Members of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women in Accra, Ghana, have issued a statement demanding swift investigations into child sexual abuse. They assert that such acts are crimes requiring legal accountability, not merely internal disciplinary matters. The group urges authorities to investigate all reports professionally, regardless of the accused's status. They call for stronger child protection in schools and homes, accessible reporting mechanisms, and support for survivors. The council also highlighted the vulnerability of boys and emphasized that protecting children is a shared national responsibility requiring legislative and institutional oversight.
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Belgian Primate Luc Terlinden urges the faithful to illuminate churches in red from November 15 to 22, 2026. This initiative, organized by the Catholic Aid to the Church in Distress, highlights persecuted Christians worldwide. Terlinden emphasizes that red symbolizes martyrdom and encourages concrete solidarity actions. The campaign aims to make support visible in parishes and schools. The organization provides resources for prayer vigils and lighting permissions. This annual event seeks to raise awareness about religious freedom violations and foster global Christian unity during times of suffering.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Vitalii Onyshchuk on UnsplashPersecuted church
Military chaplains are offering crucial spiritual and emotional support to Ukrainian soldiers facing exhaustion and fear on the front lines. Mikhail Pavenko, an American-Ukrainian chaplain from Washington, recently completed his tenth rotation in Ukraine after traveling through Poland. He describes the extreme danger posed by Russian FPV drones and artillery, recounting a narrow escape in the Zaporizhzhia region. According to Oleksandr Vovkotecha, head of the Ukrainian military chaplaincy service, these volunteers provide a confidential space for soldiers to process trauma. Despite a shortage of personnel, chaplains like Denis Gorenkov emphasize listening and presence as vital tools for maintaining morale during the ongoing conflict.
A chapel in a village in Egypt was deliberately set on fire. An armed man entered the building, poured accelerant, and ignited the flames. Security personnel arrested the suspect, and the fire was contained before damaging the main church structure. While the Egyptian Interior Ministry attributes the act to mental illness, local Christians dispute this explanation, citing a pattern of impunity and inadequate security measures. The incident highlights ongoing discrimination against Christians in Egypt, where the country ranks 42nd on the 2026 World Watch List for persecution.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a new referendum law promulgated by President Félix Tshisekedi has sparked divided reactions among religious groups. The Church of the Awakening of Congo supports the legislation, viewing it as a legal tool for national organization. Conversely, Catholic lay leaders express concern that a referendum should not precede a national dialogue, which they argue is essential for peace. The opposition coalition accuses the president of seeking a constitutional change for a new term. Civil society groups in South Kivu also urge prioritizing peace before any vote.
A bishop in Nigeria condemned Catholics involved in deadly clashes over land disputes. He described the violence as shameful, noting that frequent killings erode respect for human life. The bishop warned that territorial fights cause believers to forget their shared Christian identity. He also highlighted economic struggles for rural farmers and political manipulation ahead of upcoming elections, urging moral reflection rather than partisan engagement. This appeal emphasizes unity and dignity amidst local conflicts.
UNIFIL vehicles entered the Christian village of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon, marking a first since a clash between the Lebanese army and Israeli forces on September 18. The area lies within the Israeli-occupied buffer zone near the Beaufort Castle. This movement contrasts with statements from Israeli politician Gadi Eisenkot, who denied rumors of an Israeli withdrawal and declared that war objectives remain unmet. The presence of UNIFIL, rather than just the Lebanese army, highlights the ongoing security tensions in the region as local Christians attempt to organize amid the conflict.
A priest from Burkina Faso and a nun from Mexico will share their experiences at the Night of Witnesses event organized by the AED. The priest, who survived terrorism in a specific diocese, promotes hope despite violence. The nun supports families of the disappeared in Mexico amid armed group brutality. The event, originally created in France, now takes place internationally. It honors martyrs by reading their names and processing their portraits, aiming to remember those killed for their faith in hostile contexts.
A senior church leader in Cameroon discussed the ongoing Anglophone crisis. He explained that initial protests escalated into armed conflict between government forces and separatists, causing significant casualties, displacement, and long-term disruption to education. The leader highlighted the positive impact of a recent papal visit to the region. To preserve this peace message, he created a pastoral book based on the Pontiff's speeches. Schools are gradually reopening, but the leader warns that lost peace is hard to regain, emphasizing the need for continued reconciliation efforts in the affected areas.
The Diocese of Urgell in Spain has suspended a 54-year-old priest following a sexual abuse complaint filed in October. The alleged victim is a 26-year-old Colombian seminarian who reportedly entered the seminary in La Seu d'Urgell in November 2024 with the priest's help. According to the diocese, the incident occurred in July in a Barcelona apartment. The bishopric launched a canonical investigation immediately upon receiving the complaint and confirmed cooperation with Spanish police. The accused priest has been barred from public ministry, and the seminarian has left the institution to end his studies.
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In Togo, Archbishop Isaac Jogues Agbémenya Kodjo Gaglo has urged the faithful to pray following a tragic boat accident on Lake Togo. The incident occurred on November 8 when a wooden pirogue carrying pilgrims returning from the diocesan pilgrimage in Togoville capsized in the Vo prefecture. According to the Togolese Ministry of Security, three people died and fifteen were rescued out of eighteen passengers. The archbishop described the event as a painful trial for the Church and offered condolences to the victims' families while thanking the security forces for their rescue efforts.
The Catholic Aid to the Church in Need is organizing Red Week from November 14 to 22, 2026, to highlight the persecution of Christians worldwide. In Switzerland, approximately 300 parishes will participate by illuminating buildings in red, a symbol of martyr blood. The organization states that 413 million Christians live where religious freedom is severely violated, with 220 million directly facing persecution. Events in French-speaking Switzerland include testimonies from priests in Belfaux, Meyrin, Lausanne, and Morat, as well as exhibitions and prayer vigils at landmarks like the Sacré-Cœur in Geneva and the Notre-Dame basilica in Fribourg.
In Ukraine, children and families are adapting to life during the ongoing conflict. Instead of long-term plans, people live day by day, focusing on survival essentials as prices for food, medicine, and fuel rise. The constant threat of missile and drone attacks causes severe mental and physical exhaustion. Residents hide in cellars rather than sleeping in comfortable beds. The article highlights the deep transformation of Ukrainian society, where joyous events are postponed indefinitely. This situation reflects the widespread 'syndrome of postponed life' experienced by those enduring the war's devastation.
The documentary 'Sexe faible : l’Amérique en guerre contre ses femmes', directed by Brice Lambert and aired on Arte, investigates the decline of women's rights in the United States. Filmed in southern states, it highlights the reversal of abortion protections following the 2022 Dobbs decision. The film notes rising maternal mortality rates and increased prosecutions of women for pregnancy-related issues. It attributes these changes to Christian nationalists leading the Republican Party, who seek to impose a patriarchal societal vision. The report also mentions the prevalence of child marriage in many states and the dissolution of maternal death commissions. The documentary aims to reveal how these political and religious forces are reshaping American civic life.
A group of former students and teachers at the Kreisker Catholic school in Saint-Pol-de-Léon, France, opposes a memorial plaque proposed by victims of abuse. The plaque would commemorate physical and sexual violence committed between 1950 and 2000. The opposing group argues the initiative goes too far and stigmatizes the entire institution. Victims express anger and confusion, with some stating that the bishop is not justice. They feel it is wrong to honor victims without a formal judicial process. This dispute highlights the tension between remembrance and institutional reputation in the Finistère region.
The European Parliament’s petitions committee is drafting a resolution urging the European Commission to create a dedicated coordinator to protect Christians from hate and discrimination. MEP Laurence Trochu, supported by the ECR and PPE groups, argues that existing coordinators for antisemitism and Islamophobia lack an equivalent for Christians. This push follows a 9% rise in anti-Christian acts in France in 2025 and a petition with over 19,000 signatures. The proposed role aims to harmonize data collection on religious violence and strengthen cooperation among EU states and religious communities to address rising incidents.
On Tuesday, November 10, several individuals attempted to vandalize the church in Mirande, located in the Gers region of France. According to Mayor Bernard Dorey, the suspects used a piece of wood to try and break open the collection boxes intended for candle donations. The local authorities were alerted, and the mayor confirmed that a formal complaint has been filed with the gendarmerie. Police patrols are currently on site to collect evidence and trace clues. It remains unclear whether any money was successfully stolen or if the perpetrators were identified through surveillance footage, which had not yet been reviewed at the time of the report.
A Nigerian cult leader was brought before prosecutors in a city in Cameroon alongside members of his ministry. The leader was arrested after a period on the run and faces serious charges including human trafficking, slavery, and occult practices. Authorities report that several families claim relatives disappeared after joining the group. The leader allegedly denied medical care to sick followers. Police state he continues to deny all accusations despite confrontations with victims and witnesses, highlighting the severe risks faced by those involved in such groups.
Following a shooting in Cracow, Poland, on November 7 that killed six people, Polish bishops have called for national unity. The suspect, Michal O, died in hospital on November 9. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the attack as terrorism. Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś expressing sorrow. Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda and other church leaders offered prayers and support to victims and their families. A memorial mass was held at St Anne's Collegiate Church in Cracow on November 8. The country observed a national mourning period on November 8 and 9.
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