The Synod of the Greek-Catholic Melkite Church, led by Patriarch Youssef Absi, has called for an immediate end to demolitions in southern Lebanon. Following the destruction of a convent and school in Yaroun by Israeli forces on May 1, the bishops expressed deep concern over attacks on religious and civilian sites. They urged the Lebanese government, the United Nations, and international organizations to protect civilians and their institutions. The statement, dated May 4, emphasizes that these actions violate human dignity and exacerbate the suffering of residents in border villages, asserting that Israel holds responsibility for protecting these areas under its control.
In Belgium, Education Minister Valérie Glatigny has proposed making two hours of philosophy and citizenship classes mandatory in official schools. This reform would move religious and moral instruction outside the standard school timetable, making them optional. According to Le Soir, the government argues that current philosophy hours are insufficient for developing critical thinking. However, critics, including Jean-Marc Drieskens and the Catholic education secretariat, warn this could lead to the disappearance of religious courses. Data from CathoBel shows Catholic religion remains the most chosen convictional subject. The debate highlights tensions between educational neutrality and constitutional rights to religious choice.
From October 9 to 11, 2026, Namur in Belgium will host the first Belgian edition of Ecclesia Cantic. This event targets young people aged 18 to 35 and focuses on liturgical singing. The organizers aim to combine musical excellence with faith and community spirit. The program includes prayer, formation sessions, and concerts. Four choir directors will lead master classes on vocal technique and liturgical music. The weekend concludes with a public concert in the Namur cathedral. The initiative seeks to support parish singing quality and evangelize through music.
The French School of Archaeology and Biblical Studies in Jerusalem has launched the BEST project, offering free access to an updated Bible edition. Since 2003, Brother Olivier-Thomas Venard has overseen this ambitious research initiative. The platform allows hundreds of global researchers to annotate the biblical text collaboratively online. This effort aims to enrich the scripture through international scholarly contributions, making the living Bible accessible to readers worldwide via a digital interface based in Jerusalem, France.
The bishops of Belgium are organizing local evening meetings across the country during Advent 2026. These events aim to put Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te, into practice. The gatherings will bring together Christian communities and social actors to discuss poverty as a place where God speaks. Organized between late November and December 2026, the meetings encourage dialogue between spiritual reflection and field experiences. Dioceses will provide support materials and guides to help local teams facilitate these encounters, fostering a deeper understanding of solidarity and exclusion.
Indignation has erupted in Lebanon following the destruction of a Greek-Catholic Melkite monastery in the border village of Yaroun. According to reports, the Israeli military attacked the convent of the Basilian Salvatorian Sisters of the Annunciation on May 1. The French aid organization L’Œuvre d’Orient expressed immediate outrage over the incident. This event adds to concerns regarding rising anti-Christian violence attributed to Israel in recent weeks. The destruction of this religious site in southern Lebanon highlights ongoing tensions in the region and the vulnerability of Christian heritage locations near the border.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Caritas International Belgium organized an event called 'Art for Caritas' on Thursday, May 7, in Brussels. The evening featured an art sale at the Antonio Nardone Gallery in Forest to fund the organization's humanitarian work. According to the outlet, Caritas supports people affected by crises, including migrants, victims of violence, and those in poverty. The event included presentations by artist Antonio Nardone and other creators, alongside information about Caritas's actions and investment options via Nagelmackers Bank. The global network aids over 60 million people annually through local organizations.
Hundreds of thousands of Christian migrants in the United Arab Emirates are experiencing the direct impact of the conflict between the United States and Iran. In Dubai, worshippers travel to churches such as Sainte-Marie in the Oud Metha district. Volunteers assist the crowds entering the complex. One believer stated that without financial resources, their only option is to pray to the Lord. This situation highlights the vulnerability of the Christian community in this Islamic region during the current geopolitical tensions.
On April 24, a group of retired cyclists, known as the 'Papys Cyclistes', will depart from Wépion in Belgium to cycle 1,500 kilometers to Lourdes in France. This year marks a first as 'Mamys Cyclistes' will also join the journey, utilizing electric-assist bicycles. The participants, mostly over 70 years old, aim to raise funds for KID Fonds, which supports primary immunodeficiency research. Alain de Brabant, a veteran of previous tours, highlights the spiritual and social aspects of the route. The group plans to collect donations to aid patients and their families, with proceeds going directly to the Belgian KU Leuven account.
A senior church leader in a North African nation anticipates a historic papal visit. The Pope will be the first Bishop of Rome to set foot in the country. The leader states that locals will be deeply moved by the Pontiff, who identifies as a son of Saint Augustine. The visit aims to foster dialogue and fraternity within the small local Christian community. It also highlights shared Mediterranean heritage and promotes peace amid global conflicts. The Archbishop emphasizes historical ties between the nation and the early Church in North Africa, underscoring the significance of this diplomatic and spiritual engagement.
The Benedictine Abbey of Maredsous in Belgium will host the Maredsous Sound Festival on August 28 and 29, 2026. Organized for the Catholic Gen Z, the event combines contemporary music with spiritual activities like prayer vigils and workshops. Portuguese priest Padre Guilherme is scheduled to perform, aiming to reach young people through electro-spiritual sets. Bishop Fabien Lejeune of Namur supports the initiative as a way to engage new generations. The festival expects thousands of attendees and will donate proceeds to the Basilica 2030 renovation project.
Azerbaijan has demolished the Surb Astvatsamor Hovanu cathedral in Stepanakert, the capital of the disputed Artsakh region. The destruction occurred shortly before the annual Armenian Genocide commemoration. The building, consecrated in 2019, was one of the few remaining Armenian religious sites in the area after Armenians were displaced in late 2023. Research group Caucasus Heritage Watch reports approximately 80 similar destructions since 2020. Critics argue that Azerbaijan faces little international consequence due to its energy exports to Europe, despite calls from the Belgian parliament and UNESCO to protect cultural heritage.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Cameroon for an eleven-day apostolic journey in Africa. The trip includes major celebrations in several cities. According to Cathobel, the visit takes place against a backdrop of persistent political crisis and long-standing territorial tensions. The Pope's theme for the journey, drawn from the Gospel of John, calls for unity. However, the outlet notes that achieving this unity in practice appears more difficult than simply proclaiming it.
The Catholic Choose Life festival will take place in Brussels, Belgium, from April 27 to 30 at the Saint-Michel college in Etterbeek. Designed for adolescents aged 12 to 17, the event aims to foster a joyful church environment where participants can express themselves without judgment. Coordinator Nahomi Feillet describes the gathering as a space of welcome and respect. The four-day program includes prayer, sports, concerts, and spiritual testimonies. This year's theme focuses on hope and peace, symbolized by a dove. The festival has been held annually since 2002 to help young people discover faith in a positive setting.
Since early March 2026, escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have forced over 1.2 million people to flee their homes, representing nearly one-fifth of the population. According to Caritas International Belgium, the conflict has caused more than 1,000 deaths and severely damaged critical infrastructure, including roads and hospitals. On April 8, despite a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, new Israeli airstrikes killed dozens. Caritas Lebanon has provided emergency aid to 115,000 individuals, but resources remain limited as humanitarian organizations urge de-escalation and respect for international law to protect civilians.
In Lebanon, thousands of Christian residents in the southern region have decided to remain in their villages rather than flee. This stance follows a mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of people toward northern Lebanon on the night of March 2, marking the second time in two years that these communities have refused to leave. The residents oppose the presence of Hezbollah, which controls the area, but also reject the prospect of an Israeli military occupation. Despite ongoing Israeli shelling and security risks, the locals maintain their position, asserting their right to stay in their homes amidst the escalating regional conflict.
Father Bashar Fawadleh, leader of the Latin Church in Taybeh, is calling on global churches to support his community during the upcoming Easter celebrations. Located in the West Bank, Taybeh is recognized as the last entirely Christian village in the region. Fawadleh states that his congregation is a living community on the land of Jesus and faces the threat of disappearance. He urges the world to hear their situation and spread the truth about their precarious status under siege conditions. The priest emphasizes the need for awareness and solidarity as the village prepares to observe the holiday amidst ongoing regional tensions.
In February, Archbishop Luc Terlinden of Mechelen-Brussels presented a six-part video series on his pastoral vision to Belgian Dominicans. He highlighted a surge in baptism requests and faith renewals, attributing this growth to the Holy Spirit. Terlinden emphasized synodality, urging priests to act as facilitators who discern the gifts of the faithful rather than remaining central figures. He also stressed fraternity, drawing on Saint Francis of Assisi, and discussed ethics as a path to growth in love and truth. Additionally, he addressed vulnerability, calling for better support for abuse victims and highlighting the importance of community in overcoming human fragility.
The Diocese of Liège in Belgium has acknowledged that a religious brother abused vulnerable adults in the region between 1970 and 2023. Although the document does not name the perpetrator, details strongly point to Germain Dufour, who died in 2023. Bishop Jean-Pierre Delville sent a letter to a victim, which was shared with media to reach other potential victims. Luc Mathues, the diocese's communications manager, stated the goal is to help others come forward. Dufour, a former priest-worker and politician, had previously been reported for misconduct in 2018, but the judicial case ended due to his death.
Translated from Français
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
