Fides News - English

AMERICA/PERU - Peruvian Bishops express their “Closeness and solidarity”

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:44:27 +0200

Lima – The Peruvian Bishops' Conference has expressed its closeness and solidarity with the families of the victims of the plane crash that occurred on Saturday, August 1, in Nazca, in the Ica region, where all thirteen people on board a small sightseeing aircraft lost their lives during a flight over the Nazca Lines.
Among the victims were seven Italian citizens, two Spaniards, two Germans, and the aircraft's two Peruvian crew members. The plane had taken off for a tourist flight over one of the country's most important archaeological sites.
In a statement released on August 3, the Peruvian Bishops' Conference expressed its sorrow over the tragedy and assured the victims' families of its spiritual closeness.
“With deep sorrow we have learned of the plane crash that occurred in the city of Nazca, causing the tragic loss of human lives,” the Bishops said. “We join in prayer and solidarity with the families of the deceased, accompanying them in this time of grief and entrusting their loved ones to God's merciful love,” the statement continues.
The Bishops' Conference also offered prayers for those who lost their lives and asked the Lord to grant strength and hope to their families in this time of suffering.
At the same time, it called on the competent authorities to continue the investigations needed to determine the causes of the accident and urged the adoption of appropriate measures to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.

AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Tigray on the brink of renewed conflict: fighting resumes as civilians flee

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:38:05 +0200

Mekelle – The truce reached with the 2022 Pretoria Agreement appears increasingly fragile. Heavy fighting has resumed in western Tigray, near the border with Sudan, between the Ethiopian National Defence Force and forces linked to the Tigray People's Liberation Front , in what is being described as the most serious escalation since the end of the civil war.
The clashes, which began between August 1 and 2, have been concentrated around Shererina, a strategic area in western Tigray, a territory disputed between the Tigray and Amhara regions. According to TPLF sources, heavy artillery and drones were used during the fighting. No official casualty figures have yet been released, while hundreds of civilians have crossed the border into Sudan seeking refuge.
The resurgence of hostilities has heightened fears of a return to full-scale conflict. The Pretoria Agreement , signed on November 2, 2022, under the mediation of the African Union in South Africa's administrative capital , sanctioned the permanent cessation of hostilities between the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF. However, many of its provisions have never been fully implemented, and tensions have remained high. In recent months, the TPLF has also regained control over the region, removing the interim administration established after the war.
According to local media, on a political level both sides have exchanged accusations. The Tigray administration led by the TPLF claims that the federal government has launched an "open war" in the Shererina area, violating the commitments made under the peace agreement and seeking to "subjugate and divide" the region's population.
For its part, the government in Addis Ababa has not issued any official statements through either the executive or the military leadership. However, Minister Abraham Belay confirmed that the clashes had taken place, blaming the TPLF for triggering the violence. In a message posted on social media, the minister accused the movement's leadership of initiating the fighting and warned that continued hostilities could have "even worse consequences." At the same time, he appealed for dialogue, stressing that disputes should be resolved through negotiation rather than armed confrontation. "Today it is better to strive for peace before destruction," the statement reads.
The international community is also concerned about the possible involvement of neighbouring Sudan. Several observers fear that the violence could evolve into a proxy war, with rival Sudanese factions backing opposing sides in Ethiopia, further exacerbating an already highly unstable crisis in the Horn of Africa.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Deep sorrow over the killing of Father Oyetoro; relief over the release of the seminarian kidnapped in Otukpo

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:28:15 +0200

Abuja – The killing of Father Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro has deeply affected both his home community and the one where he had been temporarily assigned to serve.
The priest, whose body, bearing machete wounds, was found on Church Road in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, central Nigeria, was visiting St. Paul the Apostle Church in Ajaokuta.
On the day of his murder, he had celebrated Mass in place of the parish priest, Father Clement Wesaku, who was away on a two-week leave.
“We entrust our beloved priest to the infinite mercy of God, giving thanks for his faithful ministry, his selfless love and his unwavering dedication to the People of God,” the Diocese of Lokoja said in a statement.
Father Oyetoro was originally from Ayetoro, in the Ijumu West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and was born in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Ochai, the seminarian abducted on 29 July by armed men from the residence of the Bishop of Otukpo, Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, in the Asa III area of Otukpo, Benue State, in north-central Nigeria, has been released.
According to the Diocese of Otukpo, the seminarian managed to escape from his captors on 31 July and reached Aliade, in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, where he was safely reunited with his family without having sustained any injuries.
Still being held by their abductors are seminarian Lawrence Chidera Igbo and a lay faithful, who were kidnapped during the attack on St. Joseph's Church in Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, south-eastern Nigeria, during Sunday Mass on 2 August .

AMERICA/PERU - A thousand-kilometre journey from the Amazon to National Youth Day: “I left the jungle without knowing what awaited me”

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:18:40 +0200

by Laura Gómez Ruiz

Iquitos – “I left the jungle without knowing what awaited me. I returned knowing that I belong to something much greater.”
These are the words of Franco, a member of the Youth Ministry of the Parish of Saint Martin de Porres in the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos, as he reflects on his experience at the Second National Youth Day in Peru, held in Chulucanas, in the Piura region, from July 30 to August 2, 2026, under the theme “Be courageous, Christ lives.”

The event, organized by the Episcopal Commission for Youth and Laity of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference together with the Diocese of Chulucanas, brought together more than 4,000 young people from the country’s 46 ecclesiastical circumscriptions. Its aim was to strengthen communion, renew participants’ encounter with Christ, and encourage the missionary commitment of the younger generations.

The National Youth Day also forms part of the preparation for World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027.
Among those taking part was the delegation from the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos, which travelled from the Amazon region, one of Peru’s largest and most diverse areas. For Franco, the nearly 1,000-kilometre journey to Piura became an opportunity to overcome the sense of isolation that communities far from the country’s major urban centres sometimes experience, and to discover that they are part of a much larger Church.

“I already knew what a youth gathering was like. Even so, I left the jungle without knowing what awaited me,” he says. “In Chulucanas there were young people from ecclesiastical circumscriptions across Peru. Different climates, different food, different accents. But the same faith and the same desire to ensure that their parish remains alive.”

Speaking through the communication channels of the Apostolic Vicariate, the young man explains that one of the most meaningful aspects of the gathering was discovering that, despite cultural and geographical differences, many young people share the same questions and struggles.
“We all carry the same burden. Every young person I met carried the wounds of a painful past and the same desire to leave it behind. And all of us, without exception, were holding on to God with both hands,” he says.

The experience in Piura helped him realize that many of his personal wounds are also shared by an entire generation.
“You think your wound is unique until you discover that it is the wound of a whole generation that has chosen not to give up,” he adds.

For Franco, the journey began with a simple gesture: attending a Youth Ministry meeting without knowing exactly what he would find.
“Sometimes we think that great things happen somewhere else and to other people. That is not true. I am from here, just like you,” he says. “That small decision took me all the way to Piura and gave me a community that has now become my family.”

His testimony highlights one of the key challenges of youth ministry in the Amazon: accompanying young people so that they discover that they, too, can live the Church’s mission fully and intensely within their own communities. With its vast distances and unique characteristics, the Amazon is not a peripheral region on the margins of the Church, but a place where the faith is lived and proclaimed in the midst of everyday realities.

“You do not have to be the holiest or the best prepared,” Franco encourages. “You simply need the courage to take the first step. If you feel that something is missing, if you want to belong to something that truly matters, come to your parish and ask about the Youth Ministry.”
“We are the light that does not go out. And that light belongs to you as well,” concludes the young man from the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos, convinced that the national gathering in Chulucanas confirmed that young people from the Amazon are part of a Church that walks together, embracing even the distances that separate them.

Bishop Pitchaimuthu at the First Franciscan Missionary Symposium: “Asia does not need missionaries who come with all the answers. It needs brothers and sisters who bring Christ”

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:07 +0200

by Elena Grazini

Chennai – “Asia does not need missionaries who come with all the answers. It needs brothers and sisters who bring Christ, walk alongside the people, listen deeply, discern patiently, serve the wounded, build peace, and proclaim the name of Jesus with humility and joy.”
These were the opening words of Bishop Ambrose Pitchaimuthu of the Diocese of Vellore and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in India, who delivered the introductory address at the First Franciscan Missionary Symposium, held on August 1–2 in Chennai. The symposium, entitled “Proclaiming Christ in today’s Asia with Saint Francis of Assisi,” took place in the Indian city that is home to St. Thomas Basilica, built over the tomb of the Apostle. .

In his address, Bishop Pitchaimuthu highlighted the three fundamental realities at the heart of the symposium: the person we are called to proclaim, Jesus Christ; the context in which He is proclaimed, namely Asia today; and the evangelical companion who teaches how to proclaim Him, in the person of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The Bishop also situated the symposium within the framework of four significant anniversaries: the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi; the centenary of World Mission Day; the 110th anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union; and the 50th anniversary of TAU magazine. “The Transitus of Saint Francis,” Bishop Pitchaimuthu noted, “invites us to remember a life fully conformed to Christ. World Mission Day urges us to proclaim Christ in communion with the universal Church. The anniversary of the Pontifical Missionary Union calls us to form the entire People of God in missionary awareness. The jubilee of the TAU reminds us to communicate the Gospel through theological reflection, writing, culture, and contemporary media.”

Seven guidelines for the “Franciscan mission” in Asia

The symposium unfolded over four sessions: two focused on the Franciscan charism, one dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel in Asia, and a final workshop centred on formation and the sharing of missionary experiences.

The central theme running through the entire Symposium was a question: “How can the Franciscan family proclaim Jesus Christ in a credible, humble and courageous way among the peoples of Asia today?”

In his keynote address, Bishop Pitchaimuthu proposed seven guiding principles for the Franciscan mission in Asia: beginning anew from Christ; becoming communities of mission rather than isolated individuals engaged in ministry; combining proclamation and dialogue; reaching out to Asia’s “wounded places” — urban peripheries, villages left behind by development, migrant communities, areas affected by ecological disasters, prisons, hospitals, refugee settlements, universities and digital spaces; allowing the poor to evangelize us; forming missionary disciples at every level; and communicating hope.

Cardinal Marengo: A proclamation of the Gospel to be “whispered”

The Symposium’s first session focused on evangelization in Asia and enriched the discussion with testimonies from a variety of social and geographical contexts.

Among the speakers was Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

In a video message, the missionary Cardinal summarized his pastoral experience into five key insights.
He identified the foundation of mission in relationships; in the primacy of being over doing and possessing; in charity as the language of God's love; in evangelization as awakening the human capacity to love; and finally in “whispering” as the privileged way of proclaiming the Gospel. .

Testimonies from the Pontifical Mission Societies

The Symposium also featured the experiences of two National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Father Paul Chatsirey, National Director of the PMS in Laos and Cambodia, stressed that dialogue in those countries is above all diplomatic in nature and that maintaining good relations while respecting civil law is essential.
“We continue to bear witness and proclaim the Good News by living in peace, mutual respect and understanding, and in a spirit of synodality,” Father Chatsirey said.
A different perspective was offered by Father Marcus Fernandes, OFMCap, at the who head of Missio Avona, the Pontifical Mission Societies office established in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia.
“We are the Church of migrants in the Arabian Gulf,” Father Fernandes explained. “Our churches are few, and for this reason they are like spiritual oases for every believer in the desert. Every family is a domestic church that prays and bears witness to Christ within its own home. Therefore, every baptized person is called to be a missionary, sharing the Word of God that brings hope and strength to our daily lives.”

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Official hymn for Seoul WYD 2027 unveiled: "Take courage; I have overcome the world"

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:45:52 +0200

Seoul – Martyrs and places of martyrdom take center stage in the videos released today to introduce the official hymn for the next World Youth Day , scheduled to take place in Seoul from August 3 to 8, 2027. The hymn bears the Latin title: "Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum" .

Presented in two musical arrangements, the hymn is performed in six languages, with a chorus sung in Latin.

The lyrics "You are the light of the world; light one another's path," are followed by the repeated response, "Thy will be done," sung in the different languages.

The first version, performed by a symphony orchestra, blends traditional Korean melodies featuring the Gayageum instruments , Haegeum , Sogeum . The second adopts a contemporary K-pop-inspired style, incorporating elements of pungmul music with the taepyeongso alongside traditional percussion instruments including the janggu , the buk , the jing , and the kkwaenggwari .

Accompanied by WYD volunteers, the music video follows the path of Korea's Catholic martyrs through some of the country's most significant places of witness: the Seosomun Martyrs' Shrine, the Saenamteo Shrine, and the site of the torture of St. Andrew Kim Taegon , the first Korean priest and martyr, who is one of the patron saints of Seoul WYD 2027. The video also features Gahoe-dong Church, where the first Mass was celebrated in 1795 , and Yakhyeon Church, the first Western-style Catholic church in the capital.
It also showcases panoramic views of Gwanghwamun, Bukchon Hanok Village, with its traditional Korean houses along the Han River.

The "long march" of World Youth Day

During the Holy Year of the Redemption in 1984, Pope John Paul II invited young people to Rome for "their" Jubilee. Then in 1985, during what the UN had proclaimed "International Youth Year," hundreds of thousands of young people again gathered around the Pope on Palm Sunday . These two events gave rise to World Youth Day, which thereafter was celebrated annually at the diocesan level, usually on Palm Sunday.

The international editions have generally been held every two or three years: Rome , Buenos Aires , Santiago de Compostela , Częstochowa , Denver , Manila , which drew a record five million participants, Paris , Rome , Toronto , Cologne , Sydney , Madrid , Rio de Janeiro , Kraków , Panama , and Lisbon . These were followed by the great Jubilee of Youth gathering held in Rome in 2025.

World Youth Day returns to Asia

The choice of a host country for World Youth Day is the result of consultations involving Vatican dicasteries, the interested episcopal Conferences, and the bishops of the candidate diocese.

Addressing young people in Manila on January 15, 1995, during what remains the only previous World Youth Day held in Asia, John Paul II declared: "In the first millennium the Cross was planted in Europe; in the second, in America and Africa; we can pray that in the third Christian millennium there will be a great harvest of faith in Asia."
On that same occasion, through Radio Veritas, the Pope also sent a message of reconciliation to Chinese Catholics.
A group of young Chinese Catholics took part in the Manila gathering alongside their peers from around the world.

The context surrounding the upcoming Asian World Youth Day differs significantly from that of Manila in 1995. South Korea does not face the widespread urban poverty or mass emigration that characterized many parts of Asia at the time. At the same time, Catholics remain a minority within Korean society.
"And now, dear young people of Korea, it is your turn! By carrying the Cross to Asia, you will proclaim Christ's love to everyone. Be courageous!" Pope Francis told Korean youth during the traditional handover of the World Youth Day Cross and the copy of the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani .

The Hymns of World Youth Day

Traditionally inspired by each World Youth Day's biblical theme, the official hymns are translated into several languages and intended to be sung by young people across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Throughout the history of World Youth Day, several have achieved widespread popularity.

"The path of truth" was the central theme of "Somos los jóvenes del 2000," the hymn composed for Santiago de Compostela 1989, inspired by the pilgrimage tradition and the figure of St. James. It was followed by "Tell the World of His Love," written for Manila 1995, then "Master and Lord, You have come among us" for Paris 1997. Perhaps the most widely known World Youth Day hymn is "Jesus Christ, you are my life," composed by Maestro Marco Frisina for the Jubilee Year 2000 World Youth Day.

AFRICA/SUDAN - Drone warfare and humanitarian crisis deepen alarm in Darfur and Kordofan

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:10:26 +0200

El Obeid – El Obeid continues to be one of the main hotbeds of Sudan's conflict. The city continues to come under repeated drone attacks, while residents face severe water shortages, frequent power outages, food insecurity and an increasing risk of sexual violence, particularly for women forced to travel long distances to collect water. These challenges are compounded by the growing threat of famine in Darfur, driven by drought, soaring prices for basic necessities, the deep-rooted shortage of funds for humanitarian assistance and the role of the conflict in fueling the illicit trade in gold and gum arabic. According to the United Nations, drone strikes killed more than 1,000 civilians during the first five months of 2026.

On Sunday, August 2, the Sudanese Armed Forces carried out a drone strike on a traditional court in the village of Garra al-Zawaya, in North Darfur, according to a human rights organization. The attack reportedly killed 35 people, wounded numerous civilians and damaged the building housing the court, a customary institution responsible for settling local and tribal disputes. The village is currently under the control of the Rapid Support Forces .

Garra al-Zawaya is located near the town of Kabkabiya in North Darfur, about 150 kilometers west of El Fasher, the last remaining stronghold of the Sudanese army in Darfur, which came under intense pressure following the RSF's bloody offensive in October last year . After capturing the city, the RSF—formed from the Janjaweed militias accused of atrocities in Darfur in the early 2000s—consolidated their control over much of the region. Since then, both sides have intensified their use of drones, making them one of the conflict's principal weapons.

Last week, after losing control of a key highway linking Khartoum to El Obeid, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo released a video message urging his fighters to intensify military operations. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that any further RSF advance toward El Obeid and across the Kordofan region could trigger new large-scale massacres.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Church attacked during Sunday Mass, two people still held by kidnappers

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:59:19 +0200

Abuja – St. Joseph's Church in Inoyi, Affa, in Udi district of Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria, was attacked during Sunday Mass on August 2. At least seven armed men stormed the church at around 8:30 a.m., interrupting the liturgical celebration.
The attackers abducted at least three people—a seminarian, a catechist and a parishioner—before fleeing into a nearby forest.
The assault, which took place as heavy rain lashed the area, threw the local community into panic, with terrified worshippers fleeing the church in search of safety.
Some parishioners tried to chase the attackers but abandoned the effort after realizing the assailants were heavily armed and in no way wanted to endanger the lives of the hostages.
Police launched a search operation which, according to authorities, enabled one of the abductees to escape and return home. The escaped hostage was the catechist, while the seminarian, identified as Lawrence Chidera Igbo, and the lay faithful, identified only by his first name, Emmanuel, remain in the hands of their kidnappers.

ASIA/INDIA - Resignation of bishop of Dindigul

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:53:24 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Dindigul, India, presented by Bishop Thomas Paulsamy.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Priest killed in roadside ambush

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:50:39 +0200

Abuja – A Catholic priest was killed in a roadside ambush in Nigeria. Father Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro was attacked with a machete on Church Road in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, in central Nigeria.
The Diocese of Lokoja announced the priest's killing in a statement released by the diocesan curia on July 29."It is with deep sorrow, yet in the hope of the Resurrection, that the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja announces the passing of our beloved priest, Father Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, who died on Wednesday, July 29, 2026," the diocesan statement reads.
A police spokesperson said: "On July 29, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., the police received a report of the body of an unidentified man lying by the roadside along Church Road in Ajaokuta.
"Officers immediately rushed to the scene and found that the deceased had sustained severe machete wounds to the head. The body was taken to ASCL Hospital, where a doctor confirmed his death, and was subsequently transferred to the mortuary for an autopsy."
The deceased was later identified as Father Samuel Opeyemi of St. Paul's Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State.
The Diocese has called on priests, religious and lay faithful to remember the murdered priest in their prayers and at Masses, while also praying for his family and for the Diocese during this time of mourning.
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo described the killing of the priest as "a heinous and unacceptable act."

ASIA/BANGLADESH - The Church's Mission among Khulna's Dalits. Bishop Boiragi: "In Christ they rediscover the dignity of children of God"

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:40:40 +0200

Khulna – Accompanying Dalit communities on their journey of human development and faith by providing education, social support and proclaiming the Gospel as an experience of liberation. This is one of the distinctive missions of the Catholic community in the Diocese of Khulna, in southwestern Bangladesh, where the majority of Catholics come from Dalit communities—the "untouchables," traditionally marginalized within Bengali society.
"In our pastoral ministry among the Dalits, we focus primarily on human development projects and on helping them educate their children. We support them in finding employment, sustaining their families and addressing their everyday needs. Caritas is also deeply committed to serving these communities," Bishop James Romen Boiragi of Khulna told Fides.
The Church's commitment, however, extends beyond social development. "These aspects are important, but above all we devote ourselves to catechesis and educational support," the Bishop said. "There are around 37,000 Catholics in my diocese, and the majority come from Dalit communities."

The presence of Dalits in Bangladesh is a little-known historical reality. It is estimated that between three and five million people in the country belong to Dalit communities, descendants of groups historically relegated to the margins of South Asia's caste system. Although Bangladesh today is a largelyMuslim nation, , its social structure has inherited and maintained deeply rooted hierarchical patterns and practices of untouchability from its Hindu past.
Many Dalits continue to perform occupations traditionally regarded as "impure," such as street sweeping, sewer cleaning, waste collection and other low-paid manual labor. Although Bangladesh's Constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination, Dalits continue to experience social exclusion, limited access to education, difficulty accessing the labor market and inadequate housing conditions.
The Khulna region, a major urban and industrial hub in the country's southwest, is home to a large Dalit population—estimated at around 500,000 people—linked to specifici historical, economic and geographical factors. Many Dalit families live in peripheral neighborhoods, slums and informal settlements under precarious conditions. The Diocese of Khulna, established in 1952 and now part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Dhaka, covers eight districts in southwestern Bangladesh. Through its parishes, Catholic schools, Caritas programs and numerous pastoral initiatives, the Church has accompanied Dalit communities for decades, promoting education, vocational training and social integration.

According to Bishop Boiragi, the caste system in Bangladesh is not as rigid today as it is in other parts of South Asia, yet its consequences remain evident. "Some people from the Hindu community are still affected by it, as are the Dalits. In society at large, among both Muslims and Hindus, this problem still exists," he said.
For many Dalits, conversion to Christianity also represents a path toward human and social redemption: "When members of the Dalit community convert to Christianity," the Bishop explained, "they are treated with greater respect, whereas they are normally discriminated against. Conversion also becomes a way of improving their living conditions." The ecclesial community seeks to ensure that this transformation leads to full integration. "We try to help them become fully integrated into society, also thanks to the good relationships we maintain with other religious communities. At the same time, we encourage our faithful to welcome them as brothers and sisters," he noted.
For Dalits, Bishop Boiragi stressed, encountering the Gospel also means rediscovering their dignity. "To embrace Christ's message is to rediscover the dignity of being children of God. It is an experience of liberation from the yoke of oppression and marginalization. It is also a concrete way of improving one's life, because it often opens access to education, personal growth and development opportunities that create new possibilities."
In the Diocese of Khulna, the Church's mission continues to unite evangelization and human promotion, in the conviction that proclaiming the Gospel restores hope to the most vulnerable and contributes to building a more just and inclusive society.

ANGELUS - Pope Leo XIV: When we are with Christ, “our needs are abundantly met”

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 20:17:58 +0200

Vatican City – The encounter with the Lord is “a nourishing experience.” And when we are with Him, the “bread of life,” “our needs are abundantly met.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV highlighted key features of the Christian experience in the brief reflection he delivered from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace before reciting the Angelus prayer with Romans and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

The Bishop of Rome drew inspiration from the the Gospel according to Matthew read during Sunday’s liturgy, recounting the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, through which Jesus fed the crowd that had followed Him.

“By restoring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf,” Pope Prevost explained, “Christ is doing more than merely performing miraculous deeds; he is proclaiming to all that the Kingdom of God is near.” Today’s Gospel, he continued, “bears witness that Jesus not only restores the senses of those who lack them, but that he also fills our senses with good things. To the deaf man, who regains his hearing, the Lord proclaims the Good News to be heard; to the blind man, who regains his sight, he shows the magnificent work of redemption being accomplished for him. Similarly, Jesus gives food to those who are hungry.”

The Gospel of Matthew recounts that, following the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, “they all ate and were filled," and there were “twelve baskets full” of bread left over. Christ, the Pope said, “truly satisfies humanity’s hunger, our hunger for truth and life. At the same time, His gesture teaches us that nothing is discarded when it is shared. Hoarding and waste, on the contrary, are two sides of the same evil: greed.”
This spiritual sickness, the Successor of Peter continued, “numbs the senses” which “become intoxicated with wealth, to the point of making people forget those who weep from hunger and cry out from thirst. And so, in the face of an opulence that reeks of decay, we find the outstretched hands of those who have no nourishment, the burned homes of those who have no peace.”

In the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, “the miracle of charity,” the Pope said in the concluding part of his reflection, “we recognize the characteristic actions of Jesus, which find their culmination in the Last Supper, for it was then that the Son of God gave us his very life as our brother in humanity.” As we “savor the grace of the Eucharist,” Pope Prevost urged, “let us commit ourselves to bearing witness to its beauty in our daily actions, beginning with blessing meals at the table with family and friends.”

After the Angelus prayer, speaking in Spanish, Leo XIV said he was following “with concern the alarming situation in Ceuta,” praying to God that, through the intercession of Our Lady of Africa, “solutions may be found to bring peace, stability and justice.”
He then renewed his appeal to “continue to prayfor peace, so that wars may cease throughout the world and diplomatic solutions to conflicts may be found.” “Let us remember,” the Pontiff added, “all the victims of hostilities, especially the weakest and most defenseless: children, the elderly and the sick. May the Lord comfort those who suffer and bless the work of those who bring aid and consolation.”

TRINITARIANS IN MADAGASCAR/4 - One Hundred Years of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives. Bishop Berardi’s pilgrimage to the roots of his vocation

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0200

by Antonella Prenna

Cerfroid – From his first encounter with Spanish missionaries to leading the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi reflects on a journey shaped by memory, faith and mission. As the Order of the Most Holy Trinity marks the centenary of its presence in on the island, Bishop Aldo Berardi back on the path that, forty years ago, led him to embrace the Trinitarian religious family.

Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, a jurisdiction that includes Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is preparing to travel to Madagascar to take part in celebrations marking the centenary of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity's presence on the island, an anniversary that brings him back to the roots of his religious vocation.

The bishop is currently in Cerfroid, France, the historic cradle of the Trinitarian Order and home to its motherhouse. He stopped there after celebrating the 35th anniversary of his priestly ordination on July 26 at Saint Martin Church in Ars-sur-Moselle .

In an interview with Fides, Bishop Berardi retraced the stages of his vocational journey, which began with his encounter with the Trinitarian charism and the witness of the Order's first missionaries.

"The centenary of the Trinitarians' presence in Madagascar has a very special meaning for me. I am returning after forty years. Until now I had never managed to go back because something always stood in the way. During the Covid pandemic I was responsible for formation and had planned to visit our houses of formation, but we were stranded in Rome. Just when it finally seemed possible to travel, I was appointed bishop. This journey is a return to the roots of my vocation. As a diocesan seminarian, still searching for my path, it was in Madagascar that I found my religious family. I return as a pilgrim: we will celebrate together with the community before I travel to the Tsiroanomandidy area, where I lived for two years. It was a Malagasy bishop who ordained me to the priesthood."

What first attracted him, he recalls, was the simplicity and spirituality of the Order, combining monastic life with apostolic commitment. "I was also deeply impressed by the dedication, courage and sacrifices of the first missionaries, who left knowing they would most likely never return to their homeland."

The bishop's life has been a continuous journey across continents and cultures. "My vocation was born in France, in the Metz region, where I grew up, attended school and began my vocational journey in the minor and major seminaries. Then came Madagascar, where I discovered my religious family; then Rome for my studies, and finally Montreal, where I spent three years at the major seminary."

Berardi entered the seminary in France at the age of sixteen. After studying at the minor seminary and later at the major seminary in Villiers-lès-Nancy for the Diocese of Metz, he chose to spend two years to civil service as an alternative to military service. It was during that period that he was sent to Madagascar, where he met Spanish Trinitarians engaged in the missions of the Diocese of Tsiroanomandidy. That experience led him to make the definitive decision to join the Order of the Most Holy Trinity.

Today, the Trinitarians play a leading role in the life of the Church in four dioceses of Madagascar—Miarinarivo, Tsiroanomandidy, Ambatondrazaka and Maintirano—where their missionary commitment continues to contribute to the growth of ecclesial communities.

TRINITARIANS IN MADAGASCAR/3 - One hundred years of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives: Apostolic ‘tours’, catechists and the construction of facilities at the service of the Gospel

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:29:07 +0200

by Antonella Prenna

Moramanga – After withdrawing from the Benadir Mission in what was then Somalia, the Trinitarians continued their redemptive mission on the island of Madagascar, where they sent their first five pioneers, two of whom had previously served in Somalia. "The first missionaries of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives left for Somalia in 1907, but were forced to leave in 1924 because of pressure from the authorities," Father Luigi Buccarello, O.SS.T., Minister General of the Order, told Fides.

On June 4, 1926, after receiving the missionary blessing and the Crucifix at the Basilica of San Tommaso in Formis in Rome, the five Trinitarian pioneers departed together with the Minister General, Father Saverio dell'Immacolata. They landed at the port of Tamatave, Madagascar, on August 2. According to Father Daudet Maximilien, General Councilor of the Order, they reached Antananarivo by train on August 7, where they spent about a month to familiarize themselves with the Malagasy and French languages before settling in Miarinarivo, about 100 kilometres west of the capital, the mission territory entrusted to them.

From the outset, the missionaries devoted themselves to studying the local reality in order to identify the most appropriate pastoral strategies and respond to the needs of evangelization. Their work developed along three main areas.

The first consisted of apostolic tours—systematic visits to villages—which occupied much of their time because of the vastness of the territory and the dispersion of the Christian communities. The second focused on the formation of pastoral workers, especially catechists, through the establishment of a Catechetical Formation Centre providing both initial training and ongoing formation. The third area involved the construction of churches and other facilities essential to evangelization, such as schools and multipurpose halls, as well as the restoration of church buildings that had fallen into disrepair.

The Trinitarian missionaries' presence in Madagascar has been marked by a constant commitment to evangelization carried out with respect for local cultures and traditions. Despite many difficulties and hardships, their work has contributed to the pastoral, educational and social development of Christian communities.

One of the mission's principal objectives was the creation of autonomous local Churches.
In 1939, Pope Pius XII erected the Apostolic Vicariate of Miarinarivo, the first territory in Africa entrusted to the Trinitarians.

Later, at the proposal of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith—today the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches—the missionaries expanded their work to the Melaky region. On January 13, 1949, Pope Pius XII elevated the mission of Tsiroanomandidy to an Apostolic Prefecture, and on April 9, 1959, Pope John XXIII established it as a diocese, appointing Father Ángel Martínez as its first bishop. The Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith also entrusted the Trinitarian Missionaries with the new mission in the Ambatondrazaka region, where the Italian missionaries were assigned. On May 21, 1959, Pope John XXIII erected the Diocese of Ambatondrazaka and appointed Father Francesco Vollaro as its first bishop.

Over the years, the Trinitarians' presence has fostered the birth of new Christian communities, an increase in the number of baptized and the strengthening of the Church throughout the region. Since the 1990s, the number of local vocations has grown significantly, leading to the opening of new formation houses.

Today, the Trinitarians are present in twelve of Madagascar's twenty-two dioceses and also serve in two dioceses in Italy. The Trinitarian Province of Madagascar includes numerous religious, priests, students and novices serving both in Malagasy dioceses and in other Trinitarian communities around the world. The mission has also borne the significant fruit of five Trinitarian bishops: Giuseppe Di Donna, Ángel Martínez, Francesco Vollaro, Antonio Scopelliti and Gustavo Bombin.

After one hundred years of presence, the small seed of the Trinitarian mission in Madagascar has grown into a vibrant reality for both the Church and the Order, called to continue its service as a sign of hope, liberation and mercy.

ASIA/INDIA - Jesuit Prakash: "Young people are awakening the country's democratic conscience"

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:08:30 +0200

Ahmedabad – The large-scale student protests that have swept across India in recent weeks—organized by the newly formed Cockroach Janta Party , the "People's Cockroach Party"—are far more than a demonstration against the management of the country's education system, but "reflect the younger generation's desire to make its voice heard and to defend democracy, the Constitution and pluralism," says Indian Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash, director of the Prashant Human Rights Centre in Ahmedabad, in an analysis sent to Fides.

According to the Jesuit, the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanded by student movements and arrived after weeks of demonstrations, represents an initial sign of political responsibility. Yet, Father Prakash argues, the most significant aspect of the protests lies in the character of the movement itself. "Young people have made it clear that they will not allow xenophobia, sectarianism or any form of fanaticism to shape their ideals or extinguish their hopes," he says. Students from different religious communities, social groups and backgrounds chose to present themselves above all as "Indian citizens," united by their shared commitment to the Constitution. "No one succeeded in dividing them or setting them against one another," the Jesuit observes.
The protests emerged spontaneously, spreading from major cities to small towns and villages. "This was not an organized or paid mobilization," Father Prakash stresses. "It was the response of a generation outraged by the deterioration of the education system, by corruption, and by the tragedy of the 21 students who took their own lives following the NEET national examination paper leak scandal."

The students also received broad support from civil society organizations and Christian groups. Recalling the thousands of students who marched peacefully through the streets singing and demonstrating, Frather Prakash observes that "they walked together for change." As academic Pratap Bhanu Mehta pointed out, the younger generation has shown that those in power can be held accountable for their decisions. "For the first time in years, the government has been forced to accept political responsibility," Father Prakash notes, arguing that civic participation can still have a tangible impact on the country's democratic life.
Among the symbolic episodes of the demonstrations, the Jesuit highlights the image of Rhiya Ahir, a young woman who stood in front of a police van in Mumbai demanding the release of students detained during a protest. Following a tense exchange with officers, the students were freed, and images of the incident quickly went viral on social media. Young protesters also relied on social platforms to document events and challenge what they regarded as distorted narratives, while mainstream media—particularly during the early stages—ignored the phenomenon.
According to Father Prakash, this too represents a sign of the ongoing change in the relationship between citizens and the media.

Another important outcome of the mobilization, the Jesuit continues, concerns the recovery of democratic space for dissent. The demonstrations, culminating in a march toward Parliament and, in several cases repressed by law enforcement, have reopened the debate over the constitutional right to peaceful protest and dissent, "which are the very essence of democracy."
The student movement reflects a growing demand for honesty and responsibility in public life. "Young people are no longer willing to passively accept corruption," Father Prakash says. "They are calling for transparency, accountability and credible institutions."
This, the Jesuit concludes, is the most significant legacy of the protests: "A generation has awakened in India, determined to take part in public life by demanding rights, justice and respect for the democratic principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution."

12 theatre Companies at the XXXIV Slovak Christian Theatre Festival inspired by Saint Francis

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:01:27 +0200

by Bohumil Petrík

Bratislava – Three bishops inaugurated the XXXIV edition of the Gorazdov Močenok 2026 National Christian Theatre Festival.
The event is renewed every year with the aim of expressing, through theatrical art, a Christian vision of the world. This year’s subtitle is a quotation attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”
The Festival opened with a Mass celebrated on July 27, the liturgical memorial of Saint Gorazd, the saint after whom the event is named. A missionary saint and disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Gorazd accompanied them when they arrived in Great Moravia in the 9th century and helped bring an alphabet for the Old Slavonic language to the local population.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Auxiliary Bishop of Bratislava Jozef Haľko and concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop of Nitra, Peter Beňo, and Bishop Emeritus of the Military Ordinariate, František Rábek.
In his homily, Bishop Haľko drew the attention of the faithful to the figure of Saint Gorazd and to the importance of proclaiming the Word of God through every possible means, including the language of art and theatre.
The bishops later took part in a discussion presenting the figure and legacy of Saint Gorazd.
The highlight of the Festival will take place on Saturday, August 1, with the announcement of the winning. In addition to performances open to the public by 12 amateur theatre companies, the program also includes opportunities to participate in Eucharistic celebrations, go on pilgrimage, visit an exhibition, and attend performances by choirs from nearby villages.
The Festival was founded in 1993 in the village of Močenok, near Nitra, home to the oldest Slavic diocese, dating back to 880. It is believed that Saints Cyril and Methodius may have had a residence in Nitra itself.
In addition to the 12 theater companies, with about 200 actors and creators, 160 singers from various gospel and other groups - the organizers explain to Fides –
the Festival also welcomed dozens of special guests from ecclesial and cultural institutions, including priests from the Saint Gorazd Seminary in Nitra.
The event is regularly attended by hundreds—and at times thousands—of spectators from the region.
The final performance of the Festival will be dedicated to Don Quixote.

XV CONAJUM: Archbishop Nwachukwu to 6,000 Mexican young people: “Your heart is made to sail the open sea, not to remain closed in an aquarium”

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:51:15 +0200

San Luis Potosí – “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. This call is for you. The mission is not small. It is not comfortable. It is not safe. It is universal. Wherever you are—in schools, universities, neighborhoods, families, and even in digital spaces—you are called to cast the net of the Gospel into the vast sea of humanity.”
With these words, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization , addressed more than six thousand young people who travelled to San Luis Potosí from dioceses throughout Mexico to celebrate the 15th National Missionary Youth Congress .

From July 23 to 26, the Archdiocese of San Luis Potosí became the center of missionary animation for Mexican youth. Under the theme “With Mary, Virgin of Expectation, Young People Bearers of Hope Through Mission!”, the Congress—organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies of Mexico, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of San Luis Potosí—was an ecclesial experience of communion, formation, and prayer. It showed a new generation the beauty of being transformed by the joy of the Gospel and of witnessing to Christ’s salvation, experienced personally in their own lives.

Held in the context of the centenary of World Mission Day and the 75th anniversary of the Mexican Missionary Youth League, the 15th CONAJUM offered an opportunity to contemplate the continuity of the Church’s evangelizing mission and to look with hope toward the future. In this context, young people rediscovered that the missionary vocation is not reserved for specific groups within the Church, but springs from the gifts of grace received through Baptism.
“From the moment of your Baptism, you have been sent. You have been entrusted with a mission: to make Christ known, to love him, and to follow him,” Archbishop Nwachukwu said. Referring to the Gospel passages in which Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee and calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to become “fishers of men,” the Archbishop continued:
“These men were accustomed to casting their nets in familiar waters. Yet Jesus invites them to something much greater: the vast and unpredictable sea of humanity. You are not sent into an ‘aquarium’—a small, safe, predictable, and controlled space—but into the open sea: vast, deep, and sometimes stormy.”

In his address, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization also highlighted three essential qualities of the missionary: detachment, understood as the ability to leave behind everything that prevents a person from fully following Christ; encounter, which places people before ideas; and acceptance of the Cross. Mission, he explained, necessarily involves sacrifice. Results are often not immediate, yet missionaries are called to remain faithful—even in suffering and even when they do not see visible fruits.
“The sea of humanity is vast. The world needs missionaries. The Church needs you. And Christ calls you. Do not be afraid to set out into the deep. Do not be afraid to give your life. Do not be afraid to trust in God,” Archbishop Nwachukwu concluded, asking the young people: “For this reason, I ask you from the depths of my heart: Are you willing to sacrifice something in your life in order to bring the face of Christ to others?”

Antonio de Jesus Mascorro Tristán, MG, National Director of the Mexican Pontifical Mission Societies, recalled that these congresses are part of a process begun in 1982 and represent an ongoing journey of missionary formation. The program was carefully designed to offer an integral experience combining doctrinal formation, spirituality, liturgical celebration, sharing, and mission.
During the four-day event, participants took part in conferences, round tables, testimonies, Eucharistic celebrations, the Missionary Rosary, the Vocational Expo, and various moments of prayer and encounter.
One of the main innovations of the 15th CONAJUM was the introduction of a specific space dedicated to digital evangelization. The panel of Digital Missionaries, accompanied by a conference by Father José Juan Montalvo on evangelization in the “sixth continent,” brought together twelve Catholic content creators who shared their experiences, challenges, and opportunities for proclaiming the Gospel through social networks.

The XV National Missionary Youth Congress concluded with the Missionary March and the closing Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico, Archbishop Joseph Spiteri, who conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s closeness and blessing to the participants.
However, the true conclusion of the Congress was not marked by a farewell, but by a sending forth. As the National Director of the Mexican Pontifical Mission Societies recalled in his message, no one had been called merely to attend an event, but rather to become an authentic missionary disciple who returns to his or her own community, willing to share the joy of the Gospel.

Link correlati :ADDRESS by Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu

AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Attack on the ancient monastery of Saint Arsema: “Buildings may be destroyed and lives broken, but our faith in Christ remains”

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:35:53 +0200

Addis Ababa – The ancient monastery of Saint Arsema, in South Wollo, in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, was severely damaged in a drone attack on July 22, 2026. Numerous casualties were reported among monks, priests, nuns, and faithful of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church who were at the monastery to participate in the liturgy.

According to several local sources, two nuns and six priests and religious members lost their lives. Numerous civilians and worshippers present at the site were also injured.

For many Ethiopian Christians, this tragedy represents far more than the loss of human lives: it has shaken the sense of security associated with places that have always been considered sacred. “Our churches and monasteries have always been places where people come to seek God, pray, and find peace,” an Ethiopian pastor said, describing the climate of fear that has spread among Christian communities.
“When a place of worship becomes a place of death, the faithful begin to ask themselves where they can gather safely,” reads a statement released on social media. “Whether the target was armed fighters or not, those who lost their lives were worshippers, priests, and nuns. Families have lost their loved ones and the Church is mourning. Innocent people should never pay the price of war.”

The attack occurred in the context of the ongoing conflict between Ethiopian government forces and fighters from the Fano militia in the Amhara region. The government has claimed that the militia members were using the monastery as a shelter.

The pastor quoted on social media statements explained that the incident has intensified fears among many faithful about attending religious celebrations, especially in areas affected by the conflict.
“Many people are living in fear and are afraid to gather for worship,” he said. “Parents are asking themselves whether it is still safe to bring their children to church, because they fear that what happened at Arsema monastery could happen elsewhere. This is a fear we never wanted to see among our people. We spend our days comforting those who ask why all this has happened. We do not always have answers, but we point them toward Christ.”

Despite the tragedy, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church continues to bear witness to its faith and calls on Christians around the world to support it during this time of trial.

“Our hope has not disappeared,” said another member of the Ethiopian Orthodox community. “Buildings can be destroyed and lives can be broken, but our faith in Christ remains. We continue to pray for peace, justice, and reconciliation in our country, and we pray not only for the families of the victims but also for peace in Ethiopia.”

ASIA - “Choral compassion” to stop migrant tragedies in the “Mediterranean of Asia”

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:19:11 +0200

Jakarta – Forced migration and human trafficking, two deeply interconnected phenomena, are among the most serious crises affecting the Asian continent. In the face of the ongoing maritime tragedies in the Bay of Bengal, Catholic communities in South and Southeast Asia—particularly in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia—are called to a “choral compassion” aimed at creating networks of welcome and humanitarian corridors to protect migrants from human traffickers.
Father Ignatius Ismartono, an Indonesian Jesuit active in Jakarta in the fight against human trafficking with the organization ‘Sahabat Insan’ , shared these reflections in an interview with Fides. The Jesuit renews the appeal to compassion expressed by bishops at the recent Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences , recalling the tragedies unfolding in what has been described as the “Mediterranean of Asia.”
The term refers to the maritime area stretching from the northern part of the Bay of Bengal to the Indonesian province of Aceh, located at the northern tip of the island of Sumatra.

The Rohingya emergency

The latest episode that has provoked outrage and concern involves the Rohingya people, who continue to travel along one of the deadliest maritime migration routes in the world. Two boats carrying more than 500 people capsized off the coast of Myanmar in recent weeks.
“According to preliminary information,stated a joint communiqué from the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Refugee Agency , “the two boats departed from Myanmar’s Rakhine State at the end of June, carrying mainly Rohingya passengers. Among them were people from the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. One of the boats, believed to have been carrying around 250 people, sank shortly after departure. The second, with approximately 280 people on board, capsized on July 8 off the coast of Ayeyarwady, Myanmar.”
For Father Ismartono, “this is one of the most serious maritime disasters involving refugees in recent years. International agencies have urged governments in the region to strengthen search-and-rescue operations and to uphold their international obligations to protect those fleeing violence and persecution. They have also called for greater international cooperation to address the root causes of forced displacement and to create safe pathways for refugees.”
The Jesuit notes: “As the bishops of Asia have emphasized, this tragedy echoes the appeals of Pope Leo XIII to defend the dignity of every human person, especially migrants and refugees forced to leave their homes in search of safety.”

A transnational ecclesial action

The Jesuit shares the proposal of Bishop Socrates Mesiona, Bishop of Puerto Princesa and president of the Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, who highlighted “the urgency of ecclesial action at a transnational level.”
Forced migration in South Asia, the bishop said, “can no longer be treated by governments simply as a social burden or a legal problem.”
Father Ismartono adds that Catholic communities in Southeast Asian countries “feel called to participate in the mission of safeguarding the dignity of every person. They are called to make themselves available wherever the State fails or is unable to reach, promoting appropriate forms of pastoral outreach and reception.”
According to United Nations data, in 2026 alone more than 5,400 Rohingya have attempted dangerous journeys by sea. Humanitarian agencies describe the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea as among the world’s most dangerous migration routes. In 2025, more than 6,500 Rohingya fled by sea, with nearly 900 reported dead or missing.
The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority from Myanmar, have endured decades of discrimination, forced displacement, violence and denial of citizenship, leaving many stateless. Many remain confined to Rakhine State, while around 1.2 million continue to live in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
In this context, limited opportunities for education, employment and resettlement push many to undertake dangerous sea crossings. On one side, violence and conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State; on the other, declining humanitarian assistance and worsening living conditions in Bangladesh’s refugee camps continue to drive thousands of families into the hands of human traffickers, who organize sea journeys that frequently end in tragedy.

The field commitment of “Sahabat Insan”

Father Ismartono views the phenomenon from the privileged and practical perspective of “Sahabat Insan,” an organization officially recognized both by the Indonesian state and by the Catholic Church. This commitment, he explains, is “deeply rooted in Ignatian spirituality and in the principles of Catholic social dcotrine, and is founded on the protection of human dignity.”
The people assisted, he recalls, “are not considered mere numbers or statistical cases, but human beings endowed with an intrinsic and inviolable dignity—people in whom the face of Christ is revealed.”
“Sahabat Insan” operates according to the principles of compassion and proximity, opening itself to cooperation with networks of other faith in order to combat the global scourge of human trafficking, which is deeply rooted in the Bay of Bengal region.
“Southeast Asia, with its many nations,” the Jesuit explains, “is severely affected by illegal labor recruitment and human trafficking.” For this reason, the organization provides protection and direct assistance to victims, establishing systems of reception and offering psychological, legal and healthcare support to Indonesian migrant workers and those from neighboring countries who have fallen into the hands of traffickers. It also runs social reintegration programs to help survivors safely rebuild their lives within the local social and economic fabric.
“Prevention and awareness are extremely important,” he notes. “That is why we promote educational campaigns and seminars to inform communities and potential migrants about the dangers posed by traffickers, who often exploit poverty and lack of education by falsifying documents with the complicity of corrupt officials.”
In the effort to combat a phenomenon involving multiple actors—including governments, security forces and civil society—cooperation with other organizations, such as the Catholic sisters’ network Talitha Kum and the Jesuit Refugee Service, is essential to monitor migration flows and facilitate safe returns.
“Since trafficking is a transnational crime without borders,” he observes, “the response of the Church and civil society must be equally coordinated and global. For this reason, we are fully integrated into the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific .”
Building on this cooperation, the effort extends beyond the boundaries of the Catholic Church to engage institutions and governments within the ASEAN region .
“To parliamentarians of ASEAN countries,” he states, “we ask that the prevention of human trafficking be included directly in national school curricula, in cooperation with secular NGOs and the whole of civil society.”

The Manual of Latin American Ecclesial Communities to address the addiction crisis: A story of Communion

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:56:54 +0200

by Monica Poletto

Bogotá – The meeting is scheduled for the end of August in Rome. For two days, a group of men and women from across Latin America who contributed to the development and drafting of the “Manual” will gather for an intensive working session. The visit will conclude with an audience with Pope Leo X, to whom a copy of the manual will be presented along with an account of the communities' significant involvement in its creation.

The "Manual" in Spanish entitled "Manual de Adicciones" , was promoted and developed at the initiative of an office of the Latin American Episcopal Council , specifically the one dedicated to Latin American Pastoral Care for the Accompaniment and Prevention of Addictions .

The Manual is intended as a practical resource of universal value, offered to all institutions, organizations and groups engaged in the direct care and accompaniment of people living with addiction. At the same time, it is the fruit and testimony of a new ecclesial reality—dynamic and fruitful—that has been growing spontaneously across Latin America for nearly twenty years around initiatives of welcoming and fraternal accompaniment for vulnerable people, especially in the working-class neighborhoods of cities.

On June 25, the eve of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, the Manual was officially presented at CELAM's headquarters in Bogotá. On that occasion, the work was presented by Emilce Cuda, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and by Father Charly Olivero, coordinator of PLAPA.

Father Charly, a priest from Buenos Aires, explains in an interview with Fides News Agency the origin and purpose of the Manual, conceived primarily as a pastoral, theological, and methodological aid for communities to accompany people struggling with substance abuse.

Overcoming "reductionism"

The Manual, Father Charly explains, also arose from the desire of Christian communities throughout Latin America to confront together the serious problem of the spread of drugs, supporting one another with a shared perspective and path.
A previous manuel, entitled “Church, Drugs and Drug Addiction,” published in 2001 during the pontificate of Saint John Paul II, was for a long time a reference text and a valuable resource. However, it was now necessary to update it, taking into account scientific advances and the pastoral responses developed over the years.
From various regions came the call for a new tool that would take into account the cultural characteristics of each country while never losing sight of the structural causes of the widespread growth of addiction.
During his many years of fieldwork in the slums and working-class neighborhoods of Argentina, Father Charly had experienced the importance of looking at and embracing the whole person: without this perspective, no technique based on a partial view can be truly effective. From there, he began a dialogue with the many people in different communities who share, day after day, the lives of those marked by addiction.
More than three hundred people eventually became involved in PLAPA, forming the extensive network that made the preparation of the Manual possible.

"This tool," the Argentine priest emphasizes, "helps us minimize what we call reductionisms, which prevents us from walking together. When we limit our view to our own way of doing things, to our own perspective, and do not open it up to the totality of reality, we limit our ability to understand its complexity. Thanks to everyone's contribution, this manual has attempted to embrace this complexity."

The process that guided the collaborative drafting of the Manual recalls one of the key principles reaffirmed by Pope Francis in the apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium”: reality is greater than the idea. It is not about confronting ideas, but rather lived experiences.
As Frather Charly explains, the Manual is structured according to the three-step pastoral and social methodology—see, judge, and act—historically adopted by the Churches of Latin America and later codified by Saint John XXIII in the encyclical “Mater et Magistra.”

"The first stage, ‘seeing’," Father Charly explains, "consists of analyzing the situation. The ‘judging’ stage begins with the questions that arise in the heart of a person who wants to answer them from a specific place: a parish, a diocese, a school, the street. From the encounter with that reality, questions begin to emerge, which, in turn, open up new questions." We have chosen the scholastic method to structure this section: examining the questions, the answers, and the possible objections, always with the intention of broadening our perspective to encompass the complexity of reality."
He adds: "There are many hypotheses, approaches, and objections concerning the issue of drugs. We analyze them to begin a process of discernment. We want our perspective to be comprehensive, not abstract, and to take into account all the factors of reality. The manual originates from specific places, from our own territories. We have been touched by a reality that, in different ways, has shaped our lives."

The trap of abstractions

Reflecting on the origins of the work, Father Charly explains that everything began in 2018, when the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development convened a meeting in which he participated as a representative of the Familia Grande Hogar de Cristo.
"Representatives from the U.S. State Department were also present at that meeting, and they informed me of their intention to develop a text on the topic of addiction that could be used by the Church."

The idea was further developed at a meeting organized by CICAD , within OAS . On that occasion, the training proposal they were working on was presented, but that material had a strong scientific focus to which they were attempting to add a spiritual dimension.
According to Father Charly, this approach still fell short of the broader perspective needed to look at the person in his or her entirety. It reduced complexity, because an exclusively empirical approach addresses some dimensions of reality while neglecting others.
“For example, it does not talk about love. And yet, how many people begin their journey to overcome drug addiction thanks to the presence of people who love them!”

Many courses developed by international organizations, he observes, overlook crucial elements and real factors that influence people’s lives and decisions. For example, they start from a dualistic view of real life and religious sentiment, as if the latter were merely an addition rather than a constitutive dimension of the human heart.

The contagion of communion

Faced with his refusal to adhere to that perspective, he was asked to involve people working on the ground in writing their own text. Thus, a first version was born, which, in 2023, was also developed into training modules.
Thanks to the proposed training activities, the group traveled to different Latin American countries, deepening their understanding of the territories and gradually creating a network of people involved in the work on the Manual and in the nascent PLAPA.
From this journey also emerged the need to develop within CELAM a specific pastoral approach for people facing situations of addictions. The topic was shared with Bishop Jorge Lozano, then Secretary of CELAM, who initiated the process in that direction. Gradually, the people involved in the training activities became part of PLAPA.

Communities and organizations engaged in pastoral work across Latin America gradually came together within this new ecclesial initiative, sharing their experiences and learning from one another. Through this ongoing dialogue, the need emerged for a common vision that could also give rise to a common tool, one shaped by mutual exchange and woven from the richness of diverse experiences.
The meetings involved hundreds of people and addressed different topics, often working in small groups: supporting women, providing care to prisoners with substance use disorders, the reality of those experiencing homelessness, the expansion and globalization of organized crime, and how it shapes local communities. Each participant contributed from their own experience.

To integrate all this wealth of information into the manual, the group also enlisted the help of artificial intelligence, used to identify common elements across different regions and organize the collected material. "It helped us, but it did not replace us," explains Father Charly. The work of reading and understanding all this information was time-consuming; only then did the writing begin.

This comprehensive vision culminates in what Father Charly defines as an ethic of care. Between two extreme positions—harm reduction and abstentionism—the ethics of care occupies another level: it is a continuation of the focus on the person and their heart.
Sometimes a person simply needs a shower, and every effort is made to ensure that he or she can have one. when they later begin the journey of abstaining from substance use, they are supported so they can continue along the way.

Now begins the phase of disseminating the Manual, also through training programs for dioceses and those involved in this work.

"The training itineraries," explains Father Charly, "are intended to be a concrete aid for the work of parishes and communities, and a way to continue the method used to create the manual. They offer examples of relevant experiences. And when someone shares their own experience, it is easy for a relationship to develop. The most important thing is that this exchange continues among us and with all those who want to get involved."
The wealth of experiences and contacts shared around the manual will continue to enrich this tool, conceived as an instrument in constant development.

The goal is not to bring one chapter to a close, but to begin offering this work to everyone.