportunities for people with disabilities. Rama Adrianus Suyadi, the charity director, emphasizes that the arts should provide productive spaces for creativity and financial independence. The event seeks to promote equality and allow participants to determine their future through their own abilities.

Translated from Bahasa Indonesia

Persecuted church

Patients and Politicians Protest Catholic Ban on Reproductive Care in Newcastle

gloucesteradvocate.com.au Australia

Hundreds of patients, healthcare workers, and politicians gathered in Civic Park, Newcastle, Australia, on November 8 to protest Calvary Health Care’s ban on reproductive procedures following its takeover of Hunter Private Hospital. Georgina Caves, a patient with endometriosis, stated the ban denies her life-saving surgery, potentially leading to fatal complications like ectopic pregnancy. Federal MP Sharon Claydon and state MP Greg Piper criticized the decision, arguing it restricts patient choice and retreats from progressive healthcare standards. Calvary CEO Damien Bruce acknowledged community concerns, while NSW Premier Chris Minns noted that abortion and IVF services remain essential for local residents despite the ongoing regulatory review.

Also reported by 1 other outlet

Persecuted church

Argentina arrests suspect threatening Pope Leo XIV before visit

canal26.com Argentina

Argentine authorities arrested an individual accused of threatening the life of Pope Leo XIV shortly before his arrival in Argentina. The State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) announced the detention on Saturday, November 7, following intelligence gathered by the Subsecretariat of Operations. The Federal Police executed the arrest under the order of Judge Adrián González Charvay from the Federal Court of Campana. Officials highlighted the rapid coordination between intelligence agencies and judicial bodies. The identity of the detainee and specific details of the threats remain undisclosed as investigations continue to ensure the safety of the pontiff's scheduled activities.

Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet

Good news

Pope Leo Visits Uruguay to Address Violence and Secularization

freemalaysiatoday.com Uruguay

Pope Leo, recovering from lung cancer surgery, visited Montevideo, Uruguay, during a 12-day tour of South America. He addressed residents in the high-crime Casavalle district, condemning drug-related violence and urging families to marry and have children. The pontiff also spoke at a stadium in Montevideo about the decline of Catholicism in the region and promoted traditional values. Additionally, he visited Paysandu and the Catholic University of Uruguay, where he emphasized that artificial intelligence must serve human dignity rather than replace it. The tour continues to Argentina and Peru.

Good news

Redemptorist priest Ottorino Zamboni returns to Italy after 60 years in Paraguay

larena.it Paraguay

Padre Ottorino Zamboni, an 86-year-old Redemptorist missionary, is visiting his hometown of Rosegaferro in Italy to celebrate his 60 years as a priest. Originally from Villafranca, he left Italy in 1967 to serve the poor in Paraguay, a country he now considers home. During his visit, local community groups organized a fundraising lunch to support his ongoing mission work. Zamboni, ordained in 1966 by Bishop Giuseppe Carraro, recalls traveling by horse to remote villages to perform sacraments. He plans to return to Paraguay on November 24, expressing his deep affection for the nation and its people despite current challenges with crime and drug use.

Translated from Italiano

Good news

McCaysville Residents Lack Water After Record River Flooding

wsbtv.com United States

McCaysville, Georgia, faces severe water shortages after the Toccoa River reached record levels, flooding downtown areas with up to eight feet of water. The surge damaged the city’s water treatment plant, leaving residents without reliable running water. Pastor Mike Cole of McCaysville Church of God has been distributing free drinking water to the community. While officials state service cannot be restored until repairs are completed, the timeline remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the Salvation Army and Publix are providing meals and supplies to help residents cope with the ongoing crisis in this region already recovering from previous floods.

Good news

Faroe Islands Launch First New Bible Translation Since 1937

e-n.org.uk Faroe Islands

The Faroese Bible Society has released a new translation of the New Testament in the Faroe Islands. This marks the first new translation since 1937. The project aims to reflect local liturgical customs and vocabulary. It was a collaborative effort involving a Lutheran bishop, the state church, and free churches. According to Evangelical Focus, this release is the first major milestone of a larger project. Future steps include a new translation of the Psalms and a fully updated Bible.

Persecuted church

Cuban Pastor Forced to Leave Capital for Another Region

cubaheadlines.com Cuba

An evangelical pastor, known for his religious activism, was forcibly relocated from the capital city to his hometown in another region. Fellow activists confirmed the move, stating the pastor left early in the morning. State authorities had threatened him with deportation and potential imprisonment if he continued his public religious activities. This enforced return serves as an alternative to jail time under specific laws restricting residence in the capital. The incident marks one of several repressive actions against this pastor this year, highlighting a broader wave of harassment against Cuban activists and journalists documented by human rights groups.

Good news

Eucharistic Pilgrims make Vitoria their global center amid controversy

elcorreo.com Spain

The Eucharistic Pilgrims community has established Vitoria, Spain, as its worldwide headquarters. Founded by Colombian priests Elmer Enrique Mosquera Valencia and Silvia Paola Ampudia Luna, the group arrived in 2023 at the invitation of Bishop Juan Carlos Elizalde. They revitalized the Estíbaliz sanctuary and several local parishes, attracting large crowds. The community, comprising over 50 members in Vitoria, faces criticism from some church sectors regarding their conservative methods and recruitment practices. While allegations of spiritual abuse have been raised, the Diocese states no formal procedures are currently open.

Translated from Español

Persecuted church

Jordan debates electronic bracelets for released extremists after attacks

alanbatnews.net Jordan

Following attacks in Jordan, experts are calling for electronic bracelets to monitor released terrorism suspects. Both perpetrators had recently been freed from prison. Current laws restrict the bracelets to minor offenses, creating a legal gap. Experts argue GPS tracking could prevent attacks by alerting police when suspects approach sensitive sites. They urge lawmakers to amend legislation to allow mandatory monitoring for high-risk individuals to enhance national security.

Translated from العربية

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