Mission Column April 17, 2026
375 Baptized in Cambodia
"The
new baptisms of young people and adults that we celebrated this year are a sign
of great hope. They show that young Cambodians hear God's call and want to
follow it. For our Church, they are a true source of strength and life,"
said Father Enrique Figaredo (SJ), Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, to Fides.
He reported that a total of 92 people, mostly young people, were baptized in
his Apostolic Prefecture on Easter Sunday. "The catechists are also very
happy and enthusiastic. For us in Battambang, who suffer so much from the tense
situation on the border with Thailand, with internally displaced persons,
unemployment, and economic insecurity, these young people are a source of true
joy and hope. The values and ideas they express – solidarity, peace, and hope
for a better future – are extraordinary," he concluded.
Cambodia's
small Catholic community (a total of 20,000 members, 0.15% of the predominantly
Buddhist population) traditionally celebrates new baptisms on Easter Sunday – a
day of great joy for the new "children of God." In the capital, Phnom
Penh, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar, baptized 152 catechumens
during the Easter Vigil at the Church of Our Lady of the Smile in Chamkar,
Takeo Province. The Apostolic Prefecture of Kampong Cham recorded 131 baptisms
at Easter, bringing the total number of Cambodians baptized at Easter
(including children, but mainly teenagers and adults) to 375.
In
Takeo, Bishop Schmitthaeusler emphasized the exhortation "Do not be
afraid" as a cornerstone of modern life. In a world marked by conflict,
violence, and uncertainty, “the resurrection of Christ represents a definitive
victory over death and despair,” he said. “The Resurrection is not simply
another piece of news among many, but the most significant event in history, an
event that fundamentally changes our worldview,” the Apostolic Vicar stated.
The
bishop called on the Christian community to become messengers of peace,
beginning with mutual forgiveness within families and society, as well as with
neighboring countries.
Addressing
the catechumens, he said: “Our life is short, so move forward with hope, for
Jesus Christ is with us. He endured cruelty, violence, and pain to give us
life.”
Bishop
Schmitthaeusler then connected the significance of the Christian Easter with
the upcoming Khmer New Year (April 14–16, “Choul Chnam Thmey,” which marks the
end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season). He encouraged the
Catholic community to use the feast days as a time of reconciliation, to build
with faith a “new world founded on peace, forgiveness, and the shared dignity
of all people as children of God.”
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
Mission Column April 10, 2026
An Easter Marked by Violence, But the Bishops Call for Hope
"Faith
and hope in times of turbulence." The title of the Easter message, signed
by Msgr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto, Nigeria, already foreshadowed
what happened during the Easter holidays. More than 30 people were killed on
Easter Sunday in coordinated attacks by armed groups in parts of Benue State
and southern Kaduna State…
According
to eyewitnesses, the attacks were coordinated by at least dozens of heavily
armed men who simultaneously targeted churches and residential areas. In Kaduna
State, the army announced that it had freed 31 hostages after an attack on the
village of Ariko during the Easter celebrations. At least five people were
found dead, while local residents report that at least seven were killed and
others abducted.
Worshippers
who had gathered for Easter services at the local First Ecwa Church and the
Catholic Church of St. Augustine were particularly targeted. The violence also
affected other states, such as Zamfara, where on Holy Saturday, April 4, armed
men invaded the villages of Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji in the Bukkuyum
region, abducting more than 150 people, mostly women and children. In his
Easter message, Bishop Kukah emphasized that the insecurity affecting Nigeria
has turned into a humanitarian crisis, with thousands dead, millions of
displaced people, and communities torn apart.
"
After over 20 years and well over 20,000 corpses… the grim harvester still
roams freely across the country," he declared. The Easter message from the
bishops of Nigeria, signed by the president of the Catholic Bishops'
Conference, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, also focuses on the
difficult situation facing Nigerians. "Do not give up now, hold fast to
hope!" is the appeal from the Nigerian bishops.
"The
suffering of Nigerians today finds meaning in the Cross of Christ," the
message states, emphasizing that Christ's death and resurrection offer
consolation and hope. In their message, the CBCN emphasizes that the
difficulties Nigerians face are the direct consequence of years of government
marked by selfishness and greed, nepotism and tribalism, and a total lack of
commitment to the common good. Despite the ongoing violence, the Bishops recall
that the power of the Resurrection ensures that "weeping may last a night,
but joy comes in the morning."
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
Mission Column April 3, 2026
Hope in the Lord Does Not Disappoint
“Hope
in the Lord does not disappoint” is the motto of the mission organized by the
National Direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) in Albania, in
the Diocese of Rrëshen.
Rrëshen,
home to the cathedral and the bishop's residence, along with the surrounding
areas, mostly rural, with a total population of about 10,000, received visits
during the first two weeks of March from missionaries who traveled extensively
throughout the territory.
In
the Diocese of Rrëshen, located in the mountains of northern Albania, pastoral
work is currently entrusted to only six priests and five women's religious
congregations. In this context, the contribution of missionaries from other
dioceses and congregations represents a concrete sign of ecclesial solidarity
and a source of comfort for the local community.
The
diocese safeguards a valuable historical heritage and a strong testimony of
faith. The mission's focus were direct encounters with families. The
missionaries, organized in pairs—a priest and a religious sister or a priest
and a layperson—visited homes, sharing moments of listening and prayer. Thus,
the guiding principles of these visits were encounter, listening, and hope. In
most cases, the welcome was warm and marked by profound emotion. However, there
were also more delicate situations: some families, affected by personal or
family difficulties, struggled to open up and welcome the missionaries. Even in
these cases, their discreet and respectful presence became a sign of closeness
and a seed of hope.
“A
blessing, a word of comfort, a simple gesture are essential tools that have
made the mission concrete. In a time dominated by digital communication, human
contact has once again proven irreplaceable,” commented Father Agustin
Margjoni, a Vincentian missionary and national director of the Albanian
Pontifical Mission Societies, who since the beginning of his term has strived
to collaborate fruitfully with the bishops and missionaries present in the
country.
Among
the most significant moments was the meeting of the missionaries with high
school students at the Rrëshen Cathedral.
“The
mission was also an intense experience of communion among the missionaries
themselves. Coming from different dioceses and religious backgrounds, they
shared not only pastoral service, but also everyday moments, such as meals and
fraternal dialogue, experiencing how important it is, especially in contexts
like Albania, to join forces and collaborate,” explained Father Margjoni.
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
Mission Column March 27, 2026
Lenten Appeal
“I left the cathedral house for just a
moment. It was no more than five minutes that I was gone.
In that time, a bomb exploded and the rectory was destroyed.” — Fr. Solomon
Zaku
It can be deeply troubling to read about the persecution of our
fellow Catholics in Nigeria — including churches burned and bombed,
schoolchildren kidnapped, and more than 8,000 Catholics killed last year for
practicing their faith. But there is something more about Nigeria that you
should know. Our faith is growing fast there.
Ninety-three percent of Nigerian Catholics attend Mass on
Sunday. That’s the highest rate in the world. They have welcomed the Lord into
their lives, and nothing — not even the threat of death — will keep them away!
This Lenten season, please pray for Catholics in Nigeria and
all who risk their lives to practice our faith and please consider giving
again to The Pontifical Mission Societies. Your generous donation can support
our fellow Catholics in Nigeria and other countries, help millions to know
God’s love, as we have known, and support Pope Leo’s 1,130 missions around the
globe.
Recently, Monsignor Landry, National Director of the Pontifical
Mission Societies, spoke to Fr. Solomon Zaku.
He shared not only the harrowing story of his home parish being bombed
just five minutes after he stepped out the door, but also spoke with great
fervor about the joy he experiences being a priest in the country where
Catholicism is growing fastest in the world.
“It really is divine.” He told Msgr. Landry. “The more the
church is persecuted, the stronger our faith becomes. We are convinced of what
we are doing. On any occasion you visit one of our churches, you will see the
vitality and the joy of the people.” Fr. Zaku also expressed his gratitude
to The Pontifical Mission Societies and to partners like you in the Diocese of
Ogdensburg. “We realize we’re not alone.”
They are not alone. In Christ, they will never be alone. We
must continue to support them, and our brothers and sisters around the globe,
so that all may encounter Jesus Christ, all may thrive in communities of faith
— and so our worldwide family of the Church can continue to grow.
That
includes the U.S. Today, about one-quarter of Catholic priests serving in
America were born in other countries. Many come from places like Nigeria,
Uganda, Kenya, India, Latin America, Vietnam, and Korea, where faith is strong
and the Church is growing — but where the Church is still young and resources
are limited. Of the 201,000 seminarians around the world, fully 40% are in
missionary territories supported by The Pontifical Mission Societies, thanks to
American Catholics like you.
Your Lenten almsgiving supports the
proclamation of the Gospel, the building of churches and schools, and the
formation and support of priests, religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay
pastoral leaders in missionary dioceses across the world.
I’d
be so grateful if you would make a Lenten gift so we may continue our mission
to transform lives and build faith and faith communities, one person at a time.
Please
also join me in praying this holy season for our Nigerian brothers and sisters
and other persecuted Catholics around the world who refuse to sacrifice faith
to fear.
May the peace and joy of Christ
be with you as we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection.
Together in Mission,
Sister Mary Ellen Brett, SSJ
Mission Column March 20, 2026
Working Together to End Child Marriage
The
Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionaries are committed to walking
alongside tribal people and tackling child marriage in the Indian state of
Maharashtra, in central-western India…
As
Fr. John Singarayar SVD explains, the "Janseva Society," …recently
concluded a month-long door-to-door awareness campaign that reached deep into
areas where government services rarely penetrate and ancient customs often
trump legal provisions.
The
numbers are sobering. A recent study across twenty Katkari settlements in
neighboring Mangaon block found 111 boys and 81 girls married before the legal
age among just 258 households… "By twelve or thirteen, most children have
abandoned education entirely. That is when the real vulnerability begins,"
[Fr. Singaryar] explains.
What
sets the SVD mission’s approach apart is its commitment to accompaniment rather
than judgement. Rooted in the Gospel vision of justice and compassion, the work
seeks to make Christ present among the marginalized through genuine solidarity
and systemic change.
"We
do not come as outsiders telling people what to do,” said Manisha Kapare, who
is a Katkari herself and a campaign coordinator with Janseva Society. "We
sit with families," he explains, "listen to their struggles, and help
them see connections between early marriage and the suffering they already
know—girls dying in childbirth, babies who do not survive, young couples
trapped in impossible poverty."
…"This
is JPIC work in action," Fr. John Singarayar observes. "Justice means
confronting structures that crush human dignity. Peace means creating
conditions where families do not have to choose between survival and their
children’s welfare. And the integrity of creation includes protecting childhood
itself as sacred."
The
month-long campaign covered eighteen hamlets, reaching over 100 families.
Volunteers engaged elders, spoke separately with young people, and addressed
mothers who often hold quiet influence over family decisions. They explained
that legal marriage ages are not ‘arbitrary’ bureaucracy but safeguards built
on medical evidence and human welfare.
The
response exceeded expectations. Several village elders pledged to discourage
child marriages within their communities. Three families postponed weddings
they had been planning. Young girls who had never been asked about their own
futures began voicing hopes to continue studying.
Article from FIDES missionary news service
of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Mission Column March 13, 2026
Deaf Ministry in Ghana
"The
Kingdom of Ashanti is one of the most powerful and influential pre-colonial
states in West Africa, whose capital is Kumasi," reports Father K. René D.
Yao, of the Society for African Missions (SMA). Since its founding in 1856, the
SMA has established missions in different parts of Africa, including the
Kingdom of Ashanti in Ghana. "The contribution of the SMA among this
ancient population can be seen in their work of evangelization and education -
adds the missionary. The SMA fathers have worked in the region to improve
people's living conditions and spread the message of Christianity. They set up
schools and health services". Among the most salient results Father Yao
points out the establishment of the St. Hubert seminary in Kumasi, founded in 1948
to train African candidates for the priesthood.
"As
for me - concludes Fr. Yao - I am currently serving in Accra in a project for
the deaf, St. Martin Deaf Ministry, but I hope to extend my mission to other
regions of Ghana, including the Ashanti Kingdom"…
…
“At first, I did not have an office. I sat under a tree near the church. Later,
parishioners pointed out that I could not work under a tree and helped me set
up a small office.” …Today, Fr. René works with a small group of deaf and
hard-of-hearing people.
In
a statement sent to Fides, the missionary explains how, thanks to small
donations and the generosity of parishioners, he is able to maintain the
various activities of the St. Martin Deaf Ministry he founded. Inclusion is at
the heart of pastoral care. In addition to spiritual matters, the parish is
committed to social encounters, creative and educational projects, and sign
language courses to ensure sustainability.
Every
Sunday morning, Father René celebrates Holy Mass in sign language so that deaf
parishioners can fully participate in the Eucharist. “I do not want separate
Masses for the deaf. They already experience enough exclusion. If we celebrate
a Mass just for them, we separate them even further from the hearing community.
We must pray together, as one body in Christ.”
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
Mission Column March 6, 2026
Deadly Revenge is not Justice
"A
fresh descent into the abyss of human depravity, where the sanctity of life, a
sacred gift from God, is trampled upon with alarming impunity," is how the
Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan describe the massacre of civilians and
soldiers that took place in Abiemnhom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area,
South Sudan, on Sunday, March 1 and in Ayod County of Jonglei State, where 25
people were brutally killed on February 22.
"The
blood of our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters,
shed not on a battlefield but within their own communities, cries out to
Heaven. We are profoundly disturbed not only by the scale of suffering but by
the brazen disregard for human dignity that such acts represent," reads
the message sent to Fides signed by members of the Sudan and South Sudan
Catholic Bishops' Conference (SSSCBC).
After
expressing their solidarity with the population affected by the violence, the
Bishops launch an appeal to renounce the "culture of deadly revenge."
"With pastoral honesty, we must confront a painful truth: the culture of
deadly revenge has taken deep root in parts of our society," they
emphasize. "Cycles of retaliation, fueled by anger, collective blame, and
historical grievances, continue to destroy families, weaken communities, and
rob our children of their future. Revenge is not justice."
In
their message, the SSSCBC makes an "urgent appeal to the authorities"
to conduct a "thorough and independent" investigation to identify and
bring to justice those responsible for the Ayod and Abiemnhom massacres. This
is because "impunity feeds the repetition of crimes." "Justice,
instead, restores trust in the population."
The
Bishops conclude by addressing the victims and their families: "The Church
is your family. We weep with you. We pray with you. We carry you in our hearts.
We pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed. May the angels
lead them into Paradise."
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
Mission Column February 27, 2026
"Program for the practice of charity"
Fasting
and other forms of penance that Catholics practice during Lent are not
self-imposed deprivations for the sake of self-satisfaction, but arise from
gratitude for the gift of true peace and authentic happiness. With this spirit,
the parish of Lucheng, in the Diocese of Wenzhou (Zhejiang Province), continues
its Lenten journey, which began with the celebrations of Ash Wednesday on
February 18.
Prayer,
fasting, abstaining from meat, penitential prayers and vows, and above all,
works of charity characterize the six weeks of Lent, during which the faithful
follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who endured suffering and death to reach
Resurrection. The focus of this time is St. Paul's Cathedral and other
churches, chapels, and prayer rooms. The parish has developed a program to
support all the faithful in observing the Lenten practices—both individually
and communally—and to use them as opportunities for inner transformation
through charity.
By
following the "Program for the Practice of Charity," which was
distributed to parishioners in advance on the previous Sunday, each member of
the Catholic community can be gradually guided on a path of charity and sharing
through acts of kindness and acts of charity, leading up to Easter Eve.
The
theme of the first week is "Awakening Love for God"; the second week
focuses on "Practicing Self-Love"; the third week invites us to
"Live Love for Our Families"; the fourth week broadens our horizons
and encourages us to "Practice Love for others"; the fifth week is
dedicated to "Renewal"; and the sixth and final week invites us, in
the spirit of Jesus, to "Walk with Him" toward the mystery of the
Resurrection.
The
“Program for the Practice of Charity” aims to offer believers concrete and
practical spiritual guidance, helping them to live and bear witness to their
faith in everyday life during Lent, which prepares them for the coming of the
risen Christ. During the solemn celebration of Ash Wednesday, participants
received the ashes – a sign reminding each individual that they are a creature
accepted, desired, and embraced by the love of God the Father, and called to
move toward the peace and joy that Christ brings at Easter.
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Mission Column February 20, 2026
Lent and Ramadan
“This
year, the holy month of Ramadan and the Lenten season (with Ash Wednesday) bega
n together on February 18. This shared beginning is a grace. It invites us to
slow down, to return to God, and to walk together in faith,” says Bishop Colin
C. Bagaforo, Bishop of Kidapawan and president of the Philippine Bishops’
Commission for Interreligious Dialogue, in a message addressed to believers of
both communities, Christian and Muslim. Both communities are present in the
Philippines, a country of 100 million inhabitants, with a predominantly
Catholic population (90%), where there is also a Muslim community of almost
seven million people, concentrated mainly on the island of Mindanao, in the
southern part of the archipelago.
The
bishop explained to Fides, illustrating his message: “It can be said that there
is a spirit of tolerance between Christians and Muslims in the Philippines. And
when episodes of conflict occur, sometimes marked by violence, they tend to be
more political in nature or related to land disputes.” The Bishop did not
underestimate the challenges, however: “Due to some cultural differences, there
is still a narrow mentality that hinders coexistence in certain communities.
Sometimes, Christians do not feel comfortable living alongside Muslims, and
vice versa. But in the last 20 years, much progress has been made, and both
sides have tried to build a harmonious relationship between the two
communities.” In his message, the bishop emphasized that during Ramadan and
Lent, “Muslims and Christians enter a time of prayer, fasting, repentance, and
generosity.” This encourages them to “learn to see each other as brothers and
sisters.” “Our sacred texts call us to peace: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Mt
5:9) and ‘God invites everyone to the House of Peace’ (Quran 10:25). In a world
marked by violence and division, this moment calls us not only to pray for
peace, but to live it and commit ourselves to it. Ramadan and Lent remind us
that faith must transform our hearts and shape our actions. Fasting opens our
eyes to suffering and increases our compassion. God’s love is manifested in
love of neighbor, especially the poor and the forgotten.”
Peace,
the bishop reminds us, “is more than the absence of war; it is a just
relationship: with God, with others, and with creation.” “We were created to
live together, not against one another. This vision of fraternity resonates
deeply in both Ramadan and Lent. Peace flourishes where mutual respect is
practiced, where dialogue replaces suspicion, and where solidarity becomes a
way of life.”…
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Mission Column February 13, 2026
Seeds of Hope in Ukraine
Temperatures
ranging from -10 to -20 degrees, lack of electricity, heating and, in some
cases, running water. From Borodjanka, near Kiev, Father Luca Bovio, Consolata
missionary and director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Ukraine,
shows in a video one of the many refreshment points where people can find
‘respite’ from the cold, hot meals are distributed and play areas have been set
up for children.
The
massive attacks on the energy infrastructure across the country are putting a
strain on a population exhausted by almost four years of war…
The
current ecclesial reality in Ukraine has been shaped by a rich and complex
history linked to the events of Orthodox Christianity in those lands. “As
Pontifical Mission Societies,” explains Father Bovio, "we work mainly
within the Latin Rite Catholic Church, which accounts for about 1% of
Christianity in Ukraine. But even at this early stage, our Direction is
expanding its field of work with Catholics of both the Latin and Greek
Byzantine rites. In the near future, we would also like to collaborate with a
small community of Armenian Catholics."…
“With
surprise and amazement,” adds the missionary, “I have also witnessed the
formation of missionary children's groups in recent months. Especially during
Christmas, there were many moments of missionary animation by these children
and adolescents, who showed the joy and generosity typical of children and
cultivated by the PMS for the benefit of the most distant children.” “I think
it is a sign of great hope,” he adds, “to find children who, despite living in
situations of constant precariousness, bring the Gospel with their hearts
turned to their peers who are most in need.”
Looking
to the future, Father Luca Bovio states: "I believe that the PMS in
Ukraine are called to an important commitment in missionary and vocational
animation. In this initial phase, I believe that the urgency of proclaiming
Christ beyond one’s own borders, to the whole world, is not yet widely
perceived; here, Christianity is lived with an emphasis on other aspects that
are undoubtedly important—there is, for example, great attention to the
liturgy. “In this land blessed by God, rich in so many stories of saints and so
many beautiful examples of Christian life, we will also seek to work so that
vocations may arise which embrace the beauty of proclaiming Christ to the ends
of the world.”
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Mission Column February 6, 2026
Charity in the Lunar New Year
Let
us all learn from the example of Chinese Catholics during this season and care
for those in our community that are struggling with loneliness, poverty, lack
of shelter, and illness. May we be there
for our neighbors in their times of need.
On
the eve and in the early hours of the Lunar New Year, which this year falls on
February 17, Catholic parishes throughout China will be filled with families
eager to participate in Eucharistic celebrations, pray giving thanks to God and
invoking his blessing for the new year, as well as light candles, firecrackers,
and fireworks to share moments of community fellowship. However, for a month
now, Catholic communities in mainland China have been carrying out pastoral
activities and charitable initiatives traditionally linked to the Lunar New
Year, which begins with the start of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar.
Bearing
witness to their faith through works of charity and mercy, Chinese Catholic
communities eloquently demonstrate how the Christian spirit and the Chinese
virtue of caring for the most vulnerable flourish in harmony.
According
to the church news portal xinde.org, ahead of the Lunar New Year—which,
according to Chinese astrology, will usher in the Year of the Horse—the
Catholic charitable foundation "Nanjing Ark" has launched a
grassroots charity initiative to provide "a warm winter" for people
in need and with disabilities, such as blind children, former leprosy patients,
and elderly people suffering from various illnesses. In collaboration with
civil organizations and entities, the foundation has donated 20,000 yuan to
support families with sick children facing hardship. Furthermore, its
volunteers have distributed 40 eye care kits to teenagers as part of the
"Luminous Childhood" initiative, in partnership with an eye hospital;
visited the Municipal Center for the Prevention of Occupational Diseases,
expanding assistance to patients cured of leprosy; and delivered 50 new quilts
to needy elderly people in the area.
In
the Apostolic Prefecture of Lindong (Bayannur), Inner Mongolia, the Dengkou
community promoted various awareness and support activities for elderly people
living alone and students facing difficulties in honor of the Lunar New Year…
The
Taihu community in Wuxi City also carried out an initiative to support adults
with autism, visiting a rehabilitation center to help overcome loneliness and
allow everyone to feel included in the festive atmosphere shared by families…
Meanwhile,
twenty volunteers from the Tian’ai (“Love of God”) Association of the
Archdiocese of Guangzhou have renewed the beautiful tradition of their
initiatives supporting the elderly and people with disabilities, reaching even
cities and villages far from the metropolis…
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
Mission Column January 30, 2026
Mental Health Ministry in India
The
Catholic Church in India has launched a systematic campaign to address growing
mental illness in groups including families and religious communities.
“We
decided to take up mental health as a major concern and set up the structure in
response to increased family conflicts, death by suicide among young adults,
and even among religious,” said Archbishop Thomas Tharayil, the chairman of the
Mental Health Ministry of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
“Mental
health issues are on the increase both in personal lives and in families and
service fields. The Church has to reach out to those in trouble at different
levels from diocese to parishes,” Tharayil told CNA from Changanacherry in
southern Kerala state.
…
The
ministry emerged at the national two-day convention jointly organized by the
India chapter of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health
Ministers and the Indian bishops’ health care commission in April 2024 in
Bangalore.
The
two-day conference, which was attended by half a dozen bishops besides more
than 250 religious, clergy, experts, and professionals, examined “the role of
the Church as a healing community and the difference between mental health and
spiritual well-being.”
The
conference called for “spiritually accompanying individuals suffering from
mental illness at the grassroots level — the diocese, parish, and community
level.”
“The
setting up of the Mental Health Ministry is the fruit of this conference,”
Medical Mission Sister Joan Chunkapura told CNA.
“Depression
and anxiety and other personality disorders are also on the increase due to
stress and uncertainty and work pressure. Increasing numbers of suicides
challenge us to set up more systems to serve those in mental crisis,” said the
nun, who serves as the ministry secretary and who has done psychological
counseling for four decades.
Dozens
of priests and nuns have died by suicide in the past two decades due to
depression, other mental health issues, or sexual exploitation, she said.
Conferences
and seminars are being held in different parts of the country, Chunkapura said.
“We
have been looking at setting up a national framework to address mental health
effectively amid increasing challenges,” Carmelite Father Shinto Thomas told
CNA. The priest, based in Bangalore, has been appointed president of the mental
health ministry…
“The
Indian Bishops’ Conference is setting an example to inspire other countries,”
Shoener told CNA.
“Though
our Mental Health network is associated and working in 75 countries, India is
one of the countries where [the bishops have] taken it up seriously and set up
a program for it,” the deacon said.
“I
have met representatives from the CBCI in my trips to India in 2024 and then
again in 2025. They have embraced mental health ministry and have taken
important steps to develop the ministry for the Indian context,” he added… Article courtesy of the Catholic News
Agency
Mission Column January 23, 2026
A New Path of Coexistence
In
Manipur, India, violence erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei tribe and the
Kuki-Zo tribe. Naga ethnic groups also
live in this state, along with other minority groups. More than 60,000 people
have been displaced, and the different ethnic groups are isolated in strictly
segregated areas… Since February 13,
2025, Manipur has been under the direct presidential administration of New
Delhi, while the formation of a government is being considered, which could
include members of the Kuki, Meitei, and Naga groups.
"As
things stand, reconciliation in the state of Manipur is still premature. As far
as I can see, there is still resentment in people's hearts, much suffering, and
psychological trauma. It will take some time before the wounds heal and we can
speak of dialogue again," says Father Marcus Thangminlun, CMF, a priest of
the Claretian Missionaries who was recently ordained in the Claretian community
of Manipur, in an interview with Fides…
Today,
it is very difficult to speak of coexistence,” he observes. Father Marcus, who
comes from Manipur and serves as a priest in this complex situation,
emphasizes: “As a priest, I speak about peace and try to be an apostle of peace
among both ordinary people and civil leaders. Above all, we always pray for
peace.”
“Our
charism is to proclaim the Word of God and respond to the signs of the times:
We are trying to do this here in Manipur, in a torn society. Only the Spirit of
God can heal the wounds and bring about an era of reconciliation.”
The
Claretians have established the “St. Claret Mission” and opened three centers
for displaced people in three rural districts of Manipur: “We help the people;
we have established schools in the parishes to meet the needs of the displaced.
These are internally displaced persons who have come primarily from the
capital, Imphal, and cannot return to their homes and their lives before the
conflict. In some cases, their homes and property have been destroyed. Today
they are alone and have no means of survival; they have no schools. Among my
confreres, four Claretians dedicate themselves to these people, bringing them
comfort and concrete help.”
“Some of the displaced,” he recalls, “have
found a small house to settle in, thanks to the help of the Diocese of Imphal.
Many others have nothing; they live in total poverty. The social and political
situation is at a standstill, and there are no easy solutions. We are hoping
for everyone’s goodwill.”
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Mission Column January 9, 2026
Missionary Childhood Day in Malawi
This
year in Malawi, more than 100,000 children participated as protagonists in the
celebration of Missionary Childhood Day.
Missionary
Childhood Day coincides with the Solemnity of the Epiphany. At the local level,
the particular Churches organize the celebrations in different ways and at
different times. In Malawi, this year the Day was celebrated on Sunday, January
4, and saw broad and very active participation from dioceses and parishes.
Specific celebrations were organized throughout the country, in which numerous
bishops took part. The children actively participated as choir members,
readers, altar boys, and leaders of the assemblies, and they also enlivened the
moments of prayer with dances.
The
theme of Missionary Childhood Day echoes that chosen for World Mission Day
2026: “One in Christ, united in mission.”
In
all the celebrations, the celebrants reminded everyone that parents are called
to set a good example for their children, accompanying them and helping them to
find Jesus in their own lives. In each diocese, the bishops emphasized the
Day’s central message in various ways, often drawing inspiration from the
solemnity of the Epiphany.
In
the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Archbishop George Tambala affirmed that all those
who hold positions of responsibility in society and in the family should be
like the “star” that guides children to God. In the Diocese of Karonga, Bishop
Mtumbuka invited children to be “stars” for one another, like the star that led
the Magi to the birthplace of the Child Jesus. In the Archdiocese of Blantyre,
Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa expressed his satisfaction with the way the
children led the day's liturgy, demonstrating their conscious participation in
the liturgical celebration.
In
the Diocese of Zomba, Bishop Alfred Chaima emphasized that prayer education is
an essential feature of a rich and grateful Christian life. Finally, the Vicar
General of the Diocese of Dedza expressed his satisfaction that, during this
year's celebration of World Missionary Childhood Day, the parishes of Kanyama
made very generous contributions to the Universal Solidarity Fund.
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
Please remember “The Society for the Propagation of the Faith” when writing or changing your Will.
https://www.rcdony.org/mission.html
