Catholic aid organizations appealed to global leaders at the UN to halt escalating violence in the Middle East. They condemned daily bombings and forced displacement affecting populations across the region. The groups demanded an immediate ceasefire, citing ongoing violations, and called for accountability for war crimes. They highlighted severe humanitarian crises, including food insecurity and lack of shelter in conflict zones. They urged the deployment of UN peacekeepers and strict enforcement of international court rulings to protect civilians and end illegal settlements. (Agencia Ecclesia)
VATICAN CITY (Vatican) – Pope Leo XIV used his weekly audience on September 23, 2026, to highlight the plight of migrant and refugee minors. Ahead of the 112th World Day of the Migrant and Refugee, he described their experiences as involving indescribable suffering, violence, and exploitation. The Pontiff urged global responsibility, stating that every child possesses infinite dignity. He called for effective legal instruments to ensure family reunification and protect human rights, rather than merely managing migration flows. The message also emphasized the need for constant pastoral care and inter-religious cooperation to prevent the radicalization of vulnerable youth. The group says these measures are essential to safeguard the best interests of minors.
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Participants at the 8th Caritas Formation Week in Évora, Portugal, shared best practices across dioceses. Joana Pinheiro presented 'Explica-me', a tutoring project for vulnerable children in Leiria-Fátima. Vítor Pereira discussed the 'Laudato Si' sustainability fund supporting Lusophone countries. Felisberto Figueiredo from Viseu highlighted housing for domestic violence victims. Liliana Gonçalves described 'CuiDar', home care for the elderly in Évora. Archbishop Francisco Senra Coelho praised the exchange of experiences as vital for humanization and innovation in social aid.
The Catholic Diocese of Angra in Portugal held a meeting on September 14 at the Santa Maria Madalena church in Angra do Heroísmo, Azores. The event gathered 45 participants, including social pastoral workers, to discuss improving integration services for migrants on Pico Island. The gathering aimed to create more organized support structures, noting that the Cape Verdean community is the largest foreign group there. The initiative prepares for the 2026 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which focuses on protecting vulnerable children, as highlighted by Pope Leo XIV. The Catholic Church emphasizes the need to combat hate speech and improve social inclusion for immigrants in the region.
The Patriarch of Lisbon, D. Rui Valério, blessed the new elderly residential structure in Mafra, Portugal, on September 16, 2026. He emphasized the Catholic community's duty to support the dignity of older people and ensure no one is left behind. The facility, built in the former hospital complex, accommodates 60 residents and created 38 jobs. Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, the Minister of Labour, confirmed state support for 48 spots through a social security protocol. Local officials highlighted the building's historical role in healthcare and the importance of intergenerational care for the aging population.
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The Aid to the Church in Need (AIS) foundation held its annual pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal, on September 21, 2026. During the event at the Steyler hotel chapel, over a hundred supporters renewed their consecration to Our Lady of Fatima, echoing words from 1967. Father José Carlos Nunes highlighted the Pope's gratitude for the organization's work with persecuted Christians. The gathering also celebrated 31 years of AIS presence in Portugal, showcasing projects in countries like Brazil and Sudan. The foundation supports thousands of pastoral and humanitarian projects globally through prayer and donations.
Father Ibrahim Faltas, director of Catholic schools in the Holy Land, called for urgent international intervention following the collapse of a residential building in Gaza. Speaking from Vatican City on September 18, 2026, the Franciscan priest highlighted the tragedy at a makeshift shelter that killed approximately one hundred people seeking refuge. He criticized the failure of diplomatic negotiations and warned against the normalization of war, noting that children remain primary victims. According to the outlet, Faltas emphasized that silence facilitates death and demanded immediate action to protect innocent lives amid ongoing Israeli attacks.
The Vatican published a joint statement by three dicasteries on September 16, 2026, marking the 60th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate declaration. The document urges a new ethical approach to interreligious dialogue, rejecting the use of faith to justify violence or discrimination. It condemns antisemitism and Islamophobia while highlighting persecution of Christians by extremist groups. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández emphasized that religions must promote peace and fraternity rather than isolation. The text calls for mutual respect among believers and warns against instrumentalizing religion for political or hostile ends.
Vatican City, September 16, 2026 – Pope Leo XIV addressed a congress on twenty-first-century martyrs, denouncing political and criminal murders of Christians. He stated that many believers are killed by abusive power structures or criminal organizations for opposing injustice in the name of the Gospel. The event, organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, highlights the Church's effort to honor those who died in contexts where hatred of faith was not always explicit. The Pope emphasized that authentic Christian behavior disarms conflict through meekness rather than polarization, citing silent heroism as a significant witness in indifferent cultural settings.
Archbishop Francisco Senra Coelho addressed approximately 180 participants during the opening of Caritas Portugal's training week in Evora, Portugal, on September 15, 2026. He cautioned society against a growing culture of indifference and discard, urging a shift toward sustained proximity and solidarity rather than relying solely on the state. The event, themed around a synodal network, focused on supporting vulnerable populations and migrants. Rita Valadas, president of the national body, emphasized the organization's unique ability to address local fragilities, while local officials highlighted the importance of institutional cooperation to ensure effective aid delivery.
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The Patriarchate of Lisbon, Caritas Diocese of Lisbon, and IFRRU 2030 signed a collaboration protocol on Thursday in Portugal. The agreement aims to develop affordable rental housing projects by identifying and rehabilitating suitable buildings. Patriarch D. Rui Valério, IFRRU 2030 president Isabel Barroso de Sousa, and Caritas president Luís Macieira Fragoso signed the document. According to a Caritas statement, the partnership seeks to combine efforts to help families facing difficulties accessing housing. This initiative reinforces the institution's commitment to working with public and private entities to provide housing solutions for those in need.
The Catholic-inspired association O Ninho will inaugurate a new facility in Lisbon on September 18. The organization supports individuals in prostitution and victims of sex trafficking. Technical director Sandra Rodrigues stated that the new space at Rua Francisco Lyon de Castro allows for more private and comfortable assistance. Susana Silva noted the center includes a psychology office and hygiene facilities. Founded in 1967, the group aims to expand its direct intervention and research into exploitation methods while upholding human dignity.
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A Franciscan priest in a northern Syrian city reports heightened fear among Christians nearly two years after the former president’s fall. Crime, kidnappings, and economic hardship have surged under the current administration. Christians face job discrimination, church attacks, and radical groups urging conversion. Despite these challenges, the community maintains strong faith, supported by local parishes and aid from the AIS Foundation. The priest emphasizes that Christians remain rooted in the country, citing historical ties to early Christianity, and urges international support to sustain their presence and livelihoods in the region.
Lisbon hosted the presentation of a book on historical churches in Luanda and the Muxima Sanctuary. Bishops from Portugal and Angola emphasized the vitality of their bilateral relations and reciprocal missionary exchange. D. José Manuel Imbamba, president of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé, noted that missionaries now travel from Africa to Europe. D. Virgílio Antunes, president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, praised the strong ties and the significant contribution of Angolan vocations to Portuguese dioceses. The event highlighted the enduring spiritual heritage and the living nature of this shared faith between the two nations.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahim met with Portuguese Episcopal Conference President Bishop Virgílio Antunes in Lisbon on September 14, 2026. The minister described the situation in Gaza and the West Bank as catastrophic, calling for humanitarian aid and emphasizing the need to support local Christian schools and organizations. The visit marked the first anniversary of Portugal's recognition of the Palestinian state. Bishop Antunes expressed solidarity with suffering populations and highlighted the Church's role in providing education and health support through Caritas. The discussion focused on international law, the right to self-determination, and maintaining the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
Christian leaders from the CCEE and CEC met in Darmstadt, Germany, from September 9 to 11, 2026. They issued a joint statement expressing solidarity with persecuted Christians worldwide. The leaders highlighted suffering in Ukraine and the Middle East, particularly in the Holy Land. They called for a culture of peace, justice, and reconciliation. The meeting also discussed the implementation of the 'Charta Oecumenica' as a living commitment. Participants visited the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau to address challenges related to democracy and nationalism. The group emphasized the shared responsibility to protect human dignity and pray for global peace.
Three hundred participants with disabilities attended the 19th Beach Gimnorecreativa event in Oeiras, Portugal, on September 11, 2026. Organized by the Casa de Saúde da Idanha and the Instituto S. João de Deus, the initiative brought together users from 20 institutions for water and land games. Organizers stated the goal was to socialize and challenge social prejudices. Sofia Rosado and other coordinators emphasized the event's role in fostering community bonds and demonstrating the value of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Municipal Council of Oeiras supported the gathering, which aims to promote social participation through recreational sports.
The Parish of São Francisco Xavier da Caparica in Almada, Portugal, is testing a sustainable aquaponics system inside a container. Father Luís Ferreira do Amaral, a Jesuit, developed the project after witnessing logistical challenges in Kenyan refugee camps. The system, funded by the EDP and Auchan foundations, grows lettuce without soil or chemicals by recycling nutrients from fish water. It produces over 300 lettuces monthly with minimal water loss. The initiative aims to refine this autonomous food production technology for future use in UN refugee camps or Jesuit Refugee Service missions. The project runs for two years and will be featured on RTP2.
Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, announced plans to create a catalog of individuals who died for their faith in the modern era. Speaking in Vatican City on September 10, 2026, he emphasized the ecumenical and anthropological value of martyrdom. The initiative aims to document witnesses who shed blood for Christ, complementing official canonizations. This announcement preceded an international congress on contemporary religious persecutions scheduled for September 15 in Rome. Bishop Fabio Fabene and Professor Andrea Riccardi also attended the press conference to support the effort to recognize these new martyrs.
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