Maggie Ellis, the newly elected chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, announced plans to eliminate a rule allowing judges to refuse same-sex weddings based on religious beliefs. Ellis, who identifies as openly LGBTQ+, told The Dallas Morning News she views the current accommodation as discrimination. The existing rule, adopted in October 2025, protects judges who decline to officiate such ceremonies. Although Democrats won four seats, Republicans maintain a 5-4 majority on the court. Ellis will need Republican support to amend the code. The First Liberty Institute criticized the proposal, warning it threatens religious liberty for state judges.
Pope Leo XIV visited Argentina, drawing massive crowds in Buenos Aires and Córdoba. While he showed political balance in Córdoba by honoring saints from various historical periods, his economic speeches emphasized wealth redistribution and state responsibility, aligning with Peronist ideals. This resonated with leftist groups, who viewed his message as supportive of social justice rather than free-market liberalism. President Javier Milei remained silent, while his sister attended services alongside political opponents. Despite recent lung surgery, the 71-year-old Pope displayed remarkable physical stamina and good humor throughout his demanding schedule.
A pro-Taliban cleric from a region in Afghanistan has publicly challenged the Taliban's December 2024 ban on women's medical education. Citing classical Hanafi Islamic jurisprudence, the cleric argues that training female doctors and midwives can be a collective religious obligation when society requires their services. He contends that emergency exceptions for male doctors treating women do not justify a permanent prohibition on female medical training. The cleric asserts that governing authorities must prioritize public interest and ensure feasible opportunities for women to study medicine without violating Islamic modesty rules. This intervention questions the legal basis for the current restrictions within the Taliban's own religious framework.
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In Argentina, 96 families are camping near the National Shrine of Our Lady of Luján to welcome Pope Leo XIV. The group, totaling 534 participants, organized the event to share community life and pray for their country. Organizers Maite Grimaux and others planned a vigil featuring prayer, meals, and activities before the Pope’s Eucharistic celebration. The initiative aims to foster unity and bear witness to faith. Participants hope the visit will bring peace and positive change to the Argentine people, marking a significant moment for the local Catholic community.
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An Australian-Egyptian woman has appealed to the United States and the Netherlands to prevent her fiancé’s execution in Egypt. He is a Christian convert from Islam facing the death penalty or a lengthy prison sentence on charges including terrorism and contempt for Islam. She suggested a potential prisoner swap and urged Washington to link aid to his release. Her lawyer claims the charges stem from his refusal to renounce Christianity. The case highlights ongoing religious freedom concerns in Egypt, with advocates warning of a dangerous precedent for other converts.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A Russian drone hit the roof of the Holy Dormition Lavra monastery in Ukraine's Donetsk region on November 10. Vadim Filashkin, head of the regional military administration, confirmed the strike by a 'Molniya' drone on one of the complex's buildings. Details regarding the specific structure damaged and the extent of the destruction are currently being assessed. The monastery remains under threat due to its proximity to the front lines. Filashkin also reported that Russian forces shelled Donetsk settlements 18 times in the previous day, resulting in three deaths and one injury in the region.
Authorities in a city in southern China lifted bail for four church members. An aid organization stated that these individuals are no longer under criminal detention. However, eight other church leaders remain detained and face charges of fraud and illegal business operations. The aid group claims prosecutors admitted insufficient evidence yet proceeded to court, alleging political motives. The case follows a recent crackdown on the unregistered church. The organization urges immediate release of the remaining detainees, while noting previous diplomatic discussions regarding the release of a prominent pastor.
On November 7 and 8, approximately five hundred Hungarian pilgrims joined Austrian and Eastern Catholic leaders in Vienna to mark the 330th anniversary of the Pocs Madonna's first weeping. The event took place at the Stephansdom, where Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and Metropolitan Kocsis Fülöp led services. For the first time in nearly a century, the original icon was brought from Mária-Pocs and allowed for physical contact by the faithful. The gathering emphasized unity among diverse Christian traditions and acknowledged the historical pain caused by the icon's removal to Austria in 1696.
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The Archbishop of a major city in the Democratic Republic of Congo postponed a planned protest march to allow authorities time to resolve a land dispute over a major seminary. The Archdiocese claims court-ordered demolition of illegal structures has not been enforced. This delay follows recent violent attacks on Church institutions, including an assault on a priest at a college and an armed incursion into a local parish. The Archbishop warned that the demonstration will proceed if promises are not honored, highlighting ongoing tensions affecting clergy and Catholic facilities in the region.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Martti Salmi on UnsplashPersecuted church
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is illuminating more than 250 buildings in Spain red during REDWEEK 2026, running from November 16 to 22. The initiative highlights the plight of Christians facing persecution globally. Landmarks include the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid and the Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza. José María Gallardo, ACN Spain’s director, states the campaign aims to raise awareness about religious freedom violations. The event coincides with global efforts, including conferences by church leaders in Austria and Nigeria, and a presentation of a religious freedom manifesto to European institutions. ACN cites data indicating that hundreds of millions of Christians live in countries where their faith is severely restricted.
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The Catholic Aid to the Church in Need is organizing Red Week from November 14 to 22, 2026, to highlight the persecution of Christians worldwide. In Switzerland, approximately 300 parishes will participate by illuminating buildings in red, a symbol of martyr blood. The organization states that 413 million Christians live where religious freedom is severely violated, with 220 million directly facing persecution. Events in French-speaking Switzerland include testimonies from priests in Belfaux, Meyrin, Lausanne, and Morat, as well as exhibitions and prayer vigils at landmarks like the Sacré-Cœur in Geneva and the Notre-Dame basilica in Fribourg.
Following the nighttime demolition of a historic church in a city in northern Iran, a local governor announced plans to construct a 'Dialogue House' on the site. State media reported that municipal authorities intend to offer alternative land to the owner. However, the governor admitted that the municipality is currently unwilling to accept this responsibility due to unspecified issues. Local reports indicate that this promise contradicts the reality of the cleared rubble, criticizing the move as a superficial attempt to cover up the systematic destruction of Christian heritage in the region.
In Ukraine, children and families are adapting to life during the ongoing conflict. Instead of long-term plans, people live day by day, focusing on survival essentials as prices for food, medicine, and fuel rise. The constant threat of missile and drone attacks causes severe mental and physical exhaustion. Residents hide in cellars rather than sleeping in comfortable beds. The article highlights the deep transformation of Ukrainian society, where joyous events are postponed indefinitely. This situation reflects the widespread 'syndrome of postponed life' experienced by those enduring the war's devastation.
Caritas Internationalis and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund published a 2026 report titled 'Too Big to Fail'. The document argues for a robust Loss and Damage Fund supported by increased public financing and new sources based on the polluter pays principle. It recommends ensuring funds reach vulnerable countries and communities, respond quickly to climate disasters, and address displacement and non-economic losses. The authors emphasize climate justice and international solidarity to drive sustainable financing that reflects responsibility for climate damages amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
In Darb es-Sim, near Sidon, Lebanon, Saint Elie school continues operating despite daily bombings that begin around 2 p.m. Father Eida Bou Rached reports that children attend classes after sleepless nights caused by aircraft and drones. Since the start of the school year, 46 displaced students, including orphans, have joined. The institution provides psychological support and music therapy to help students cope with trauma. Christian and Muslim families demonstrate solidarity, with Muslims contributing to a new chapel project. The school serves as a refuge where interfaith brotherhood persists despite the ongoing conflict.
Pope Leo XIV addressed the International Catholic Migration Commission in Rome on November 10, marking the organization's 75th anniversary. He stated that Christ knocks at the door of every rejected migrant. The pontiff, currently visiting South America, cited war, violence, and economic inequality as drivers of displacement. He also warned of a significant decline in funding for international protection, which complicates efforts to assist those in need. The assembly runs through November 12 and involves the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The documentary 'Sexe faible : l’Amérique en guerre contre ses femmes', directed by Brice Lambert and aired on Arte, investigates the decline of women's rights in the United States. Filmed in southern states, it highlights the reversal of abortion protections following the 2022 Dobbs decision. The film notes rising maternal mortality rates and increased prosecutions of women for pregnancy-related issues. It attributes these changes to Christian nationalists leading the Republican Party, who seek to impose a patriarchal societal vision. The report also mentions the prevalence of child marriage in many states and the dissolution of maternal death commissions. The documentary aims to reveal how these political and religious forces are reshaping American civic life.
The Pureume Foundation held a charity marathon in Seoul on November 7 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Nexon Children's Rehabilitation Hospital. Approximately 3,000 participants, including celebrities Sean and Lee Geun-ho, completed 3km and 10km courses alongside 200 disabled children and their families. The event aimed to raise funds for pediatric rehabilitation treatments. All registration fees will support the hospital's care for disabled children. Founded in 2016, the facility has provided customized therapy to 730,000 children over the past decade. Sponsors included the Nexon Foundation and various corporate partners.
Armed attacks against Christian communities in Jordan and Ethiopia have left approximately 70 people dead. In Jordan, gunmen killed at least nine and injured dozens during a funeral at a local church. Religious leaders condemned the violence, emphasizing inter-religious harmony. Meanwhile, in a region of Ethiopia, at least 60 people, including children and the elderly, were killed in separate assaults. Regional authorities blame rebel groups, raising fears of escalating religious conflict in the area. The incidents highlight the severe dangers faced by believers in these regions.
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