Sri Lanka’s High Court in Colombo sentenced 15 men to 220 years in prison each for their roles in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The attacks on churches and hotels killed 279 people. This verdict marks the first direct criminal convictions linked to the massacre. The court also ordered the confiscation of the defendants' assets. Catholic leaders welcomed the ruling as a step toward justice. However, separate investigations continue into alleged state complicity. Former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay remains in custody, accused of orchestrating the attacks to boost political support for the Rajapaksa family. Authorities deny these claims.
On November 2, 2026, families of victims of enforced disappearances gathered in Quezon City, Philippines, to mark All Souls’ Day. The event, titled “Remembrance is Justice,” took place at the Claret School Chapel and was led by Claretian Fathers Jeffrey Rasay and Mon Andrei Ebdani. According to LiCAS News, the gathering honored those who vanished during the martial law era under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and recent abductions under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Human rights groups Desaparecidos and Karapatan supported the families, who offered prayers and flowers while renewing their demand for accountability and justice for their missing loved ones.
According to the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation, more than 100 Adivasi and Dalit individuals have been detained in a region of India since 2023. These arrests stem from resistance against a bauxite mining lease in specific districts. The group states that authorities have filed numerous criminal cases and deployed armed forces to suppress demonstrations defending ancestral lands. Detainees include community leaders and activists facing charges that the organization describes as fabricated. The group argues this criminalization violates indigenous rights and aims to silence legitimate demands for land protection.
A recent report indicates that Christian persecution has intensified across Asia, driven by authoritarianism and conflict. State repression targets believers in several nations, with oppression worsening in the majority of assessed countries. In one major Asian country, violence linked to religious nationalism has surged. Another nation faces abuses fueled by extremist rhetoric, while ongoing civil war in a neighboring state has destroyed hundreds of church buildings. The report warns that millions are displaced by conflict and religiously motivated violence throughout the region, highlighting the severe challenges faced by Christian communities in these areas.
The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center presented a land conflict involving the Kirinteken-Ilentungen Menuvu community in the Philippines to U.N. Special Rapporteur Astrid Puentes at CBD COP17 in Yerevan. The group alleges that Kennemer Foods International operates a banana plantation on ancestral territory while benefiting from carbon credits. Advocates reported health issues from aerial spraying and violence against tribal leaders. The presentation highlighted how environmental projects may overlap with human rights violations, urging states to prioritize rights in conservation policies.
The Catholic Church in the Philippines is raising alarms about the erosion of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) rights for Indigenous communities. During the national Indigenous Peoples Sunday observance on October 11 in Sitio Bacao, the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples will highlight threats to ancestral lands and environmental destruction. Bishop Moises Cuevas stated that FPIC processes have been weakened, necessitating genuine consultation regarding land, watersheds, and livelihoods. The event aims to recognize Indigenous peoples as partners in the Church's mission and custodians of creation, featuring dialogues on resilience and rights protection.
Pope Leo XIV addressed bishops in France, urging them to report priests who abuse children to civil authorities and end the culture of silence. The warning followed a major investigation into the French Church that estimated 330,000 victims over 70 years. The Pontiff met with survivors in Lourdes and emphasized total accountability. The article also highlights the situation in the Philippines, noting that only one priest has been convicted despite estimates suggesting hundreds may be involved. It cites the case of Fr. Karole Reward Israel, who faces charges in Cagayan, and mentions Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David’s advice to bring abusers to justice. (Source: LiCAS News)
A senior leader in Myanmar promised to quickly repatriate verified nationals from Malaysia during a visit to the capital. This commitment follows the Malaysian Prime Minister’s push to return thousands of migrants, including Rohingya refugees. While nearly 1,500 individuals recently arrived in Myanmar, human rights groups and the UN express concern about their safety amid ongoing armed conflict since the 2021 coup. Malaysia hosts approximately 190,000 refugees from Myanmar. The repatriation efforts occur as the Myanmar leader seeks greater diplomatic engagement with ASEAN nations, despite regional exclusion from high-level summits.
Indigenous Adi communities in a northeastern Indian region are facing arrests and paramilitary deployment while resisting surveys for a major dam project. Reports indicate villagers have blocked pre-feasibility studies for over a year. Clashes occurred in specific villages, leading to preventive detentions under anti-terror laws. The government cites strategic needs against upstream hydropower development by a neighboring country, but opponents warn of displacement and environmental damage. Authorities have also filed cases against a lawyer, whom activists accuse of criminalizing legal support for the protests. The situation highlights tensions between development goals and indigenous rights in the area.
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Arindam Saha on UnsplashPersecuted church
A church leader in northeastern India warns that the conflict in the region has evolved into a multidimensional crisis with no immediate solution. The violence, which began between ethnic groups and later involved others, has killed approximately 260 people and displaced over 60,000 civilians. Recent clashes in hill districts killed at least nine more. While the state chief minister deployed security forces, church leaders continue humanitarian aid and prayer vigils for reconciliation among the ethnic communities. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing displacement and loss of life reported across various districts in the state.
A Catholic human rights body in Pakistan documented ongoing violence and discrimination against religious minorities in 2025. Its 2026 Human Rights Monitor highlighted blasphemy accusations against Christians, forced conversions of minority women, and deadly attacks. The group recorded eight blasphemy cases and cited specific acquittals. It also detailed murders of Christians and the abduction of a Hindu girl. A bishop criticized the state's treatment of the non-Muslim population. The report urged legal reforms and noted the recent establishment of a new minority rights commission.
A senior church leader in Myanmar has called for an end to military conflict, urging leaders to prioritize dialogue and negotiation over seeking victory. Speaking in the country, the cardinal emphasized that the nation's focus must shift from determining a winner to protecting human lives and building lasting peace. He referenced recent papal appeals, noting that peace cannot be achieved through weapons or force. The church leader stated that the Church’s role is to defend human dignity and promote reconciliation rather than taking political sides. He highlighted the urgent need for resources to support education, healthcare, and hope for the country’s youth instead of funding war.
Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church has urged authorities to investigate alleged political connections to the 2019 Easter bombings following the conviction of 15 defendants. Father Jude Chrysantha Fernando stated that while the verdict is a step toward justice, questions remain regarding who facilitated the attacks for political gain. The High Court sentenced the convicted individuals to prison terms between 200 and 260 years and ordered asset confiscation. Nine defendants were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. Fernando described the ruling as part of a healing process for victims' families, noting that some have received state compensation and church assistance. The attacks killed 279 people, including 167 Catholics.
A Sri Lankan court in Colombo is set to deliver a verdict Tuesday regarding 24 men accused of involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The coordinated attacks killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners. Authorities are also investigating allegations that state elements, including former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay, had links to the perpetrators. Police are implementing special security measures for the proceedings. If convicted, defendants could face the death penalty, though Sri Lanka has not executed anyone since 1976. The trial involves over 23,000 charges, marking the highest number in a single Sri Lankan case. All defendants deny involvement. (Source: LiCAS News)
A court in Palawan, Philippines, acquitted Indigenous woman Angelica Nasiron of cyberlibel charges related to her advocacy for her community’s ancestral land claims. The Regional Trial Court ruled that prosecutors failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, noting Nasiron acted in good faith. While this decision is hailed as a victory by the SAMBILOG–Balik Bugsuk Movement, Nasiron and her community still face 292 other criminal cases, including trespassing and coercion charges. The broader dispute over the Marihangin ancestral domain remains unresolved, prompting calls for protection against retaliation and an independent review of government certification processes.
A national federation of churches in India convened in a southern city to address the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026. Approximately 45 religious leaders attended, proposing a joint memorandum to parliamentary committees. The federation’s chairman stressed the urgent need for unity against significant challenges. Discussions also covered anti-conversion laws in specific states and pending Supreme Court cases concerning the rights of Dalit Christians. This gathering represents an initial effort to strengthen cooperation among various Christian denominations across the country, highlighting their coordinated stance on legislative threats to their operations and rights.
A bishop in Myanmar stated that the collapse of the national education system is driving young people to flee the country. According to Fides News Agency, the bishop cited ongoing conflict, economic hardship, and insecurity as primary reasons for this displacement. The Bago Region has seen intensified fighting since the 2021 military coup, affecting communities and forcing many into precarious living conditions. Despite widespread displacement and soaring inflation, the Catholic Church continues its pastoral and charitable work. The bishop emphasized the need for peace and reconciliation, noting that current prospects for dialogue remain difficult due to a lack of mutual trust between conflicting groups.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first in-person appearance before the International Criminal Court in The Hague on September 16. He faces charges of crimes against humanity related to the anti-drug campaign that resulted in numerous deaths. During the status hearing, Judge Joanna Korner set November 30 as the trial start date. A dispute arose over the volume of evidence, with the defense claiming the file is too large to review. Relatives of victims welcomed the appearance, hoping it accelerates proceedings. Duterte’s team argues he is mentally unfit, while prosecutors allege his involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018.
Pope Leo XIV addressed a Vatican conference on Wednesday, honoring contemporary Christians who have died for their faith. The event, held at the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome, focused on the work of the Commission of the New Martyrs. Established by Pope Francis in 2023, this body gathers testimonies of those killed for opposing injustice, regardless of canonical processes. The Pope described these individuals as stars shining in darkness, noting their heroism disarms violence through meekness. He emphasized that their sacrifice reflects Christ’s light and serves as a guide for humanity toward peace and justice.
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
