On December 3, 2025, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) participated in the “Human Dignity” conference at the European Parliament in Brussels. Organized by MEPs Bert-Jan Ruissen and Davor Stier, the event focused on religious liberty and human rights. Marcela Szymanski presented ACN’s World Religious Freedom Report, highlighting rising persecution in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Tehmina Arora detailed severe abuses against minorities in India. Jan Figeľ urged the EU to appoint a special envoy for religious freedom, noting the current vacancy signals low priority for the issue among European institutions.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Biro Zoltan on UnsplashPersecuted church
A Croatian priest accused of sexually abusing a minor in the early 2000s was nearly appointed bishop, reports Dnevnik.hr. Despite warnings from Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and prior knowledge by Archbishop Dražen Kutleša, church leaders in Croatia supported the cleric. He received extended mandates and promotions, including roles in Požega, while Vatican investigations deemed the allegations credible. The church suspended its proceedings to avoid interfering with police inquiries. The priest was only removed from his parish post in 2026 after public outcry, highlighting systemic failures in handling abuse claims within the Croatian Catholic Church.
Eighty years after his death, Trieste and Istria are honoring Blessed Francesco Bonifacio, a priest executed by Yugoslav forces in 1946. Born in 1912, Bonifacio was captured and killed in Crassiza on September 11, 1946, for his faith and popularity among locals. The Avvenire outlet reports that his body remains missing, with investigations ongoing by the Pula prosecutor and diocesan authorities. Commemorative events include Masses in Crassiza and Trieste, led by Bishops Ivan Stironja and Enrico Trevisi. A new documentary and books detailing his martyrdom have also been released to preserve his memory and promote reconciliation in the region.
Benedictine nuns at the Saint Andrew Monastery on Rab Island, Croatia, pray for the persecuted and suffering Church. Abbess Marija Marina explains their daily routine of silence, work, and liturgy to the AIS foundation. The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need supports their mission. A documentary aired on RTP2 highlights their life of prayer and labor. The nuns offer intercession for those who cannot pray themselves, aiming to strengthen faith amidst secularism. This initiative is part of a series on missionary work in various countries.
OIDAC Europe documented 38 anti-Christian hate crimes in April 2026, targeting worship sites and individuals. The report details vandalism, arson, theft, and physical violence across multiple nations. France recorded the highest number of incidents with ten cases, followed by Germany and Italy with seven each. Other affected countries include Spain, Poland, Croatia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Significant events included arson attacks in Italy and Germany, an explosion in the Netherlands, and violent assaults in Ireland, France, and Spain. The group notes that several attacks occurred during Easter celebrations, highlighting a pattern of intolerance against Christian symbols and clergy throughout the month.
The Metropolis of Zagreb-Ljubljana of the Serbian Orthodox Church has condemned an attack on the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Zagreb, Croatia. The incident occurred on a day dedicated to Holocaust victims. The Diocese issued a statement expressing deep sorrow and urging Croatian authorities to investigate the crime and prosecute those responsible. It also called for stronger action against hate speech and intolerance in public life. The church emphasized that attacks on sacred sites undermine peace and coexistence. The 19th-century cathedral, a protected cultural monument, has faced various challenges including war and earthquakes. The Diocese stressed that such violence harms long-standing trust and reconciliation among communities.
A 34-year-old Catholic nun and TV presenter, Maria Tatiana Zrno, was injured in Zagreb, Croatia, on November 28. She was attacked outside her convent in the Malshenitsa neighborhood with a bladed weapon. Local media and witnesses report the attacker, described as an asylum seeker, shouted 'Allahu Akbar' during the incident. Police have launched a criminal investigation. Hospital staff state her condition is stable and not life-threatening. Zrno, originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is known for her theology teaching and sports broadcasting on the Laudato channel.
The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) recorded 25 priestly ordinations in 2026, a historic high for the society. Ceremonies took place in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, and Lindenberg, Bavaria, Germany. This total matches the number of diocesan ordinations in all of Germany in 2025. The FSSP now has over 400 priests with an average age of 39. The outlet reports that recent studies show younger priests are significantly more likely to identify as conservative compared to earlier generations. This trend contrasts with declining vocations in many Western dioceses.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
On October 27, 2026, religious leaders in Rijeka, Croatia, launched the Peaceful Rain initiative to combat hatred and abuse of power. Archbishop Mate Uzinić described the project as building peace through small, concrete gestures, likening it to rain fertilizing dry land. The alliance includes Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, and Protestant representatives, alongside Croatia’s ombudsperson Tena Šimonović. Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe supported the effort via video from Assisi. The group promotes a Mediterranean Pact with ten commitments, such as rejecting violence and protecting vulnerable groups. Participants believe that individual contributions can collectively foster a culture of peace in a region with a history of conflict.
Translated from Español
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Omotayo Tajudeen on UnsplashGood news
The 'Peaceful Rain' interfaith initiative was launched in Rijeka, Croatia, on October 27, 2026. Religious leaders, including Archbishop Mate Uzinić, Metropolitan Grigorije Durić, and Mufti Aziz Hasanović, urged people to offer concrete actions for peace. The group says that no single person can solve global conflicts alone, but everyone has a responsibility to contribute a 'drop of peace.' The initiative invites citizens and institutions to sign the Mediterranean Pact for Peace and register actions on a digital map. More than 140 people have already signed the document, which includes commitments to nonviolence and social justice. Organizers plan events for February 4, 2027, the International Day of Human Fraternity.
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
