Ahead of Easter, Bishop Vitalii Kryvytski, SDB, of Kyiv-Zhytomyr in Ukraine warned against conflicts spreading to unexpected places around the world as the war in the Middle East continues unabated.
“There are people, politicians, and countries that continue to actively help our country, Ukraine, stand its ground,” the bishop told “EWTN News Nightly” on April 1. “Will there be fewer such people now that the war in the Middle East has begun? Most likely, yes.”
He continued: “I believe that this situation in the Middle East could demonstrate that if we do not put an end to this war and end it justly, then in reality, the conflict could spread even to countries that never even imagined it reaching them.”
Christian town in Lebanon mourns father and son killed in strike
In the Christian town of Debel, Lebanon, grief deepened after an Israeli strike killed a father and his son, an attack residents described as another blow to a civilian population already living under constant fear, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Sunday.
Eli Zognoun, a 27-year-old architect from Debel, said the community is reeling with shock and sorrow over the deaths, adding that the local priest called for prayers for the victims and for the protection of civilians who have stayed behind. He said the two men, George and Elie Soueid, were peaceful civilians deeply attached to their land and families and had been using the only humanitarian road open between Debel and Rmeish in an effort to return home safely.
The Israeli army and Hezbollah have been clashing for days near Debel, where more than 1,700 people still live, according to L’Orient Today, which reported that the Christian villages in south Lebanon remain mostly populated “despite the ongoing Israeli invasion and intense skirmishes with Hezbollah in many regions.”
The report also said “the president of the Dibil municipal council, Akl Naddaf, told the LBCI channel that the residents had ‘asked the authorities to grant them permission to move about safely, but without success.’ Naddaf added that the situation in the village is deteriorating day by day and that the residents are no longer able to meet their most basic needs.”
Chinese cardinal’s Easter message urges hope, care for young people amid wars
Cardinal Stephen Chow, SJ, has called on the Chinese government to give young people who have committed minor crimes a “second chance” and for parents to protect their children from the country’s competitive culture.
“Allow me to call on parents and schools to protect our children by not allowing them to go under the life-sapping and blindingly competitive culture, although a relatively small number of students may thrive in it,” Chow said in his Easter Message 2026, which was addressed to the faithful of Hong Kong. Citing steadily high suicide rates among young people, Chow also called on the government to “reduce the use of ‘Key Performance Indicator’ (KPI) so as to allow our educators more time and space to better accompany their students.” The message came as Chow noted “the spreading of hate and violence” on social media and around the world ahead of Easter.
Cameroon airport carries out test flights ahead of Pope Leo’s visit
Two aircraft operated by Cameroon’s national airline, Camair-Co, successfully landed at Bamenda Airport on Sunday, March 29, in a major step toward final preparations for the planned apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV to the country planned to take place April 15–18.
“This deployment serves as a convincing full-scale rehearsal to ensure maximum safety during the visit of the sovereign pontiff, scheduled for April 16,” said Adolphe Lele Lafrique, governor of the Northwest Province of the Republic of Cameroon, after the test, according to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, on Tuesday.
Missionaries travel 2 by 2 into Albania countryside
Missionaries with the National Direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies traveled across the the Diocese of Rrëshen to provide pastoral care to rural communities throughout March.
Traveling in pairs — one religious priest and either a religious or layperson — the missionaries traversed to rural areas across the mountains of northern Albania, where only six priests minister to a region of about 10,000 people, according to a Fides News Agency report.
“A blessing, a word of comfort, a simple gesture are essential tools that have made the mission concrete,” said Father Agustin Margjoni, a Vincentian missionary and Pontifical Mission Societies national director. “In a time dominated by digital communication, human contact has once again proven irreplaceable.”
Irish diocese apologizes after visiting priest says ‘evil demons’ cause autism
The Diocese of Kerry issued a statement after a visiting member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal said during a homily at a local parish that “evil demons” were the source of autism.
“At the recent parish mission in Boherbue Parish, a visiting missioner, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal based in Limerick, made a comment during a talk,” the diocese said, according to a report from the Irish Times on Wednesday. “The remark, which referenced autism, was intended as an illustrative example but was poorly expressed and inappropriate. It was acknowledged that the comment was not appropriate, and a sincere apology was offered at the time for any hurt or offense caused.”
The statement said the priest in question “deeply regrets that the remark caused upset,” adding: “We again apologize to anyone who may have been hurt by it.”
Church in India offers praise for country’s new climate objectives
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India Chairman Bishop Allwyn D’Silva is celebrating India’s new plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
“I commend the government’s updated climate commitments as they build on the success of surpassing renewable energy targets ahead of time and commit to increasing carbon sinks through expanded forest and tree cover,” D’Silva said, according to an UCA News report Wednesday.
Under the new plan, India said it plans to achieve 60% non-fossil-fuel electricity capacity, expand carbon sinks through forests and tree cover, and reduce the intensity of emissions by 47% by 2035, the report said.
Mozambique bishop urges solidarity with flood and conflict victims during Holy Week
Bishop Osório Citora Afonso of the Quelimane Diocese in Mozambique is calling for the faithful to approach Holy Week with mercy toward those impacted by natural disasters and ongoing violence in the country.
“The celebration of Holy Week should be marked by a spirit of solidarity, especially toward those affected by the recent floods and the conflict in Cabo Delgado,” he said in a March 28 statement, according to an ACI Africa report on Monday.
The bishop urged the faithful to support the vulnerable through visits, assistance, and acts of charity. “Christ walks with us,” he said. “In the cross, we see the pain of families who have lost everything, the cries of children, and the exhaustion of those trying to rebuild their lives.”
St. Martin’s Day tradition officially recognized by German UNESCO commission
Martinsfest, held on St. Martin’s Day (“Martinstag”) on Nov. 11 every year, is a major cultural tradition in the Rhineland and is now officially recognized by the German Commission for UNESCO, according to a report by CNA Deutsch, the German-language sister service of EWTN News.
“The Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Länder and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media have today included five further traditions in the National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage,” the commission announced on March 27.
St. Martin’s traditions include lantern parades, traditional songs, bonfires, and the telling of the story of St. Martin. “Today, the Martin’s tradition is a firmly anchored part of the public and cultural life of many places in the Rhineland,” the UNESCO commission said.
