In St. Paul, Minnesota, Cardinal Robert McElroy, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, and Vatican Ambassador Christophe Pierre criticized the federal government’s mass deportation efforts. They argued that removing long-term residents violates human dignity and Catholic teaching. The leaders held a Mass for migrants at the University of St. Thomas to show solidarity. Archbishop Bernard Hebda also spoke, urging the community to lower tensions and pursue healing after recent violence. The group emphasized that faith requires welcoming strangers and repairing relations between migrants, law enforcement, and the public. This stance continues the Church’s push for humane immigration reform under Pope Leo XIV.
In Minneapolis, United States, local mutual aid networks mobilized in late 2025 following the Trump administration's deployment of over 3,000 federal immigration agents under Operation Metro Surge. According to the article, these grassroots groups distributed food, cash, and legal information to immigrant communities fearing deportation. The response intensified after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during immigration operations. Although the operation ended in February 2026, the article notes significant economic damage and lasting harm to families. The author attributes this solidarity to Minnesota's historical traditions of neighborliness and Indigenous values.
A Montgomery County, Maryland school board agreed to pay $1.5 million to a group of religious parents following a Supreme Court victory. The settlement, approved by a federal judge on February 19, mandates that the district notify families when lessons include LGBTQ+ themes and restore their right to excuse children from those classes. The lawsuit began in May 2023 after the board removed previous opt-out provisions for a curriculum featuring books like
Fares Abraham, a Palestinian American evangelical and founder of Levant Ministries, appeared on Tucker Carlson’s podcast to critique US evangelical support for Israel. Born in Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, Abraham argues that Israeli settlements and military policies are displacing Palestinian Christians in the West Bank. He told Religion News Service that American Christians misunderstand the occupation’s impact, viewing settlements as biblical fulfillment rather than land confiscation. Abraham, who now lives in Florida, seeks to foster peace and shared existence, urging the church to move beyond partisan political stances and recognize the realities faced by Palestinians.
Israeli settlers vandalized the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in Tell, West Bank, early Monday during Ramadan. According to the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, attackers spray-painted offensive graffiti and started a fire at the entrance. Security footage showed two individuals carrying gasoline and paint before fleeing. The incident occurred as Muslims observe the holy month, with residents describing the provocation as an attack on their faith. Israeli authorities condemned the harm and are searching for suspects. Rights groups note that settlers rarely face prosecution for such violence, which has surged under current government policies.
Iranian state media confirmed the death of the Supreme Leader in joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. The U.S. President announced the news following a major military operation targeting Iran's nuclear program and military leadership. The leader, who ruled since 1989, faced significant internal unrest and economic strain. His death leaves the Islamic Republic without a clear successor, as the Assembly of Experts prepares to choose a new leader. This event marks a pivotal moment for regional stability and Iran's future governance.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced new indictments against 30 individuals accused of civil rights violations during a January protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The demonstration targeted a pastor who also works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. With these additions, 39 people now face charges related to interfering with religious freedom. Bondi stated that the Department of Justice stands for Americans of faith and will prosecute those who disrupt worship. The defendants, including journalists and activists, have pleaded not guilty. The protest occurred amid heightened federal immigration enforcement operations in the region.
Greece’s Migration Minister Thanos Plevris announced a nationwide sweep to close unregistered mosques, specifically targeting over 60 sites in Athens. The Muslim Association of Greece, led by Naim Elghandour, argues the move aims to harass migrants rather than enforce religious regulations. While the government cites immigration laws to deport operators, advocates claim the policy criminalizes religious practice and solidarity with migrants. In response, Muslim leaders have ceased cooperation with police and plan to hold prayers in public streets. This action occurs alongside stricter immigration legislation, raising concerns about the rights of Greece’s large migrant Muslim population.
Thirty-three historically Black churches across the United States have been awarded $8.5 million in preservation grants. The funding comes from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a $60 million initiative supported by the Lilly Endowment. Notable recipients include Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. The grants, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, support capital projects, programming, and capacity building. Brent Leggs, the fund’s executive director, stated the investment safeguards the legacy of these essential civic institutions. The program has previously supported 170 churches with nearly $34 million to protect their assets and histories.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump’s second-term policies, particularly regarding immigration enforcement and economic legislation. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio and subsequent leaders condemned executive orders targeting immigrants, refugees, and the environment, citing harm to vulnerable populations. They also opposed the Big Beautiful Bill for cutting healthcare and food assistance. While they supported bans on gender-affirming care, they strongly rejected mass deportations and expanded detention facilities. The bishops also challenged potential military action in Greenland and criticized foreign policy decisions, asserting that these measures violate human dignity and moral principles.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court opposing President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. The bishops argue that eliminating this right violates Catholic teaching on human dignity and family unity. They contend that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship for those born in the United States and that removing it would harm vulnerable migrants and children. The brief cites biblical passages and papal encyclicals to support their stance. This legal action adds to growing friction between the Catholic hierarchy and the Trump administration over immigration policies, including mass deportations and asylum restrictions.
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The Terzo Tempo choir performed a concert titled “Like Yeat in the Dough” at Milan’s Sant’Antonio church on February 18. The event, featuring around 70 participants, aimed to promote harmony and inclusion for people with disabilities ahead of the Winter Paralympics. The Archdiocese of Milan organized the performance to integrate Christian values into the Olympic spirit. Rev. Stefano Guidi and Rev. Mauro Santoro stated that the church seeks to avoid segregation by bringing disabled and non-disabled individuals together in parish activities. The repertoire included diverse musical styles to reflect unity and commitment.
Religious organizations in Minnesota filed a lawsuit on February 23 against the Department of Homeland Security, alleging violations of religious freedom. The plaintiffs, including the ELCA’s Minneapolis Area Synod and the United Church of Christ, claim DHS is unlawfully barring clergy from providing pastoral care to immigrants detained at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. The complaint cites the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, arguing that denying access to detainees infringes on the spiritual duties of faith leaders. DHS has cited safety concerns, but the lawsuit asserts the facility functions as a detention site where migrants are held for extended periods.
Israeli settlers killed 19-year-old Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a Palestinian American citizen, during a violent clash in Mukhmas, West Bank, on Wednesday. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed his death from critical wounds sustained after settlers attacked a farmer and residents intervened. Witnesses allege settlers fired live ammunition and clubbed victims, while the Israeli military denied its forces fired, citing riot dispersal methods. Abu Siyam’s mother stated he was an American citizen, making him the second Palestinian American killed by settlers in less than a year. The U.S. embassy condemned the violence. This incident adds to a surge in West Bank violence, with the UN reporting potential ethnic cleansing concerns in the region.
In Pristina, Kosovo, Catholic and Muslim communities observed Ash Wednesday and the start of Ramadan in the same week. This rare alignment encourages interfaith tolerance in the Balkan nation, which is over 90 percent Muslim. Catholics gathered at Mother Teresa Cathedral for ash rituals, while Muslims began fasting for the holy month. Local leaders, including priest Don Agim Qerkini and Catholic Dode Palukaj, highlighted shared values of prayer and solidarity. The coincidence of these dates, occurring roughly every 30 years, underscores efforts to promote religious harmony following Kosovo's 1998-99 war for independence from Serbia. Traditional observances continued in Prizren, where fireworks signaled the end of daily fasts.
The Rev. Catherine Ngina Musau was elected as the first female presiding bishop of the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church on November 28 in Malindi. The 55-year-old pastor will lead the 50,000-member denomination, which operates across 25 Kenyan counties. Musau, who was ordained in 2003, cited divine grace for her election and aims to prioritize mission, leadership integrity, and financial transparency. Her appointment marks a significant step for women in a church structure historically dominated by men, though she acknowledges ongoing challenges regarding gender equality and cultural norms within the Protestant community in Kenya.
Christian leaders across the United States used Ash Wednesday to demonstrate solidarity with immigrants and oppose the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. Cardinal Blase Cupich in Illinois and Cardinal Joseph Tobin in New Jersey celebrated Masses, with Tobin visiting an ICE detention facility. In New York, Episcopal and Lutheran bishops joined hundreds in a vigil at Federal Plaza. Activists also held services near the White House and Capitol in Washington, D.C., signing a letter from over 2,000 faith leaders that condemned the government as cruel and oppressive. The events highlighted religious concerns regarding immigration raids and human rights.
Rev. Jorge Bautista, a pastor in San Mateo, California, filed a federal tort claim seeking $5 million in damages against the U.S. government. The lawsuit stems from an October incident at Coast Guard Island near Oakland, where Bautista alleges a masked federal agent fired a pepper round into his face while he was peacefully protesting deportation efforts. Bautista says he suffered physical injuries and psychological trauma. His attorney argues the use of force was excessive and violated constitutional rights. The Department of Homeland Security defended the agents, claiming protesters obstructed law enforcement. This follows similar legal actions by other clergy members against federal immigration enforcement tactics.
Religious organizations in Los Angeles and the Midwest are establishing safety nets for asylum-seekers released from immigration detention. Groups like Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice’s Welcome Network in Los Angeles and a sanctuary church in the Midwest offer transitional housing, financial aid, and case management. These efforts address the growing need caused by stricter deportation policies under the Trump administration, which have reduced release rates and displaced families. Leaders such as René Molina Jr. and organizer Sithy Bin emphasize practical support, while congregations raise funds to cover rising operational costs and assist those unable to secure independent housing.
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