A Catholic Relief Services humanitarian aid convoy came under drone attack in Tigray, Ethiopia, according to a report in Addis Standard. The U.S. State Department's Bureau of African Affairs said on X Sept. 22 that it "condemns the recent drone strike on a Catholic Relief humanitarian assistance convoy in Tigray" and called for "a full investigation."
The convoy was reportedly carrying 41 metric tons of food for internally displaced people (IDPs) in the region. The attack injured the driver and a young girl. The humitarian assistance was operating under the Joint Emergency Operation Program (JEOP) and contracted through the Adigrat Diocesan Catholic Secretariat (ADCS).
The Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat condemned the strike and called for "protection of humanitarian workers, supplies and aid routes in accordance with international humanitarian law."
Kazakhstan abolishes death penalty in new constitution
Kazakhstan's new constitution has abolished the death penalty, according to Fides News Agency. The change was approved by referendum on March 15 and officially became law on July 1.
Father Gabriel Jocher, an Austrian priest of the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus and Mary and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kazakhstan, told Fides: "Kazakhstan has once again explicitly confirmed the ban on the death penalty. From a Christian perspective, this is a reason for joy. Human dignity is not lessened even when a person has committed a serious crime. At the same time, respect for human life does not mean turning a blind eye to unlawful acts: justice, accountability, and the protection of society remain fundamental."
South African archbishop condemns killing of 9 women
Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani of South Africa's Bloemfontein Archdiocese has condemned violence against women in the country, urging men to respect and protect women following the discovery of nine women's bodies and the arrest of three related to the killings, according to ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa.
Police confirmed that the bodies of the women were discovered in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, beginning in July with the ninth body found on the morning of Sept. 17.
In a video recording published Sept. 21, the archbishop said the killings are "a sign of the brutality and cruelty faced by women," noting that there could be other victims whose bodies have not yet been discovered. He called on South African men to respect women and reiterated the Catholic Church's condemnation of gender-based violence, saying women should not be subjected to violence in either private or public spaces.
Decision for Catholic schools in France to mark pope's visit sparks criticism
Euro News reported that a "compulsory day" in Catholic schools celebrating the upcoming papal visit to France has sparked controversy.
According to the report, the General Secretariat for Catholic Education (Sgec), headed by Guillaume Prévost, "asked state-funded private schools under contract to treat Friday 25 September, the day Leo XIV arrives, as a special day and to replace regular lessons with activities focused on the Pope, the Catholic Church and various social issues."
The move, however, has been critized, in part, because "state-funded private schools under contract are required to follow the national curriculum," according to the report.
Debate in France around religion in the public square is common. After criticism of President Emmanuel Macron's presence at a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Marseille in 2023, the head of state will not be attending any papal Masses celebrated by Leo XIV during his visit.
Lebanese and French dioceses unite in prayer for Pope Leo's visit
A 35-year relationship between the Maronite Diocese of Antelias in Lebanon and the Diocese of Lyon in France is taking on new meaning as Catholics in both countries pray a novena to accompany Pope Leo XIV on his apostolic journey to France, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported.
The nine-day prayer, which began Sept. 20 and will end Sept. 28, began simultaneously at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon and in Antelias. Regina Karam, who prepared the prayer text, said the initiative grew from a desire among Lebanese Catholics to stand spiritually with the French, recalling the material and moral support France offered Lebanon through periods of hunger, war, and the Beirut port explosion.
Each day carries a different intention, including prayers for the pope and priests, the universal Church, political leaders, young people, and the spiritual fruits of the papal journey. On Sunday, participants will unite their prayers with Pope Leo during his time at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Antelias Bishop Antoine Bou Najem backed the initiative and later personally presented the novena text to Pope Leo in Rome.
Music and prayer in Bahrain mark Franciscan jubilee
Catholics in Bahrain marked the Franciscan jubilee with an evening of music, storytelling, and prayer at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, ACI MENA reported. The celebration, titled "San Francesco 800: A Musical Journey of Faith," brought together clergy, parishioners, diplomats, and other guests under the guidance of Bishop Aldo Berardi, apostolic vicar of Northern Arabia.
Prepared by Capuchin Father Marcus Fernandes, the performance retraced the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi through hymns, narration, and dramatic scenes. Adults and children took part alongside musicians, with the program focusing on Franciscan themes including simplicity, humility, fraternity, prayer, peace, and care for creation.
Berardi used the occasion to emphasize the Christian understanding of peace as first a gift from God rather than simply a human achievement, recalling St. Francis' commitment to carrying that peace to others.
Caritas Indonesia officially hands over 100 homes to flood victims
Caritas reported that the Caritas Indonesia network on Sept. 16 "officially handed over permanent housing to residents affected by the flash floods and landslides that struck the Sumatra region in November 2025."
Over 100 completed houses were provided, and the organization, according to Caritas' website, is currently finalizing the construction of approximately 200 more homes. The initiative is part of the "Gerakan Rumah Belarasa" (Compassionate Home Movement) — a humanitarian initiative of the Caritas Indonesia network.
Eastern Canadian bishop, local Catholics seek to save historic cathedral
The bishop of Bathurst, New Brunswick, an eastern Canadian province, said he plans to meet with the city's mayor to seek ways to prevent the loss of the Catholic cathedral there.
Bishop Michel Proulx, O Praem, told Canadian Catholic News he wants to save the city's historic Sacred Heart Cathedral, currently slated for demolition next spring. After Masses on Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, Oct. 10–12, the church will close for the winter due to heating costs.
Local Catholics are also moblizing to save the cathedral, according to the report. Bathurst Catholic and rally organizer James Risdon is planning a prayer event in front of the cathedral on Oct. 10 "as part of the 2026 Public Square Rosary Crusade across Canada to pray for the revitalization of the Church in Canada."
"We can't just keep closing down church buildings, shrug our shoulders, and pretend this is normal and inevitable. It's not," Risdon said in a statement.
