A Christian refugee from Syria has begun cancer treatment in Lebanon after escaping severe persecution. Her husband was killed by his family for converting to Christianity. The woman survived an attack by her father-in-law and brother-in-law, then hid in cemeteries for nine days with her three children before local Christians provided aid. A worker from a Christian aid organization stated that prayers are needed for her health and her family's emotional healing. The report highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Christians in the region.
Archbishop Wojda, head of the Polish Bishops' Conference, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy at the Jaroslaw Abbey in Poland. He commended the soul of the deceased priest to God's mercy and offered condolences to the victim's family. The archbishop also prayed for all those injured in the attack, asking for divine hope and mercy. Additionally, he requested prayers for the perpetrator's conversion and emphasized the need for collective prayer to prevent such future tragedies. The statement was issued by the Bishops' Conference Press Office.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
According to RISU, the Holy Protection Church in Kyiv was damaged during a recent Russian attack. Volodymyr Nakonechny, head of the Podilsk District State Administration, confirmed the incident via Telegram. The 1906 building, noted as the oldest in the Mostytsia and Vynohradar areas, suffered damage to its windows, domes, and historic yellow brick facade. This event highlights the ongoing targeting of civilian infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital by Russian forces.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇵🇱 Poland·
The Ukrainian embassy in Poland strongly condemned a violent attack that occurred on September 24 at a Benedictine convent in Jarosław. According to the embassy's statement, five people were injured during the incident. Police have detained a suspect, who is a Ukrainian citizen. The diplomatic mission expressed condolences to the victims' families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The embassy emphasized that violence is unjustifiable and called for the responsible parties to face legal consequences. It also thanked law enforcement and medical services for their response, urging mutual support and respect for human life during this difficult time.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇵🇱 Poland·
Polish prosecutors revealed details regarding a 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen suspected of attacking a Benedictine monastery in Jaroslaw, Poland. The suspect entered Poland from Germany on the day of the incident but did not cross the border checkpoint. He entered the monastery kitchen, where he obtained a knife and attacked five people, including three clergy members. One victim died, while two others remain in critical condition. Police detained the man at the scene. Authorities are testing his blood for drugs and have not yet determined his motives. Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the attack and promised justice.
Police in southeast Poland arrested a 31-year-old Ukrainian man following a stabbing incident at the Benedictine Abbey in Jarosław on Thursday, September 24. Authorities report that the suspect attacked five people, resulting in one death and four injuries. Local media stated that a victim died in the hospital, with some outlets identifying the deceased as a priest, though EWTN News could not independently verify this claim. The regional police confirmed the arrest and the severity of the injuries sustained by the remaining victims. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
A Ukrainian man killed a priest and injured four others, including two other clergy members, at a Benedictine abbey in Jaroslaw, Poland. The attacker entered the facility around 9:30 a.m. by exploiting the opening of a gate for schoolchildren. According to the outlet, the assailant stabbed Father Adrian and Father Stanislaw, who later died from his wounds. Police detained the suspect, identified by media as Ihor M., who had arrived from Germany. The motive remains unclear, though witnesses suggest he was previously rejected by the religious community. The incident has shocked the nation and intensified political tensions regarding Ukrainian refugees ahead of upcoming elections.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 6 outlets
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇵🇱 Poland·
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned a deadly attack at a Benedictine abbey in Jarosław, Poland. According to RISU, Zelensky described the crime as horrific and expressed shock that a Ukrainian citizen committed the act. The assault resulted in the death of a priest and injuries to several others. The president called for full legal accountability for the perpetrator and urged a thorough investigation. Polish police have detained the suspect, who is a Ukrainian national. The incident occurred in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship, highlighting tensions following the violence at the religious site.
An NGO highlighted the persecution of a young Christian in Cameroon’s Far North region. Boko Haram attacked his village, killing over twelve people. When the young man refused to join the militants, he was shot in the leg. Although he underwent surgery, the bullet remains embedded, causing ongoing pain. The organization urges global Christians to pray for his healing and for peace in the region, where extremist groups continue to threaten, abduct, and forcibly convert believers. Cameroon ranks 37th on the 2026 Global Watchlist.
Charles Gardner reviews Simon Guillebaud’s book Dangerously Alive, which details the missionary’s experiences in Burundi during the late 1990s civil war. Guillebaud worked for Scripture Union while dodging bullets and bombs in the Central African nation. The article notes that despite the violence, revival occurred, including miraculous healings and the conversion of a former rebel soldier who later became president. Gardner highlights Guillebaud’s perspective on spiritual warfare and his critique of Western Christianity, commending the account as a challenge for modern believers. The outlet attributes these events and reflections to Guillebaud’s narrative.
A priest was killed and four others, including two fellow clergy members, were seriously injured during a knife attack at a Benedictine monastery in Jaroslaw, Poland. The incident occurred on Thursday morning at the site of a retreat center and educational facility. Archbishop Adam Szal of Przemysl confirmed the tragedy and called for prayers. Police arrested a 31-year-old suspect holding an Ukrainian passport. Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the brutal assault. Details regarding the motive remain unclear at this time.
Reports indicate that armed extremist militias are gathering in a local government area within Plateau State, Nigeria. Intelligence suggests fighters were spotted near a specific village on a recent Tuesday. The group claims these actors are preparing coordinated attacks on nearby Christian communities in the region. Security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and Police Force, are urged to deploy immediately to secure the area. Residents are advised to exercise caution and avoid isolated routes due to the imminent threat of violence in the region.
A Greek government report reveals 386 incidents targeting religious sites in 2025, with Orthodox churches accounting for over 93 percent of cases. The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports recorded a simultaneous increase in antisemitic attacks, noting 11 cases. Most offenses involved theft from collection boxes or vandalism of cemeteries and monasteries. Police dismantled several criminal groups in regions including Thessaly and Attica. The data highlights a broader European concern regarding anti-Christian hatred, as noted in a recent European Parliament resolution. Authorities identify most perpetrators as Greek men.
In Vietnam's Central Highlands, Christians are enduring severe persecution, including physical attacks and forced evictions. Voice of the Martyrs Korea reports that a woman named Sister T suffered broken bones after refusing to renounce her faith. Another man, Brother O, was attacked with a weapon after paying extortion money to avoid leaving his village. These incidents highlight the ongoing pressure on ethnic minority believers. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended designating Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern. Organizations continue to document these abuses and support affected congregations.
Christian communities in Colombia face escalating dangers, particularly in specific regions and coastal areas. Armed groups and criminal gangs have intensified violence, creating a severe humanitarian crisis and widespread fear among believers. Authorities recently confirmed the discovery of a mass grave containing multiple bodies, highlighting the lethal risks. Additionally, indigenous Christians encounter threats linked to traditional practices during church celebrations. These ongoing conflicts and security issues severely impact the safety and freedom of religious practice for Christians across the country.
According to Open Doors Australia, prolonged Boko Haram attacks in Cameroon's Far North Region continue to displace Christian communities. The outlet reports that some believers have fled to safer nearby areas to escape the violence. One young man stated he waits for God to help him in his suffering after being shot by the group. These ongoing extremist attacks force many Christians to start new communities in more secure locations within the region.
In a region of Mali, Islamist extremist groups are forcing local Christians to pay jizya, a protection tax, under the threat of church closure. These armed factions have filled power vacuums in rural areas, operating as alternative authorities. According to Open Doors Australia, the financial burden is described as crippling for the Christian community. This coercion highlights the ongoing security crisis and religious persecution faced by believers in the region, where extremists impose strict demands on minority populations.
Christians in Mali endure severe persecution from jihadist groups and an authoritarian military junta. Since recent coups, the regime has suppressed opposition while extremists expand control. Jihadists attack places of worship, plunder property, and force believers to pay special taxes or flee. The crisis is exacerbated by organized crime and corruption. Many Christians have been displaced, and those remaining live under constant threat of violence, abduction, and forced conversion. The Christian community remains marginalized and vulnerable across the nation, facing systemic oppression and insecurity.
In Duisburg, Germany, Pastor Alexander Epp reports that a violent SWAT raid on his home and Wera Forum church has increased congregation attendance. The operation, based on a false report of an illegal firearm, resulted in Epp suffering a broken nose and his wife requiring hospital care. Despite previous obstacles including contaminated soil and denied building permits, the church grew to over 1,000 members. Epp attributes the surge in interest to the publicity surrounding the police action, which he describes as intimidation against the city's largest church. The local police have not apologized or compensated for the damages.
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