The animal rights group PETA filed a formal complaint with the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clero against five Spanish priests who support bullfighting. Italian lawyer Laura Sgró submitted the 23-page document on Tuesday, arguing that glorifying bullfighting is incompatible with the priesthood. The accused clergy members include Antonio Schlatter and Adolfo Ariza from Córdoba, David Benavente from Getafe, Cruz Goñi from Madrid, and Juan Luis García from Seville. PETA spokesperson Daniela Hernández stated the group seeks a Vatican response and a potential severing of ties between the Church and bullfighting, citing past papal decrees against animal cruelty. The organization hopes this historic legal action will prompt reflection within the Catholic Church regarding its stance on the spectacle.
Two atheist lawmakers from Norway’s Red Party, Mimir Kristjansson and Sophie Marhaug, have released a book titled 'A Bible Guide for Socialists.' The authors, who do not identify as Christians, discovered deep connections between biblical teachings and their own values of human dignity and equality. They highlight the Bible’s focus on protecting the poor and correcting injustice. The book concludes with a message of gratitude to Jesus, acknowledging his influence on their worldview. This development is significant in secularized Norway, where the Bible is often viewed as outdated, potentially encouraging others to explore its moral wisdom.
EMISCO, a European Muslim organization, filed a disciplinary complaint with the Argentine Attorney General regarding the conduct of Chief Prosecutor Oscar Fernando Arrigo. The complaint concerns the prosecution of Konstantin Rudnev, a Russian spiritual teacher, in Argentina. EMISCO argues that prosecutors ignored statements from the alleged victim, Elena Makarova, who claimed she was not a victim. The group also cited Rudnev’s severe health issues and judicial rulings favoring house arrest over imprisonment. EMISCO asserts that defending rights across different communities is essential to prevent discrimination. The complaint seeks a review of the prosecutor's actions and potential sanctions. (Source: Bitter Winter)
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Tamás Fabiny, vice president of the Lutheran World Federation, visited the Vatican to meet Pope Leo. The discussion focused on Christian unity and the upcoming 2030 anniversary of the Augsburg Confession. Fabiny noted that the Pope emphasized the confession as a document for unity rather than division. Previous meetings occurred with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. The dialogue aims to strengthen ties between the Catholic Church and Lutheran communities, highlighting shared theological foundations and historical connections.
The Diocesan Charity of Ostrava-Opava in the Czech Republic has launched its tenth Mikulášská nadílka campaign to support children in war-affected areas of Ukraine. Donors can choose from 76 specific wishes or contribute any amount until December 9, 2026. The aid targets children in the Donetsk, Zhytomyr, and Transcarpathian regions who face difficult social conditions. Anastasia, a project coordinator for Caritas Mariupol, explains that the initiative aims to bring joy to children traumatized by the conflict. Partners purchase gifts directly in Ukraine, handling logistics to ensure direct delivery to the recipients.
On November 20, 2026, the Cercle Accueil de l’Étranger of the FEP will gather at the Palais de la Femme in Paris for a day of reflection. The event aims to address the growing difficulties in advocating for the rights of exiled individuals. Speakers include Vincent Tiberj, who will discuss French societal conservatism, and Ana Petrache, who will explore the balance between idealism and pragmatism in advocacy. The organizers state that the gathering seeks to renew hope and generate new strategies for action amidst a challenging political climate for migrants and supporting associations.
Caritas Ukraine, Caritas Kyiv, and Caritas Chernihiv teams assisted residents of Oleshky in evacuating to Ukrainian-controlled territory. The operation concluded on October 31, when evacuees arrived at the Belarusian border after being temporarily occupied by Russian forces. Tetiana Stawnycychy, president of Caritas Ukraine, described the emotional toll on survivors who endured severe humanitarian crises, including lack of food, medical care, and constant drone threats. Teams provided hot meals, SIM cards, and psychological support. The mission followed a temporary ceasefire and de-mining efforts, allowing hundreds to escape what one survivor called hell. Caritas continues to support those remaining and seeks new humanitarian corridors.
A SGA-supported missionary in Ukraine hosted the ROCK Children’s Camp this summer, serving 350 vulnerable children across three sessions. Participants included orphans, displaced families, and children of military personnel. Despite nighttime explosions, the camp provided safety and joy. The program emphasized spiritual lessons, resulting in nearly 90% of attendees praying for forgiveness. One participant, 12-year-old Yarik, overcame personal struggles to publicly commit to faith. The initiative offered rare recreational and spiritual support to rural youth during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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More than 380 religious leaders from various faiths gathered in Assisi, Italy, from October 25 to 27 for a peace conference organized by the Sant'Egidio Community. Marking the 40th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's historic prayer day, participants issued a joint appeal stating that humanity must choose peace or face destruction. Prominent figures, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, emphasized dialogue and nonviolence. The event concluded with a candlelight ceremony and a message passed to children, asserting that only peace is sacred and war has no justification.
Augsburg Bishop Bertram Meier has been awarded the Dialogue Prize by the Intercultural Dialogue Center (IDIZEM) in Munich. The award, given biennially, recognizes his long-standing commitment to ecumenism and interreligious relations. Archimandrit Georgios Siomos presented the honor, praising Meier for fostering peaceful coexistence through personal encounters and mutual trust. As chair of the German Bishops' Conference commission for ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, Meier has significantly shaped religious understanding nationally and internationally. He views dialogue as concrete relationship-building rather than mere theological exchange. Meier recently described these efforts as a central concern, highlighting upcoming opportunities such as the 2030 Confessio Augustana anniversary.
Human rights organizations report that religious freedom is under increasing pressure worldwide in 2026. The situation has worsened or remained poor in several nations, according to new annual books presented in a European capital. The publishers warn against the political instrumentalization of religion and cite Russia's use of faith to justify war crimes. Thomas Schirrmacher states that religious freedom is threatened by both violators and those removing it from international politics. A human rights expert notes that conflicts allow persecution to be hidden more easily. Experts emphasize a continuous global decline in religious liberty.
The Romanian Orthodox parish of the Presentation of the Lord in Aschaffenburg, Germany, implemented a project titled 'And I am Romanian' from January to December 2026. Supported by a 125,000 lei grant from the Department for Romanians Abroad, the initiative aimed to help diaspora children maintain their national identity. The parish purchased educational equipment, furniture, and traditional costumes. Activities included Romanian language workshops, cultural events, and Orthodox spiritual meetings. The project was carried out in partnership with the Saint Calinic of Cernica parish in Schwabach-Roth and the ArtValores Association from Spain, fostering cultural preservation among youth.
The World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations held its fourth meeting in a European country, gathering approximately 90 participants from 35 nations to share experiences of women living in conflict zones. Evaline Malissa Ntenga, president of the Tanzanian Catholic Women's Organization, explained that the event aimed to provide a safe space for women from the Middle East and Mediterranean to be heard. The group emphasized solidarity and recognition for Christian communities often overlooked in countries like Iraq and Iran. The meeting also included administrative sessions and preparations for the 2027 general assembly in Spain.
On October 27, Felice Accrocca, Archbishop of Benevento, spoke at the closing ceremony of the 40th International Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Italy. He urged the world to share Assisi's legacy as a laboratory for peace. The event highlighted new educational programs and plans for volunteer camps in 2027 to foster dialogue among conflicting groups, including those in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Accrocca emphasized that unity against hatred is possible, citing Saint Francis's example of non-violence. He noted that the next 50th anniversary will be celebrated in ten years, reinforcing the enduring message of peace.
The state of Rhineland-Palatinate has allocated 10.7 million euros to support the construction of 47 affordable apartments in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The funding was handed over by State Minister Sven Teuber to Sahle Wohnen for the Heinrich-Pesch settlement. This development, planned by Catholic organizations including the Jesuits, aims to build 800 homes for approximately 2,000 residents by 2029 or 2030. Thirty-one units are restricted to low-income households for thirty years, while sixteen are for middle-income earners for twenty years. The project emphasizes social justice and ecological energy concepts, with rents capped at 7.45 to 8.45 euros per square meter.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇧🇾 Belarus·
Belarusian authorities have denied permission for Catholics to hold a memorial service at a burial site for victims of communist repression near Gomel. This marks the first time since the 1990s that the annual November 2 prayer on Chernihiv Highway has been prohibited, according to Katolik.life. The site, where many clergy were executed, was the last such location in Belarus where public worship occurred, following restrictions at Kurapaty near Minsk since 2023. The ban reportedly conflicts with state ideology, which attributes executions solely to Nazis during the war while ignoring Soviet repression. The service was previously led by Bishop Kazimierz Wielosielec, who died in early 2026.
Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, stated that the ongoing war in Ukraine has strengthened faith and increased religious vocations among youth. Speaking in Salzburg, he explained that young people face early maturity due to conflict, leading them to seek spiritual guidance from priests. The Church is responding by opening seminaries in Europe and establishing specific days for adolescent discernment. Shevchuk also highlighted the critical role of military chaplains and the resilience of civilians in cities like Kyiv, who are preparing for harsh winters despite Russian attacks on infrastructure.
Russia struck a humanitarian aid distribution center in Komysheva Bah, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine, killing at least 29 people shortly after a local ceasefire ended. The BBC reports that nine 3,000-kilogram bombs were dropped on the school facility used for relief efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a second attack targeted a nearby shelter where civilians had gathered. In retaliation, Ukraine launched drone attacks on Moscow, which Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said were intercepted. Cyberattacks also triggered false nuclear alerts in both nations. Diplomatic talks are scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi.
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