Washington Archbishop Cardinal Robert McElroy delivered a sermon in Washington, US, criticizing the Trump administration's immigration policies. He stated that Jesus weeps over children separated from their families and detained in poor conditions. McElroy urged Americans to oppose these measures and hold political representatives accountable. He described recent actions by ICE as a war against undocumented immigrants, including long-term residents and asylum seekers. The Cardinal argued that deporting those legally admitted under programs like TPS reflects bigotry rather than justice. He called for collective action to address the suffering caused by these strategies.
Religious leaders from France gathered in Metz on Monday to issue a joint appeal for peace and human dignity during the visit of Pope Leo XIV. Representatives of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism signed the 'Appell von Metz,' condemning discrimination, hate speech, and violence. The CRCF alliance warned against rising conflicts, inequality, and ecological imbalance. Signatories included Protestant Federal President Christian Krieger, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Chief Rabbi Haïm Korsia, and Grand Mosque Rector Chems-Eddine Hafiz. They called for a 'compass of hope' to protect humanity from totalitarianism and uphold the worth of every individual.
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.
Missio Aachen and Missio Munich are expanding their World Mission Sunday campaign into a month-long action focused on Madagascar. Pfarrer Dirk Bingener, president of Missio Aachen, explains that the island faces severe climate change impacts, poverty, and political instability following a recent coup. The church provides essential aid, including health stations and schools, while supporting projects against child labor in mica mines and medical research. The campaign marks the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, emphasizing global solidarity and sustainable development in one of the world's poorest regions.
German churches have launched the nationwide Inter-cultural Week in Leipzig on Sunday. The annual event, running until October 4, features approximately 6,000 activities across more than 750 municipalities. This year's theme is 'For it,' aiming to promote social cohesion and counter division during times of crisis. Retired Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers emphasized the importance of viewing others not as competitors but as neighbors. Organizers from the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches, along with civic leaders, stressed that the initiative seeks to strengthen networks and support democratic values beyond the event's conclusion.
Olena Voichyk, deputy director of Caritas Ukraine, recently traveled from Kyiv to Freising, Germany, to speak at a Renovabis congress. She described the exhausting daily reality of living under constant air raids and drone threats targeting infrastructure. Voichyk highlighted how the organization has shifted from social projects to emergency aid and reconstruction. She also expressed concern over rising support for the AfD in Germany and emphasized that international solidarity provides crucial hope for Ukrainians enduring the fifth year of war.
The French Bishops' Conference expressed joy over the large turnout for Pope Leo XIV's Mass in Paris. Spokesman Bishop Pierre-Antoine Bozo stated the Pope's message resonated deeply with the public, addressing a desire for spiritual depth beyond material satisfaction. Police estimates place attendance at 800,000 people on the Place de la Concorde and Champs-Élysées, making it one of the largest services in the city's history. Bozo noted that while France is secular, its society seeks deeper meaning. The event drew many beyond the Catholic Church, highlighting a widespread spiritual hunger among the French population.
Translated from DeutschAlso reported by 1 other outlet
A German government envoy for religious freedom visited Pakistan, discussing the precarious situation of religious minorities with IDEA. He highlighted severe challenges, including harsh blasphemy laws that can lead to mob violence or death sentences, forced conversions of young girls, and discriminatory treatment of Ahmadis. The envoy also noted debt-bondage in brick kilns affecting hundreds of thousands. He urged Pakistan to enforce minimum marriage ages, reform blasphemy statutes, and ensure fair trials. The EU should link trade preferences to religious freedom. Despite conservative resistance, the envoy expressed hope for change, citing instances where local leaders protected minority families from mobs.
Pope Leo XIV visited Paris, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and UNESCO officials before engaging with a lively Catholic community. He celebrated Mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral with thousands of clergy and religious, followed by a vigil at Stade de France attended by 80,000 young people. The Pope also met over 13,000 recent converts nationwide, including Damien from Créteil, who shared his conversion story. The visit concluded with a massive gathering of 700,000 people at Place de la Concorde, where the Pope prayed for the spread of faith throughout France.
Pope Leo XIV travels to France from September 25 to 28 to address the credibility of the Catholic Church. The visit occurs shortly after the country passed a euthanasia law. The Pope will meet President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and focus on the protection of life in Lourdes among the sick. The itinerary also highlights a rise in adult baptisms, with over 13,000 conversions recorded this Easter. Additionally, the Pope plans to meet abuse survivors privately and discuss human dignity with UNESCO. The trip concludes in Metz with a focus on European peace and unity, aiming to reconnect the church with both new believers and those hurt by past scandals.
German and Malagasy bishops connected climate justice with Madagascar during the World Mission Month launch in Aachen, Germany. Aachen Bishop Helmut Dieser highlighted extreme heat as proof of shared vulnerability, while Tolagnaro Bishop Luc Olivier Razafitsimialona described drought impacts and unfair mica mining practices. Missio President Dirk Bingener criticized German development aid cuts and demanded transparent supply chains. Sister Claudine Aimée Rasolohery presented affordable herbal medicines developed in Madagascar. The campaign, focusing on Madagascar, runs from Aachen to Regensburg, culminating in collections on October 25.
Pope Leo XIV expressed surprise at the increasing number of adult baptisms in France during a meeting in Paris on Saturday. According to the French Bishops' Conference, over 13,000 adults were baptized during this year's Easter Vigil, a significant rise from 4,124 in 2016. The Pope urged church leaders to provide concrete pastoral care for these new believers. He emphasized the need to integrate them fully into parishes through comprehensive instruction and liturgical involvement. Additionally, he called for specialized training for godparents to support this growing demographic, noting that while overall baptisms are declining, this specific trend requires dedicated attention.
Eva Welskop-Deffaa, president of the German Caritas association, highlights difficulties in dialoguing with people distant from democracy, particularly in eastern Germany. She states that Caritas has become a target for the AfD, with migration work labeled as an 'asylum industry.' Welskop-Deffaa expresses concern over recent state election results in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Berlin, noting that many voters support the AfD due to its program. She urges clear advocacy for human dignity without devaluing others. Conversely, she welcomes the Left Party's victory in Berlin, viewing it as a rejection of imitating the AfD, while acknowledging antisemitism concerns within that party.
Eva Welskop-Deffaa, president of the German Caritas Association, expressed deep concern following recent state election victories for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Berlin. Speaking to katholisch.de, she warned that the party's platform threatens social cohesion and the livelihoods of vulnerable groups. She highlighted that Caritas has become a primary target for right-wing populists, particularly in Saxony-Anhalt, where potential AfD-led governments could jeopardize funding and cooperation. Welskop-Deffaa emphasized the church's duty to uphold human dignity and resist political polarization, noting that Christian voters significantly rejected the AfD compared to the general population.
Following a fatal stabbing at a Benedictine monastery in Jaroslaw, Poland, Catholic leaders urged against hatred toward Ukrainians. A 31-year-old Ukrainian national killed one priest and injured four others using a kitchen knife. Polish Primate Wojciech Polak called for unity, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and local bishops condemned the act. The suspect, who recently arrived from Germany, was arrested at the scene. Authorities are investigating the motive, with officials warning against Russian attempts to exploit the tragedy to disrupt support for Ukraine. Primate Adam Szal organized prayers for peace and unity.
The Catholic parish in Senden, Germany, is opposing a flyer distributed by the local AfD branch that attacks the sexual education program of its daycares. Pastor Oliver Rothe called the material polemical and absurd, noting the concept aligns with diocesan guidelines and legal requirements. The AfD sought to have all daycare concepts in the Coesfeld district reviewed, fearing ideological overreach. Rothe condemned the attack as low-level and divisive, urging Christians to resist the party. Parents and staff have expressed strong support for the existing educational approach.
The Aachen Cathedral hosted a pontifical mass to mark the start of the World Mission Month, with a special focus on Madagascar. The service featured the Aachen Cathedral Choir and the duo Zary ako. Concelebrants included Dompropst Rolf-Peter Cremer, Bishop Luc Olivier Razafitsimialona, and Missio President Dirk Bingener. The World Mission Sunday is scheduled for October 25, 2026, in Germany. The collection supports church partners in Madagascar, one of the world's poorest nations. According to the outlet, the 2026 campaign emphasizes basic medical care, as church health stations often provide the only access to doctors in rural areas where state aid is lacking. The funds also assist partners in other regions of the Global South.
A report describes Christian communities in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. In the UAE, churches hold open services for expatriates, though missionary work toward Muslims is strictly forbidden. Local rulers permit this to maintain social stability. In contrast, Oman’s Ibadi Islam is described as more tolerant, yet Christians still operate in secret. The article highlights a hospital in a city in the UAE, founded with support from a prominent Sheikh, as an example of Christian-Muslim cooperation. The report emphasizes the challenges faced by believers in these Gulf states, balancing public worship with legal restrictions on evangelism.
Archbishop Stephan Burger visited South Sudan and described the country as a crisis state fifteen years after independence. He highlighted severe hunger, a collapsed healthcare system, and a lack of teachers. While church projects provide essential support in education and medicine, Burger noted that political instability and clan dynamics hinder progress. He criticized the upcoming parliamentary elections as lacking democratic standards. Burger urged international partners, particularly Germany, to maintain development aid, warning that cuts by the USA leave the population isolated and vulnerable to a worsening humanitarian disaster.
Translated from Deutsch
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