Church leaders in Jerusalem have strongly condemned recent settler attacks on the Christian village of Taybeh in the West Bank. Following violence during the olive harvest, including injuries to an American photographer and assaults on European diplomats, the patriarchs issued a joint statement demanding greater protection for residents. They also criticized remarks by Rabbi Dov Lior that justified taking Palestinian olives. Israeli police arrested suspects, and President Isaac Herzog condemned the violence. However, local Catholic priest Bashar Fawadleh reports that fear is growing as settlers continue to move freely despite military restrictions. The church leaders urge the international community to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of the Christian community in the region.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ahmed on UnsplashPersecuted church
A new report by the Commission for Justice and Peace of the Pakistani Bishops' Conference documents severe human rights violations against Christians in Pakistan during 2025. The document details lethal attacks, blasphemy accusations, and the abduction of girls for forced marriages. Bishop Samson Shukardin highlights how political rhetoric marginalizes religious minorities. Specific cases include the murders of two local believers. While the government announced new protective measures, KIRCHE IN NOT classifies Pakistan under the highest level of religious persecution, emphasizing the ongoing need for support and justice for affected communities.
A Jesuit priest working in Syria argues that material aid alone cannot prevent Christian emigration. He states that young people leave due to war, economic crisis, and political uncertainty. To retain the community, he advocates for educational programs and social participation that foster hope and active citizenship. Supported by KIRCHE IN NOT, Jesuit centers offer language courses and conflict resolution training to people of all faiths. The priest warns against creating parallel societies, emphasizing that Christians must help shape the country's future. This approach aims to strengthen coexistence and provide long-term perspectives for those remaining in the region.
Bishop Bertram Meier spoke in Augsburg, Germany, about the plight of Christians in the Holy Land. During a prayer day organized with Kirche in Not, he warned that losing these communities would mean losing hope. Bernard Poggi, representing the Latin Patriarchate, described violence, restricted access to farmland, and high unemployment as key drivers of emigration. Meier urged attendees to remain compassionate and actively support humanitarian aid rather than becoming desensitized to global suffering. The event emphasized the need for peace and tangible assistance for those facing existential threats in the region.
Catholic bishops in Nigeria have issued a strong appeal for an end to ongoing violence following recent attacks in the Middle Belt region. The statement cites two separate incidents: the abduction of over 60 worshippers from a mosque in a village in Niger State, and a deadly assault in a town in Benue State, where 47 people died. The bishops emphasize that the conflict involves land disputes, jihadist groups, and kidnappings, affecting both Christians and Muslims. They urge Nigerian authorities to take decisive action and call on perpetrators to stop the bloodshed, noting that no cause justifies such cruelty. The bishops expressed solidarity with the victims of the mosque abduction.
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