A September study by the IZA Network in Luxembourg and Belgian universities reveals that listing religious volunteering on a resume reduces hiring chances in Belgium. Researchers Louis Lippens and colleagues found that employers viewed candidates with church or mosque activities as belonging to a non-mainstream group, lowering their scores regardless of whether the applicant was Christian or Muslim. While religious traits like honesty were rated positively, the perceived cultural distance outweighed these benefits. The findings suggest secular workplace norms may drive this discrimination, though the authors note results might not apply globally without further cross-country research.
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The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Germany continues a strict policy regarding church asylum. In the first half of 2025, only three out of 402 cases resulted in the state accepting responsibility, allowing the individuals to stay. The remaining 399 applications were rejected. Data obtained by the Evangelical Press Service shows a significant decline in total cases compared to the full year 2024. Left party politician Clara Bünger criticized this approach, arguing that the hardline stance of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt suppresses humanitarian considerations for asylum seekers. The practice often leads to conflicts between churches and state institutions.
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A church in India was demolished following the implementation of a new anti-conversion law. According to IDEA, Christian community members describe the destruction as political retaliation. Witnesses accuse local authorities of acting against existing court orders. The incident highlights tensions between religious groups and state enforcement in the region. The outlet reports that the demolition occurred shortly after the new legislation came into effect, raising concerns about the treatment of Christian minorities.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) in Germany rejected 399 out of 402 church asylum hardship cases in the first half of 2026. Only three cases resulted in a self-entry, allowing applicants to remain in the country. This data comes from a federal government response to a parliamentary inquiry. The total number of church asylums also declined significantly compared to 2025, with 605 cases involving Dublin references and 14 without. Churches provide shelter based on humanitarian grounds, a practice that frequently causes conflict between religious institutions and the state.
Thomas Backsmann, the new diocesan youth pastor for the Archdiocese of Cologne, will lead a pilgrimage to the World Youth Day in South Korea from August 3 to 8, 2027. The event, organized by the diocese, BDKJ Cologne, and the Cologne Holiday Service, invites young people aged 18 to 30. Participants will begin their journey on July 27, 2027, with encounter days in the Suwon diocese before attending the main events in Seoul. The program includes meetings with Pope Leo XIV, masses, and a youth festival. The South Korean bishops' conference expects around 500,000 visitors. Registration is open until December 14, 2026, with costs capped at approximately 2,300 euros.
St. Paul's Chapel in New York City survived the September 11, 2001 attacks, likely due to protection from a nearby sycamore tree. Former deputy pastor Lyndon Harris recalled fleeing the falling debris and subsequently organizing a volunteer relief station that served over half a million meals. The historic building, part of Trinity Church, became a symbol of healing and refuge for rescue workers and mourners. A quarter-century later, the chapel displays an origami installation titled 'Ever Present,' featuring 2,977 paper cranes created by volunteers to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks.
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The Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan Metodije has been indicted in Montenegro for allegedly inciting national, racial, and religious hatred. Prosecutors in Podgorica confirmed the charges following a memorial service in late August where Metodije compared the late war criminal Ratko Mladic to a saint. Mladic, who died recently in a UN prison, was described as one of the greats of the Serbian people. This legal action adds to criticism of the Serbian Orthodox Church leadership, particularly after Patriarch Porfirije led a large memorial in Belgrad. Human rights groups accuse the church and state of reviving 1990s nationalist policies.
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The Diocese of Rottenburg plans to strengthen its cooperation with the Catholic Church in Burundi. Bishop Klaus Krämer announced the initiative in Stuttgart after visiting projects in the East African country from September 2 to 9. The partnership will focus on peacebuilding, education, and healthcare. Krämer highlighted severe shortages in medical facilities and supplies during a visit to an HIV/AIDS treatment center. The diocese stated it will evaluate joint health sector engagement with local partners. Burundi has long been a partner region for the diocese, facing challenges from poverty and ethnic conflicts. The bishop emphasized the need for reliable relationships and concrete improvements rather than solving all problems alone.
Evangelical Church in Central Germany leader Friedrich Kramer stated that the region must not return to normal following the recent Saxony-Anhalt election. Speaking to MDR, he argued that a right-wing party seeking power is not normal. The church will focus on its core mission, advocate for marginalized groups, and provide spaces for dialogue while remaining firmly positioned. Kramer rejected threats of funding cuts from the AfD, vowing to defend values through legal means. He distinguished between the party's program and its diverse voters, noting societal division caused by separate media consumption habits. The AfD reportedly received 43.8 percent of the vote.
Limburg Bishop Stephan Bätzing stated that the Catholic Church in Germany has prepared emergency plans in case the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party forms a government. Speaking on his tenth anniversary, he compared potential future restrictions to the situation under the former East German regime, where informal communication was necessary to maintain church operations. He noted that if state payments or church taxes were halted, legal action would be taken. Bätzing emphasized that the AfD's ideology is incompatible with Christian values and pledged that partner dioceses would support affected communities if such political shifts occurred.
French police in Forbach arrested a 35-year-old man on Tuesday after he entered a church brandishing a knife and shouting Allahu Akbar. The incident was reported by La Croix, citing the Sarreguemines prosecutor’s office. Three schoolgirls alerted authorities after hearing the suspect searching for a priest. Although the man carried an Opinel knife and cannabis resin, he did not draw the weapon. He faces charges including terrorism endorsement and weapon possession. Local officials condemned the act, praising the students and police for their swift response. Investigations into his religious and psychological background are ongoing.
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The Archdiocese of Seoul and South Korea's Ministry of Environment have signed an agreement to make the 2027 World Youth Day more climate-friendly. According to licas.news, the partnership aims to reduce energy consumption, expand renewable energy sources, and minimize waste. Church facilities will upgrade to LED lighting and efficient heating systems, while roofs and parking lots will host solar panels. The ministry will provide technical support and energy analysis. An international youth forum will address the climate crisis, and the archdiocese seeks climate commitments from 100,000 Catholics. Minister Kim Sung-hwan and Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick emphasized the event's role in demonstrating environmental responsibility ahead of the expected arrival of hundreds of thousands of young Catholics.
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The Society for Threatened Peoples warns that the Serbian Orthodox Church's honoring of war criminal Mladic endangers Balkan peace. The organization urges the German Bishops' Conference, the Evangelical Church in Germany, and the World Council of Churches to take a public stance. This criticism highlights tensions regarding historical accountability and interfaith relations in Serbia. The group calls for stronger condemnation from major Christian bodies to prevent further destabilization in the region. The issue remains a point of contention for minority rights advocates in the country.
Christian and Jewish youth organizations in Germany have issued a joint warning against the Alternative for Germany party. The Jüdischer Studierendenunion Deutschland, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Evangelischen Jugend in Deutschland, and the Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend state that the AfD threatens democratic values and religious freedom. They cite the party's stance on the Holocaust and attacks on religious practices like circumcision. The groups also warn that an AfD government in Saxony-Anhalt could end church asylum and state funding for churches. This would jeopardize social services such as kindergartens and nursing homes. The organizations emphasize that human dignity must not depend on origin or religion, calling for a society that respects diversity and historical memory.
The Renovabis organization is hosting its 30th International Congress in Freising, Germany, starting September 16. The event gathers over 200 participants from 26 countries to discuss overcoming societal division in Europe. Organizers aim to explore how dialogue and trust can be restored amidst political conflict and social insecurity. The congress features discussions on the role of churches in fostering unity and includes the first presentation of the Freising Dialogue Prize to the Polish Kreisau Foundation. Participants include politicians, scientists, and religious leaders who will examine historical and current challenges to European cohesion.
Heiner Wilmer, head of the German Bishops' Conference, confirmed the Catholic Church's firm opposition to the Alternative for Germany party following their recent electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt. Wilmer stated that the party's vision conflicts with core Christian values such as human dignity and democracy. He emphasized that the bishops' 2024 declaration labeling the AfD as unacceptable for Christians remains valid and unanimous. While maintaining dialogue with voters, Wilmer warned that potential AfD government measures, including ending church tax collection, could severely threaten church finances in the region. He stressed that the church stands united in protecting the rights of all people, including refugees.
In Bangladesh, a volunteer and her family were forced to flee their home after false accusations circulated on social media. The online posts claimed they had converted Muslim women to Christianity. A local religious leader visited their house to confront them, prompting the family to leave temporarily out of fear of violence. This incident highlights a growing trend in the country where unverified online claims lead to real-world threats against Christians. Local partners are providing food and support to the displaced family, while the broader Christian community faces increased fear of public confession due to these digital rumors.
Severe flash floods in Nepal have killed at least 1,367 people and left over 5,000 missing. Aid organizations report that infrastructure is destroyed, making access difficult. International emergency aid is active, providing food, hygiene facilities, and school rebuilding support. With winter approaching, survivors need shelter and warm clothing. The disaster also disrupted hydropower and tourism, a key economic sector. Affected populations will require assistance for years as efforts shift from immediate relief to long-term reconstruction and psychological care for traumatized residents.
A state commission in North Rhine-Westphalia has recommended that victims of child sexual abuse receive a legally guaranteed right to trauma processing. The group presented its findings to the state parliament in Düsseldorf on Wednesday. Key proposals include ensuring low-barrier access to official records and establishing independent institutional, financial, and methodological standards for investigations. The commission argues that the state must actively control and support these processes rather than relying on self-regulation by institutions or families. Additionally, the report suggests creating a permanent state commission and a statewide council for affected individuals. Meanwhile, all five Catholic dioceses in the region have submitted independent studies on abuse.
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