The Church in Europe

Pope Leo XIV wrote a letter to mark the 300th anniversary of the canonization of St. Turibius de Mogrovejo, stating that bishops have a duty to pass on clear teaching.

The Pope explained that a bishop does not pass on his own personal teachings but rather the faith of the Church. He noted that bishops must guard the deposit of faith, deepen it, and make it understandable for the people entrusted to their care.

Cardinal Domenico Battaglia asked San Gennaro for a year without war during the feast of the saint in Naples. While celebrating the solemnity, the Archbishop of Naples noted that the saint's blood had liquefied again.

Battaglia requested that the only blood discussed in the coming year be that of San Gennaro. He stated he no longer wants to speak of the blood of children or innocent victims in places such as Palestine and Ukraine. The cardinal expressed exhaustion with a humanity that creates victims and then builds monuments to mourn them, noting his desire to move past perfect commemorations and impossible peace.

The Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference condemned the recent attack on a police compound in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Bishop Samson Shukardin, president of the conference, expressed condolences to the families of the 21 people killed and the 103 others wounded during the violence.

The attack began Friday when a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a complex in Kohat, near the border with Afghanistan. Gunmen followed the vehicle, targeting the compound which houses the Counter Terrorism Department and living quarters for officers. The coordinated assault occurred during Friday prayers, resulting in deaths and injuries among both police officers and worshippers. Security forces ended the standoff with the militants on Saturday.

Bishop Shukardin stated that the terrorists' actions were against humanity and noted that places of prayer should be safe environments for people seeking peace. He added that Pakistan continues to suffer significantly from terrorism and various disasters.

Donald Trump announced on Friday, September 18, that he reached a new security agreement to establish permanent security control over Greenland. He is scheduled to sign the agreement in New York during the United Nations assembly.

Vatican News marked the 180th anniversary of the apparitions at La Salette on September 19. The event commemorates when the Virgin Mary appeared to children in the countryside, appearing in tears to call for prayer, conversion, and trust in God.

Father Antoni Skałba, the general vicar of the Missionaries of La Salette, noted that the apparition has served as a gift to the entire People of God since the Church approved it. He recalled that Mary specifically requested that the message be announced to all her people.

The Diocese of Limoges has released a game booklet for children to prepare for the visit of Pope Leo XIV to France. The booklet includes games and information to help children learn about the Pope and the reasons for his visit.

The publication highlights the Pope's message regarding the first commandment to love one another, as found in the Gospel of John. It also notes his calls for world leaders to work for the common good and for peace to prevail. The diocese made the booklet available for immediate download or printing.

The Diocese of Milano released a tribute to Sandro Mazzola following his death on Friday, September 18, at the age of 83. The former Inter Milan and Italian national team player was recognized for his significant career and his ability to succeed despite the pressure of his family legacy.

Mazzola followed the path of his father, Valentino, a captain of the Grande Torino team who died in the 1949 Superga air disaster. The tribute noted that Mazzola overcame comparisons and prejudices to establish his own identity on the field. While he initially sought to emulate the playing style of Alfredo Di Stefano, he eventually became a prolific goalscorer under coach Helenio Herrera, earning the title of Serie A top scorer during the 1960s.

The Diocese of Córdoba has published a report on its Diocesan Synodal Assembly in the magazine Church in Córdoba. The assembly took place on Saturday, September 19, at Colegio Trinidad.

The publication details the full development of the assembly, which introduced the pastoral plan and the specific work lines the diocese will follow for the next four years.

The Associazione Famiglia Buona Novella hosted families and children at Cascina Moreni in Cremona on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The event, titled “Sostenibilmente noi – Cura, famiglia, creato,” used workshops, stands, and activities to help participants explore the meaning of care.

The afternoon program allowed participants to play, experiment, and reflect together. The activities were designed for both adults and children.

Mariachiara Giorda, a professor of the history of religions at Roma Tre University, addressed the Religions and Peace conference in Subiaco. The event was organized by the Tavolo Sublacense della Pace e della Nonviolenza in collaboration with Roma Tre University, the local municipality, and the international ShaRP network.

Giorda argued that every religious tradition in human history has produced both rhetoric and practices of war and peace within the same contexts. She stated that attempting to rank religions by how peaceful or violent they are is a mistake. Instead, she noted that no religion is exempt from a complex relationship with both conflict and peace.

Giorda suggested that it is more important to distinguish between wars actually motivated by religion and conflicts where religion is merely used as a justification. She explained that religions are deeply intertwined with politics, culture, society, and the economy, making it an error to view religion as separate from the real world.

The Archdiocese of Bourges will host a conference on St. Francis of Assisi on October 15 at Salle Régina in Déols.

The Archdiocese of Bourges will host a conference on St. Francis of Assisi on October 15 at Salle Régina in Déols.

The Diocese of Nancy will hold an event at the Sanctuary of Sion on Sunday, October 4.

Fondazione Redentore ETS inaugurated its new structure in Castelverde on Saturday, September 19, following more than two years of construction. The ceremony marked the completion of a project to improve the energy efficiency, seismic resistance, and overall structure of the entire complex.

The renovation required a total investment of approximately 30 million euros. The day of the inauguration began in the facility's new hall.

Bishop Marc Aillet of Bayonne issued a communiqué on September 19, 2026.

The Diocese of Córdoba has launched its Pastoral Plan for 2026–2030 to guide the evangelizing work of the entire diocese over the next four years.

The plan establishes a new path of communion and mission for the local Church.

Archbishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses presided over a Mass for the Life Teen Spain formation meeting in Sevilla on Saturday. The gathering brought together approximately 80 leaders and catechists from the dioceses of Sevilla, Huelva, Cádiz, and Granada, along with the Life Teen Spain leadership team from the diocese of Terrassa.

During his homily, Archbishop Saiz Meneses used the parable of the sower to describe the mission of those accompanying adolescents and young people. He told the participants that they gathered to train, share experiences, pray, and renew their commitment to helping youth encounter Jesus Christ. The archbishop noted that evangelization requires leaders to go out to new generations rather than waiting for them to come to the Church, especially within a secularized society.

The Mass was concelebrated by Manuel Jiménez, the diocesan delegate for youth ministry.

Patriarch Francesco Moraglia condemned recent acts of intimidation in Mestre, describing them as worrying episodes of intolerance and aversion.

The Patriarch of Venice issued the statement through the Diocese of Venice on September 19, 2026, following serious incidents at a local school and a public park. Moraglia stated that it is necessary to restore the reasons for living together through both words and actions.

Bishop Nicholas Hudson shared reflections on his parents' 52-year marriage during a homily at the annual Mass for Marriage on September 12, 2026, at Plymouth Cathedral. Speaking to couples celebrating wedding anniversaries, the bishop described marriage as a vocation to forgive and to bear with the weaknesses of a spouse.

The bishop recounted personal stories to illustrate the realities of long-term commitment. He recalled his mother noting that marriage is not easy and shared how his father stayed by his mother's bedside throughout their golden wedding anniversary while she was in the hospital. He also mentioned a memory of his mother jokingly admitting to breaking a Lenten resolution by nagging his father. Hudson encouraged couples to maintain the sense of expectation they felt before their wedding day.

Bishop Sabino Iannuzzi will preside over the profession of temporary vows for Sr. Maria Stella della Croce (Sheila M. Bashir) on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

The Clarisse Sisters of Castellaneta scheduled the solemn concelebrated Mass for 16:30.

Archbishop Delpini has called on the faithful to pray for and support the seminary during the Day for the Seminary on September 20. The Archbishop's message, titled "Ora i miei occhi ti vedono," encourages Christian communities to help young people recognize the presence of Jesus and understand themselves through his gaze.

Father Enrico Castagna, the rector of the seminary, noted that the theme will also serve as the motto for a vocational mission. Seminarists in the Quadriennio will participate in this mission from October 23 to 27 at the Melegnano pastoral community.

The seminary community in Venegono Inferiore currently includes 48 seminarists from the Archdiocese of Milan and 4 seminarists from other dioceses.

Bishop Paul Connell attended the Irish Catholic Spaces: Pasts and Futures conference hosted by the Catholic Historical Society of Ireland at DCU. The event examined Ireland's Catholic heritage, including 800 years of Franciscan spaces, and discussed how to preserve sacred sites for future generations.

During the conference, organizers launched PARISH, a new database project designed to record and preserve Ireland's sacred heritage.

Many faithful gathered at the Saint Joseph chapel of the Slovenian Catholic Mission of Freyming-Merlebach on Sunday, September 13, 2026, to resume the community's continuous days.

Pope Leo XIV told a delegation from the Special Olympics that he shares their fondness for sports. During his address, the Pope encouraged the group to live holy lives by following the example of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati.

The Pope noted that Frassati loved Jesus and successfully applied the values found in sports to a life of holiness.

The Diocese of Belluno–Feltre has published an introduction by Father Severino Pagani to a text written by Father Luigi Serenthà.

Father Pagani describes the late priest as a man who taught others to walk with joy toward the Lord. The text honors Serenthà, an Ambrosian priest who died in 1986 at the age of 48. According to Pagani, living with this sense of joy was the secret to Serenthà's life from his childhood.

Bishop Mansi accepted the formal commitment of two seminarians to pursue the diaconate and priesthood during Solemn Vespers in the Diocese of Andria. Antonio Caterino and Francesco Suriano, from the San Nicola di Mira and Santa Maria Addolorata alle Croci parishes, pronounced their "eccomi" before the bishop and the local community.

During his homily, Bishop Mansi stated that every calling in the Church develops through listening and is a gift from the Lord rather than a personal ambition. He encouraged the candidates to build an intimate relationship with God in their daily lives and asked the community to pray for them to receive the grace of faithful and generous hearts.

Caritas di Lanciano-Ortona has welcomed four university students to begin their civil service. The volunteers, Anita, Matteo, Mattia, and Francesco, are all from Lanciano and will work at the diocesan Caritas office as part of a project shared with other locations in the Abruzzo dioceses.

The volunteers will assist with administrative tasks such as managing numbers, organizing products, and paying bills. Their roles also include listening to people, providing consolation, and offering psychological support.

The participants expressed different motivations for joining the program. Anita, a 26-year-old linguistic mediation student, stated her goal is to be useful to others and expects the experience to be enriching. Matteo, 22, a student of cardiocirculatory pathophysiology and cardiovascular perfusion, Mattia, 22, a business economics student, and Francesco, 20, a philosophy and psychological techniques student, noted that the service will also provide practical experience for their future careers.

Archbishop Eamon of Armagh expressed sympathy to the family and friends of Father Mark O’Hagan following his death on Friday, September 18, 2026. The Archbishop, along with Cardinal Seán, Bishop Michael, and the clergy and people of the Archdiocese, extended condolences to Father O’Hagan’s mother, Irene, his sister, Sinead, and his siblings, Dwyer and John.

Father O’Hagan served as the parish priest of Ardee and Collon.

Funeral arrangements include a Holy Hour at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Ardee on Friday evening and public visitation on Saturday afternoon. His remains will lie in repose at St. Patrick’s Church in Dundalk on Sunday morning before moving to his family home in Coalisland. A Requiem Mass will be held at Holy Family Church, Coalisland, on Monday, September 21, at 2:00 p.m., followed by burial in the cemetery adjacent to St. Mary and St. Joseph’s Church.

Archbishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses wrote a Sunday letter to the Archdiocese of Seville announcing the upcoming ordination of four deacons and one priest on Saturday, September 26.

The archbishop stated that these ordinations bring joy and hope to the archdiocese. In his message, he congratulated the five men for choosing to dedicate their lives to God and others. He encouraged young people to listen for God's call and urged the community to help them find the silence necessary to hear that vocation. Saiz Meneses noted that the priesthood is not a relic of a past era but remains a vital gift for the Church.

The letter also detailed the three inseparable dimensions of the diaconal ministry.

Archbishop Claudio Maniago began a pastoral visit to the first synodal zone of the Gimigliano-Taverna Vicariate on Saturday, September 19. The visit includes the communities of Taverna, Albi, and San Giovanni d’Albi within the Archdiocese of Catanzaro-Squillace.

The Archbishop started the visit with an official welcome at 17:30 in Piazza Poerio in Taverna. This visit serves as a period of presence and listening between the Archbishop and the local communities. The schedule for the coming weeks includes various celebrations and meetings, such as meetings with the sick.

The Archbishop chose the phrase "do this in memory of me" as the theme for the visit to center the journey on the Eucharist. The visit aims to foster prayer and dialogue across the participating communities.

The Diocese of Almería will gather in Dalías this weekend to meet with the Christ of the Light. Gabriel Lirola and Mayor Francisco Lirola are preparing for the town's major celebrations.

The Diocese of Córdoba held its Diocesan Synodal Assembly to mark the beginning of the new course. The assembly was featured in the diocesan publication Al Trasluz.

Parishes in the Diocese of Valencia will hold the Colecta Pro Templos this Sunday to raise funds for the construction, maintenance, and repair of churches and parish buildings. During the weekend, parishes will include specific prayers for the occasion and direct all mass collections toward the diocesan works fund.

The fund supports projects in the most needy parishes and helps sustain the upkeep of temples and parish halls. Last year, the collection raised 93,849.88 euros, an amount that exceeded previous years due to damage caused by the 2024 DANA floods. In 2025, the diocese invested 13.4 million euros in the conservation and maintenance of its buildings.

Church representatives from 31 countries met in Puchberg for four days to discuss the future of synodality in Europe, according to the Diocese of Linz. The meeting included 187 participants.

Bishop Fernando García Cadiñanos will represent the Spanish Episcopal Conference at a European meeting on social justice in Rome from September 22 to 24. The meeting, organized by the Sección para las Cuestiones Sociales of the CCEE, will focus on the theme of "Economía, Justicia Social y Solidaria entre las Naciones."

Cadiñanos, the bishop of Mondoñedo-Ferrol and president of the Subcomisión Episcopal para las Migraciones y la Movilidad Humana, will share the experiences and concerns of the Church in Spain regarding human dignity, social cohesion, and international justice. Participants will analyze the role of the economy in building societies.

The program begins Tuesday, September 22, with a reception and Mass presided over by Bishop János Székely of Szombathely, Hungary. Working sessions will take place on Wednesday, September 23, and Thursday, September 24.

Don Francesco Vanotti shared reflections on transforming catechesis during the diocesan assembly of Catanzaro-Squillace. Vanotti, who serves as the director of the catechetical office for the Diocese of Como, provided the local Church with directions for discerning how to approach Christian initiation.

Vanotti suggested that changing catechisms, teaching materials, or meeting schedules is insufficient for true change. He argued that effective catechesis depends on how a Christian community accompanies people toward faith and its own ability to be transformed by the Gospel.

A central part of his presentation involved moving from a logic of projects to a logic of processes. Vanotti noted that while Italian pastoral work has long relied on ten year projects, modern life and the needs of new generations change too quickly for such long term plans to remain effective. He explained that a process accepts longer timelines, works with existing experiences, supports experimentation, and relies on continuous verification rather than attempting to apply a single definitive model everywhere.

Bishop Virgílio do Nascimento Antunes has appointed five priests to new roles within the Diocese of Coimbra for the 2026-2027 period.

Father Filipe José Miranda Diniz will serve as the spiritual assistant for the Coimbra diocesan branch of the Associação dos Médicos Católicos Portugueses and the Associação Católica dos Enfermeiros e Profissionais de Saúde. Father Fernando Rodrigues de Carvalho will act as the spiritual assistant for the Instituto Secular da Sagrada Família. Father Geraldo Kanjala Mário has been named chaplain for the Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Figueiró dos Vinhos.

Father Jorge Miguel Santos Carvalho will serve as the spiritual assistant for the Regia “Cenáculo do Espírito Santo” of the Legião de Maria. Father Maurício Santos Ferreira, also known by his religious name Alberto Maria da Cruz Santos Ferreira, will serve as parochial vicar for the Unidades Pastorais Salvitas, covering Lamarosa, Meãs do Campo, São Martinho de Árvore, São Silvestre, Tentúgal, Arazede, Gatões, Liceia, and Seixo de Gatões.

Dr. Christopher West led the "This is My Body" retreat at the Carmelite Monastery in Ciofliceni, Snagov, from September 11 to 13, 2026. The Magnificat Community and the Theology of the Body Institute from the United States organized the event, which marked West's first visit to Romania.

Approximately 350 participants from across the country attended, including young people, adults, engaged couples, families, priests, and consecrated persons. The program focused on personal transformation and healing through the teachings of Theology of the Body, using the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well as a theme.

Auxiliary Bishop Cornel Damian joined the participants on Saturday and presided over the festive Holy Liturgy on Sunday.

Archbishop Wojciech Polak presided over the opening Mass for a retreat for parents of priests and consecrated persons from the Archdiocese of Gniezno on Friday, September 18. The retreat is being held at the Prymasowskie Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne in Gniezno.

10 participants are attending this first event of its kind. Father Tomasz Krzysztofiak, the rector of the seminary, said the small group size helps create a family atmosphere where participants can build relationships and form a community for future meetings. He noted that the retreat serves as a time for prayer, where parents entrust their sons, their ministry, and their families to God.

The program includes spiritual conferences to help participants deepen their relationship with God, alongside time for conversation and sharing experiences. During his homily, Archbishop Polak spoke to the parents by referencing the Holy Family in Nazareth, noting that Jesus lived in obedience to Mary and Joseph.

The Archdiocese of Cagliari and the Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Sardegna signed an agreement on September 14 to enhance the Basilica di San Saturnino.

The agreement establishes a shared use of the basilica to balance its role as a place of worship with its historical and monumental importance to Cagliari.

Bishop Maksimilijan Matjaž addressed priests, catechists, and lay leaders of the Diocese of Celje during a pastoral and catechetical course on September 16, 2026. Held at St. Joseph in Celje, the gathering marked the beginning of the new pastoral year.

During his address, Bishop Matjaž encouraged participants to move from a childlike faith toward a mature faith. He stated that this maturity allows people to understand and accept the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the foundation for the synodal work of the Church.

The course included a presentation by Matjaž Celarc, a professor at the Teološka fakulteta in Ljubljana, who discussed whether the foundation of the Church is false democratization or the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Celarc spoke about the relationship between pastors and the faithful, using Peter as an example of a servant leader. Additionally, Boštjan Dolinšek, head of pastoral services for the Archdiocese of Ljubljana, presented synodal keys and indicators for relationships and attitudes within parish communities.

The Diocese of Nice has launched the Chantiers d’églises 2026-2027 campaign to fund the preservation and renovation of local churches. The campaign supports specific construction projects intended to maintain these buildings as centers for prayer and parish life.

In Menton, the Église du Sacré-Cœur will undergo renovations to repair paintings, strengthen a weakened vault, update electrical installations and lighting, and secure urgent stained glass. The diocese expects these repairs to be completed by September 2026.

The campaign also funds a project for the Église Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc in Antibes. This building has been closed since 2010 due to safety concerns. The planned work will secure the structure, rebuild the choir, improve accessibility, and create a meeting room for the Saint-Armentaire parish.

Bishop Philippe Ballot celebrated the jubilee of Saint Francis of Assisi on September 12, 2026, at the Notre-Dame de Bonne-Fontaine sanctuary near Danne-et-Quatre-Vents in the Phalsbourg deanery.

Children, youth, and families gathered with catechists at Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul Church in Morhange on September 13, 2026, to celebrate the start of the new pastoral year.

Bischöfliches St.-Hildegardis-Gymnasium dedicated its new schoolyard in Duisburg on Friday, September 18, 2026. The project, which includes a playground connected to a sports field opened last year, provides students with a space for play, sports, and learning.

The construction department of the Diocese of Essen completed the project in two years for 1.1 million euros, which was less than the original 1.3 million euro estimate and the planned three year timeline. Most of the work took place during school holidays. The renovated courtyard in the Dellviertel district features existing shade trees and a new climbing frame funded largely by the school's support association.

Duisburg First Mayor Edeltraud Klabuhn thanked the diocese for its commitment to the school, describing the project as a worthwhile investment in the future.

Twenty-two young people from the Vigy archpriesthood gathered at the Rabas chapel on September 12, 2026, to personally renew their baptismal vows.

The Saint-François parish in Stiring-Wendel held a mass to mark the start of the new school year on September 12, 2026, for a large group of parishioners.

The Szent Gellért Foundation Day Center organized various activities for its wards throughout the summer. According to a report from the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, the program included learning, creative projects, physical exercise, and community programs designed to help participants develop skills for independent living.

Participants practiced practical skills such as baking banana bread and learning how to use a clock to understand the passage of time. The center also incorporated physical coordination exercises, including balance games and activities to help distinguish between left and right sides of the body. To encourage independence, the center involves its wards in daily tasks around the foundation.

The Diocese of Carpi has announced updates regarding the reconstruction of several buildings damaged in the 2012 earthquake. The diocese's real estate office, led by architect Sandra Losi, reported progress on the pieve of Quarantoli in Mirandola, the church of San Francesco d’Assisi in Carpi, and the San Possidonio parish church.

Construction is set to begin at the pieve of Quarantoli following the selection of a temporary association of companies consisting of Montanari Luigi srl and Marmiroli srl. The diocese expects to hand over the works to start the construction site by the end of September.

In Carpi, the diocese is currently conducting a bidding process to select a company for the San Francesco d’Assisi church. Most invited companies have expressed interest and will participate in upcoming site inspections. The deadline for submitting technical and economic offers is October 9, after which a commission will evaluate the bids to select a contractor. Meanwhile, technicians are completing the executive project documentation for the San Possidonio parish church to submit it to the commissioner's office.

Bishop Fintan Gavin celebrated two Masses this week to pray for the new school year for Catholic primary schools in the Diocese of Cork and Ross. The celebrations took place on Monday, September 14, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Skibbereen and on Tuesday, September 15, at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne in Cork.

The events brought together teachers, principals, special needs assistants, and members of boards of management who support Catholic primary education. Using the theme Invites from the Vision for Catholic Education, Bishop Gavin spoke about how Catholic schools help children understand they are loved by God. He noted that every child possesses dignity and a purpose through their unique gifts.

Archbishop Maurizio Aloise inaugurated a new refreshment space for civilian staff and prison police at the Casa di Reclusione on September 18, 2026.

The Diocese of Rossano–Cariati stated the new area was created to offer a welcoming and informal space for staff to take breaks and relax. The facility is located inside the prison barracks.

Parishes in the Diocese of San Miniato are resuming catechesis programs for children and youth this autumn. Don Udoji Onyekweli, director of the diocesan service for catechesis, stated that the theme for the new year is pastoral flexibility.

The director noted that families approaching catechesis for the first time often show enthusiasm and curiosity. However, families already participating in the program frequently express concern regarding how to balance religious education with school, sports, and other extracurricular activities. While children generally approach the sessions with curiosity, catechists face the challenge of meeting family expectations regarding schedules and program proposals.

Don Udoji Onyekweli, who works alongside secretary Monica Martini and parish catechesis coordinators, explained that the service is working toward a more experiential approach to religious instruction. He noted that catechists often feel a mix of hope and worry as they prepare for the year, particularly when working with new groups and families.

Bishop Luis Ángel inaugurated the exhibition "Ángel Estrada: Forma y Luz" at the San Salvador Church in Palat del Rey. The display showcases the work of Ángel Estrada, a sculptor known for religious imagery in León during the second half of the 20th century. Visitors can view the exhibition from now until October 31.

The exhibition is a collaboration between the Fundación Museo Diocesano y de Semana Santa and the Cofradía del Santo Cristo del perdón. It marks the 60th anniversary of the blessing of the Santo Cristo del Perdón at the Parroquia de San Francisco de la Vega. Bishop Luis Ángel noted that the collection allows viewers to see a dialogue between sculpture and painting, featuring both works intended for religious worship and the artist's more private creations.

This is the third exhibition hosted at the San Salvador Church since the space reopened in December 2025. The venue serves as an exhibition space for the Diocese linked to the Museo Diocesano y de Semana Santa.

The Diocese of Verona has launched Incoming Love, a program designed for young couples between the ages of 18 and 30. The project helps those in the early stages of a relationship discover the beauty and truth of their connection while learning to care for their bond.

The Diocese specified that this is not a pre-marriage course. Because of this distinction, the program cannot accept couples who have already scheduled a wedding date.

Bishop Jean-Yves Nahmias blessed and installed three new bells in the bell tower of Saint-Colomban Church on Friday, September 18, 2026. The bells were cast in June at the Paccard foundry near Annecy.

Approximately 200 people attended the blessing ceremony. The installation concludes a project that has been in development for several years and will serve the parish and the Val d'Europe area.

The Diocese of Nuoro has published the 32nd issue of its weekly publication, dated September 20, 2026. The issue covers the start of the new school year and the challenges facing students and educators.

The weekly includes commentary from staff and administrators at two comprehensive schools in Nuoro regarding recent school mergers. Bachisio Porru presents data from the latest Pisa report and new national guidelines. The publication also reports on a situation involving the San Pietro secondary school in Nuoro.

Fra Pavle Ivić led a Mass celebrating the feast of the stigmata of St. Francis at the Church of St. Francis in Zadar on Thursday, September 17. Ivić serves as the vicar of the St. Francis monastery.

During the celebration, Ivić spoke about St. Francis receiving the wounds of Christ at La Verna in 1224. He noted that the saint received these wounds after a fast in honor of St. Michael. Ivić described the experience as a moment where the saint felt both the joy of God's presence and the pain of Christ's suffering.

Ivić encouraged the faithful to follow the example of St. Francis by using fasting as a way to seek God's guidance before making important decisions. He suggested that offering such sacrifices can help people navigate difficulties in their families and other areas of life.

Bishop Josep-Lluís Serrano attended the inauguration of renovated facilities at the Sant Hospital Foundation in La Seu d'Urgell on Friday, September 18. Accompanied by the rector of the Sant Ot parish, Father Josep Chisvert, the bishop toured the new intermediate care, day center, and assisted living residence located on the second and third floors.

The renovation project, which began in early 2024, updated the spaces to meet current fire protection regulations. The improvements include new rooms with bathrooms, dedicated areas for staff, and larger common areas designed to support resident autonomy and well-being. During the construction period, residents were housed in the Sant Tomàs wing of the third floor of the Urgell diocesan seminary.

The bishop was received by the president of the Sant Hospital Foundation board, Joan Barrera, and managing director Palmira Borràs. Other attendees included local health and regional officials from Lleida and the Alt Pirineu i Aran region.

The Diocese of Rieti–San Salvatore Maggiore will hold its unitary diocesan assembly from September 22 to 24 at the Contigliano pastoral center. The event begins at 18.45.

The assembly features several guest speakers. Felice Accrocca, bishop of Assisi, will provide a perspective on contemporary reality. Mary Melone, a professor of dogmatic theology, will speak on the centrality of Christ and the primacy of his Word. Christian Carlassare, bishop of Bentiu, will discuss evangelization as the primary task of the Church.

Bishop Albert Rouet celebrated 40 years of serving as a bishop during a Mass held on Sunday, September 6, according to the Archdiocese of Poitiers.

The Diocese of Padova will host a conference for religion teachers of all levels on Sunday, September 27. The event, titled Rights at Heart, will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Opsa theater in Sarmeola di Rubano.

The conference aims to examine when the relationship between a teacher and students becomes truly educational.

Don Luigi Scarlino, who leads youth ministry for the Discepoli di Emmaus pastoral community, criticized recent neighborhood patrols in Rozzano as vigilante rounds rather than efforts to uphold the law. He stated that these actions do not serve as outposts of legality but instead function as unofficial rounds.

The criticism follows several incidents of private justice in the Aler neighborhood. On September 16, a woman was attacked by a man of foreign origin and subsequently beaten by bystanders. On the evening of September 17, Carabinieri identified two brothers, aged 32 and 33, for assaulting an intoxicated man of foreign origin. These events prompted residents to patrol the streets to identify and report suspected drug dealers.

Scarlino suggested that instead of hunting foreigners or drug dealers, the community should work with authorities through organized tables to address these problems structurally. The Ministry of the Interior has classified Rozzano as a red zone since April, requiring increased police presence.

The Diocese of Verona has proposed two formative meetings for its clergy to be held at the San Fidenzio diocesan house of spirituality.

The Service for Formation and Ministry is organizing the sessions for all priests and deacons. Priests involved in the training of those in their first years of ministry, such as those at Giberti, are specifically invited to participate. The diocese stated that these meetings are part of a commitment to ongoing formation and a continuous path of conversion.

The Diocese of Valencia began commemorations for the 25th anniversary of the beatification of the Valencian martyrs with a colloquium on religious persecution in Spain during the 1930s. Organized by the Vicariate of Evangelization and the Delegation for the Causes of Saints, the event included historians, religious congregations, priests, family members, and Church authorities.

During the discussion, Bishop Juan Antonio Martínez Camino of Madrid stated that the martyrdom of Christians is the most significant event in 20th-century Church history. He noted that the 20th century produced more martyrs than all previous history combined and suggested that honoring these witnesses provides the Church with evangelizing vigor. He congratulated the local Church in Valencia for keeping the memory of these martyrs alive.

The anniversary events will conclude on Sunday, September 27, with a thanksgiving Mass at the Valencia Cathedral.

The Instituto Ceu de Humanidad Ángel Ayala will host a series of lectures about Saint Luis Bertrán at the Palacio de Colomina in Valencia to mark the 500th anniversary of his birth. The program begins on October 7 and features experts from various Valencian universities discussing the saint's historical context, spiritual life, artistic representation, and the celebrations following his beatification and canonization.

The sessions are scheduled for 19:00 at the Palacio de Colomina on Calle Almudín, 1. Father Pérez García from the Universitat de València will open the cycle on Wednesday, October 7, with a talk on Saint Luis Bertrán and his time under the sign of globalization. On Tuesday, October 13, E. Callado Estela from the Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera will present "Saint Luis Bertrán, from Earth to Heaven."

A. Ferrer Orts from the Universitat de València will speak on October 20 regarding "Sant Lluís Bertrán, una icona del barroc." The cycle concludes on Tuesday, October 27, with I. Rodríguez Moya from the Universitat Jaume I de Castelló discussing the festive construction of a saint through his beatification and canonization celebrations. The events will also include an exhibition and the presentation of a facsimile about the life of the saint from 1672.

The Diocese of Urgell is organizing a diocesan pilgrimage to Segovia, Fontiveros, and Avila from October 13 to 16. The trip commemorates the Jubilee Year of Saint John of the Cross, marking 300 years since his canonization and 100 years since he was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.

The itinerary, themed "From Mysticism to Mission," aims to help participants explore sites connected to Saint John of the Cross and Saint Teresa of Jesus. The diocese intends for the pilgrimage to provide time for prayer, reflection, and community to see how the spiritual experiences of these saints lead to a life of mission. Participants will stay in seminaries and spirituality centers to maintain an environment of prayer and discernment.

Registration is open until October 6, though spaces are limited. Interested individuals can register by contacting Marta Meya at [email protected] or by calling +34 973 35 00 54, extension 425. To confirm a reservation, participants must email a proof of payment along with their town of residence, telephone number, ID or passport number, and email address.

The Diocese of Cartagena will hold a quinario and a pilgrimage to honor the Divino Niño de Burgos at the Ermita de Burgos in Nonduermas, Murcia.

The week of prayer begins this coming Monday. During the week, the chapel will host exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 18:00, followed by Mass at 19:00. Local groups, including the festival commission, the senior center, and the athletics club, will participate in the daily evening services.

On Sunday, September 27, the Eucharist will be celebrated at 12:00 in the area outside the chapel. The festivities conclude at 18:00 with a pilgrimage through the orchard paths featuring images of the Niño de Burgos and the Purísima Concepción. Participants are invited to wear traditional orchard clothing if they wish.

The Archdiocese of Rennes announced that the INIAVE will succeed the INIRR in addressing sexual violence within the Church.

Bishop Fernando Paiva met with the new vocational ministry team of the Diocese of Beja on Tuesday, September 15, at the Episcopal House. The meeting focused on coordinating efforts to support adolescents and young people throughout the diocese.

The team consists of Father Hugo Gonçalves, the priest in charge of vocational ministry, two religious members, Sister Helena Lampreia of the Oblates of the Divine Heart and Brother Ricardo Borges of the Fraternity of the Irmãozinhos de S. Francisco de Assis, and two young couples, Mafalda and António Quadros Costa and Caetana and Pedro Geraldes Barba.

During the meeting, Bishop Paiva encouraged the team to work with catechesis, youth ministry, and university ministry to ensure vocational support is integrated across these areas. He also identified the need to help young people rediscover prayer as a way to encounter God and discern their callings. The group discussed proposals for formation sessions, testimonies, reflections, and prayer.

Dr. Jean-Paul Perez has launched a new bioethics program on Radio Présence. The former hospital doctor will appear on the radio every 15 days to discuss topics such as illness, artificial intelligence, and the beginning and end of life.

Dr. Perez developed his interest in end-of-life issues while working in intensive care services. He intends to address these subjects because bioethics affects everyone through their shared life and conscience.

The Archdiocese of Valencia will hold a thanksgiving Mass at the cathedral on September 27 to mark the 25th anniversary of the beatification of a large group of martyrs. These individuals died for Christ during religious persecutions in 20th-century Spain.

Pope John Paul II beatified the group in March. The archdiocese intends for the upcoming celebration to help the faithful remember the lessons left by the martyrs through their lives and deaths.

The Arcidiocesi di Pesaro and Arcidiocesi di Urbino-Urbania-S. Angelo in Vado have started a joint program for the Assemblea degli Operatori Pastorali for the 2026-2027 period. The program focuses on the theme of the Church as a mosaic of communities, aiming to help parishes transition toward synodal and missionary pastoral work through local engagement.

The official opening is the interdiocesan plenary meeting scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2026, at 20.45 at the Chiesa parrocchiale di S. Maria Assunta in Montecchio di Vallefoglia. Don Alessandro Bonetti, the Vicario generale della Delegazione Pontificia di Loreto, will lead the session to guide reflections on pastoral conversion. The meeting will also include a testimony regarding evangelization through the Corso Alpha.

A second phase of the program will hold local meetings to encourage participation across the different regions. The Arcidiocesi di Pesaro will hold meetings in its pastoral communities on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 20.45. The Arcidiocesi di Urbino-Urbania-S. Angelo in Vado will meet on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 20.45 at the Santuario del Pelingo in Acqualagna.

The Lublin Archdiocese will host the Rozpaleni meeting for confirmation candidates on November 28, 2026, at the Targi Lublin S.A. hall on Dworcowa Street.

The event brings together candidates for the sacrament of confirmation, their pastors, animators, and invited guests. Organized as a way for participants to experience God and the Church through personal encounter rather than through media or stories, the 2026 edition uses the theme "Life's Airport" to represent faith as a journey. Registration for the meeting is currently open.

The Archdiocese of Valencia will hold a prayer walk titled "A Path of Hope Against Human Trafficking" on Friday, September 25. The event, organized by the diocesan group against human trafficking and the Laity Delegation, aims to highlight the suffering of those facing sexual and labor exploitation and to showcase the Church's recovery efforts and support projects.

The walk begins at 19 hours at the Church of los Santos Juanes, moves through San Esteban and El Salvador, and concludes at the Basilica of the Virgin. Auxiliary bishops Fernando Ramón and Arturo J. García will participate, along with Melchor Seguí, vicar for evangelization, and Agustín Alcayde, vicar for charitable and social action.

The diocesan group against human trafficking includes entities such as Cáritas and Villa-Teresita. Organizers intend to bring attention to the realities of women being exploited and children facing forced labor or slavery.