Archbishop Luc Terlinden spoke to about a hundred attendees in Chastre, Belgium, on February 12, during an event organized by the UP de Chastre. He discussed reasons for hope within the Catholic Church, noting a significant increase in Easter baptisms. Terlinden urged the community to look forward rather than dwell on the past, emphasizing a missionary approach based on hospitality and service to the poor. He also addressed the importance of permanent deacons and affirmed his personal joy in his episcopal mission, attributing hope to the resurrection of Christ.
On February 18, 2026, the start of Lent and Ramadan coincided in Belgium. Catholic bishops, joined by Protestant and Anglican leaders, issued a joint message to the Muslim community highlighting this spiritual overlap. The letter focuses on loneliness, noting that both Jesus and Muhammad experienced it. The religious leaders emphasized that both traditions value prayer, fasting, and solidarity. They called for deeper personal connections and urged believers to look beyond religious boundaries to support those who feel excluded or isolated in modern society.
According to Cathobel, Belgium has experienced a notable increase in baptisms for adolescents and adults. The outlet reports that the number of these ceremonies rose by 50% last year, climbing from 362 to 536. This trend coincides with the upcoming start of Lent, a period traditionally used to prepare for Easter. The publication highlights this growth as evidence that the Christian faith continues to attract individuals even within a highly secularized society. The data suggests a renewed interest in religious commitment among older demographics in the country.
Bishop Patrick Neary of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, has criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for violent tactics against migrants. Following the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Neary reported that ICE agents are arresting individuals, including those with legal status, near churches and homes. He stated that fear has caused many residents to stop working and leaving their houses. The bishop warned of a collapse of the rule of law, noting that agents entered parishes without judicial warrants. He highlighted the distress of Somali families and others targeted despite regularizing their status. According to Vatican News, Neary called for a balance between border security and immigrant rights.
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 to 25, an ecumenical vigil took place in Brussels on January 22 at the Holy Trinity Anglican pro-cathedral. Catholic Archbishop Luc Terlinden attended alongside representatives from Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Protestant, Lutheran, Salvation Army, Evangelical, European Churches Conference, and Armenian Apostolic communities. The Armenian Church prepared the global prayer texts. Orthodox Archpriest Toparlakis emphasized that the Holy Spirit addresses divisions rather than erasing differences. The event featured musical accompaniment by various choirs and an orchestra, concluding with a social gathering. This gathering highlighted collaborative worship efforts across multiple denominations in Belgium.
The Belgian Federation of Restos du Cœur marks its 40th anniversary with a warning about entrenched poverty. Director Patrick Dejace reports that annual meal distributions have more than doubled since 2019, reaching 1.6 million. The organization notes that beneficiaries now include young workers and single-parent families, not just the homeless. Financial pressures are intensifying due to a planned reduction in federal co-financing for European food aid programs. Additionally, supermarket donations are decreasing. The group emphasizes that food assistance serves as a gateway to broader support in housing, health, and education, aiming to stabilize individuals before they can seek employment.
Father Luigi Paggi, a Xaverian priest, has served marginalized communities in Bangladesh for over fifty years. He is particularly known for his campaign against child marriage among the Munda people in the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Paggi built schools and hostels to educate vulnerable youth, arguing that early marriage causes high maternal mortality. According to the outlet, he considers this struggle a form of war against the practice. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reports rising communal violence and insecurity ahead of the February 2026 elections, with minority groups fearing for their safety.
Religious programming on Swiss public television could be significantly reduced or eliminated due to a popular initiative aiming to slash audiovisual funding. On March 8, Swiss citizens will vote on the '200 francs, that's enough!' proposal. This situation mirrors recent tensions in Belgium regarding RTBF religious shows, which were also threatened by budget decisions. The initiative seeks to lower the public broadcasting fee, potentially impacting the availability of faith-based content on national airwaves. According to the report, this financial pressure raises concerns about the future of religious media in the country.
Thomas Remy, a theology assistant at the Catholic University of Louvain, observes a rise in adult baptisms in Belgium and France over the past few years. Through his YouTube channel 'Foi et raison', he engages young people seeking faith online. Remy suggests that institutions embracing their distinctiveness attract this demographic. His insights highlight a shifting trend in religious engagement among younger generations in these European countries.
In Belgium, young adults from atheist or non-practicing backgrounds are joining the Catholic Church. According to Cathobel, these individuals find community and existential meaning through personal experience, reason, or music, which they feel is lacking in modern society. The report highlights Erblin Mazrreku, who grew up with parents holding strong anti-theist views. Despite this distant upbringing, he and others are rediscovering their Christian identity. The outlet notes that these converts seek to awaken a sense of pride in being Christian, moving away from their previous secular environments to embrace a faith-based life.
The Catholic Church has officially opened the beatification cause for Adèle Brice, a Belgian immigrant who lived in Wisconsin. Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay signed the decree on January 30, 2026, granting her the title Servant of God. Brice, born in 1831, is known for alleged Marian apparitions in 1859 and her subsequent work teaching children. If canonized, she would be the first Belgian saint whose mission occurred in the United States. A delegation from the US is scheduled to visit her birthplace in Dion-le-Val, Belgium, in October 2026.
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Pax Christi Vlaanderen invited activists from Bethlehem, including Rojer Salameh and Tarek al-Zoughbi, to Belgium to testify about daily life under Israeli occupation. The visitors highlighted severe restrictions on movement, economic hardship, and increased violence from settlers in the West Bank. Although some faced visa delays, they met with Belgian officials and church leaders in Brussels and Antwerp. The activists emphasized the concept of 'Sumud' or perseverance, noting that despite the loss of tourism and rising tensions since October 2023, they remain committed to non-violent resistance and community cohesion. They warned that dialogue remains impossible while the occupation continues.
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A senior archbishop in the Democratic Republic of Congo recently discussed the severe challenges facing his archdiocese. He addressed the ongoing violence against Christians across Africa and emphasized the critical role of international aid in sustaining church presence. Additionally, he continues to serve in an administrative capacity for a nearby diocese. The archbishop asserts that religious freedom is a fundamental right, not a privilege, highlighting the urgent need for continued support to maintain ecclesiastical operations in the region. (Source: Cathobel)
On Sunday, January 4, a memorial mass was held at the Saint-Christophe chapel in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, three days after a tragedy killed forty people. Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey of Sion and two Protestant pastors attended the service. Bishop Lovey emphasized the importance of presence and solidarity, stating that there are few words to address such suffering. He urged the community to seek light and support one another during this dark time. The Pope also sent a telegram expressing proximity to the victims. Philosopher Emmanuel Tourpe described the event as a metaphysical drama, calling for a reflection on societal values and the common good following the loss of young lives during New Year celebrations.
In a conflict-affected region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, women are launching informal businesses to support their families amid ongoing insecurity. Rebel groups control parts of the area, causing economic collapse and scarce formal jobs. Local organizations support women through coaching and safe spaces, helping them overcome challenges like destroyed infrastructure and gender-based violence. This initiative aims to restore dignity and resilience despite the difficult security situation, enabling women to sustain their households through entrepreneurial activities in a volatile environment.
Bethlehem, located in the Palestinian territories, has restored its Christmas decorations following two years of cancellation due to the war in Gaza. Mayor Maher Canawati aims to signal hope and encourage the return of pilgrims, who have been scarce since the conflict began. The city is preparing to welcome visitors after a journey from Jerusalem that passes a ten-meter concrete wall. This effort marks a significant step in reviving local religious celebrations and tourism in the region.
The Catholic Church will beatify fifty French Catholics at Notre-Dame de Paris on December 13. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich will preside over the ceremony. These individuals, including priests, seminarians, and scouts, were killed by Nazis between 1944 and 1945. They died in hatred of the faith after providing spiritual support to young French workers sent to Germany under the forced labor program. The group was arrested following a Nazi decree targeting Catholic activities. Many suffered torture, starvation, or death during concentration camp evacuations. The event honors their martyrdom and clandestine apostolate during the Second World War.
Caritas International and Justice & Peace are documenting a severe humanitarian crisis in western Democratic Republic of Congo. Since 2022, a land dispute between local communities has escalated into a regional conflict affecting multiple provinces. The teams are collecting direct testimonies from the ground, revealing that villages have been razed, the rural economy destroyed, and more than 280,000 people displaced. The outlet reports that this deadly situation near the capital has unfolded amid international indifference. The investigation highlights the urgent need to address this forgotten emergency.
The documentary film Sacred Heart has exceeded 14,000 admissions in Belgium following a screening in Louvain-la-Neuve on November 27. Produced on a modest budget of approximately 800,000 euros, the movie has become a significant cultural phenomenon in the country. The film, directed by the Gunnell couple, continues to draw large audiences across Wallonia and Brussels, with additional showings scheduled in cities such as Namur, Liège, and Braine-l'Alleud. Audience members reported being emotionally moved by the testimonies and the portrayal of Marguerite-Marie. This success follows strong performance in France, where the film is approaching half a million viewers.
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