Organizer Bridget Sakr is preparing for the third annual Marian procession in Lidcombe, Australia, honoring the feast of Our Lady of Good Success. Several hundred participants joined previous events, walking in candlelight to pray for peace and families. The 2025 event begins with a Divine Liturgy at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, celebrated by Cardinal Mykola Bychok and Bishop Richard Umbers. The route proceeds to St Joachim’s Catholic Church. Cardinal Bychok described the devotion as a powerful act of faith originating from Ecuador, emphasizing Mary’s role in leading believers to Jesus Christ amid spiritual trials.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Eric Ardito on UnsplashPersecuted church
Holy Innocents School in Long Beach, California, celebrated a reparation Mass on February 3, 2026, following severe vandalism discovered the previous day. Principal Cyril Cruz found broken statues, a damaged tabernacle, and trash in the school hall. The Department of Justice announced a civil rights investigation into the incident. Bishop Marc Trudeau led the service, emphasizing healing and forgiveness. Staff and community members cleaned the space overnight, allowing students to return to their routine. The event highlights the school's commitment to faith and resilience amidst the disruption.
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and One Foundation launched a partnership on January 29 in Harris Park, western Sydney, to distribute 55 refurbished laptops to students ahead of the 2026 school year. Joy Kyriacou, an executive director at the charity, noted a significant rise in support requests in the Cumberland area. One Foundation CEO Matthew Ciao explained that the initiative repurposes older school computers with remaining lifespan. The collaboration aims to assist disadvantaged families with educational technology needs, addressing rising costs and digital access barriers.
An Australian inquest into the 2019 death of Jerwin Royupa, a Filipino worker in rural New South Wales, revealed severe exploitation. Royupa died after jumping from a van while being deported by an employer who withheld his passport and wages. The coroner found the arrangement resembled modern slavery, noting the training program primarily benefited the sponsor. Domus 8.7, supported by the Archdiocese of Sydney, identified numerous forced labor indicators. Royupa’s family criticized the Australian government for failing to protect migrant workers, prompting calls for better oversight of visa sponsors and enhanced training for law enforcement to recognize exploitation signs.
Catholic bishops in South Sudan have issued a stark warning about potential genocide as fears of a return to full-scale war intensify. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, president of the Sudan and South Sudan bishops’ conference, condemned recent fighting between government forces and opposition groups in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria states. The clergy urged political leaders to stop violence and embrace dialogue, citing a general’s order to spare no lives as a direct call for genocide. With approximately 10 million people in need of humanitarian aid, church leaders rejected proposed amendments to the 2018 peace agreement, emphasizing that sustainable stability requires faithful implementation of the existing pact.
On January 23, 2026, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate announced a joint restoration project at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank. This marks the first major work on the grotto in 600 years. The initiative aims to preserve the site believed to be Jesus's birthplace, supported by the Palestinian president's office under a 2024 decree. An Italian firm will execute the technical reinforcements, continuing a trend of inter-denominational cooperation among the Christian groups that share governance of the holy site under the Status Quo agreement.
Parishioners from Sydney and surrounding dioceses gathered in late January for Alpha Coaching Days aimed at training missionary leaders for parish renewal. Organiser Tania Rimac stated the events equipped teams spiritually and practically to share Christian faith. Sessions were held at St Martha’s in Leichhardt and a separate day for the Mandarin-speaking community in Flemington. Participants included existing teams and new parishes like Auburn and Croydon. Rimac emphasized that Alpha must be embedded in wider evangelization strategies to support ongoing faith journeys. The initiative reflects a growing desire among ordinary Catholics to lead evangelization efforts within their communities.
The Farm, a residential rehabilitation centre in Galong, New South Wales, Australia, supports women recovering from drug addiction and domestic violence. Founded by Kate Cleary in 2017, the facility offers a 12-month holistic program that includes life skills training, farm work, and therapy. Residents like Veronica and Robin report improved stability and successful family reunification after completing the strict, drug-free regimen. The centre allows children up to age 12 to stay with their mothers, aiming to break cycles of incarceration and restore dignity. Cleary, a nominee for local awards, emphasizes the program's high success rate for those who complete the full year.
The Archdiocese of Paris is initiating a major churchwide council to address a historic increase in adult and youth conversions across France. Starting on January 25, the four-month consultation involves all parishes and nine bishops. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich proposed the initiative following a significant rise in baptisms, with 17,800 catechumens baptized nationwide during the Easter Vigil in April 2025. Father Maximilien de La Martinière, appointed secretary general, stated that this growth transforms parish life and brings new energy to Catholic communities. The council aims to synthesize findings and present recommendations to Rome, with implementation expected by late 2027.
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church stated that recent Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities are deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure. He described the goal as destroying the energy sector to freeze the population, calling these actions crimes against humanity. The attacks have left approximately 1.2 million homes without electricity during harsh winter conditions. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski echoed these concerns, labeling the strategy as genocide due to the deadly risks posed by subzero temperatures. Meanwhile, Cardinal Grzegorz Rys of Kraków announced that church collections will support Ukrainian relief efforts as the country faces its worst energy crisis since the invasion began.
Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for victims of severe flooding across southern Africa during his Sunday Angelus addresses in January and February 2026. The disaster, linked to La Niña and climate change, has killed hundreds in Mozambique, Congo, and other nations, displacing over 700,000 people in Mozambique alone. Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, urged international aid as local churches struggle to cope. The UN also requested $187 million for urgent relief efforts to address the widespread destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods.
Pope Leo XIV officially recognized Venerable Augusto Ramírez Monasterio, known as Fray Augusto, as a martyr on January 22, 2026. The Guatemalan Franciscan was killed by government forces in November 1983 during the country's civil war. According to Father Edwin Alvarado, the vice postulator, Ramírez endured torture for refusing to break the seal of confession. He was kidnapped and murdered after months of surveillance. The recognition highlights the sacred duty of priests to protect confidential information, even at the cost of their lives. A beatification date has not yet been set.
Tens of thousands of pro-life advocates gathered in Washington, US, on January 23, 2026, for the 53rd annual March for Life. United by the theme “Life is a Gift,” participants included Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley and March for Life President Jennie Bradley Lichter. Vice President JD Vance spoke at the event, while President Donald Trump sent a video message. However, the rally highlighted political divisions, with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America criticizing the Trump-Vance administration's inaction on abortion drugs. The group noted that abortion rates have risen 30 percent since 2016, underscoring ongoing tensions within the movement.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin presided over a Mass on January 16 in Kuwait, officially elevating Our Lady of Arabia Church to the status of a minor basilica. The Vatican described the event as historic for the entire Arabian Peninsula. The church, completed in 1957, serves a community where Christians comprise roughly 20 percent of the population, mostly migrant workers. During his visit, Parolin held talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The Kuwaiti government reaffirmed its commitment to religious coexistence. The designation honors the building's spiritual and architectural significance.
Ukraine’s Roman Catholic community has secured a 50-year agreement to use Kyiv’s historic St Nicholas Church, ending decades of legal disputes. The deal, signed with the state, allows the parish to manage the building and arrange repairs, though full ownership remains with the government due to its status as a national cultural monument. Father Pavlo Vyshkovsky noted the agreement resolves long-standing utility issues, while Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi emphasized the urgent need for renovations amid ongoing Russian attacks. The church, confiscated during the Soviet era, continues to face damage from war-related strikes and disrepair.
On December 15, 2025, three government-vetted judges in Hong Kong found media mogul Jimmy Lai guilty of conspiring with foreign forces to endanger national security. Lai, 78, had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Catholic Weekly reports that writer George Weigel views Lai’s imprisonment as a form of evangelism, citing Lai’s faith and artistic works created during solitary confinement. Lai has spent over 1,800 days in Stanley Prison. The outlet highlights Lai’s spiritual resilience and his belief in the communion of saints as he faces the consequences of the verdict.
A senior US official announced that direct humanitarian shipments to Cuba are being delivered in partnership with the Catholic Church. The aid responds to devastation caused by a hurricane that severely damaged eastern regions of the country. The administration committed funds for disaster assistance, with flights carrying food, hygiene kits, and solar lanterns. A representative from Catholic Relief Services confirmed coordination to ensure supplies reach families directly. This effort aims to support recovery efforts while bypassing the local government, according to statements regarding ongoing humanitarian needs.
Our Lady of Seven Sorrows church in Caveat, Victoria, Australia, was destroyed by bushfires on January 14. Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli confirmed that only the crucifix and bell tower remain intact. The building, part of the Yea-Alexandra parish, had been sustained by generations of prayer. Parish priest Fr Jose Matthew reported that the area was evacuated due to fire risks. A local resident confirmed the destruction of surrounding properties, including the church structure, though her own home survived. The archbishop described the remaining structures as signs of faith amidst the ashes.
Pope Leo XIV joined Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in a city in Turkey for an ecumenical prayer service marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The gathering highlighted the Vatican’s theme for the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, focusing on unity as a divine mandate. Pope Leo stated that spiritual oneness is essential for promoting peace and reducing global hostility. The event featured a joint declaration with Patriarch Bartholomew, affirming that Christian unity is a gift from God. Prayer resources were prepared by Armenian Christian communities, reflecting the Pope’s admiration for their history.
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