Fides News - English

ASIA/PAKISTAN - A bill to protect religious minority property in Punjab

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:47:44 +0100

Lahore - A bill entitled "Protection of Minority Community Properties Bill 2026," intended as a comprehensive measure to protect the property of religious minorities throughout Punjab province, has been submitted to the Punjab Assembly for consideration and voting in its next session. The bill, prepared by the Assembly's Standing Committee on Minority Affairs, covers not only religious institutions such as churches and temples, but also properties such as land, buildings, schools, and institutes acquired through government grants, public funds, donations, and charitable contributions. With the bill supported by a majority backing the current provincial government, there is a good chance it will be approved.
The bill proposes the establishment of a special committee to ensure the protection of all minority property in Punjab. This committee will compile a complete inventory of properties in the province and monitor for illegal occupation and misuse of these properties. It will also provide the government with recommendations for its administration and assist minorities in resolving any legal issues they may face.
Father Qaisar Feroz OFM Cap, parish priest from Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, and spokesperson for the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, told Fides: “This bill seems right to us; it addresses an important issue: many properties, such as schools, buildings, and land, were nationalized in the past and are still state-owned or illegally occupied by Muslims who use them for private purposes. If the law helps to recognize and protect our rights, it would be a positive sign from the government authorities,” he noted. “As a Christian community, we ask for protection and assure our full cooperation with the police,” he added, noting that the protection of churches by security personnel, especially during major religious holidays, is also a welcome measure. Christians, who constitute a small minority in Pakistan , have experienced both the past nationalization campaign and the illegal occupation of property by individuals or organizations as attempts to restrict their cultural and religious influence.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - A sixth man suspected of participating in the Pentecost massacre has been arrested

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:39:35 +0100

Abuja – A sixth man suspected of involvement in the attack on St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022 , has been arrested. He is Sani Yusuf, who was arrested in Edo State after nearly four years on the run.
An arrest warrant had been issued for him in connection with the massacre. Yusuf's arrest was carried out by the Nigerian Department of State Services , which was tasked with capturing the perpetrators of the St. Francis Xavier Church massacre. The attack killed 40 people, including children, and injured over 160. The DSS investigation has already brought five people to justice. Eleven witnesses testified against Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza , Al Qasim Idris , Jamiu Abdulmalik , Abdulhaleem Idris , and Momoh Otuho Abubakar in the trial that began in August 2025. The defendants pleaded not guilty. According to Nigerian authorities, Yusuf is a high-ranking commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province , a group that emerged from a splinter group of Boko Haram and is responsible for numerous attacks in northeastern Nigeria and parts of the central region. ISWAP primarily operated in the Lake Chad Basin but has long since demonstrated its ability to strike outside its traditional strongholds. During the trial, it emerged that one of the defendants allegedly traveled to Adavi on June 4, 2022, to rent a vehicle and subsequently picked up weapons, including five AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices . The group reportedly conducted a rehearsal before spending the night together before the massacre. On the morning of June 5, the defendants drove to the church in a rented Volkswagen Golf, carrying the weapons hidden in bags. Upon arrival, they opened fire on worshippers attending the Pentecost Mass and detonated explosives. The attack in Owo is considered a turning point for the public's sense of security in southern Nigeria. While extremist violence had been largely confined to the northeast for over a decade, the attack on a church in Ondo State raised fears that the activities of jihadist groups could spread to other areas previously spared by their attacks.

AMERICA/PERU - Bishops after floods and landslides in the Arequipa region: “Mutual support is essential to address these painful realities”

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:44:32 +0100

Arequipa – A severe wave of bad weather has battered the Arequipa region in recent days, destroying homes and vehicles. Families have been forced to evacuate their houses. More than 4,782 people have been affected, and 142 have been displaced. 469 houses, eight bridges, two health facilities, and 45.65 kilometers of roads have been damaged. The material damage was immense, and basic water and electricity supplies were disrupted. An Air Force helicopter crashed during a rescue operation. All 15 occupants, including seven minors, were killed. These estimates were released by the National Institute for Civil Protection . Governor Rohel Sánchez requested the deployment of heavy vehicles and a census of affected households. During a site visit, he announced the establishment of emergency shelters and the distribution of tents, blankets, and food. These measures were initiated in coordination with INDECI and the Regional Disaster Management Center of Arequipa.

The Peruvian Episcopal Conference responded immediately, expressing its deep regret over the recent events. It offered its support to the affected families and asked for prayer and unity during this time of mourning. “In light of the recent events that have plunged our country into deep sorrow, we express our deepest condolences, solidarity, and sympathy to the families grieving the loss of their loved ones in the disasters,” the Peruvian bishops stated. “We join in the prayers for the deceased in Arequipa and for the communities of the 16 districts severely affected by the landslides and storms,” declared Carlos Enrique García Camader, President of the Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Lurín, on behalf of the bishops. The prelate also expressed his deepest condolences to the Peruvian Air Force and the families of the 15 victims of the plane crash. "The loss of these victims brings great sorrow to the families and the entire nation," he affirmed. "In these moments of grief and shock, we ask for compassion, unity, and fraternal solidarity, recognizing that mutual support is essential to address these painful realities."

A hidden tragedy: worldwide childbirth deaths are concentrated in war zones

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:36:51 +0100

Geneva – In war zones, neglected maternal protection has become an emergency. There, everyone's life is threatened, and attention regarding the risks and hardships faced by pregnant women and unborn children is fading. This is yet another side effect of the dehumanizing process triggered by armed conflict. In response, the World Health Organization recently pointed out that up to 60% of pregnancy-related deaths globally occur in countries at war or in countries characterized by strong political and social instability.

The "Maternal Mortality Ratio" Report shows that maternal mortality rates are extremely high in war zones, with 504 women dying per 100,000 pregnancies.

WHO also released other data, providing a more complete picture of the situation. In politically unstable countries, the maternal mortality rate is 368 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies. In countries that do not fall into either of these categories, the maternal mortality rate is 99 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies.

Countries at war face another, even more severe reality and situation: approximately 10% of the world's women of childbearing age live in these countries. They may become victims of sexual violence used as weapons of war or face pregnancies resulting from rape. The lack of adequate medical services further exacerbates the risks faced by women in these countries.
The problem is most prevalent in Africa. According to the World Health Organization's classification, based on data from the World Bank as of 2023, the regions with the highest number of conflicts are concentrated here. The Sahel region and sub-Saharan Africa are the most severely affected, with countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique being among the worst hit.
In sub-Saharan Africa, maternal mortality rates have soared in both war-torn and socially unstable countries, with more than 500 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies. Other regions with high maternal mortality rates include the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
In the Middle East, deaths are concentrated in unstable countries; in South Asia, they are concentrated in conflict-ridden countries such as Afghanistan. Some countries long affected by conflict and ongoing violence have taken steps to address this problem. The World Health Organization views these measures as a positive attempt to contain the emergency in an extremely tragic context.
Colombia has taken similar steps, strengthening its local healthcare network aimed at promoting the possibility of giving birth in safe conditions. Ethiopia has established mobile medical teams and trained midwives to address this issue—a significant contribution to maternal and child care is also carried out by Doctors for Africa-CUAMM." They have done extensive work in maternal and child care while improving healthcare services for pregnant women. Haiti, a country long plagued by terrible social unrest and ongoing violence, has also followed Ethiopia's lead in striving to ensure basic healthcare services for pregnant women.

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Jesuit Fr. Alejo: "The spirit of EDSA calls us to a responsibility in the present"

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:34:00 +0100

Manila – "For 40 years, the Philippine education system has failed to convey the spirit of the EDSA revolution. Textbooks do not fully explain what happened during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and the violence and serious human rights violations are overlooked. As a result, new generations lack an awareness of the significance of this dark period," Jesuit Father Albert Alejo, anthropologist and lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Pontifical Gregorian University and Ateneo de Manila University, told Fides. The Philippines is commemorating the 40th anniversary of the so-called EDSA revolution. In 1986, over two million people peacefully demonstrated on Epifanio de Los Santos Avenue for the resignation of dictator Marcos, who fled abroad. The regime ended without bloodshed. “In 1986,” recalls Father Alejo, “we experienced a glorious moment with the People’s Revolution. It was a blessing, a promise, a challenge. Thanks to the non-violent demonstration, a new phase began in the country’s history, and a new constitution in 1987 gave the country a more democratic character and a more democratic vision, creating space for civil society.” “While reforms were initiated,” the Jesuit continues, “many were not fully implemented in the following years. For example, crony capitalism persists, as do the numerous political dynasties, some of which are regional. The education system also failed to integrate the spirit of that era into textbooks, so that new generations are convinced that the dictatorship wasn’t so bad after all.” “One could say that the preservation of the original commitment was neglected, and that is why it failed,” he observes, especially since the attempt at “historical revisionism,” which aimed to erase the Philippines’ dark past from the national narrative, appears to have been successful in some respects. At that time, Father Alejo recalls, “the Catholic Church played a leading role in the struggle to defend and promote human dignity at all levels.” “Today,” he continues, “the spirit of the EDSA revolution presents a challenge and a responsibility. Today, a new opportunity presents itself to the entire nation. The Catholic Church, which continues to be a moral compass, also bears a great responsibility.” “The anti-corruption movement that emerged in the Philippines last year— in the wake of scandals surrounding natural disaster prevention projects that were funded but never implemented—is connected to this and calls us to fight the true enemy: negligence and indifference. It is time to take responsibility, and every Catholic, the entire Christian community, plays a crucial role,” Father Alejo concluded.

ASIA/MYANMAR - A new church opens amidst conflict to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:26:32 +0100

Yangon - A church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – a devotion that is gaining increasing importance in Myanmar during a time of war and suffering – was opened in the Archdiocese of Yangon, a city in central Myanmar, to mark the establishment of a new parish. This brings the total number of parishes in the archdiocese to 53. The Catholic Sacred Heart Church in the village of Sauk Wain Gyi was consecrated in mid-February and entrusted to Father Leo Kyaw Win, the first priest of the new parish. The Sacred Heart Parish sees itself as a central hub for the Catholic communities of several villages on the outskirts of Yangon. Over 800 faithful participated in the Eucharistic celebration, during which the new church was officially handed over to the community. In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun of Yangon wanted to emphasize that the keystone is love, which flows from the Sacred Heart: “Love is omnipresent. One can say that love is the origin of everything. God is love,” he said. Inspired by the Gospel story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, Bishop Raymond highlighted that “true compassion transcends feelings and is expressed through action.” He reminded that “God’s love transcends boundaries and reaches even the most difficult moments of life,” such as those currently experienced by the Burmese people in a country ravaged by civil war for five years. In a brief message to the faithful, Archbishop Charles Maug Bo of Yangon drew a parallel between the village of Sauk Wain Gyi and Nazareth. “Although Nazareth was considered insignificant, it gave rise to the Redeemer of the world,” he emphasized. The small village of Sauk Wain Gyi has already gifted the Catholic community with two priests, the Cardinal said. He expressed his hope that the new parish would become a center for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a source of peace and charity. The establishment of the Sacred Heart Parish is part of efforts to strengthen the pastoral work of the Church of Yangon in rural areas and is intended to be a sign of growth and evangelization that continues even in times of hardship, deprivation, and uncertainty. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is based on Christ's love for humanity, symbolized by his pierced heart. Originating from the revelations to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century, it is expressed through prayer, personal and communal consecration, and the celebration of the Eucharist on the first Fridays of the month, which promises spiritual graces and peace.

AMERICA/MEXICO - Civil and religious authorities unite to protect the country from further violence and restore peace

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:07:27 +0100

Mexico City – A few days after the killing of the leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generacion , Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho', chaos reigns throughout the country. Armed clashes, arrests, fires, and looting are commonplace. This brutal wave of violence, which has engulfed several regions, particularly the western state of Jalisco and other states in central and north-central Mexico, is causing great concern. Ten thousand soldiers have been deployed nationwide to protect the population, especially in Jalisco.

On Sunday, February 22, following the capture and killing of “El Mencho,” the government called on citizens to stay home and avoid crowds. The country's bishops also appealed to the population to "strengthen personal and communal safety precautions, stay in their homes if necessary, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow the instructions of the civil authorities."

"We are aware of the difficult times we face as a society. Therefore, I deliver a message of peace and appeal to everyone to work together for the common good and to promote the justice and social peace that are so urgently needed," said Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, Archbishop of Mexico City, in an address to priests, deacons, members of religious orders, members of institutes of consecrated life, and the laity. The Cardinal invited them to "pray to God the Father in all circumstances of life and ask for his help so that we may regain the harmony and social fraternity that are so urgently needed. As a pilgrim Church in Mexico, we are committed to peace in all areas of our country."

News agencies are reporting details of the arrest and subsequent killing of the criminal boss. After the hideout in the state of Jalisco was located on Friday, February 20, security forces prepared the operation, which was to begin two days later. From there, the military, National Guard, Air Force, and Navy launched operations that resulted in the seizure of weapons, including rocket launchers and machine guns. Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch stated that Oseguera Cervantes was killed during his arrest and that at least 74 people, including 25 National Guard officers, died in the firefight. "We must stand together," declared Pablo Lemus, Governor of Jalisco, who announced the resumption of all activities for today, Tuesday, February 24.

ASIA/CHINA - Called and led to true happiness. The "Program for the practice of charity" for the Lenten journey of the Parish of Lucheng

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:57:01 +0100

Wenzhou – Fasting and other forms of penance that Catholics practice during Lent are not self-imposed deprivations for the sake of self-satisfaction, but arise from gratitude for the gift of true peace and authentic happiness. With this spirit, the parish of Lucheng, in the Diocese of Wenzhou , continues its Lenten journey, which began with the celebrations of Ash Wednesday on February 18.

Prayer, fasting, abstaining from meat, penitential prayers and vows, and above all, works of charity characterize the six weeks of Lent, during which the faithful follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who endured suffering and death to reach Resurrection. The focus of this time is St. Paul's Cathedral and other churches, chapels, and prayer rooms. The parish has developed a program to support all the faithful in observing the Lenten practices—both individually and communally—and to use them as opportunities for inner transformation through charity. By following the "Program for the Practice of Charity," which was distributed to parishioners in advance on the previous Sunday, each member of the Catholic community can be gradually guided on a path of charity and sharing through acts of kindness and acts of charity, leading up to Easter Eve.
The theme of the first week is "Awakening Love for God"; the second week focuses on "Practicing Self-Love"; the third week invites us to "Live Love for Our Families"; the fourth week broadens our horizons and encourages us to "Practice Love for others"; the fifth week is dedicated to "Renewal"; and the sixth and final week invites us, in the spirit of Jesus, to "Walk with Him" toward the mystery of the Resurrection.

The “Program for the Practice of Charity” aims to offer believers concrete and practical spiritual guidance, helping them to live and bear witness to their faith in everyday life during Lent, which prepares them for the coming of the risen Christ. During the solemn celebration of Ash Wednesday, participants received the ashes – a sign reminding each individual that they are a creature accepted, desired, and embraced by the love of God the Father, and called to move toward the peace and joy that Christ brings at Easter.

EUROPE/POLAND - Confirmation of the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:26:22 +0100

Vatican City - On February 13, 2026, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization , confirmed Rev. Fr. Maciej Bedzinski, of the diocese of Radom, as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Poland for the five-year term 2026-2031 .

AFRICA/DR CONGO - Fighting for the strategic coltan mine in Rubaya

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:23:26 +0100

Kinshasa – A fierce battle is raging in the Masisi region of North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for control of the strategically important coltan mine in Rubaya. This mining area was offered to the Trump administration by the Congolese government as part of a draft agreement. This agreement stipulates that, in exchange for military aid to the Congolese armed forces , the US would receive access to strategic minerals for its military and civilian industries. Coltan is used to produce tantalum, a heat-resistant metal used in the manufacture of semiconductors, aerospace components, computers, mobile phones, and gas turbines. The Rubaya mine contributes approximately 15% to global coltan production. Mining is carried out entirely by hand by local people who earn only a few dollars a day. Estimates suggest that investments of between $50 million and $150 million are needed to develop the mine into an industrial operation.
Rubaya lies within the territory controlled by the pro-Rwandan rebels of the M23/AFC , who seized large swathes of North and South Kivu provinces between January and February of last year. The government in Kinshasa must now regain control of the mines affected by the possible agreements. Currently, the offensive to recapture Rubaya is being led by members of the pro-government Wazalando militia. The recapture began on February 20, when fighters from Wazalando-affiliated groups launched a series of attacks in the Masisi area, targeting the mines in Rubaya.
Following the capture of the towns of Kasenyi, Chugi, and Kinigi, several local sources confirm the advance of the "Wazalando" forces on the villages of Runigi, Kabara, Kiruli, and Kanyalu, located approximately 10 kilometers from the minefield. The military offensive has led to population displacement in the affected areas: Since February 23, significant population movements have been observed in Rubaya. Fearing being caught in the crossfire, many families are fleeing their homes in haste. Some are seeking refuge in the direction of Ngungu, Bihambwe, and Mushaki, others in the direction of Goma, or crossing the border into the neighboring province of South Kivu. Most of the displaced people can only take the bare necessities with them. The offensive by the "Wazalando" militias is supported by armed drones from FARDC, which are bombing rebel positions. Paradoxically, these are highly likely Chinese-made drones being used in a military operation designed to reduce the US's dependence on Beijing-controlled supply chains. The list presented to US investors by the Democratic Republic of Congo includes, among other things, the Manono lithium deposits, the copper and cobalt mines of the mining company Chemaf in Upper Katanga and Lualaba, and the germanium-gallium mine in Lubumbashi.

AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Dignity, respect, action: open letter from Mozambican women to the country's First Lady

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:06:53 +0100

Maputo – “We don't want capulanas, we demand dignity and respect for the rights of all.” On the occasion of Mozambican Women's Day, to be celebrated on April 7, a group of women from the country addressed a message to Gueta Selemane Chapo, wife of President Daniel Francisco Chapo, after learning that colorful traditional Mozambican dresses will be distributed to commemorate the day.

“We have received news that they plan to distribute capulanas to all women in the country. On behalf of our mothers, daughters, sisters, and grandmothers, we express our profound indignation. Not because we don't value symbolic gestures, but because, at this moment, the Mozambican people are facing real and urgent suffering,” reads the statement sent to Fides and signed by a group of Mozambican women united in the name of dignity and the rights of all.

“Our children continue to die in hospitals under precarious conditions. Pregnant women sleep on beds without mattresses, women in labor wait for care without essential medicines, and families suffer from a lack of basic health services. We ask ourselves: what is there to celebrate? Celebrate the absence of decent hospitals? Celebrate the waste of public resources? Celebrate the inequality and violence that still persist in our country? We demand greater sensitivity. People are suffering and waiting for real solutions, not showy gestures.”

The women insist that state resources not be used for a symbolic gesture while so many lives are at risk. “We don’t want capulanas; we already have enough and we don’t need more. This initiative,” they emphasize, “doesn’t solve the real problems we face. The money allocated to this symbolic gift should be used to save lives, guarantee medicine, beds, food, and dignity for every woman, child, and family in Mozambique.”

“We demand respect for the right to dignity, health, and social justice. We are tired of the silence and inaction, tired of the propaganda while hospitals, schools, and families suffer. We demand that these funds be allocated where they are truly needed: to the lives of the women and children who suffer every day in our country,” they conclude.

AFRICA/DR CONGO - Five years after the assassination of Ambassador Attanasio, the situation in the east of the country has worsened

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:54:07 +0100

Kinshasa – On the fifth anniversary of the assassination of the Italian ambassador to Kinshasa, Luca Attanasio, Carabinieri officer Vittorio Iacovacci, and Mustafa Milabo, a driver for the World Food Programme – events that remain shrouded in mystery – the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is more serious than ever.
“Our situation is becoming increasingly catastrophic in North and South Kivu. The occupying Rwandan army, along with its administration in the controlled areas, is looting without restraint: it imposes multiple taxes, appropriates the profits of state-owned enterprises that cross the border daily, and forcibly collects insurance.” Furthermore, it subjects the population to beatings and humiliations for trivial reasons, simply to intimidate and instill fear. The M23/AFC, backed by Rwanda, is consolidating its administrative control in both provinces more and more each day. In short, we live under constant humiliation. However, the courage and resilience of the population remain strong. As for me, I continue to carry out my awareness-raising work as best I can, keeping a low profile. Your prayers are truly precious.” This is how a veteran of civil society in South Kivu expresses it, with an anguished but unresigned voice. After the failure of all the agreements solemnly signed in Washington and Doha , it is becoming increasingly clear that the true objective of the mediation was to seize the strategic mineral wealth of eastern DRC, wresting land from China and Russia. Meanwhile, the dialogue promoted by bishops and other religious leaders has stalled in the face of resistance from the country's president, and war and oppression continue on the ground. Although the occupying Rwandan army and the M23/AFC front rebel movements have left the city of Uvira , they remain in the surrounding area, and fighting continues in the nearby hills and mountains. Thousands of displaced Congolese live in abject poverty in Burundi, waiting to return home, but the border remains closed. The risk is that the DRC will continue to be the scene of proxy wars between major world powers—primarily the United States and China—through armed gangs and local rebellions. From a humanitarian perspective, the only solution would be for Congo to invade Rwanda to destabilize the regime that, for years, has been fomenting wars and massacres in the east of the country and force it to withdraw its troops. However, this would require leaders truly committed to the fate of their brothers and sisters in the east, something that seems unrealistic. Furthermore, it would require a cohesive, well-paid, and disciplined army, capable of acting with conviction and numerical strength. But the leadership is too deeply entrenched to avoid aligning itself with the Rwandan forces, and the high human cost of such an operation is well known, not only among soldiers but also among women and children.
So what then? The question is once again directed to the international community: Does its intervention still make sense? Have the values that underpin the Charter of the United Nations become meaningless? Or has the European Union aligned itself with Trump's triumphant policy of reaping benefits while pretending to promote peace? On February 13 of last year, the European Parliament almost unanimously requested that member states suspend the treaty on strategic minerals signed with Rwanda a year earlier, in the midst of the war of aggression. However, the leaders responded timidly and ignored Parliament's decision. Since then, apart from a few isolated statements, a general attitude of resignation has prevailed. Who will pay the price for so much suffering? The silence of the local churches is, in this context, deafening.

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Forty years after the "Rosary revolution", a "revolution of the heart" is urgently needed today

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:40:49 +0100

Manila – “Filipinos today face a new ‘moral fatigue’ and, forty years after the historic People Power Revolution of 1986, they are called to actively safeguard freedom and truth.” This was the statement made by Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines , during Mass celebrated on the 40th anniversary of the so-called “Rosary Revolution,” an event that marked national history. In February 1986, nearly two million people gathered on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue to peacefully and nonviolently protest the oppression and corruption of the Ferdinand Marcos Sr. regime and to demand the restoration of democracy.
“Moral fatigue,” Bishop Garcera emphasized during the Eucharist celebrated at the National Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace in Quezon City, arises when freedom “is reduced to a memory,” faith “becomes devotion without courage,” and peace “is sought without justice.” In this way, “the spirit of EDSA slowly dies,” he warned. Therefore, he exhorted Filipinos to face current challenges with the same courage, sense of responsibility, and moral conviction that marked the People Power Revolution: “Freedom has a price. Peace has a price. Faith demands responsibility.” In this context, the Church, he added, must continue to be “a prophetic voice: not complacent, not silent, but faithful,” because “remaining silent in the face of injustice is complicity, not holiness.”
The Archbishop's words echo the message disseminated by the entire Episcopal Conference on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of EDSA, entitled “Remember the wonders the Lord has done.”
“From February 22 to 25, 1986,” reads the text sent to Fides, “we saw how Filipinos, courageously and peacefully, expressed their indignation and frustration in the streets. The long stretch of EDSA became an immense open-air cathedral of faith and peaceful defiance. Millions of Filipinos, from all over the country, gathered under the protective mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, Jesus. Praying the rosary, celebrating Masses, and singing hymns, we stood shoulder to shoulder, facing tanks and soldiers, with nothing but unwavering faith in our hearts.”
“The dictatorship,” the statement recalls, “fell not through violence, but thanks to silent perseverance and the strength of piety and a collective faith that cried out for justice and true change.”
“This extraordinary event was not merely a human feat; rather, it was a testament to God’s favor toward his people, who sought him in their darkest hour. Faith and love for our country united us. Our prayers were heard. The ‘miracle of EDSA: People’s Power’ became a reality.” In commemorating the anniversary, the bishops express gratitude “for the grace that made it possible” and call upon everyone to embrace three sacred duties: to remember, to repent, and to react, “to embrace once again the spirit of that miracle and walk toward a better future.” The first is to remember the anonymous heroes, who “demonstrated the true power of faith, capable of transforming society without bloodshed. Prayers proved stronger than tanks; faith triumphed over fear.” Regarding repentance, the bishops urge us to recognize that “we have squandered the gift of EDSA” by becoming complacent: “We have reverted to old habits and forgotten our brothers and sisters in need. We have not fully embraced the responsibility of building the nation,” which has resulted in “persistent poverty, entrenched corruption, eroded trust, and underdevelopment.” The third point, the response, must be characterized “by courage and love, through a change that demands honesty.” “Let us not tire of seeking and upholding the truth, nor of rejecting falsehood. Dishonesty masks our wounds and our poverty.” Change, they emphasize, “is born of love. Love is action. Without love, we continue to suffer.” It requires personal conversion, understood as “the daily integrity of doing good even when no one is watching,” and also collective conversion, because “institutions and communities must abandon the practices that perpetuate corruption.” From this perspective, the bishops call for a united fight against impunity, for vigilance, and for a commitment to supporting “honest and competent leaders, attentive to the common good,” as well as for continued promotion of education for good citizenship and governance in the lead-up to the 2028 elections. “All of this,” the message concludes, “requires a revolution: a revolution of the heart.”

Working together for the good of the peoples: renewal of the memorandum of cooperation between the African Union and the Symposium of Bishops' Conferences of Africa and Madagascar

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:27:17 +0100

by Cosimo Graziani

Addis Ababa - On February 13, the Symposium of Bishops' Conferences of Africa and Madagascar and the African Union renewed their memorandum of intent, originally signed in 2015. The renewal took place at the headquarters of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa at a symbolically significant time: shortly before the 39th General Assembly of the African Union, held from February 13 to 15, and following the meeting on Sustainability and Water Sanitation, which the two organizations had jointly hosted on February 7 and which also included the Dicastery for Integral Human Development.
Following the first memorandum, the new document envisions cooperation between SECAM and the AU in areas such as promoting and protecting human rights, developing governance and the rule of law, and strengthening peace efforts to support reconciliation and social cohesion across the continent.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa and current President of SECAM, expressed his delight at the signing of the document. The Cardinal referred to the document's objectives using the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan as a metaphor, emphasizing that these goals cannot be achieved by individuals alone but require the participation of everyone—states, continental institutions, international actors, and faith communities and their institutions. He thanked the African Union for recognizing SECAM's role in civil society as a faith-based organization that can make a concrete contribution to achieving the development goals set by the AU for 2063.
The 2063 Agenda is the African Union's development program, adopted in 2013 to mark the 50th anniversary of its founding. It builds upon the Pan-Africanist ideals that formed its foundation and continue to do so, aiming to foster a prosperous and peaceful Africa, shaped by its own citizens and playing a significant role internationally. This project was conceived by Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, and other African leaders who spearheaded decolonization in the 1950s and 1960s. The program has been adapted to the continent's evolving needs, in a context that, even a decade ago, seemed to be facing new challenges for all African nations and peoples. The Agenda comprises 72 program points. The goals are diverse and similarly structured to the Sustainable Development Goals , although the latter were not officially adopted until two years later. Key objectives include eradicating poverty on the continent, in part through investments to boost productivity and create jobs. Another pressing concern of the Agenda is the management of the continent's resources—an issue of ever-increasing importance. Given that the continent possesses these resources and is at a disadvantage in the race for Africa's mineral and agricultural raw materials, the Agenda aims to establish access to these resources and their controlled management by African actors as the foundation for the continent's economic development. This will be achieved not only at the governance level through the development of ad hoc strategies, but also with regard to so-called "soft" infrastructure, such as revenue monitoring and the fight against illicit financial flows. The African Union's Agenda 2063 also addresses issues that have a more immediate and direct impact on people's lives, such as the availability of housing and potential reforms to improve access to education across the continent. As Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu also emphasized, the ecclesial communities of the continent, thanks to their networks of educational institutions, hospitals, social centers, and various commissions dedicated to expanding and maintaining peace, healing, and overcoming the conflicts that tear the continent apart, can make a valuable contribution to the common good of African nations.

The Pope to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles: docility to the Spirit and ecclesial charity make the mission fruitful

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:46:17 +0100

Vatican City - Every new apostolic and missionary work that flourishes in the Church can become fruitful not through the effectiveness of human strategies, but "through docility to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and attention to the demands of charity." Pope Leo XIV recalled this today, as he received the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in audience in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the approval of the Constitutions, and participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles, on the 150th anniversary of their foundation. In his address, the Pope emphasized that these are two religious institutes united by the historical period in which they were founded, by their homeland , and, “above all,” by the “missionary vocation” they share.

Saint Eugene de Mazenod founded the Oblates of Mary Immaculate driven by the desire to return to preaching the Gospel through popular missions in the de-Christianized rural areas of France. At a time, the Bishop of Rome recalled, "complex and dramatic" events that heightened the urgency of proclaiming the Gospel" to "the poor, workers and peasants who were exploited as a mere source of labor with their deepest human needs neglected." But already as Bishop of Marseille, the holy founder had responded promptly and boldly to the requests for help from the Archbishop of Montreal, sending first-generation Oblates "first to Canada and then to Europe, Africa and Asia." This generous openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the most pressing needs of ecclesial charity was "rewarded, in fact, by an impressive flowering of missionary vocations," Pope Prevost recalled. Even today, the more than three thousand religious spread across seventy countries, continue the work begun by Saint Eugene, maintaining a clear "preferential openness to the least among us."

The "Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles" were also called 150 years ago, according to the intentions of their founder, Father Augustine Planque, "to ensure the indispensable presence of women in the work of the Society of African Missions." The Sisters also bore clear witness to Christ by sacrificing their lives "given the harshness of missionary work, exposure to disease, and, in recent times, martyrdom."
This apostolic activity continues selflessly even in contexts described by the Pope as "difficult contexts."
Both the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles and the Oblate Missionaries—as Pope Leo emphasized in the concluding part of his address—were called by their founders to foster in their communities “a sincere and generous family spirit” that arises, among religious as well as the laity, “first and foremost from their encounter with God, from the Eucharist, from prayer, from adoration, from listening to the word and from the celebration of the sacraments."

ASIA/INDIA - Supreme Court confirms: In public cemeteries, space for the deceased of all religious communities

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:02:17 +0100

Raipur – “This ruling is a fundamental step forward in protecting the dignity of the deceased and respecting the religious and cultural rights of Christian communities,” commented the ecumenical United Christian Forum on the Supreme Court ruling that puts an end to the practice of illegal exhumation – the removal of the deceased from their graves – in Chhattisgarh. The court ruled that all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, have the right to bury their dead in public cemeteries and emphasized the criminal consequences for those who oppose this right. The illegal exhumations were carried out by individuals who opposed the spread of Christianity in some villages in the southern part of the state and refused to tolerate the presence of deceased Christians. In December 2025, following a complaint by local lawyers and doctors, a court issued an injunction immediately halting the exhumation of bodies buried in Chhattisgarh. The complaint detailed the illegal exhumations and the horrific circumstances faced by Christian families in the affected villages, where their deceased relatives were forcibly removed from communal cemeteries. Cemeteries traditionally open to all villagers had been unofficially reserved for certain religious groups, effectively excluding Christians and forcing them to bury their dead up to 50 kilometers from their homes. The complaint also criticized the local police and authorities for failing to protect Christian families from this discrimination and called on the state to intervene to ensure communal cemeteries in order to maintain social and religious peace. “The court’s ruling is now clear, and the Chhattisgarh government must implement it to prevent further suffering for grieving families and to uphold constitutional rights,” said Michael Williams, President of the UCF, in a statement sent to Fides. The United Christian Forum recorded a total of 23 funeral-related incidents in 2025 and identified a “systematic pattern of intimidation, violence, and discrimination against members of Indigenous Christian communities.”

AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - The Big Island in the great game of World Powers

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 09:37:30 +0100

Antananarivo – “It’s not about choosing our partners based on country, but about maintaining relations with every state that we believe can benefit the Malagasy people,” said Michael Randrianirina, head of the military junta in Madagascar, regarding the pragmatism with which the new leadership in Antananarivo intends to shape its international relations.
Randrianirina made these remarks on the eve of his visit to Moscow on February 18, where he met with Vladimir Putin. Immediately after departing the Russian capital, Randrianirina will travel to Paris, where he will meet with Emmanuel Macron and participate in a series of economic talks with French and Malagasy business leaders. This is a broad-based diplomacy, but currently prioritizes relations with Moscow, which has sent weapons and military instructors to Madagascar, and with China, which is implementing extensive economic projects in the Country. One of these projects has sparked concern because it involves the construction of an arms factory. Speaking to Fides, Bishop Rosario Vella of Moramanga confirmed that the plan for a Chinese arms factory in Madagascar is "unfortunately true." "Unfortunately, it is also true because it gives China the opportunity to establish a presence in Madagascar in this way," Bishop Vella said. "We bishops have reacted, but to no avail. We asked: 'But why are arms factories being built here in Madagascar? To establish a war regime or to produce tools that will then be used by others to kill other people?'" "Wouldn't it have made more sense to build factories for food or canning, for example, for fish or other products? Or bicycle factories, which are important here, or a motorcycle factory, or other things that would be more useful to the population?" the Bishop of Moramanga underlined. "However, the contract has already been signed," Bishop Vella concluded. The military junta that ousted former President Andry Rajoelina last October is not only pursuing the interests of Russia, China, and France. In addition to maintaining good relations with India and Japan , Randrianirina has opened communication channels to the Trump presidency via the United Arab Emirates. According to the French publication "Africa Online," Randrianirina traveled to Dubai last December, where he met with Eric Prince, the controversial founder of the mercenary firm "Blackwater" , as well as several American officials and Israeli private actors specializing in cybersecurity. Besides its strategic location, which allows control of the Mozambique Channel, Madagascar is coveted by world powers because of its mineral resources, whose potential value is estimated at US$800 billion. The minerals include nickel, cobalt, ilmenite, zircon, rutile, graphite, chromium, mica, iron, and rare earth elements.

AFRICA/SEYCHELLES - Resignation and appointment of bishop of Port Victoria or Seychelles

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 09:28:41 +0100

Vatican City - The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Port Victoria or Seychelles, Seychelles, presented by Bishop Jean-Baptiste Alain Harel.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Landry Philippe Rasamison, O.F.M. Cap., until now Guardian Father of the Capuchins in the Seychelles and parish priest of Saint Michel in Anse aux Pins, as bishop of the diocese of Port Victoria or Seychelles.
Msgr. Landry Philippe Rasamison, O.F.M. Cap., was born on 3 May 1972, in Ambanja, Madagascar. After studying philosophy at the Saint Paul Apôtre Major Seminary in Antsirabé and theology at the Interdiocesan Major Seminary of Ambatobe, he was awarded a licentiate in spiritual theology at the Pontifical University Antonianum of Rome.
He was ordained a priest on 15 August 2000.
He has held the following offices: formator and bursar of the Philosophy Scholasticum of the Capuchins in Antsirabé , bursar of the Fraternity of the Immaculate Conception in Antsirabé , parish priest of Sacred Heart of Jesus in La Misère, Seychelles , head of pastoral vocational care in the Seychelles , and from 2023 to date, guardian of the Fraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and parish priest of Saint Michel in Anse aux Pins.

AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - All the dioceses in the country have mobilized to help families affected by Cyclone Gezani

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:54:27 +0100

Moramanga – “It was a very difficult time for the people, and this also applies to the entire Christian community, as most churches have severely been damaged. In one church in Tamatave, the roof was completely torn off and the covering destroyed,” said the Bishop of Moramanga, Rosario Vella, SDB, during his visit to Rome, speaking to Fides about the aftermath of Cyclone Gezani, which recently hit the island .

Madagascar is hit by cyclones every year, and this year Gezani caused particularly severe damage in the island's center, starting from the city of Tamatave. The cyclone formed in the Pacific Ocean and struck the city with great force, heavy rainfall, and wind speeds of 240 to 245 kilometers per hour. Between 75 and 80 percent of the houses were severely damaged.

“All the peripheral, or rather, the poor neighborhoods of the city, where the houses are not made of brick but mostly of wood or straw,” the bishop continued, “were literally razed to the ground. We all acted immediately, not only for the houses, but above all for the families who lost practically everything they owned. In all dioceses, fundraising campaigns were launched through the various diocesan and national Caritas offices to collect money, food, clothing, and everything else needed for daily life. Even the government, which usually does very little in such cases, seems to have become truly active this time, and we hope that this cooperation will yield many positive results.”

“My diocese borders the affected area, but thank God Moramanga is about 200 kilometers away and was therefore less severely damaged. Some churches in the diocese were completely destroyed, others were utterly devastated. The school run by nuns was also badly damaged, and some buildings were completely destroyed,” said Bishop Vella.

Upon his return to the diocese, the Bishop of Moramanga will immediately visit the affected areas to express his condolences to the victims and assess the extent of the damage.

ASIA/MYANMAR - Burmese Catholics call for peace and observe Lent in the spirit of prayer and charity

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:43:38 +0100

Yangon - The civil war in Myanmar is still at a stalemate, as “neither side has been able to achieve a decisive victory, nor is a complete defeat in sight,” according to the recently published report “The State of Myanmar” 2026 by the Thai think tank “Institute for Strategy and Policy.”
“At the same time, the violence continues in many parts of the country, with serious consequences for the population. The military is attempting to conquer the Sagaing region through intensified bombing, thus bringing danger and deep suffering to the civilian population,” Joseph Kung, a Catholic from Yangon, told Fides. “A civilian government is expected after the elections in March, but not much will change, as the military will govern itself – in civilian clothes and without uniforms,” he emphasized. In this situation, Burmese Catholics began Lent with intense prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. “Pope Leo’s message impressed us most of all with its practical call to fast, not only from food, but also from slander and all evil,” Kung notes. “Bishops and priests have disseminated the Pope’s message, and the faithful are meditating its content. For all of us, it is a source of encouragement and hope. For Burmese Catholics experiencing hardship and displacement, the Pope’s words offer psychological and spiritual support. They also encourage us to show solidarity with one another and to be close to those who suffer most. The faithful of Myanmar are deeply grateful to Pope Leo and hope for a turning point of peace for the nation,” he continues.
In the spirit of peace, Burmese Catholics from all dioceses in the country participated in the 124th National Marian Pilgrimage. Thousands of pilgrims gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Nyaunglebin, in the Archdiocese of Yangon, from February 6 to 15 for nine days of celebrations. The baptized entrusted themselves once again to the Virgin Mary and received a powerful invitation to become peacemakers in a nation marked by conflict and division. The celebrations concluded with a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving presided over by Cardinal Charles Maug Bo, who emphasized Myanmar's urgent need for reconciliation. "It is very gratifying to see that, despite many difficulties and adversities, so many faithful come to the Marian Shrine of Nyaunglebin with great devotion and deep faith," said Cardinal Bo, who also acknowledged the challenges the pilgrims faced. Cardinal Bo drew a parallel between Nyaunglebin and Lourdes, remarking, “Mary did not appear to the powerful, but to a poor, sick girl, Saint Bernadette, just as she still chooses humble places marked by suffering.” Nyaunglebin today, he said, is not a place of wealth, “but a region of displacement, broken families, and insecurity.” Mary, the Cardinal said, “brought prayer and healing. She made water flow to heal the suffering world.” True peace, he emphasized, “cannot be decreed from above. It does not begin with government. Peace begins in our hearts.” “Mary invites us to be peacemakers,” he continued, urging the faithful to choose forgiveness and understanding over hatred. During the celebrations, Monsignor Andrea Ferrante, Chargé d'Affaires of the Holy See in Myanmar, conveyed greetings from Pope Leo XIV and described the shrine as a place of encounter with God. Addressing the young people, he reminded them that Mary herself was young when she followed God's call. "Do not be afraid to say yes to the Lord," he said.