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.
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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.
KIRCHE IN NOT Germany has opened registration for the Red Wednesday 2026 campaign. The initiative, launched in 2015, calls for churches and public buildings to be illuminated in red on November 18 to support religious freedom and persecuted Christians. Parishes can register their events via the website or email. Since the date coincides with the Protestant Day of Repentance and Prayer, the organization recommends ecumenical actions. Participants can also download resources such as liturgy templates and flyers from the new campaign portal to support their local activities throughout November.
Following severe earthquakes in Venezuela, the Catholic Church has become a central relief hub, particularly in the Petare diocese near Caracas. Bishop Juan Carlos Bravo Salazar reports that while his diocese suffered no deaths, many buildings were damaged. Volunteers are assisting victims from the heavily affected La Guaira coastal region by distributing food, medicine, and clothing at four collection points. KIRCHE IN NOT has allocated 100,000 euros to support these emergency efforts. The church provides both material aid and spiritual care to those who lost their homes, highlighting the generosity of local residents despite widespread poverty.
The aid organization Church in Not has allocated 100,000 euros for immediate assistance following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. The funds support priests, religious orders, and church facilities that are sheltering and caring for survivors in the La Guaira region north of Caracas. According to international media reports, the disaster has killed over 2,000 people and injured approximately 11,000. Archbishop Raúl Biord Castillo of Caracas emphasizes that psychological trauma care is a top priority alongside material reconstruction. The aid also prepares for rebuilding damaged church buildings, including a severely affected seminary in La Guaira.
Benedictine Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem warned KIRCHE IN NOT that the Holy Land risks becoming a 'Christian Disneyland' devoid of local families. He stated that Christians comprise less than two percent of the population and face severe economic and social pressures. The community includes Palestinian Catholics, Hebrew-speaking Israelis, and over 100,000 migrant workers living in difficult conditions. Schnabel highlighted that the collapse of tourism since 2019 threatens livelihoods, while rising extremism and a lack of belonging drive residents away. He urged for housing and jobs to ensure a future for the indigenous Christian presence in the region.
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Church in Need received 145.8 million euros in donations in 2025, a five percent increase from the previous year. The organization supported 5,368 projects across 141 countries. Germany contributed 15.9 million euros, with individual donations rising despite a decline in inheritance income. According to Managing Director Florian Ripka, donors remain motivated by their connection to the global church. CEO Regina Lynch stated that aid targets regions affected by war, persecution, and poverty. Major recipients included India, Ukraine, Lebanon, and Syria. Africa received 34.5 percent of funds, focusing on Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. The organization also provided nearly 1.9 million Mass stipends for priests and supported the training of over 13,000 seminarians.
Following air strikes on the Lebanese port city of Tyros on June 9, Regina Lynch, acting president of the aid organization ACN, warned of escalating violence. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least eight deaths and numerous injuries. For the first time, the historic Christian quarter faced evacuation orders. Lynch called on all parties to prevent further suffering and protect civilians and religious sites. Her statement followed an appeal by Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Georges Iskandar, who highlighted the danger to the old town and its Christian communities. ACN expressed solidarity with residents, emphasizing the deep historical roots of Christianity in the region and pledging continued support for the local church.
Maronite Archbishop Hanna Rahmé reports that the war in Lebanon has brought Christians and Shia Muslims closer through acts of charity. Despite initial tensions and violence targeting Hezbollah positions in the south, the church in Baalbek-Deir El-Ahmar has opened its centers to refugees regardless of faith. Rahmé notes that many Muslims were surprised by this Christian hospitality, which helped break down stereotypes. The archbishop urges the international community to support dialogue rather than violence, highlighting the church's role in promoting peace and coexistence during the crisis.
Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, described the situation as very difficult after more than four years of war. He reported growing exhaustion among the population due to sleep loss from night attacks and severe stress on families. Many people lack heating and electricity, particularly in winter. Access to water, food, and medical care remains problematic near the front lines. Despite these hardships, the Catholic Church continues to provide humanitarian aid and pastoral care. Kulbokas noted an increasing search for faith and orientation among Ukrainians, with a significant rise in religious longing near the front.
The newly elected Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq has warned against further escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. Speaking to an international Catholic aid organization, he called on the global community to respect regional sovereignty and allow people to live in peace. Having previously served as Archbishop in a major northern city and witnessed the Islamic State's advance, he emphasized that Christians have suffered but preserved their faith. The leader highlighted the critical need for education to ensure the future of the community amid ongoing instability across Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon.
Church in Not Germany has strongly condemned recent attacks in southern Lebanon, urging the protection of civilians. Managing Director Florian Ripka expressed deep concern over renewed military clashes near the Israeli border, which have caused civilian casualties, damaged infrastructure, and forced many to flee. Ripka highlighted that Christian families in small border villages are particularly vulnerable and lack resources to escape. He called on the international community to prioritize civilian protection and de-escalation, warning that continued instability could drive another exodus of Christians, eroding Lebanon's cultural diversity. The organization continues to support locals through aid and pastoral care.
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