A UN special rapporteur on religious violence warned that religious prejudice has infiltrated government structures worldwide. Speaking on the International Day of Remembrance, she highlighted atrocities in a country in West Africa and Southeast Asia, attacks on mosques in Europe, and persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran. She emphasized that civil society plays a fundamental role in defending victims and promoting equality. The statement calls for urgent protection of freedom of religion under international human rights law. The rapporteur noted that people face imprisonment globally due to such bias, urging immediate action to safeguard religious minorities.
The A Candeia association in Portugal organizes summer camps and various support projects for children and young people living in residential care facilities. José Maria Cordeiro, the association's treasurer, states that these initiatives aim to highlight a silenced social reality and foster individual responsibility among citizens. The organization, founded in 1998, has established a trusted network with care homes and is expanding its activities to Porto, Évora, and Fátima. Projects include legal literacy, job integration help, and long-term mentoring, such as the 'Amigos p’ra Vida' program involving actress Leonor Felgar. These efforts seek to provide consistent emotional and practical support to vulnerable youth across the country.
The Bishop of Funchal, D. Nuno Brás, is visiting Venezuela to support victims of recent earthquakes and Portuguese emigrants. He asked the faithful in Madeira to pray for those who lost homes and family members. The bishop visited La Guaira, describing widespread destruction. He also participated in the episcopal ordination of a new auxiliary bishop in Caracas. In Madeira, the local celebration was led by Canon Marcos Gonçalves, who emphasized hope and solidarity. The earthquakes killed thousands, including many Portuguese nationals.
Religious orders in Portugal organized summer camps where young volunteers interacted with mental health patients at facilities in Sintra. The initiative, hosted by the Brothers of St. John of God and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, aimed to foster solidarity and reduce stigma. Participants reported that initial fears about aggression disappeared as they engaged in games and conversations with residents. Volunteers described the experience as mutually beneficial, noting that patients appreciated the attention while the youth gained personal growth. The program highlights the importance of human connection in healthcare settings and will be featured on national television.
Lisbon, Portugal – Caritas Portugal announced on August 14 that its fundraising campaign for Venezuela concluded with 232,626.80 euros. The initiative supported victims of two major earthquakes in June that impacted over 128,000 families. According to the organization, the funds will assist affected households in Venezuela through Caritas Venezuela. Aid will cover food security, water, shelter, health, and psychosocial support. The campaign followed quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude near Caracas, which caused thousands of deaths, including Portuguese citizens. The Episcopal Conference of Portugal expressed gratitude for the public's solidarity in responding to this humanitarian crisis.
Benedictine nuns at the Saint Andrew Monastery on Rab Island, Croatia, pray for the persecuted and suffering Church. Abbess Marija Marina explains their daily routine of silence, work, and liturgy to the AIS foundation. The Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need supports their mission. A documentary aired on RTP2 highlights their life of prayer and labor. The nuns offer intercession for those who cannot pray themselves, aiming to strengthen faith amidst secularism. This initiative is part of a series on missionary work in various countries.
New York, US, August 19, 2026. UN Secretary-General António Guterres marked World Humanitarian Day by stating that serving others has become more dangerous than ever. He reported that over 1,000 aid workers were killed in the last three years, mostly locals. The UN noted that 239 million people need urgent help, facing severe funding cuts and record attacks. The EU launched the 'Voices of Humanity' campaign, pledging 1.9 billion euros for aid. Meanwhile, Portuguese Caritas honored those risking their lives in conflicts. Guterres called for respecting war rules and ensuring safe access for humanitarian workers.
Bishop Pedro Fernandes spoke at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima in Portugal during the press conference for the Pilgrimage of Migrants and Refugees. He stated that there is no room for prejudice or xenophobia among those who claim to be Christian. The event, part of the National Migration Week, was presided over by Apostolic Nuncio Andrés Carrascosa Coso. Eugénia Quaresma, director of the Portuguese Catholic Migration Work, emphasized the need for inclusive policies and dialogue. The bishop argued that immigrants are a wealth for society and called for proactive integration efforts rather than defensive barriers.
Andrés Carrascosa Coso, the Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal, stated that Portuguese citizens have no right to be xenophobic during a press conference at the Sanctuary of Fátima. He emphasized that Christians must reject xenophobia based on the Gospel. The nuncio recalled Portugal's history of emigration and argued that migrants are brothers, not foreigners. He also addressed the migration situation in Ceuta, describing it as a complex geopolitical issue rather than a simple crisis. The event was organized by the Episcopal Commission for Human Mobility to promote the Pilgrimage of Migrants and Refugees.
The National Department of Youth Pastoral of the Catholic Church in Portugal announced that registrations for the pilgrimage to the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul have exceeded one thousand participants. This milestone was reached on August 12, 2026, coinciding with International Youth Day. Pedro Carvalho, the department director, stated that this number reflects the desire of many young Portuguese people to begin their journey toward the event scheduled for August 2027 in South Korea. The initiative aims to foster faith and community engagement beyond the trip itself, building on previous experiences such as the 2023 Lisbon event and the 2026 REJOICE gathering in Lamego. Preparatory spiritual paths and catechesis are set to begin in late August and September.
A major archdiocese in Colombia has issued a statement urging national unity and mutual care following a significant earthquake. The tremor, estimated at magnitude 7.4, struck near a town in the Chocó region. Authorities declared a national disaster after at least 71 people died. Senior church leaders, including the cardinal and other bishops, emphasized shared responsibility and compassion for victims. The quake caused damage to churches in several cities and was felt across multiple Latin American countries, highlighting the widespread impact of the natural disaster on the local Christian community.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 19 outlets
A bishop in Spain has urged parishes to hold a prayer vigil following a migration crisis where tens of thousands of irregular migrants arrived from North Africa. The bishop described the situation as a human tragedy and asked for peace and justice in the affected region. The national Episcopal Conference also demanded a dignified legal response. The local diocese has offered its centers to help sick and injured victims. The vigil aims to foster faith and awareness during this cultural transformation, highlighting the church's role in supporting those in distress.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Capuchin friar Paulo Maria Braghini shared his experiences working among the Ticuna people in Belém dos Solimões, Brazil, in a documentary aired on RTP2. He described the Amazon as a demanding region requiring health and courage due to dangers like deadly snake bites and diseases such as malaria. The film, produced by the Foundation Aid to the Church in Need, highlights the physical toll on missionaries, including Braghini's own health struggles. The series aims to showcase the mission work of the Church in various global locations, emphasizing a commitment to serving local communities through love and presence rather than mere strategy. The documentary is part of a summer series featuring missions in Croatia, Albania, and Ghana.
Andrés Carrascosa Coso, the Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal, will preside over the Pilgrimage of the Migrant and Refugee in Fatima on August 12 and 13. The event, organized by the Episcopal Commission for Human Mobility, focuses on the theme 'From Fragility to Hope.' Bishop Pedro Fernandes of Portalegre-Castelo Branco authored a message highlighting how unjust processes strip migrants of dignity and hope. The schedule includes a press conference, candle blessing, rosary, and Eucharistic celebrations at the Sanctuary of Fatima. The initiative aims to address the challenges faced by displaced persons while celebrating successful integration stories in Portugal. According to the outlet, the event underscores the universal value of human dignity for all citizens.
A bishop from Portugal transferred funds to the archdiocese in Colombia following a major earthquake. The disaster struck recently, killing at least 132 people and injuring over 570, according to partial data. The bishop described the donation as a modest but heartfelt gesture of fraternal communion and spiritual proximity to the victims. Colombian church leaders requested shared responsibility and national unity. Additionally, the Pope sent a telegram of condolence to the Colombian Episcopal Conference, expressing solidarity with the affected population.
France marked the tenth anniversary of the murder of Father Jacques Hamel, an 85-year-old priest killed in July 2016 at the Saint Étienne-du-Rouvray church. Two terrorists pledged to the Islamic State beheaded him during Mass. The event was commemorated with a live broadcast service led by Archbishop Dominique Lebrun. Pope Francis previously described Hamel as a martyr. The cause for his beatification is currently under review by the Vatican. Hamel was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Recognition to Victims of Terrorism by President Emmanuel Macron. The church remains a site of pilgrimage.
Eugénia Quaresma, director of the Portuguese Catholic Migration Office (OCPM), stated that bureaucratic delays continue to obstruct migrant integration in Portugal. Speaking on RTP2 on August 10, 2026, she explained that pending residence permits leave migrants with their lives suspended, preventing access to housing and healthcare. Quaresma noted that while the government consulted church organizations regarding the new Foreigners Law, responses remain delayed. She emphasized that overcoming prejudice through parish engagement and municipal dialogue is crucial for social cohesion during the National Migration Week, which runs until August 16.
The Catholic Church in Portugal is observing its 54th National Migration Week, running from July 12 to August 16, under the theme 'From Fragility to Hope.' Bishop Pedro Fernandes emphasized that citizenship must honor human dignity for all residents. The event culminates in a migrant and refugee pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Fatima on August 12 and 13. Apostolic Nuncio Andrés Carrascosa Coso will preside over the religious ceremonies. The initiative highlights the challenges migrants face, including exploitation, while celebrating successful integration stories within the country. The program includes prayers, processions, and Masses dedicated to supporting displaced persons.
The Bishop of Funchal, D. Nuno Brás, will travel to Venezuela starting August 11 to support communities affected by recent earthquakes. Invited by Archbishop of Caracas D. Raúl Biord, the visit aims to deliver solidarity from the Diocese of Funchal and residents of Madeira. The itinerary includes meetings with Caritas Venezuela and local Portuguese associations in Valencia and Macaracuay. The trip concludes with a Mass in Caracas on August 16. The natural disaster, which occurred on June 24, killed at least 6,125 people, including 138 Portuguese citizens. A fundraising campaign by Madeiran Catholic communities collected over 120,000 euros for the victims.
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
