The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) issued a statement on March 29 expressing solidarity with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Custody of the Holy Land. The group condemned an incident on Palm Sunday where the Cardinal and Custodian were barred from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. According to the CNBB, this unprecedented action violates religious freedom and the historic status quo in Jerusalem. The bishops emphasized that such measures threaten peaceful coexistence in the city. They called for dialogue and reconciliation during Holy Week, urging respect for fundamental worship rights for Christians in the region.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 1 other outlet
The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) has publicly supported the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) in its request for the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to resume and conclude the judgment regarding Resolution 2.378/2024. This medical regulation prohibits fetal assistolia, a procedure involving the injection of drugs to stop the fetal heart, in pregnancies resulting from rape after 22 weeks. CNBB President Cardinal Jaime Spengler stated that the Church defends the inviolable right to life regardless of political context. The CFM argues the resolution is constitutionally valid and ethically necessary, while the Socialist Party and Liberty (PSol) had previously sought its suspension. The case is now pending before the STF Plenary.
The Indigenous Missionary Council (Cimi) will launch its annual report on violence against indigenous peoples in Brazil on August 13 in Brasilia. The publication analyzes 2025 data regarding territorial conflicts, illegal resource exploitation, murders, and health failures. According to the outlet, the report highlights the negative impact of the Temporal Marco Law on indigenous rights. The event will take place at the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil headquarters and be streamed online. Organizers include Roberto Antonio Liebgott and indigenous leaders.
On August 6, representatives of the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) visited the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) headquarters in Brazil. The delegation, including Brazilian president Ana Manente, director Valter Callegari, and international president Regina Lynch, met with CNBB general secretary Father Leandro Megeto. The group highlighted that one-third of countries lack religious freedom and announced a global petition for this right. ACN and CNBB also promote monthly prayer journeys for persecuted Christians. Additionally, ACN is partnering with the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo to offer a course on religious freedom fundamentals.
The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need, supported by the Brazilian Bishops Conference, is organizing the twelfth annual Prayer Day for Persecuted Christians. The event takes place on August 6 in Brazil. A mass will be celebrated at the ACN chapel in São Paulo at 11 a.m. and streamed on YouTube. The date commemorates the 2014 flight of Christians from northern Iraq fleeing Islamic State extremists. The foundation states it has supported over 2,000 projects in the Middle East since the crisis began, providing food, shelter, and education to refugees. The organization continues to assist believers facing persecution globally.
The Brazilian Senate approved a legislative decree on June 2 to suspend Conanda Resolution 258/2024. The Brazilian Conference of Bishops (CNBB) had previously urged senators to halt the measure, arguing it favored abortion and weakened family protection. The bishops stated the resolution raised serious legal and moral concerns. They emphasized the inviolability of life from conception and called for comprehensive support for victims of violence. The decision now awaits promulgation, reflecting the church's stance on protecting children and upholding human dignity against ideological pressures.
The Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) released its 2025 rural conflicts report in Brasília on April 27. Although total conflicts dropped by 28 percent, murders doubled to 26 cases. The North region accounted for most deaths, with Rondônia and Pará leading. Land disputes remain the primary cause of violence. The report also highlights increases in imprisonment, humiliation, and private detention, often linked to police actions. Additionally, rural slave labor cases rose by 5 percent. The CPT attributes these trends to structural violations affecting indigenous and traditional communities.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, sent a video message to the 62nd General Assembly of the CNBB in Aparecida, Brazil. He explained that he could not attend the April 15-16 spiritual retreat due to the severe security situation in the Holy Land. Pizzaballa described ongoing attacks in northern Israel, tensions in the West Bank, and the war's impact on Gaza. He highlighted the destruction of Christian infrastructure and the resilience of local communities. The patriarch thanked the Brazilian Church for its solidarity and expressed hope for a future visit to Brazil. The retreat was led by Archbishop Armando Bucciol in his absence.
The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil issued a message of condolence regarding the murder of a bishop in Mozambique. The victim, who served as secretary-general of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique, was shot dead inside the episcopal palace in a city in central Mozambique. Authorities state he was killed by an AKM rifle shot. The CNBB expressed deep sorrow and joined the Pope in condemning the violence. The statement highlighted the bishop's dedication to the Gospel and his pastoral work, calling for unity and solidarity with the local church and his family during this time of grief.
The Northeast 5 Regional of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil issued a statement supporting the Akroá Gamella people in Maranhão. The bishops condemned a court decision allowing Equatorial to continue construction on the Taquaritiua traditional territory without prior consultation. The group says the move threatens indigenous rights and ignores federal and international laws. Since 2014, the community has faced violence from local farmers while awaiting land demarcation. The bishops urged authorities to resume dialogue and respect the dignity of the indigenous population to prevent further harm.
The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) issued a statement warning of a critical moment regarding the vote on the Marco Temporal thesis for Indigenous lands. The Supreme Federal Court is scheduled to judge the law's constitutionality on Wednesday, while the Senate will vote on a constitutional amendment on Tuesday. The bishops argue the measure aims to promote new colonization and resource extraction, causing socio-environmental collapse. They describe any advancement of the thesis as a terrible setback for Indigenous rights and urge society to monitor the proceedings to protect fundamental constitutional guarantees.
Two major Catholic organizations are promoting a Day of United Prayer for Afghanistan on December 1. The initiative urges communities to pray for religious freedom in the country, which faces severe human rights violations. According to the Aid to the Church in Need foundation, the Taliban regime and the Islamic State Khorasan Province group target religious minorities, including Christians and Shia Muslims. The organizations highlight the urgent need for international solidarity and vigilance regarding the deteriorating situation for believers in the region.
A senior church leader spoke at a major international conference in Brazil about the systematic killing of environmental and human rights defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean. He highlighted a campaign launched recently to protect leaders threatened for their work. The speaker cited specific murders in countries such as Mexico and Honduras, noting that a vast majority of global environmental defender killings occurred in the region in 2024. He urged for just energy transitions and transparency, describing these victims as martyrs for the common home.
Rudolf von Sinner, a theology professor from PUC-Paraná, met with CNBB Secretary-General Ricardo Hoepers in Brasília to oppose Bill 4606/2019. The proposal seeks to prohibit alterations to Bible texts. Von Sinner argues the bill is unconstitutional, violating religious freedom and church autonomy. He stated it is unenforceable because it fails to specify which Bible version is protected. He highlighted the difficulty of determining a single correct text in a diverse country. The professor is testifying at a Senate hearing to explain these risks to lawmakers. He also donated a book on public theology to the CNBB, emphasizing the need for religious dialogue in a secular state. (Source: CNBB)
The CNBB’s Episcopal Commission for Missionary Action and the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) have announced a Day of Prayer for Peace in Haiti for November 1. The initiative aims to unite Brazilian communities in solidarity with the Haitian people amid a severe humanitarian crisis. According to the outlet, gang violence and institutional collapse have caused thousands of deaths and displacements. The Archbishop of Port-au-Prince reports that security threats have forced many parishes to suspend activities. The prayer day seeks to support the local church, which faces attacks on clergy and institutions, by fostering global communion and concrete solidarity.
The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) issued a statement on October 21 reaffirming its defense of life from conception to natural death. The bishops expressed concern regarding two Supreme Court cases. They welcomed the court's move to block nurses from performing abortions, citing professional ethics. However, they also addressed ADPF 442, which seeks to decriminalize abortion up to 12 weeks. The CNBB called for national reflection on human dignity and urged effective public policies for women and children instead of legalizing abortion. The statement emphasizes that life is a sacred gift from God.
Translated from Português
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