Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass inside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility on February 18, 2026. He was joined by auxiliary bishops Pedro Bismarck Chau, Manuel Cruz, and Gregory Studerus to provide pastoral care to detainees. Tobin stated that respecting the dignity of those held there was his priority. This event highlights ongoing tensions regarding religious access to immigration centers, a issue Pope Leo XIV has also addressed. In Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich held a solidarity Mass while awaiting court-ordered access to a local detention center. The Newark bishops' entry marks a significant institutional support for immigrant rights in the region.
Human rights groups in Kenya allege that the Russian Orthodox Church helped recruit young Kenyans to fight in Ukraine. Activists say the church promoted job opportunities in Russia, leading some men to be conscripted into the army. One Kenyan, Charles Waithaka Wangari, died in combat after traveling for work. Vocal Africa estimates over 500 Kenyans have traveled to Russia, with many facing wage theft and military deployment. While a Russian priest denies malicious intent, Greek Orthodox leaders view the expansion as Kremlin soft power. The Kenyan government has promised to investigate rogue recruiters and assist affected families.
Over forty Catholic Democratic members of Congress issued a statement challenging House Speaker Mike Johnson’s biblical justification for mass deportations. Led by Representative Rosa DeLauro, the group cited Catholic social teaching to argue that border enforcement must balance justice with mercy. The letter criticizes Immigration and Customs Enforcement for alleged cruelty and family separations. This theological rebuttal coincides with a deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security. While Johnson maintains that sovereign borders are biblically mandated for civil authorities, the lawmakers assert that welcoming migrants is a religious obligation. The statement highlights ongoing tensions between legislative policy and faith-based ethical standards in the United States.
A drone strike targeted a mosque in a village in northern Sudan, killing two children and injuring thirteen others early Wednesday. The Sudan Doctors Network attributes the attack to the Rapid Support Forces, noting the victims were attending a dawn lesson. The group condemns the targeting of civilians in religious sites as a dangerous escalation. This incident occurs amid a civil war that began in 2023 between the RSF and the national army. The World Health Organization reports at least 40,000 deaths and 12 million displaced persons, though aid groups suggest the true toll is significantly higher due to limited access in remote areas.
Cook County prosecutors have dismissed charges against 19 religious leaders arrested during a November demonstration outside a Department of Homeland Security facility in Broadview, Illinois. The group, including American Baptist minister Michael Woolf and United Methodist minister Hannah Kardon, had gathered to protest the agency's refusal to provide pastoral care to detainees. While this decision offers relief to most participants, two individuals still face state charges, and six others, known as the Broadview Six, confront federal charges. The arrests occurred amid violent clashes where activists allege law enforcement used excessive force against peaceful protesters seeking to aid migrants.
A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction on February 13 barring Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from raiding churches except in true emergencies. The ruling supports faith groups suing the Trump administration over the rescission of a 2011 policy protecting sensitive locations. The order prohibits warrantless actions inside churches and within 100 feet of entrances without supervisory approval. While DHS official Tricia McLaughlin disputed the court's narrative, legal representatives stated the decision confirms the administration's actions were unlawful. This case involves multiple denominations claiming violations of religious freedom rights under the First Amendment.
In Minneapolis, United States, Rabbi Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg of Shir Tikvah and Pastor Hierald Osorto of San Pablo/St. Paul Lutheran Church are collaborating to raise $1 million by February 22. This mutual aid effort supports residents struggling with rent and other needs following a two-month federal immigration enforcement operation. The clergy, who have also held joint prayer services, aim to provide financial assistance to families affected by the crackdown. According to the outlet, the initiative reflects a deepening partnership between the Jewish and Latino congregations to offer dignity and care amid the crisis.
Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago stated that federal agents have stopped priests in his archdiocese and demanded proof of citizenship, alleging the actions were based on race. He made these claims in interviews with WTTW and El País in January and February. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security denied the allegations, calling accusations of racial profiling false. While the archdiocese provided no further details, reports of similar immigration stops involving U.S. citizens have increased nationwide following a Supreme Court decision. Other Catholic leaders have also criticized DHS enforcement tactics amid rising tensions.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Catholic women are organizing direct aid and protests as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations create fear in local immigrant communities. Lay leaders like Rhonda Miska and Anne Attea describe providing food, prayer, and emotional support to families affected by detentions. These women feel the church hierarchy has been too distant, prompting them to take independent action. Attea organized singing vigils outside detention sites, while others joined rallies against federal enforcement. The group Discerning Deacons highlights how these women are fulfilling diaconal roles despite not being ordained, asserting their essential role in the resistance movement.
A North Carolina district attorney has transferred the criminal case against a leader of the Word of Faith Fellowship to a special prosecutor. The transfer follows a former member's request to remove the original prosecutor, alleging bias. The case involves accusations that the group beat the victim in 2013. Although a judge rejected the removal petition citing case delays, the prosecutor decided to step aside to address concerns about the investigation's handling. The defendant maintains her innocence. The case has been delayed for years, with no new trial date set. This development follows extensive reporting on alleged abuse within the secretive religious community.
Bishop Dwayne Royster of Faith in Action organized a rapid response in Washington, D.C., following recent deaths related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Approximately 450 clergy members mobilized within 72 hours, resulting in nearly 60 arrests during peaceful protests against federal policies. The group also conducted over 50 visits to congressional offices to challenge ICE funding. Additionally, the Interfaith Alliance and other partners filed a federal lawsuit in New York against the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission, alleging it violates federal law by lacking representative pluralism. These actions highlight efforts to address social justice and religious freedom concerns in the United States.
A U.S. District Judge in Illinois ordered the Department of Homeland Security to grant the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership access to the Broadview detention center near Chicago. The ruling, issued on Thursday, allows the Catholic advocacy group to minister to detainees on Ash Wednesday. The judge found that the government substantially burdened the group's religious exercise by denying access. The group argues its rights to perform ministry were violated, not the detainees' rights. DHS did not dispute the allegations or provide a compelling government interest for the restriction. Cardinal Blase Cupich is scheduled to lead an outdoor Mass in solidarity with immigrant families.
A suicide bomber attacked a Shiite mosque on the outskirts of a major Pakistani city during Friday prayers, killing at least 31 people and wounding 169 others. Officials stated preliminary findings suggest the attacker traveled from Afghanistan. While no group claimed responsibility, suspicion falls on militants like the Pakistani Taliban or Islamic State. The country's president and prime minister condemned the violence, calling it a crime against humanity. Afghanistan denied harboring the suspect, and international leaders expressed solidarity with Pakistan amid a recent surge in militant attacks across the country.
As public universities in the US shutter diversity, equity, and inclusion offices following state legislation, progressive Christian student ministries are expanding to support affected students. Groups like Jacob’s Porch in Columbus, Ohio, The Church Lot in Kennesaw, Georgia, and The Vine in Ames, Iowa, are providing safe spaces and resources previously offered by university centers. These ministries, often connected through the ZOE network, host events such as Pride services and Drag Bingo. Leaders report that students are turning to these faith-based organizations for community and advocacy after institutional support was eliminated by political mandates.
Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Yakima, Washington, wrote a commentary criticizing federal immigration enforcement actions following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. He argues that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is targeting churches and families rather than violent criminals, citing low percentages of detainees with criminal records. The bishop joined US Catholic bishops in opposing mass deportations and urged Congress to reject increased funding for the Department of Homeland Security. He emphasized the moral duty of citizens to bear witness to these events and protect vulnerable immigrants across the United States.
Hundreds of femminielli, a traditional Neapolitan nonbinary group, gathered at the Church of the Annunziata in Mercogliano, Italy, for their annual Juta pilgrimage on February 2. The event blends Catholic rituals with local folklore, honoring the Virgin Mary while affirming queer identity. Parish priest Vitaliano Della Sala emphasized the celebration's importance amid rising global prejudice. The Mass also mourned the suicide of a bullied teenager, highlighting ongoing struggles with transphobia. Although a landslide diverted the traditional hike to Montevergine, participants viewed the gathering as an act of faith and resistance against marginalization.
The He Gets Us campaign, funded by the Signatry Foundation and now run by Come Near, is launching a new ad strategy for the 2026 Super Bowl. Moving away from previous political themes, the new 'Loaded Words' series addresses modern life pressures and digital noise. Simon Armour, chief creative officer for Come Near, stated the shift aims to connect with spiritual needs amid American polarization. The campaign has spent hundreds of millions since 2021, with projections reaching $345 million through 2026. Board member Nicole Martin noted the ads target outsiders to counter declining religious engagement in the United States.
Hundreds of clergy members gathered in Minneapolis, United States, in late January 2026 to protest immigration enforcement actions by ICE. During demonstrations that included arrests near the airport, participants sang classic freedom songs such as 'We Shall Overcome' and 'Amazing Grace.' According to the article, these Civil Rights era hymns foster solidarity and link current activists to historical nonviolent movements. The protests were sparked by the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, with demonstrators seeking to protect immigrants and highlight due process rights against federal agents.
A federal judge in Florida ordered far-right influencer Laura Loomer to resume monthly payments to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The ruling affirms a settlement requiring Loomer to pay the remaining balance of nearly $125,000 from a 2019 lawsuit she filed against the group. Loomer had stopped payments in December 2025 after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis designated CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization. Judge Bruce Reinhart denied Loomer’s request to halt payments, stating she failed to prove irreparable injury. CAIR stated it uses the funds for legal actions protecting American Muslims. Loomer still owes approximately $3,900. (Jan. 29)
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