Fides News - English

AFRICA/DR CONGO - Bishops: Poverty and violence plague the Ecclesiastical Province of Kinshasa

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:22:30 +0200

Kinshasa – “Poverty, widespread insecurity, targeted attacks against the Catholic Church, its representatives and its institutions, as well as an alarming rise in physical and verbal violence”. This is the picture depicted by the Bishops gathered at the Episcopal Assembly of the Ecclesiastical Province of Kinshasa , held from 6 to 13 May in Inongo. The Ecclesiastical Province of Kinshasa comprises the Archdiocese of Kinshasa and the following suffragan dioceses: Boma, Idiofa, Inongo, Kenge, Kikwit, Kisantu, Matadi, Popokabaka.
In their statement published at the conclusion of the meeting, the bishops also highlighted other ills afflicting the people of the ecclesiastical province, such as “harassment along rivers and roads, the proliferation of checkpoints, inappropriate taxes, the abandonment of young people to their fate, corruption in educational settings and state institutions, delays in the payment of civil servants’ salaries in rural areas, and the isolation of various regions”.
For some time now, Congolese river transport operators have been complaining about the administrative and financial harassment they face at the hands of the police, the military and public officials. The Congo River offers enormous potential for relieving congestion in Kinshasa in terms of the transport of people and goods, but it remains underutilised due to harassment and a lack of infrastructure.
The Bishops have, however, noted some efforts made by the government to provide electricity and improve road infrastructure in certain areas of the ecclesiastical province, and have welcomed the authorities’ commitment to restoring peace in areas affected by violence perpetrated by the Mobondo militia, expressing the hope that these efforts will continue. The “Mobondo” militiamen are accused of having taken part in the violence that erupted in 2022 between the Yaka and Teke communities . The militia was formed in June 2022 following a territorial and customary dispute between the Teke and Yaka communities. The Yaka organized themselves into armed groups called “Mobondo”, named after “magical” amulets said to protect those who wear them from the enemy’s weapons. Depending on the source, the conflict has so far caused between 3,000 and 5,000 deaths, as well as tens of thousands of displaced persons. Mobondo militiamen have now reached the outskirts of Kinshasa, blocking roads and rural areas.

AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference: solidarity with the people and a call on the Government to put a stop to incidents of religious intolerance

Fri, 15 May 2026 13:34:55 +0200

Beira – “We are following with deep concern the situation of terrorism raging our country, with its epicenter in Cabo Delgado since 5 October 2017, which, according to published statistics, has already caused 6,527 deaths and over 1 million internally displaced persons, leaving vast areas in ruins.” The statement comes from the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique , Osório Citora Afonso, IMC, and is expressed in a Pastoral Note shared by the country’s bishops and sent to Fides News Agency.

Osório Citora Afonso himself, Bishop of Quelimane and Apostolic Administrator of Beira, speaking to Fides Agency whilst returning from Beira to Quelimane, confirmed that he had felt the urgency to convene the Bishops of the CEM in an online meeting to unite their voices in condemning the attacks against Christian communities and in solidarity with the province of Cabo Delgado.

"In the statement, first and foremost, we expressed ‘our profound solidarity with the Diocese of Pemba, its pastors, men and women religious, pastoral workers and all the Christian faithful who continue to suffer the painful consequences of the violence and attacks directed against individuals, communities and places of worship’, as stated in the Pastoral Note of the Bishops signed by the President of the CEM, Inacio Saure, IMC, Archbishop of Nampula. We also ‘strongly condemned every form of violent extremism and manipulation of the population, particularly young people, adolescents and children, in the name of religious or economic interests, ambitions for power and the exploitation of natural resources. No religious belief, nor the riches of the earth, are worth more than human life. None of these interests can justify displacement, suffering, the death of innocents, the destruction of communities and the desecration of sacred places’.

Equally strong – emphasizes Bishop Osório Citora Afonso – was the appeal addressed to the Government, which has ‘remained silent all this time’. “We recall that it is the Government’s fundamental duty to guarantee human dignity, security and the well-being of all,” the bishops stress, “by protecting life and the national heritage, aspects that are seriously threatened in Cabo Delgado, with clear signs of the situation spreading to the rest of the country .
“We call on the country’s relevant authorities to take a courageous decision to put an immediate end to religious intolerance, which today manifests itself in the form of hatred towards Christians, thereby opening the door to setting a precedent for other dangerous forms of radicalism.”

According to the latest report by the organization Armed Conflict Location & Event Data , covering the period from 6 to 27 April, of the 2,356 incidents of violence recorded since October 2017, when the armed insurgency began in Cabo Delgado, 2,184 involved elements associated with the Islamic State of Mozambique . Following the destruction of the parish headquarters in Meza at the end of last April , further acts of destruction took place on 1, 5, 8 and 9 May in the villages of Minheune, Nacoja and Naviane, respectively, belonging to the parish of Metoro. Faced with this situation, the Bishops have spoken out on behalf of the voiceless.

Cardinal Chow at the exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the diocese's foundation: our joy is in being able to share the joy of the Gospel with Hong Kong

Fri, 15 May 2026 13:18:58 +0200

Hong Kong – “The joy of our Church lies in being able to share the joy of the Gospel with Hong Kong”. With these words, Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, Bishop of Hong Kong, outlined the present and future mission of the local Church community, called to share the joy of the Gospel with all citizens. He did so by inaugurating the historical exhibition on the journey and works of the local Church, organized as part of the celebrations marking the 185th anniversary of the start of the mission and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the diocese.

Speaking before a large gathering of guests on 9 May, the Jesuit cardinal emphasized that “our predecessors and we have always sought, through words and deeds, and above all through various social services and educational work, to share the spirit of the Gospel’s great love and the values of truth, goodness, beauty and love”. According to the weekly bulletin Kung Kao Pu, for the bishop, proclaiming and bearing witness to the Gospel “means above all enabling more people to know God’s great love and the good news of eternal life, so that they may develop the synodal journey through dialogue and sharing with Hong Kong and with their neighbours”.

“The heart of evangelization is unchanging, and in this way people can experience the love of the Gospel,” remarked Cardinal Chow, noting that this requires us to remain steadfast in the faith and to persevere on the missionary journey undertaken in Hong Kong over the past 185 years.
Until 31 May, visitors to the exhibition at Saint Francis University will be able to retrace the 185 years of evangelization in Hong Kong and the 80 years since the diocese was founded, following three main themes: the development of the diocese, Catholic education and the work of Caritas. Through photographs, oral testimonies and guided tours , visitors will also be able to make use of innovative artificial intelligence technologies. At the centre of the hall is a reproduction of the document in which the Holy See announced the elevation of Hong Kong to a diocese and appointed Enrico Valtorta as its first bishop.
The Catholic Church in Hong Kong, which in 1841 had only a few faithful, today comprises around 600,000 baptized members, including many migrant workers.

ASIAINDIA - Two Salesians kidnapped and released in Manipur: the Naga and Myanmar insurgents involved in the general instability

Fri, 15 May 2026 12:08:06 +0200

Imphal - Two young Salesians were kidnapped and then released after 24 hours in captivity in Manipur, a state in north-eastern India where there is significant instability due to the ethnic conflict that has been ongoing since 2023. The two young men are safe and sound, Father Suresh SDB of the Salesian Province of Dimapur told Fides, expressing “great relief”.
The two Salesians, Albert Panmei Aching and Peter Poji Küvisie, were abducted at around 9.00 pm on 13 May whilst travelling from the Don Bosco complex in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, to the Salesian centre in Maram, about 20 kilometres away. After a night and a day of tension and fear, the two young religious were released on the evening of 14 May.
The Provincial of the Salesians of Dimapur, Father Joseph Pampackal SDB, expressing gratitude to all those who worked for the release of his confreres, praised “the coordinated efforts of civil society organizations, religious leaders, community elders and law enforcement: their intervention contributed to a peaceful resolution of this incident”, he wrote in a statement.
Father Pampackal thanked the members of the Kuki community who ensured the safety of the two Salesians during their captivity, describing it as “a testimony to reconciliation and mutual respect even in difficult circumstances”. He reiterated “the Salesians’ commitment to peace-building, dialogue and service in the region”, reaffirming “the Salesians’ mission to serve the people with faith, courage and compassion even in difficult circumstances.”
The incident occurred shortly after the brutal massacre of three Baptist pastors killed in an ambush on the morning of 13 May, along with their convoy driver, and three other pastors who are in hospital .
Regarding the incident, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India expressed “deep sorrow and condolences for the tragic ambush” and condemned “a heinous act committed against religious leaders who have remained a vital source of hope and strength in these difficult times of social unrest. Violence only deepens the wounds, prolongs the suffering and weakens the bonds that unite our communities”.
Echoing the words of Msgr. Linus Neli, Archbishop of Imphal, the bishops issued an appeal “to all concerned to refrain from all forms of violence and retaliation”. “Guided by the true Christian spirit, we implore all communities to embrace instead dialogue, forgiveness, reconciliation, moderation and peaceful coexistence,” they wrote, urging the authorities “to act with wisdom, fairness and sensitivity so that peace and justice may prevail and trust between communities may be restored.”
In a statement sent to Fides, the ‘All India Catholic Union’ , an organization representing the Indian Catholic laity, notes: "This murder cannot be considered an isolated crime, as it forms part of the context of the ongoing deterioration of peace and constitutional governance in Manipur. Since May 2023, more than 250 lives have been lost. Over 60,000 people have been displaced. Hundreds of churches and villages have been destroyed. Thousands of people continue to live in refugee camps.”
The AICU points out that “a large number of weapons looted from police and security force arsenals remain in illegal hands, and armed groups and private militias continue to operate with impunity. This situation is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy. The central government and the Manipur state government have a constitutional duty to restore the rule of law in the state”. ‘Peace,’ the organization notes, “cannot be restored as long as armed groups control roads, villages and community boundaries. The recovery of looted weapons must be considered as a national security priority. Three years is an extremely long time for internally displaced people living in refugee camps run by the government and the Church in the state.”
Furthermore, the AICU notes, it is urgent to initiate a political dialogue involving the representative leaders of the three communities concerned, the Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Naga: “Manipur cannot be governed solely through the deployment of security forces. The current division of the state into separate zones is not peace. No community can be abandoned, and no community can be allowed to dominate another through violence, fear or the silence of the state.” The AICU calls for protection to be guaranteed for religious leaders, civil society workers, humanitarian volunteers and peace mediators who move beyond community boundaries for the sake of reconciliation and aid, since “those who risk their lives for peace and harmony cannot be left defenceless”. “We call on all people of faith and goodwill to reject revenge, resist hatred and defend the dignity of every human being,” the statement concludes.
The conflict in Manipur has become even more complex, as the ethnic tensions that began three years ago between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo have now turned into deep-rooted and widespread hostility and have spread to the Naga groups, the third largest ethnic group in the state.
“The state government,” Johna Dayal, spokesperson for the AICU, told Fides, “has failed to break the cycle of clashes or to implement effective reconciliation mechanisms. Now, with the resurgence of the Naga-Kuki conflict and rising tensions, there is a risk that the unrest will degenerate into a protracted conflict similar to that of the 1990s”, when the state of Manipur was engulfed by a serious inter-ethnic conflict pitting the Kuki against the Naga, which, between 1993 and 1998, caused over a thousand deaths, the destruction of hundreds of villages and the displacement of thousands of people. Another factor, moreover, is causing concern: in addition to internal dynamics, the turbulent state of Manipur is seeing the entry of a new actor into the ethnic conflict. These are the insurgents from Myanmar, in the Burmese state of Chin, which borders Manipur. The majority of the state’s population, in fact, is made up of the same Kuki ethnic group that is known as Chin in Myanmar.

AFRICA/EQUATORIAL GUINEA - Appointment of Bishop of Bata

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:39:44 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father, Leo XIV, has appointed Bishop Miguel Angel Nguema Bee Etete, S.D.B., currently Apostolic Administrator of the same See and Bishop of the Diocese of Ebebiyin, as Bishop of the Diocese of Bata.

Miguel Angel Nguema Bee Etete was born on July 13, 1969, in Bata, Equatorial Guinea. After studying Philosophy at the Don Bosco Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences in Lomé, Togo, and Theology at the Theologicum Saint François de Sales in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, he obtained a Licentiate in Educational Sciences from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome.

He was ordained a priest on July 24, 2000.

He was appointed Bishop of Ebibeyín on April 1, 2017, and received his episcopal ordination on May 20. Since December 2024, he has been Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Bata.

“I choose not to hate”: in his new book, missionary Pier Luigi Maccalli highlights “a forgotten essential for building peace”

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:34:02 +0200

Genoa – “Peace is a possible mission”: this, along with many other meaningful insights and reflections, represents the core of the new book with the equally emblematic title “I choose not to hate”, published by EMI and written by Father Pier Luigi Maccalli, a priest of the Society of African Missions.

Father Gigi experienced first-hand “the evil face of war”, as he himself writes in reference to his long period of captivity in the Sahel at the hands of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims .
The missionary, who was kidnapped in Bomoanga, Niger, describes himself as “scarred for life” by those two years and three weeks he spent as a hostage, which he recounted in his first book ‘Chains of Freedom’ and that terrible experience which inevitably changed him, as he later notes in his subsequent 2024 publication ‘Liberate la pace’.

In ‘I Choose Not to Hate’, the author reflects on many aspects of our daily lives, recounting how he went from the silence of the desert to a torrent of thoughts. He expresses his profound unease regarding what many of the powerful people in the world call a ‘just war’, describing it, in every respect, as a ‘crime that defies human reason’. “War is the exaltation of destruction and death, and justice is the harmony of relationships and the defense of life restored to its rightful place,” he writes. After two years of imprisonment, chains and humiliation, Father Gigi chooses not to hate, to forgive, and to propose this path as an alternative to the logic of rearmament and the “just war” that dominates today. He uses firm and clear words to express his total opposition to every form of hatred, addressing strong terms such as ‘rearmament’ which are used very frequently, and calls for ‘an essential element that has been forgotten in building peace, not with weapons, but through another path that finds its culmination in the love of one’s enemy’.

“Thou shalt not kill” and “do not respond to evil with violence” are the two essential “no’s” that the missionary considers tools for achieving peace and avoiding war. Father Gigi chose not to hate those who kidnapped him; he chose forgiveness and peace, confirming their power in “I choose not to hate”, dedicated to all those who commit themselves with an unarmed heart to dialogue and peace.

AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Ascensión de Guarayos celebrates 200 years of faith and Franciscan presence in the Bolivian Amazon

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:22:07 +0200

Ascensión de Guarayos – From May 13 to 15, the Apostolic Vicariate of Ñuflo de Chávez will host celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of this historic city in eastern Bolivia and the beginning of the Franciscan mission among the Guarayo people, which has profoundly shaped the spiritual and cultural identity of the region.

Under the motto "Ascensión, Two centuries, one identity," the celebrations will bring together the faithful, representatives of civil and church authorities, and representatives of indigenous communities. “Celebrating two hundred years means not only remembering the past, but also embracing with hope the mission the Lord has entrusted to us today,” writes Friar Kasper Mariusz Kaproń , OFM, parish priest of the Ascensión del Señor parish, in a letter commemorating the anniversary.

Founded in 1826 by the Franciscan José Gregorio Salvatierra, the Ascensión de Guarayos Mission is one of the most significant testimonies of evangelization in the Bolivian Amazon. For two centuries, members of the Franciscan Order have accompanied the local communities not only through the proclamation of the Gospel, but also in the areas of education and human development, as well as the preservation of the local culture and language.

The evangelization of the Guarayo region began in the late 18th century when Franciscans, at the initiative of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in Tarata, undertook expeditions into the jungles of eastern Bolivia. After years of living alongside the Guarayo people and learning their language and customs, the missionaries established a network of settlements that fostered community organization, agriculture, crafts, and catechesis. Ascensión de Guarayos was one of the most important foundations in this process and, over time, developed into the region's most significant religious and cultural center.

"Ascensión de Guarayos is not just a city with history; it is a community that arose from the Gospel and has been shaped by the faith of generations," the parish priest writes in his letter, emphasizing the deep connection between the people's identity and the Franciscan missionary work.

The Parish of Ascensión del Señor remains a center of vibrant pastoral care today. Children and young people actively sing in choirs and orchestras, thus preserving the musical tradition of the ancient missions.

According to the organizers of the celebrations, the bicentennial program includes Eucharistic celebrations, processions, and cultural performances that unite faith and indigenous identity. The celebratory Mass will be officiated by the Auxiliary Bishop of La Paz, Pedro Luis Fuentes Valencia. The organizers also emphasize: “Ascensión opens its doors to share the joy of its community and the power of a vibrant tradition with everyone.” The Jubilee celebrations are taking place during the anniversary year of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. “Christ brings us together and sends us forth: from the roots of our missionary history to an Easter Church that goes forth,” the parish priest explained in his letter, in which he calls on the community to renew its commitment to proclaiming the Gospel.

The experiences of two centuries of missionary work, accompanying indigenous peoples and promoting their culture and language, demonstrate that authentic evangelization consists of respecting and preserving the dignity of indigenous communities. These communities are called to actively participate in the life of the Church and to shape a more just and sustainable future for the Amazon region itself.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Ñuflo de Chávez, which includes Ascensión de Guarayos, was established in 1951 and entrusted to the pastoral care of the Franciscans. It encompasses the provinces of Guarayos and Ñuflo de Chávez in the Department of Santa Cruz, covering an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometers. The vicariate has about 196,000 inhabitants, of whom more than 159,000 are Catholic. It comprises 21 parishes, 21 priests, 25 religious sisters, and 4 seminarians. The parish is currently led by the Apostolic Vicar, Msgr. Bonifacio Antonio Reimann Panic .

ASIA/INDIA - Three Kuki Baptist Pastors killed in Manipur

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:19:34 +0200

Imphal –In an ambush against a convoy of Kuki Baptist Christians in the Indian state of Manipur, three Baptist pastors were brutally murdered and others were wounded. The attack occurred on May 13 at around 10:00 a.m. against the backdrop of the extremely unstable situation in Manipur, a state in northeastern India. A civil war is raging there between the Kuki and Meitei ethnic groups . In recent months, the state's third ethnic group, the Naga, has also become involved in the conflict. According to the United Christian Forum of North East India , the ambush of the Baptist Church took place on the road between Kangpokpi and Lamka as the delegation was returning from a church meeting. According to the Kuki community, the attack was carried out by an armed Naga group. The investigation is ongoing. Pastor Vumthang Sitlhou, president of the Thadou Baptist Association , as well as Pastors V. Kaigoulun and Paogou, were killed in the attack. Four other pastors and the two drivers were among those seriously injured.
Following the incident, law enforcement officers immediately blocked the area along National Highway 2, a major road connecting Manipur with Nagaland and the rest of the country, while fears of a new escalation of inter-community clashes.
“This brutal and inhumane act of violence has claimed the lives of innocent servants of God who dedicated their lives to peace, community service, and the spiritual well-being of their communities,” said Allen Brooks, spokesperson for UCFNEI. He added that he was “deeply shocked, saddened, and dismayed.” “These religious leaders,” Brooks continued, “were neither fighters nor politicians, but spiritual guides and pillars of hope, reconciliation, and moral guidance in a region long scarred by conflict.” “This cold-blooded ambush of servants of God demonstrates such profound malice and inhumanity that it shakes the conscience of every civilized person,” a statement from UCFNEI read.
“The murder of Baptist pastors from the Kuki community,” the statement continues, “is not simply an attack on individuals or a tribe, but an attack on the Christian faith, the sanctity of life, and the foundation of fraternity in Northeast India. No political or ethnic conflict can ever justify the killing of unarmed pastors and church workers in public streets.” The Forum calls on the governments of Manipur and the Federation to launch a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrators and ensure their swift punishment. It also calls for urgent intervention “to promote reconciliation and dialogue between the communities and prevent further escalation of violence,” while simultaneously “ensuring the protection of vulnerable Christian communities and religious leaders in the region.”
The Forum calls on the governments of Manipur and the Federation to launch a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrators and ensure their swift punishment. “We call upon all Christian denominations, civil society organizations, and people of goodwill in Northeast India and the rest of the country to unite in prayer, fasting, and peaceful advocacy for justice. May this tragedy not further divide us, but rather strengthen our resolve to combat violence in the name of Christ, who said: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid’ ,” the statement concludes.

At Urbaniana University, the spotlight is on the relevance of "Contextual Theology," at the service of the mission

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:01:29 +0200

Rome – In his opening address at the Pontifical Urbaniana University on May 12, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, spoke about the doctrine of just war in his contribution to the discussion on contextual theology. “Let’s consider, for example, the doctrine of just war. It is true that this doctrine contains elements that are still relevant today. The problem is that there are now Catholic groups in politics who, encouraged by priests, use this doctrine to justify all wars as forms of ‘legitimate defense.’ Starting from a supposedly urgent need for defense, they relativize or interpret the requirements for a just war very broadly. This demonstrates the need to adapt this doctrine to the current context, to rethink it, and to make it more precise and meaningful,” he explained.

Contextual theology as a space for discernment

Contextual theology can help to rethink classical categories and avoid their instrumental use, thus appearing as an instrument of theological discernment rather than a breeding ground for relativism. The Study Day entitled “Milestones of Contextual Theology Today” following the welcome address by the Rector, Professor Vincenzo Buonomo, primarily used this compelling example to examine the significance of this “fundamentally contextual theology,” to which Pope Francis had explicitly called in his motu proprio “Ad theologiam promovendam.” Professor Steve Bevans, another high-ranking guest at the conference, described it as a “true magisterial turning point.”

To illustrate the topic, Cardinal Fernandez also drew on his personal experience and recalled an important episode. In a 2007 article, he defended the Salvadoran Jesuit priest Jon Sobrino, a figure of liberation theology, against whose writings the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had issued a Notification. The subject was a statement by Sobrino that, in Latin American theological reflection, the poor constitute a theological point of reference that shapes the reflection from the very beginning. The Notification opposed this approach, stating that “the fundamental theological point of reference can only be the faith of the Church,” but concluded, above all, that “other starting points for theological work carry the risk of being arbitrary and ultimately distorting its content.”

In this context, the Cardinal emphasized: “For this reason, I argued in that article that while the faith of the Church is the fundamental starting point, the most important theological point of reference, but this does not preclude other complementary, non-alternative starting points that call into question any reflection ‘from the beginning.’
And in this sense, I proposed speaking of an ‘inevitable immediate context’ that is closely linked to the fundamental starting point, Revelation.”

When the Cardinal was appointed Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina in 2010, this article provoked reservations in Rome and delayed the Vatican’s necessary “nihil obstat” for his appointment. Following an exchange with the Dicastery, he published a second text in 2011 in which he reaffirmed his convictions but clarified some passages, adding, among other things: “It is precisely the faith of the Church that provides the most solid and profound basis for seeing the poor as God sees them and for caring for their situation,” and that “no one recognizes attacks on the dignity of the marginalized better than those who are enlightened by the faith of the Church.” He further argued that the mere acceptance of the Church’s tradition could make us indifferent to the history in which God has placed us if we are not simultaneously open to what is happening around us: “That is why I re-proposed the expression 'unavoidable immediate context,' explaining that this context is unavoidable because ‘when a theologian reflects, he cannot completely ignore or disregard the painful situation suffered by the majority of God’s people in their place of residence,’ and that the context ‘invites those who receive Revelation to discover further aspects of its inexhaustible richness’.”

The Cardinal concluded his reflections by noting that “theological dialogue with context and every effort at inculturation must proceed from the heart of the Gospel, the kerygma, and not from peripheral truths. This initial proclamation is not found only at the beginning, when the Gospel first encounters a person. It is transversal; it must permeate all catechesis and all theology in all its themes as a central and constant thread . It is proclamation that awakens the experience of encountering the living Christ. From there springs every process of encountering the Gospel in the context of a specific place.”

Contextuality over time

Following Cardinal Fernández, the renowned missiologist Professor Stephen Bevans recalled that November 1, 2023, marked a milestone with the apostolic letter “Ad Theologiam Promovendam.” In it, Pope Francis calls for a paradigm shift toward a theology that is “fundamentally context-based.” Bevans also demonstrated how this orientation is rooted in the long history of theology. From the various biblical voices to the great syntheses of the Church Fathers Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, faith is always conceived based on concrete historical situations. The statement of the Council of Nicaea that the incarnate Word is "of the same substance as the Father" illustrates this dynamic: doctrine was able to incorporate the expressions and forms of thought of contemporary philosophy without betraying the faith. Bevans also sees Pope Leo XIII's encyclical "Rerum Novarum" as a context-based theology that arose in response to the effects of the Industrial Revolution.

Professor and Father Ambroise Atakpa, for his part, closely linked contextual theology and cultural pluralism. "Contextual theology and cultural pluralism are two sides of the same coin," he explained; the former is a consequence of the latter. He recalled the 1659 Instruction to missionaries in China and Indochina, which warned: “Nothing is more absurd than wanting to bring France, Spain, Italy, or any other part of Europe to China. It is not all of this that you must bring, but faith—a faith that neither rejects nor offends the way of life nor the customs of any people,” provided they do not contradict the Gospel.

In connection with the Second Vatican Council, he highlighted the text of the International Theological Commission, “The Unity of Faith and Theological Pluralism” . One of its theses states that “unity and plurality in the expression of faith find their ultimate ground in the mystery of Christ himself,” which “transcends the expressive possibilities of any historical epoch.” Another thesis states that “because of the universal and missionary nature of the Christian faith, the events and words revealed by God must be constantly reconsidered, reformulated, and lived out in every human culture,” while the Gospel leads each culture “to its fullness” and simultaneously subjects it to “creative critique.”

Five Continents in dialogue

The second part of the study day illustrated these perspectives with concrete examples through lectures by theologians from the institutes affiliated with the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Oceania, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

In Oceania, theology is literally emerging from the rising sea level. Faced with the threat to islands like Kiribati and Tuvalu, “many live in fear of losing their fonua , which is so closely tied to their identity and sense of belonging,” explained Father Toutaiolepo, who had undertaken a twenty-hour flight to attend the conference. In this context, he emphasized, “theology becomes a prophetic voice that denounces injustice and advocates for environmental protection,” very much in the spirit of “Gaudium et Spes” and “Laudato Si’.”

In Latin America, Juan Antonio Prado recalled that liberation theology arose from the interplay of poverty and neoliberal politics. Ignacio Ellacuría spoke of the “poor of the earth” as the place where the truth of the Gospel is decided. Gustavo Gutiérrez stressed that “progress in liberation theology will not be possible unless the poor themselves do not find their hope,” starting from their own world and in their own terms.” From this perspective, the poor are not merely the object, but the subject of theological reflection.

However, Europe faces a different kind of crisis, observed Professor Giuseppe Busani. The Jesuit Christoph Theobald describes a “spiritual emptiness” in a context where, according to Busani, “an intense search for spirituality” is manifest, but one that is “uncertain and disoriented.” There is “a feeling without words, a premonition without concepts”: God is not denied, but rather “considered indifferently.” Echoing Elmar Salmann, Busani emphasizes that we have moved from an era in which “the spirit triumphed over the body, unity over diversity” to a world where diversity, the body, historicity, and emotion prevail, without anyone knowing “what to do with them theologically.” Hence the idea of no longer presenting Christianity as an “ideological truth” but as an “inviting motif,” where the mysteries of faith are more like “spaces and paths” than obstacles to be erected.

Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha recalled that in Asia, mission—in accordance with the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences—is understood as a “threefold dialogue” with the poor, with cultures, and with religions. Referring to the Anubhava-Vichāra-ācāra method, he cited Michael Amaladoss: “In the East, experience takes center stage. Practice is more important than theory; practice nourishes theory and sometimes challenges it.” He pointed out how Asian theologies strive for an inclusive language in which “reality is dialogical, holistic, and harmonious,” and in which they prefer to speak of the Absolute as “an Absolute within the Relative.”

Finally, in Africa, Father Michel Wenceslas Tiendrebéogo retraced the path of a "theology in a sub-Saharan context": from "adaptation" to "incarnation," then to liberation and reconstruction. African theologians sought in their own cultures images that could express Christ—“Ancestor,” “Elder brother,” “Master of Initiation,” “Healer,” “Leader”—and the option of the “Church as the family of God,” promoted by John Paul II, is, in his view, “the effective fruit of the dialogue between African theology and its context.”

A Theological Catholicity

In conclusion, the study day at the Pontifical Urbaniana University outlined a theological openness in which local theologies enter into a critical and fruitful dialogue. In his inaugural address, Cardinal Fernández warned against an intellectual blockage centered on “classical Roman theology” and “Northern European” theology: “Sometimes it takes a madman, someone who loves his country and his people with all his heart, and who can distinguish the Gospel from certain cultural layers that have settled there, without, however, identifying an essential part of its message. He must then reread it in light of the experiences of his people. The aim is to initiate something that we would describe not only as a ‘spiritual event’ but also as a ‘cultural and linguistic event’ that enables people to fully rediscover themselves in the message of the Gospel,” he explained.

Steve Bevans also recalled that, while contextual theologies are an imperative, they are only one stage in a process whose next phase could be a "new theological catholicity," in which local theologies enter into critical and fruitful dialogue with one another to mutually enrich one another. "Theology can flourish only if it is in contact with the peoples of the whole world, with the whole Church," he stated. "I believe that the more open we are to others, the more our contextual theologies will flourish in their specificity. Theologies should never isolate themselves from one another. Theologies can always learn from one another."

This long walk through contextual theology is crucial because it shows that reflection on mission and inculturation cannot be satisfied with empty phrases and slogans. Engaging with situations and contexts, which by no means leads to relativism or the sacralization of cultures, on the contrary, offers a more refined approach to the complexity of reality and the intelligence of faith – at the service of the mission.

EUROPE/BELGIUM - Confirmation of the Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:40:20 +0200

Vatican City - On May 5, 2026, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization , confirmed Fr. Théogène Havugimana, of the diocese of Nyundo, Rwanda, as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Belgium for the five-year period 2026-2031 . EG

AFRICA/COTE I’IVOIRE - Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Abidjan

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:25:27 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Aguia Jean Martial Arnaud Kouamé, until now parish priest of Saint Ambroise Ma vigne, Ma Vie, as auxiliary bishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, assigning him the titular see of Sutunurca.
Msgr. Aguia Jean Martial Arnaud Kouamé was born on 26 March 1977 in Abidjan. He obtained a licentiate in philosophy and a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Saint Paul VI University Seminary.
He was ordained a priest on 15 January 2005 for the metropolitan archdiocese of Abidjan.
After ordination, he first held the office of parish vicar of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Abidjan and of Saint François d’Assise de la Zinsel in Strasbourg . He obtained a licentiate in canon law and a master’s degree in philosophy and in history and philosophy of science at the University of Strasbourg, and went on to serve as parish vicar of Bonne Nouvelle in Hem and Saint Fiacre in Dunkerque . He was awarded a licentiate in moral theology at the University of Lille and a doctorate in Ethique, Option Ethique et Religion at the University of Strasbourg , and held the offices of parish vicar of Notre Dame du Chêne du Pays de Fleckenstein in Strasbourg , parish priest of Saint François Xavier d’Abobo, Abidjan , and parish priest of Saint Ambroise Ma vigne Ma Vie, Abidjan .

AFRICA/KENYA - Appointment of bishop of Wote

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:21:19 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, until now auxiliary bishop and apostolic administrator sede vacante of the diocese of Wote, Kenya, as bishop of the same see.
Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe was born on 26 November 1962 in Gatundu, and was ordained a priest on 18 June 1994.
He was appointed titular bishop of Thubunae in Numidia and auxiliary of Nairobi on 13 February 2024, receiving episcopal consecration on 6 April 2024. Subsequently, on 5 July 2025, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Wote and, on 16 September 2025, he was appointed apostolic administrator sede plena of the same diocese. Since 25 March 2026 he has served as apostolic administrator sede vacante of the diocese of Wote.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - After being kidnapped in February: Father Nathaniel Asuwaye is free

Wed, 13 May 2026 12:17:46 +0200

Abuja – Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, who was kidnapped on February 7, 2026, has been released . The Diocese of Kafanchan informed the faithful of this in a statement on May 12: “With deep gratitude to God, we announce the release of Father Nathaniel Asuwaye after three months of captivity.” “We are pleased to inform you,” the statement, sent to Fides, continues, “that Father Nathaniel is now safe and receiving the necessary medical care. His condition is stable, he is in good spirits, and he thanks you for your prayers and support.”
Father Nathaniel, parish priest of the Holy Trinity Church in Karku, Kaura County, Kaduna State, was kidnapped from his rectory in the early morning of February 7, along with ten parishioners, by armed men . At least three people were killed in the attack.
"After the kidnapping," the diocese recalls, "we called upon the faithful to pray for his release." "At the end of April, we dedicated the month of May to incessant prayers during our annual devotions and other prayers, especially during Holy Mass" . "God, who does not abandon those who bear his name and call upon him, has heard our prayers and granted Father Nathaniel's safe return," concludes the statement by Father Jacob Shanet, Diocesan Chancellor. There is currently no news about the fate of the ten other people who were kidnapped along with the priest. Following the release of Father Nathaniel, at least two other priests remain in the hands of kidnappers. These are Father Joseph Igweagu from the Diocese of Aguleri in Anambra State, who was kidnapped on October 12, 2022 , and Father Emmanuel Ezema from the Diocese of Zaria in Kaduna State, who was kidnapped on December 2, 2025 .

ASIA/CAMBODIA - Apostolic Prefect Figaredo: “To overcome the stalemate in the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, everyone must do their part”

Wed, 13 May 2026 11:42:33 +0200

Battambang – “We must not give in to indifference or hatred. It is necessary to explore peaceful solutions to resolve the conflict on the border with Thailand and try to restore full harmony and stability,” Bishop Enrique Figaredo, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, a region affected by the presence of refugees following the armed conflict on the border between Thailand and Cambodia in 2015, told Fides. The two countries signed an armed truce in December 2025 and are currently in a state of diplomatic stalemate, regulated by a ceasefire. Large-scale fighting has stopped, but the borders remain closed and political tensions continue to be very high.
Bishop Figaredo, who is also president of Caritas Cambodia, is constantly striving to visit and encourage thousands of people displaced by the conflict. His presence in places and situations marked by hardship seeks to bear witness to closeness and solidarity, with material aid, but also to express God's love for the most vulnerable.
The Apostolic Prefect of Battambang has visited displaced families in recent days, bringing solidarity and comfort. Among them was a Christian family from Battambang who recently moved to temporary housing provided by the government in the Svay Chek district of Banteay Meanchey province, after their home was attacked and subsequently occupied by Thai soldiers. The bishop recounts: “I prayed with them, we read the Word of God, and I blessed their new home. This blessing was not only a wish for peace and well-being, but also a reminder that they remain under the constant and loving protection of the Lord.” Moreover, Bishop Figaredo hopes for the reopening of all border crossings, which were previously used by thousands of Cambodians and Thais for work. “But to achieve this, it is necessary to rebuild trust and understanding based on mutual respect. We urge politicians to abandon hate speech and focus on ways to resolve the dispute,” he states. “Both sides today could avoid dwelling on minor details or disagreements and instead look toward the greater good of their people: an end to the war and lasting peace,” he adds. “Growing nationalism in both countries has exacerbated the situation, using historical claims to garner domestic support,” he explains. The issue is not merely territorial. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of Cambodian sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, but the surrounding area, approximately 4.6 square kilometers, remains in dispute. “In addition to territorial issues, the situation also involves politics and emotions,” he remarks. Factors such as “national sovereignty, governance, and historical legacies, as well as emotional aspects like nationalism, pride, and the delicate history between the two countries,” come into play. “In this situation,” the Prefect observes, “the role of civil society and the media is important, as they can help reduce, or unfortunately, increase, tensions between the two countries.” Therefore, “we urge a collective effort to minimize inflammatory rhetoric and focus on de-escalating the situation.” “The negativity surrounding the conflict,” he notes, “has been fueled by disinformation and exaggerated media narratives. It is urgent to break the cycle of mutual provocations and promote a new approach based on respect, reconciliation, and peace. Everyone must and can do their part, on both sides of the border.”

OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Cardinal Bo to the Pontifical Mission Societies: "Your collaboration with us is not just charity, it is communion"

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:38:06 +0200

Sydney – Not just charity, but communion. This is how Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, defined the commitment of the National Direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Australia to the people of Myanmar. He made this statement at the opening of the biannual plenary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in Sydney, which he attended last week.
The Archbishop of Yangon said his country was going through simultaneous economic, employment, social, health and education crises.
“Your solidarity is not an abstract idea; it is a light in the darkness,” he said. “Your support reminds our suffering people they are not forgotten by the universal Church.” The Salesian Cardinal added that the centenary of the establishment of World Mission Sunday reminds us that mission is “not just the work of missionaries, but the responsibility of the whole Church.”
Cardinal Bo asked for prayers for the people of Myanmar and then, together with the bishops, presided over a brief ceremony to install the new National Director of Catholic Mission, Peter Gates. “Cardinal Bo’s presence with all the Bishops of Australia and his engagement with so many Australians during his time with us exemplified in gestures, word and action Pope Leo’s theme and focus for World Mission Sunday: ‘One in Christ, United in Mission’, Peter Gates told Fides. “Such graced moments are wonderful signs of hope for all people and a world in much need of unity, peace and love.”

AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Violence and attacks continue in Cabo Delgado province: Bishop of Quelimane calls for prayer

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:21:14 +0200

Quelimane – The Islamist insurgency continues in Cabo Delgado province. Recent attacks in districts such as Nangade, Mocímboa da Praia, and in the southern areas have targeted civilians, soldiers, missionaries, and miners, causing deaths, burning homes, and displacing hundreds of people. A raid in Namacuili caused at least four dead, while armed groups are attacking the districts of Ancuabe and Macomia. “The situation seems out of control,” Bishop Osório Citora Afonso, IMC, of the Diocese of Quelimane, told Fides. “The attacks continue, always in the same areas, and the population is terrified. Women, in particular, are experiencing very difficult situations. Beyond what is reported in the news, the destruction continues; there are many victims and Christians who have been killed. I invite everyone to pray for us,” concluded the Consolata missionary, who is also the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Beira.

In total, more than one million people have been displaced by the conflict. Clashes with Mozambican and Rwandan forces continue, with reports of soldiers killed and insurgent incursions. Furthermore, humanitarian access remains difficult. Rwanda's National Institute for Disaster Management has warned that humanitarian aid in the northern province of Cabo Delgado is under pressure due to a combination of terrorist attacks, floods, and flooding, which are affecting the same communities. In a statement released by local authorities, INGD delegate in Cabo Delgado, Marques Naba, noted that the humanitarian response must adapt to "a complex and simultaneous scenario." Naba stated that 4,570 homes have been affected during the current rainy season, of which 1,316 have been destroyed. On a positive note, more than 600,000 people who had been previously displaced by the conflict in Cabo Delgado have returned to their places of origin. The government and regional forces are actively involved, but the situation is generating an increasingly serious humanitarian crisis.

ASIA/CHINA - New Church in the Diocese of Wenzhou dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:14:40 +0200

Wenzhou – The consecration and opening of a new church dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Patron Saint of missions, marks a new beginning for the faith and commitment of the Catholic community of Zhaoyang, part of the Shuitou parish in Pingyang County, Zhejiang Province. The small coastal community in the Diocese of Wenzhou, historically composed mainly of fishing families, celebrated the consecration and opening of its new parish church on May 4. Around 2,000 parishioners participated in the celebrations. Father Hu Longjian celebrated the Mass of thanksgiving, concelebrated by parish priest Lin Shengli and 20 other diocesan priests, who gathered around the altar before the statue of Saint Thérèse, who will watch over the community's path.
The new church is both solemn and simple, inviting contemplation. Members of the community had long expressed the desire to dedicate the new church to the Saint of the “Little Way”. The construction and consecration of the new church also represent a testimony of faith.
As the parish priest emphasizes, the Catholic faith has a long history in the Zhaoyang region. The baptized live their belonging to the Catholic Church with simplicity and joy in their daily lives, helping one another and performing small acts of charity. In this spirit, they have always been united by a shared devotion to Saint Thérèse, whose example offers them comfort and perfectly reflects the humility, devotion, and charity of the small community. The church was made possible thanks to the dedication of the diocesan priests and the spiritual and material generosity of all the faithful, who contributed according to their means through donations and labor. Now the entire community finds in the church a place to pray, to receive the sacraments, and to experience fraternal communion in the face of the demands and challenges of everyday life.

AFRICA/GHANA - Elevation to diocese of the apostolic vicariate of Donkorkrom, Ghana, and appointment of first bishop

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:04:51 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has elevated the apostolic vicariate of Donkorkrom, Ghana, to a diocese, with the same name and territorial configuration, making it a suffragan of the metropolitan see of Accra.
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop John Alphonse Asiedu, S.V.D., until now vicar apostolic of Donkorkrom, as first bishop of Donkorkrom, Ghana.

STATISTICAL DATA

The diocese of Donkorkrom is in the east of Ghana. It has an area of 5,040 km² and a population of 228,754 inhabitants, of whom 37,462 are Catholic. The diocese consists of 9 parishes, 14 educational institutions, and 3 charitable institutions. There are 14 diocesan priests, 8 religious priests and 22 nuns working there; there are 2 seminarians.

AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Appointment of vicar apostolic of Tierradento

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:01:39 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Homero Marín Arboleda, C.M., until now parish priest of Saint Anthony of Padua on Kiriwina Island and of Blessed John Mazzucconi on Woodlark Island, Papua New Guinea, as vicar apostolic of Tierradento, Colombia.
Msgr. Homero Marín Arboleda, C.M., was born on 17 November 1959 in Circasia, Quindio, Colombia. He studied philosophy at the Seminario Mayor La Milagrosa in Medellín, and theology at the Seminario Villa Paúl.
He was ordained a priest on 21 November 1987 for the Congregation of the Mission.
After ordination, he held the roles of parish vicar and parish priest in Vitoncó; vice rector and professor at the Seminario Indígena Páez ; parish priest of Willa ; rector of the minor seminary of Páez, and professor at the major seminary. He was awarded a licentiate in missiology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome , and went on to serve as provincial counsellor in Colombia , formator of the Seminario Indígena Páez and rector of the Seminario Mayor La Milagrosa in Medellín ; vice rector of the seminary in Bomana, Papua New Guinea , parish priest of Holy Name of Jesus in Bomana ; superior of the Lazarist Mission in Papua New Guinea ; parish priest of Saint Anthony of Padua on Kiriwina Island and of Blessed John Mazzucconi on Woodlark Island .

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Bishops on the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President: "Truth must come to light and justice must prevail"

Tue, 12 May 2026 13:51:03 +0200

Manila – The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte are “a democratic demonstration of accountability” and not “political persecution,” remarked Bishop José Colin Bagaforo, Bishop of Kidapawan, coordinator of the "Interreligious Council of Leaders for National Transformation, in which representatives of religious communities, civil society organizations, associations, unions, and student movements unite to raise public awareness of the problem of corruption through nationwide initiatives.
The House of Representatives has approved a second impeachment proceeding against Vice President Sara Duterte, following the first in 2025. The charges of corruption, bribery, illegal wealth, misappropriation of public funds, and threatening Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have been reinstated. The lower house voted 257 in favor, 25 against, with 9 abstentions, to impeach Sara Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. If the Senate confirms the proceedings, Sara Duterte will be removed from office and permanently barred from holding public office, effectively ending her political career.
Sara Duterte was previously impeached in 2025 on other charges, but the Supreme Court dismissed the case on procedural grounds. In a public statement, Bishop Bagaforo remarked, “Impeachment is a constitutional and democratic process designed to ensure that public officials entrusted with immense power, remain accountable to the people.” He emphasized that “no citizen should fear a fair trial.” According to Bishop Bagaforo, who is also president of the Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue, Sara Duterte should see this process as "an opportunity for the public rehabilitation of her name," while a rejection "could further undermine trust in the government, especially in a country long plagued by allegations of corruption." He hopes that the government, civil society, the judiciary, and the public will work together so that "the impeachment process proceeds peacefully and transparently" and "the truth comes to light and justice prevails."
At this stage in Philippine history, the nation's future is at stake, declared Baptist lawmaker Bienvenido Abante, who emphasized that the case raises the question of whether one still believes that no one is above the law. The case now goes to the Senate, a 24-member body, more than half of whom are considered supporters and allies of the Duterte family after the 2025 midterm elections. For an impeachment trial to proceed, at least two-thirds of the senators, or 16 votes, would be required. In a statement released today, May 12, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines appealed to the senators to fulfill their constitutional duty by continuing the proceedings, hearing the evidence, and deciding the case based on truth, justice, and the rule of law. The bishops appealed to the senators, requesting "that the trial is not delayed and that the Senate be convened as an impeachment tribunal as soon as possible," according to the statement signed by Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the Philippine Bishops' Conference. The bishops warned the senators against actions that could be interpreted as "violating constitutional duties" or "undermining confidence in democratic institutions during a politically sensitive national trial." The Philippine bishops are urging citizens to “remain vigilant, monitor developments, and defend themselves against misinformation and fake news related to the impeachment proceedings.” “Our deepest desire and most fervent prayer is that the truth will come to light,” they declared. Referring to the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, the bishops call for prayers for the political leaders and the entire nation. Observers point out that this case highlights the conflict between the Duterte and Marcos families: Although representatives of both clans, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte, ran together and won the 2022 presidential election, the two families subsequently clashed politically. The rift deepened after the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was supported by the Marcos administration. He was arrested on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for murders related to his presidency's anti-drug campaign. The trial is still ongoing.