Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN) is organizing REDWEEK 2026 in Spain from November 16 to 22. More than 250 landmarks, including cathedrals in Madrid and Barcelona, and public buildings in cities like Valencia and Zaragoza, will be illuminated in red. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians worldwide. According to ACN, 413 million Christians live in countries with severe religious freedom violations. The campaign includes prayers, conferences by religious leaders from Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan, and the presentation of a manifesto to international institutions to defend religious liberty. The event is supported by the Asociación Católica de Propagandistas.
Organizations monitoring religious freedom in Cuba report nearly 940 violations during 2026. A pastor, a member of a Christian alliance, has been detained multiple times, including while accompanying an activist to a police summons. This pastor described being held in a prison with common criminals and accused authorities of intimidating critical religious communities. Meanwhile, a Catholic priest, visiting a city in the United States, urged the Church to speak out against the oppressive system. A letter to the Pope highlighted these restrictions. A US diplomat also expressed support for Cuban churches, acknowledging the growing pressure on religious groups in the country.
Two exiled Nicaraguans testified before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Panama about religious persecution in Nicaragua. They allege the regime forces priests to follow strict rules, including approved homily topics and police surveillance. The group reports 394 religious figures have been exiled or imprisoned. One witness, a former teacher stripped of citizenship, and another, a Dominican friar denied re-entry, highlight the loss of civil rights and control over church activities. They also warned of violence against exiles in Costa Rica, citing recent murders of critics.
Peruvian legislators have requested a meeting with Pope Leo XIV during his upcoming visit to Peru. According to the lawmakers, the Pontiff's presence offers hope for victims of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse linked to the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana, which the Pope suppressed in 2025. They also seek dialogue with Tallán indigenous communities in Piura who allege land dispossession by Sodalicio-related firms. Additionally, they asked for a meeting with families of those killed or injured during the 2022-2023 anti-government protests. The Vatican confirmed the Pope will meet abuse victims during his Latin American tour, though the specific date in Peru remains unknown.
Translated from Español
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Marco Guerrero on UnsplashPersecuted church
The Mexican Episcopal Conference opened its plenary assembly at a major basilica in the country. Presided over by a senior monsignor, the event formally announced a Jubilee Year for the centenary of the Cristero Resistance. The conference urges authorities to guarantee religious freedom in Mexico. This announcement comes amid ongoing violence against clergy, including recent kidnappings and murders of priests in various regions. The bishops emphasize the need to defend faith and reconstruct social fabric amidst rising organized crime and institutional corruption.
Victims of abuse in Argentina have voiced deep disappointment regarding Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to the country. The group includes deaf individuals who suffered misconduct by priests in Mendoza province and over 40 women alleging labor exploitation within Opus Dei centers. Andrea Martínez, a key figure in the latter group, stated during a press conference that while they understand the Pope's schedule is limited, they urgently need to be heard. These survivors feel excluded from the papal agenda and expressed sadness over their inability to share their testimonies directly with the pontiff during his trip to South America. (108 words)
As Pope Leo XIV begins his visit to Peru on November 11, various victim groups are seeking meetings to demand justice and truth. The Vatican has confirmed a gathering with survivors of ecclesiastical abuse, but the specific attendees remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, families of victims from state crimes under Alberto Fujimori and deaths during the 2022-2023 protests have requested audiences that are not yet scheduled. Cardinal Carlos Castillo of Lima noted that the papal agenda is limited, urging patience. These groups, including Sodalicio survivors, hope the pontiff will address their long-standing demands for accountability and reparations during his tour of Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa.
The Argentine government has decided not to reopen the debate on repealing the voluntary abortion law, despite recent statements by Pope Leo XIV. Officials in Argentina cite political strategy and a desire to focus on security reforms for the 2027 elections. They argue that social consensus makes revisiting the issue inconvenient. Although the Pope emphasized the dignity of unborn life, his remarks were doctrinal rather than a direct legislative demand. Vice President Victoria Villarruel criticized the administration's stance, highlighting internal divisions. The government maintains that current abortion rights remain unchanged while it pursues a separate penal code reform focused on crime and safety.
In Puerto Rico, particularly in Santurce and Río Piedras, churches are providing shelter and food to migrants fearing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Pastor Nilka Marrero in Santurce continues distributing meals despite federal agents surrounding the area. Religious leaders are training on safety protocols as tensions rise. Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández and other congressmen have condemned the operations for separating families across the island. These faith centers remain critical support hubs for undocumented residents seeking refuge and humanitarian aid during the increased enforcement activities.
Translated from Español
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Yanhao Fang on UnsplashPersecuted church
Maggie Ellis, the newly elected president of the Texas Supreme Court, plans to remove religious exemptions that allow judges to refuse officiating same-sex weddings. Ellis, who identifies as LGBTQ+, stated her intention to work with other magistrates to reform current regulations. The existing rule permits judges to abstain from ceremonies based on sincere religious beliefs. This policy originated from a case involving Judge Dianne Hensley, who was defended by the First Liberty Institute. While Democrats won four seats, Republicans retain a 5-4 majority. Ellis views the current exemption as hidden discrimination and aims to establish a uniform standard for all judges. The move has drawn criticism from religious freedom advocates.
A judge in Tucumán, Argentina, rejected the dismissal request for priest Pablo Simón Valdez, who is accused of sexually abusing a teenager in Simoca between 2021 and 2022. Judge Mario Velázquez ruled that sufficient evidence exists to proceed, criticizing the prosecutor's claim of a consensual relationship. The magistrate noted omitted evidence, such as school records and communications. The victim, now 21, stated she did not consent. Valdez remains suspended by Bishop José Antonio Díaz while the criminal case continues open without a final verdict on his guilt.
A guest told a media outlet he received death threats after discussing alleged irregularities at a major basilica in Mexico. In a podcast episode, he spoke with an interviewer about claims involving large donations, money laundering, and cover-ups within the Catholic Church. The discussion also covered the announcement to reinstate a former rector following an audit. The outlet clarified that these are the guest's assertions and not proven judicial facts. New episodes air weekly on digital platforms.
The Argentine government, led by President Javier Milei, has decided not to repeal the voluntary abortion law and will exclude it from the upcoming penal code reform. Officials aim to avoid political confrontation and electoral costs ahead of the 2027 elections. This decision stands despite Milei’s personal opposition and recent comments by Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Argentina. Vice President Victoria Villarruel criticized the administration’s stance. The reform will instead focus on harsher penalties for crimes like robbery and drug trafficking. The current law allows abortion up to 14 weeks, with exceptions for rape or health risks.
A parish in a city in Sinaloa province, Mexico, was vandalized and robbed recently. The parish secretary reported that the priest discovered the break-in after finding a forced door. Thieves damaged religious ornaments and the sacristy, and stole cash from the office. Although statues remained intact, significant property damage occurred. Local police are currently securing the area and investigating the incident. Authorities are gathering evidence to identify the suspects. The crime has caused concern among the local faithful.
The cathedral in Valladolid, Spain, will be illuminated in red as part of the Redweek 2026 campaign. Organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) from November 16 to 22, the initiative highlights over 250 Spanish monuments and more than 1,000 global sites. ACN director José María Gallardo states the goal is to raise awareness about religious persecution. According to the outlet, the campaign addresses data showing that 413 million Christians face religious freedom violations, with 220 million directly persecuted. The event aims to prevent this reality from being forgotten through public visibility and international signature collections.
Following the arrival of Pope Leo XIV in Argentina, authorities detained three men for threats against the pontiff. Damián Abelino Giles and Fabio Ariel Perrone were arrested for making anonymous calls containing violent language. Tomás Natenzon, a firefighter, was detained for attempting to bypass security using a fake Vatican credential and possessing illegal weapons. The outlet reports that false images of Karin Milei and edited videos of the Pope also circulated online. Additionally, old tweets by President Javier Milei criticizing Pope Francis resurfaced on social media during the visit.
Ending Clergy Abuse will hold a press conference in Buenos Aires on November 10 to urge Pope Leo XIV to meet victims excluded from a recent private audience. The group represents 43 women alleging labor exploitation by Opus Dei and survivors of sexual abuse at the Antonio Próvolo Institute in Mendoza. They criticize the Argentine hierarchy for selecting attendees, arguing this creates distrust. The event follows similar protests in Córdoba, where survivors demand institutional accountability, transparency, and full reparations for past abuses.
Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz claims she faces persecution for investigating the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana. She alleges the group exploited the Catholic Church to build wealth, citing cemetery management as a key business. Ugaz argues that legal actions against journalists proceed rapidly, while money laundering probes linked to the organization are being dismissed. She highlighted advertising for the Parque del Recuerdo during Pope Leo XIV’s visit, urging scrutiny of the financial ties involved. Although the Vatican dissolved the group, Ugaz asserts its economic networks remain active in Peru. She stated she does not know if the pontiff is aware of these specific allegations.
Fray Augusto Rafael Ramírez Monasterio, a Franciscan priest born in Guatemala in 1937, was killed on November 7, 1983, during the country's internal conflict. According to the Diocese of Guatemala, he was detained and tortured while trying to protect a peasant seeking amnesty. His martyrdom occurred amid political repression. The Episcopal Conference included him in a list of Witnesses of the Faith presented to Pope John Paul II in 1996. The outlet notes that his life was defined by service to poor communities and commitment to the Gospel, inviting believers to defend human dignity today.
Translated from Español
Read more →
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
