Lebanese archbishop: Innocents are ‘paying the price’ of Middle East war March 3, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News As the scourge of war spreads across the Middle East, including Lebanon, the ones paying the ultimate price are the innocent men, women and children who want to live in peace, said Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Georges Iskandar of Tyre.
Bishops, Christian leaders call for peace, urge diplomacy as Middle East conflict escalates March 2, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As the United States and Israel continued their campaign against Iran and the newest war continued to spread across the Middle East, bishops and Christian leaders appealed for peace before the conflict escalates any further, with the Catholic Church’s humanitarian giant Caritas saying it “unequivocally” condemns the attacks which would “destabilize” the region.
Church governance begins with holiness, not bureaucracy, Bishop Varden says at Curia retreat February 27, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, World News Church governance depends more on holy, prayerful leaders than on bureaucratic expertise, Norwegian Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim said during the Roman Curia’s Lenten retreat.
Spanish bishops clarify Pope Leo XIV’s remarks following media reports February 25, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, Vatican, World News The executive commission of the Spanish bishops’ conference clarified a recent report that alleged Pope Leo XIV had warned about attempts by far-right political parties in the country to “weaponize the Church.”
Sydney Archdiocese welcomes record numbers at Rite of Election February 25, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Evangelization, News, World News The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said it welcomed a record number of catechumens and candidates during the annual Rite of Election at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
German bishops’ conference elects proponent of controversial Synodal Way as president February 24, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, World News The German bishops’ conference announced that it has elected Bishop Heiner Wilmer of Hildesheim as its next president.
At Curia retreat, Bishop Varden warns of Gospel’s use ‘as a weapon in culture wars’ February 23, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News The Lenten season is a reminder that Christians are called to bear witness to Christ through authentic witness, not self-righteous indignation, Norwegian Trappist Bishop Erik Varden told the pope and Vatican officials.
Bishops urge prudence, prayer, invoke Guadalupe’s protection as violence erupts in Mexico February 23, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, World News Mexican bishops called on the faithful to follow safety protocols as violence broke out in several states following the military’s killing of a powerful cartel boss.
Pope to Legionaries of Christ: Authority in religious life is not ‘domination’ February 19, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV reminded members of the Legionaries of Christ that exercising governance and authority is meant as a service and not as a means to control others.
U.S.-led Board of Peace a ‘colonialist operation,’ Cardinal Pizzaballa says February 17, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, strongly criticized the U.S.-led Board of Peace, an international body chaired by President Donald Trump to oversee the governance and reconstruction of Gaza.
Catechist, pregnant wife among kidnapped in latest anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria February 13, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Several gunmen abducted 32 people in Nigeria’s Kaduna state, including a catechist and his pregnant wife, in an attack that has increased fears of Christians in the country who have been targeted over several weeks.
European bishops appeal for unity, warn against ‘idolatry’ of nationalism February 13, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, World News The presidents of the Italian, French, German and Polish bishops’ conferences issued a joint appeal calling for European unity in the face of continued global instability and to draw from the lessons of the past to prevent future catastrophes.
