Catholic Bishop Luc Olivier Razafitsimialona of Madagascar called on the German government to demand greater transparency and fairer distribution of mining revenues from Madagascar's transitional government. Speaking in Aachen, he highlighted that while the country is rich in gold, mica, and sapphires, the wealthy benefit most while local miners work under harsh conditions for low pay. He urged German companies, particularly in automotive and cosmetics sectors using mica, to ensure ethical sourcing. This appeal coincides with the Month of World Mission, which features Madagascar as its example country and includes services in Aachen and Regensburg.
The Catholic Church in Madagascar has condemned the rising number of child disappearances linked to organ trafficking networks. Official police reports indicate 172 people vanished in the past year, including 91 minors. Bishop Jean Pascal Andriantsoavina of Antsirabe criticized the government's inaction regarding these selective killings. Missionary Luca Fornaciari confirmed that criminal investigations point to illegal body part trade as the motive. Recent abductions occurred in Nosy Be, highlighting the crisis. The military junta, which took power in October 2025, has struggled to control crime. Activist Ketakandriana Rafitoson warned that judicial delays are fueling public panic across the island nation.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Yasmine Arfaoui on UnsplashPersecuted church
Madagascar has declared a national day of mourning on July 24 following a surge in disappearances since early 2026. Authorities report nearly 200 missing persons, mostly children, with 175 found alive, six dead, and 19 still missing. The government has deployed thousands of security personnel to address public alarm. Bishops, including Monsignor Rosario Vella of Moramanga, warn of a climate of high alert and potential destabilization efforts. While rumors of organ trafficking circulate, officials cite varied motives including crime and voluntary flight. Schools have adjusted schedules to ensure student safety amid the crisis.
The Madagascar Bible Society has requested assistance after its Antananarivo offices were looted and burned during September 25 protests. Désiré Rabenifara, the acting national director, reports that thieves stole 28 computers and furniture, while flames destroyed 2,700 Bibles and documents. The damage is estimated at 100,000 euros. The team is currently relocating to new premises provided by the Bible Reading League. The French Bible Alliance has launched a fundraising campaign to support the recovery efforts in Madagascar.
Following a military coup in Madagascar that ousted President Andry Rajoelina, local pastors have urged calm and accountability. The takeover followed weeks of violent protests in Antananarivo sparked by severe infrastructure failures, including water and electricity shortages. At least 22 people died during the unrest, which also saw the Bible Society of Madagascar burned. Religious leaders, including Pastor Tanteraka Randrianjoary, issued joint statements calling for an end to corruption and lawlessness. The African Union suspended Madagascar’s membership, while the UN condemned the excessive force used against demonstrators. The pastors emphasize that resilience must be paired with justice and fair elections to address the nation's deep poverty and governance crises.
The Madagascar Bible Society headquarters in Madagascar suffered significant damage during ongoing nationwide protests that began in September. According to the French Bible Alliance (ABF), vandals first targeted the building housing the society, located above a supermarket, before entering the offices. The premises were looted and set on fire. Approximately 2,700 Bibles were destroyed in the storage warehouse, while the remaining stock was ruined by firefighting efforts. All computers were stolen, and furniture was rendered unusable. The ABF estimates the total loss at 100,000 euros. The unrest is driven by young people protesting poor living conditions, including frequent water and electricity cuts.
Construction has started on the first Russian Orthodox church in Madagascar, located in the capital, Antananarivo. Archpriest Dimitry Matienko, who oversees the project, told RIA Novosti that the complex will also house a women's monastic community and provide accommodation for children. The site will include workshops for practical skills like sewing. Metropolitan Konstantin blessed the initiative. This development is part of the Russian Orthodox Church's broader expansion across Africa, which now operates in 36 countries with hundreds of parishes, following recent openings in Mauritius and Tanzania. The church currently rents a house for its residents while building proceeds.
Brazilian missionaries Fernando and Janaine Basso led an evangelistic campaign in the Isoanala commune of Madagascar, resulting in 120 conversions to Christianity. The team screened the film 'Jesus' in the Bara language to the local population, many of whom are illiterate. Following their acceptance of the faith, the new believers burned amulets and objects associated with witchcraft and occultism. The Basso couple has been working in the remote, mountainous regions of southern Madagascar since 2013, collaborating with Mission Zero and MIAF to reach the Bara people, who traditionally practice animism and involve themselves in witchcraft. This event marks a significant shift in the area's religious landscape.
The French association L’APPEL and the Sisters of Mamré are building a school canteen in Zoara Antsampanana Andasibe, Madagascar, to combat child malnutrition and support education. A mission in April 2026 assessed construction progress and launched hygiene awareness campaigns. In the Moramanga region, rural families face poverty, climate threats, and limited access to services, which negatively impact children's health and schooling. Insufficient and varied diets compromise students' development. The initiative aims to improve child health and strengthen local community bonds by addressing these critical needs.
Construction has started on the first Russian Orthodox church in Madagascar, located in the capital, Antananarivo. Archpriest Dimitry Matienko, who oversees the project, told RIA Novosti that the complex will also house a women's monastic community and provide accommodation for children. The development includes workshops for practical skills and a small farm. Metropolitan Konstantin blessed the initiative, which is part of the Russian Orthodox Church's broader expansion across Africa. As of 2026, the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa operates in 36 countries with hundreds of parishes. The church has recently consecrated temples in Mauritius and Tanzania and laid foundation stones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Catholic Church in Madagascar has called for widespread polio vaccination to protect children from disease and misinformation. Bishop Donatien Randriamalala, leading the Episcopal Commission for Health Pastoral, issued a statement on October 30, 2026, emphasizing that health is a fundamental right requiring societal involvement. The Church urges collaboration between religious institutions, schools, media, and medical professionals to provide clear scientific information. This support aligns with the Ministry of Public Health’s upcoming third response vaccination campaign scheduled for November 24 to 27 across all 115 districts. The initiative targets all children under five years old to maintain the country's polio-free status.
The Russian Orthodox Church is establishing a new missionary presence in Madagascar. Father Alexiy Herizo, originally from a Lutheran family in southern Madagascar, previously studied as a Greek-Orthodox seminarian for the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa. He states that his bishop did not recommend him for the priesthood, forcing him to seek other employment. He now identifies with the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate, describing it as the 'true' patriarchate. This development marks a significant shift in the religious landscape of the island nation, where the Russian Church is now actively recruiting and establishing its influence.
On October 25, the Catholic Church in Regensburg, Germany, celebrated the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday. Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer, missio Munich president Wolfgang Huber, and Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana of Madagaskar closed the nationwide campaign. Huber emphasized that Catholic aid is vital for impoverished families in Madagaskar lacking state support. Bavarian Minister Christian Bernreiter stressed that solidarity transcends distance. The Pauline Jaricot Prize was awarded to Sister Rolandine Razafiarisoa for her work with disadvantaged youth. The event highlights the global reach of Catholic solidarity efforts organized by missio Aachen and missio Munich.
Juan Francisco García Pérez, a 32-year-old priest originally from El Salvador, has served in Madagascar for several years. He currently leads the parish in Kimony, located in the Morondava diocese on the island's west coast. The priest emphasizes the need for close personal contact with believers to provide tangible signs of love. He highlights severe poverty, water scarcity, and climate change impacts, such as deforestation and storms, affecting the local population. García Pérez collaborates with nuns to support education and health initiatives. He advocates for the community through the missio campaign for World Mission Sunday, aiming to help residents achieve self-sufficiency despite financial constraints.
The Catholic Church marks the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday in 2026. Pope Pius XI established the observance in 1926, and it was first held in Germany that same year. This year, the focus is on Madagascar, the priority country for the international aid organizations missio Aachen and missio Munich. While many parishes worldwide celebrated on October 18, German communities observe the day on October 25. The commemoration includes a month-long campaign ending with a nationwide collection and a closing service at Regensburg Cathedral. The event supports social and pastoral work in the world's poorest dioceses.
In the rural commune of Firarazana, Madagascar, students at the local primary school face overcrowded classrooms with nearly 70 pupils each. Located three hours from the capital, Antananarivo, the facility consists of three new concrete buildings renovated by the Axian foundation in partnership with Alterra. Despite the modern structures, conditions remain basic, with bare walls and minimal furnishings. This situation highlights the ongoing struggle of local parents to secure adequate educational resources and infrastructure for their children in remote areas of the country.
A new school has opened in Ankilimary, a village in Madagascar’s Benenitra district, to provide education for local children. The project was supported by the Indian Solidarity Group and Father Jeannot Randrianarison, director of the Saint Jacques Berthieu University. The facility includes six classrooms covering early childhood through primary education. Previously, the area lacked public teachers, leaving many children without schooling. The initiative aims to combine evangelization with education in this remote, impoverished region of southwestern Madagascar.
Father Janez Mesec, a missionary priest in Madagascar, reflects on the resilience and joy of the local community despite their poverty. He highlights the importance of mutual support during funerals and the belief in God as the creator of life. To combat dependency, his mission provides paid work for tasks like sweeping and carrying stones, allowing residents to earn dignity through labor. After a brief return to Slovenia, Mesec went back to Madagascar to address the need for priests and to share the Christian message of hope. He emphasizes that his role combines practical assistance with evangelization, accompanying the people on their spiritual and daily journeys.
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