A Catholic organization has called on the European Union to urgently increase financial support to address the humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso. The group states that millions of people require immediate assistance due to prolonged insecurity, climate pressures, and agricultural decline. Only a small fraction of the planned humanitarian response funding has been secured. Caritas emphasized the need for sustained international solidarity and greater investment in local civil society partners. Meanwhile, a local church structure has provided emergency aid to thousands of internally displaced persons in a northern province and is implementing agricultural restoration projects in another region to improve food security.
One month after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, Auxiliary Bishop José Dionísio Gouveia of Caracas stated that significant recovery work remains. The Archdiocese has established an emergency committee to provide food, medical care, and spiritual support to survivors in shelters. Official death tolls have reached 5,346. The Bishop emphasized the need for housing solutions and structural safety assessments. Additionally, the Aid to the Church in Need foundation reported extensive destruction in La Guaira and confirmed financial aid for reconstruction and trauma support. A memorial Mass is scheduled for July 24 to honor the victims. (Agencia Ecclesia)
José Carlos Batalha, president of the Federation of Third Age Institutions (FITI), urged the Portuguese government to address the widespread issue of loneliness among the elderly. Speaking in Lisbon on July 19, 2026, he highlighted that this social crisis affects the entire country. Batalha advocated for a partnership between the state and the solidarity sector, emphasizing the role of institutions like the Santa Ana de Azinha Day Center. He also promoted the GuardAfetos project, which integrates clinical teams into home visits to prevent hospitalizations and engages university students in social care. These remarks were made ahead of World Grandparents and Elderly People Day on July 26.
Bishops of the Juba Ecclesiastical Province in South Sudan called for political dialogue and responsibility ahead of the December 22 elections. Issued on July 17 in Juba, their statement warns of a potential constitutional crisis regardless of whether polls occur. The clergy emphasized peace, justice, and reconciliation amid widespread insecurity and economic hardship caused by currency devaluation and unpaid salaries. They urged citizens to reject violence and tribalism, asking politicians to honor the 2018 peace agreement to ensure national unity rather than division.
The Association of Dehonian Lay Volunteers is implementing humanitarian projects in Angola, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe. The group's president explains that initiatives respond to priorities identified by local priests, focusing on health and education. Volunteers are currently working in specific areas of Angola, while new members have arrived in Sao Tome and Principe to assess needs. A volunteer emphasizes that projects must adapt to local realities rather than rigid plans. The organization, founded in the late 1990s, operates through nuclei in Portugal, preparing members for long-term service in developing regions.
A diocese in Portugal raised over 26,000 euros through its Lenten offering. A bishop announced that the funds will be split equally to support children in a neighboring African nation and victims of winter storms in Portugal. The portion for the African nation finances a preschool in a specific district, while the Portuguese portion aids those affected by recent severe weather. The bishop thanked parishes and faithful for their silent generosity, noting that late contributions caused a delay in the transfers to the local diocese and charity organization. This initiative highlights the church's commitment to aiding vulnerable communities in both regions.
A senior church leader in Cameroon has condemned the deplorable conditions in the country's prisons. In a pastoral letter, he described the facilities as deadly traps characterized by severe overcrowding and a lack of basic resources. The archbishop criticized secret detentions and systemic corruption, noting that the poor bear the brunt of a broken justice system. He highlighted the vulnerability of women and children behind bars and urged authorities to adopt alternative measures to imprisonment. The statement calls for civil society solidarity to protect human rights in the nation.
Two sisters from the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master remained in Venezuela after earthquakes struck on June 24, despite plans to return to Rome. The Superior General, Sister Bernardita Meraz, and Sister Lucia Filosa chose to support affected communities in Barquisimeto and San Bernardino. According to the Portuguese secretariat of the Aid to the Church in Need foundation, the sisters distributed food and religious medals to victims and rescuers. The earthquakes caused nearly 5,000 deaths. The foundation has also approved a 100,000 euro emergency aid package for the dioceses of La Guaira and Caracas to support local clergy and displaced families.
A bishop spoke at a presentation of the Aid to the Church in Need report on religious freedom in a city in Portugal. He stated that modern martyrs write history with golden letters. The report highlighted persecution in Nigeria and Mozambique. Specific cases included a kidnapped girl in Nigeria and attacks on Christian missions in a northern region of Mozambique. The bishop emphasized the importance of defending human dignity and religious liberty. Attendees signed a petition addressed to UN and European leaders to promote tolerance and protect freedom of religion globally.
The Diocese of Aveiro in Portugal has collected more than 21,000 euros to aid victims of recent earthquakes in Venezuela. Bishop António Moiteiro announced that donations have begun arriving at the diocesan curia and will be forwarded to Caritas in La Guaira, the region most severely impacted by the disasters. The seismic events, which occurred on June 24, have caused thousands of deaths and injuries. The funds come from various sources, including Portuguese descendants, clergy, and parish offerings. The bishop emphasized the importance of sharing resources with those who previously assisted Portuguese communities, noting that charity validates the Gospel message.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Vatican for its willingness to host an international peace summit aimed at halting Russian aggression. He made this appeal following meetings in Kiev with Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. The discussions covered the Church's humanitarian support, Ukraine's path to EU membership, and the urgent repatriation of civilians and children held in Russia. Gallagher also met with religious leaders who reported systematic persecution in occupied territories. The visit included a ceremony at the Maidan memorial and celebrations at a Carmelite sanctuary, highlighting the Holy See's continued solidarity with the Ukrainian people during the ongoing war.
Representatives from the Union of Superiors General met with Queen Camilla at Clarence House in London on July 15, 2026. The group presented the impact of Catholic missions in protecting women and girls from human trafficking and conflict. Sister Abby Avelino, coordinator of Talitha Kum, urged younger generations to take preventive leadership roles. Sister Maamalifar Poreku linked ecological responses to fighting extreme poverty, noting environmental collapse disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Sister Roxanne Schares highlighted the strategic presence of consecrated women in global crisis zones. The meeting, involving approximately 600,000 religious sisters, extends cooperation initiated when British monarchs visited the Vatican last October.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 3 outlets
During a general assembly in Portugal, a priest detailed his decade-long mission in Japan, emphasizing that evangelizing a small Catholic minority requires patience and listening rather than imposition. Another priest shared insights from twenty-five years in Brazil, focusing on leadership development and elderly care. The gathering centered on preparing for the institute’s 2030 centenary, marking its evolution from a local Portuguese group to an international missionary presence. These reflections highlight the diverse challenges and strategies employed by missionaries in different cultural contexts across Asia and South America.
The Superior General of the Good News Missionary Society stated that the order has not received new Portuguese vocations since 2017. During a general assembly in a village in Portugal, he highlighted a sharp contrast with Angola, where seminaries are full due to a vibrant church. The institute, which has 89 members across five countries, aims to overcome isolation by fostering intercultural dialogue and adapting to modern challenges like artificial intelligence. He emphasized that the community must avoid self-referentiality to remain relevant as it approaches its centenary in 2030.
Following a recent earthquake in Venezuela, the Diocese of Petare in Caracas mobilized to assist victims from La Guaira. Bishop Juan Carlos Bravo Salazar highlighted how the poor community provided crucial support despite their own poverty. The diocese organized collection centers and deployed over 250 volunteers to supply hospitals with medical materials, food, and clothing. The International AIS Foundation approved 100,000 euros in emergency aid, while a parallel campaign launched in Portugal to support reconstruction and relief efforts for affected families.
The AIS Portugal Foundation, in partnership with the Diocese of Viseu, presented its 2025 Report on Religious Freedom in the World on July 15, 2026, in Viseu, Portugal. The event featured Bishop D. António Luciano, AIS Portugal Director Catarina Martins de Bettencourt, and journalist Paulo Aido. According to the announcement, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the persecution and discrimination faced by millions regarding their faith. The presentation was followed by a Eucharist celebration at the Pastoral Center chapel. The report highlights ongoing restrictions on religious rights globally.
The Society of Missionaries of Good News held its 15th General Assembly in a village in Portugal. Delegates from Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique shared pastoral challenges. Portuguese representatives emphasized new missionary fields beyond geography, including migrant integration. Angolan delegates highlighted strong vocations but noted staff shortages across the vast country. Mozambican priests discussed social work and concerns regarding xenophobia in South Africa and terrorism in a northern region. The group aims to strengthen mission fields and encourage unconditional dedication to their calling.
Jesús González de Zárate Salas, president of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, announced a long-term humanitarian program to support victims of the June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela. The archbishop of Valencia stated that the tragedy's magnitude requires sustained societal response beyond initial emergency aid. The Catholic Church has already distributed food and medicine in Carabobo and La Guaira. Official figures report 4,561 deaths and over 16,000 injuries. The Foreign Ministry confirmed 116 Portuguese or Lusodescendant citizens died. The church urges continued donations to Caritas Valencia to help families who lost homes, jobs, and loved ones.
The Hospitaler Order of Saint John of God is organizing summer camps in Portugal for young volunteers to engage with mental health patients. Father Alberto Mendes, coordinator of the Order's youth pastoral care, describes this hospitality as a contagious force that breaks down stigma. A volunteer, who previously served in Mozambique, notes that direct interaction helps overcome initial fears. The initiative aims to shift perceptions through practical experience rather than just discussion, fostering spontaneous connections between youth and patients in care homes across Portugal and Mozambique.
Translated from Português
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
