Archbishop Michael Jackson statement on Budget 2027

Archbishop Michael Jackson, as Chairperson of the Church of Ireland’s Church and Society Commission, has issued the following statement on Budget 2027:

Today’s Budget 2027 announcements from the Government come at a time of great uncertainty and concern for many on this island. 

However positive the budgetary figures may appear, they must be translated into meaningful action shaped by compassion and moral responsibility. The common good depends not only on the allocation of resources, but on the values that guide their use and ensure that no one is left behind. 

As inflation continues to rise, and many are pushed far beyond financial insecurity, we must ask ourselves how equally these measures impact all areas of society and help those who are most in need. 

The Church, with its network of parishes and communities across the urban–rural divide, remains uniquely placed to provide an ethical response and legitimate commentary on these matters that affect human dignity, the common good, the most vulnerable in society, families, communities, and future generations.

As the world experiences a period of significant unpredictability, particularly in relation to the provision of fuels and energy, the increases in State pensions and core welfare payments including the Fuel Allowance are welcome. 

However, as many families seek to exist on fixed incomes, and many more struggle monthly to stay above the poverty line, there remains significantly more to do. No family should have to choose between heating and eating.

In the sphere of healthcare, the introduction of a €500 annual disability payment is particularly welcome as a recognition of the extra costs to those who find themselves living with or supporting disability. 

While this is a positive step, this area requires consistent structured support, rather than a reliance on lump sum payments. As Christians we are called to uphold the dignity and rights of all people.

One of those groups in our society which is perhaps most under pressure, are young families. While the measures introduced are welcome in their support of the rising cost of childcare, the reality is that many families require both parents to work full–time in order to make ends meet. 

Family life should not be undermined by economic pressure, and further advocation is needed to cement a work–life balance and parental wellbeing.

We all recognise that one of the defining issues of our generation is homelessness, and the chronic shortage of housing. The practical assistance of the expansion of the Help–to–Buy scheme is welcome, however the supply of affordable housing remains the more deeply rooted issue. The recognition that housing is a social good, not a market commodity, must remain the focus of us all. 

While the Government moves to address housing shortages, the national homelessness figures continue to break previous records, as young families are forced to live out of hotel rooms. 

Consistent and growing support for rural Ireland continues to pose a challenge. The wellbeing of rural Ireland ultimately depends not only on short–term financial relief but on sustained investment in the people, services, and community life that allow communities to flourish. 

The common good requires that no community is left behind because of where it is located. Transport infrastructure and interconnectivity between rural areas, and their greater environs, is something which requires significantly more investment. Investment in transport and infrastructure is not merely about roads, buses and buildings. For rural communities it is about connection, dignity and belonging. 

The true measure of these investments will be whether they reduce isolation, sustain local communities and ensure that people can continue to live and flourish in every part of Ireland, and are not penalised or disadvantaged for choosing to do so.

The Church is acutely aware of the way in which many farming communities are now struggling through the unprecedented increase in fuel costs. While we continue to focus on environmental stewardship and climate change, and indeed welcome the government’s commitment to these issues, the reality is that many industries still rely on traditional fuels. 

As part of the monumental transformation needed, the Government must ensure that those poorest households, and those at high risk of fuel price increases, are protected from what will be a costly energy transition. 

As we reflect on the opportunities and challenges presented by this budget, may we recognise the resilience and contribution of all communities throughout Ireland. Consistent and adequate investment in people, communities, and local services remains essential if our society are to flourish. 

In that spirit, we are reminded that “Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest–time, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

The Most Rev Dr Michael Jackson

Archbishop of Dublin and Chairperson of the Church and Society Commission

‘Profound’ betrayal: Bishop Coll speaks out as priest admits child sex charges

The Bishop of Raphoe, Niall Coll, has said that the guilty plea by disgraced priest Fr Edward Gallagher to over 100 charges relating to the sexual abuse of children will be felt across Donegal.

Fr Gallagher was the curate for the Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick parishes, which include St Patrick’s Church in Murlog, Lifford at the time of his arrest in April 2025.

He had previously served in the Moville parish, but has been suspended from ministry since his arrest. 

On Monday, Gallagher, a 59-year-old most recently based in Lifford but whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, pleaded guilty to 109 sex offences at Derry Crown Court. 

The charges, which include attempted sexual communication with a child under 16, possessing indecent images of a child, possessing an extreme pornographic image and attempting to encourage a child to engage in sexual activity, relate to dates between 22 June 2023 and 18 April 2025.

Gallagher is due to be sentenced in December and the Bishop of Derry, Michael Router, has sought to have him immediately dismissed from the Church.

“I wish to join my sentiments with those of Bishop Michael Router of Derry regarding Fr Edward Gallagher, a priest of the Diocese of Derry, who has pleaded guilty to more than 100 charges relating to the sexual abuse of children,” Bishop Coll said in a statement.

“Given his ministry in the Derry parishes of east Donegal and Inishowen, this news is felt across the county and in our own Diocese of Raphoe.

“First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are with all those who have suffered abuse and with their families. The pain caused by abuse can endure for many years, and cases such as this inevitably bring renewed distress to victims and survivors.”

Bishop Coll described the offences as “extremely grave” and added that they “rightly been treated with the utmost seriousness by the criminal justice system”. 

He said: “The sense of betrayal and hurt that can arise when such offences are committed by someone entrusted with the care of others is profound.

“This deeply troubling case reminds us all of the need for continued vigilance in safeguarding children and vulnerable persons.”

Bishop Coll said he wished to assure the people of his own Diocese of Raphoe that safeguarding “remains a central priority in all our parishes, schools and other diocesan activities”. 

He added: “We are committed to fostering environments where children are safe, valued and protected. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the safeguarding representatives who serve in our parishes and other ministries.”

Bishop Router confirmed shortly after Gallagher’s court appearance that he has already sought to have the disgraced priest dismissed from the Church.

Bishop Router has asked the Holy See - the central governing body of the Catholic Church - to ask Pope Leo XIV to “immediately” dismiss Fr Gallagher from the clerical state.

Bishop Router said: “I have already instructed that the documentation required by the Holy See be finalised and transmitted without delay.” Bishop Router said his petition will be that the case be treated as one of ‘exceptional gravity' and that Father Gallagher be removed permanently from the clerical state through the expedited procedure provided by Church law.

While Fr Gallagher was immediately suspended from priestly ministry following his arrest, the substantive church process was put on hold so that it would not interfere with, prejudice, or complicate the criminal investigation and prosecution.

Bishop Router said: “Now that the criminal proceedings have reached this stage, there is no longer any reason for the Church's canonical process to remain suspended.”

Bishop Coll encouraged anyone who may have been abused, or is suspicious of any abuse, to report it to the state authorities or the diocesan Safeguarding Office immediately. 

To report a concern or complaint of child abuse, either current or historical is asked to contact Margaret Northage, the Designated Liaison Person on 086 2183 011.

Bishop Coll added: “As a diocesan community, we continue to pray for all who have been harmed by abuse, and we renew our commitment to doing everything possible to ensure the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every child and vulnerable person entrusted to our care.”

Bishop asks Vatican to dismiss priest who pleaded guilty to 109 sex offences

The Bishop of Derry will petition the Holy See to immediately dismiss a priest who has pleaded guilty to 109 sex offences at Derry Crown Court.

Edward Gallagher, aged 59, with an address at Maghaberry Prison, pleaded guilty to 109 charges relating to sexual offences, including sexual communication with a child under 16 and having indecent images of a child.

He will be sentenced in December for offences between 22 June 2023 and 18 April 2025.

In a statement, Bishop Michael Router said that while Gallagher was immediately suspended from priestly ministry following his arrest, the substantive church process was put on hold so that it would not interfere with, prejudice, or complicate the criminal investigation and prosecution.

"Now that the criminal proceedings have reached this stage, there is no longer any reason for the Church's canonical process to remain suspended," he said.

The Derry Bishop said his thoughts were first and foremost with those affected by the case, particularly the children who had suffered harm and those who live with the consequences of abuse and exploitation.

"The events of the past 18 months have caused immense distress to victims and survivors of abuse, parishioners, families, clergy and the wider community," he said.

Bishop Router confirmed that he had instructed that the documentation required by the Holy See be finalised and transmitted without delay.

"My petition will be that this case be treated as one of exceptional gravity and that Fr Gallagher be removed permanently from the clerical state through the expedited procedure provided by Church law," he said.

He added that the priesthood is "a sacred trust".

"Conduct of this nature represents a radical betrayal of that trust and is wholly incompatible with the obligations and responsibilities of priestly ministry.

"The Church cannot undo the harm that has been caused. Nor can any canonical penalty remove the suffering experienced by victims and survivors.

"Nevertheless, the Church has a responsibility to respond truthfully, justly and decisively," he said.

Bishop Router said the diocese remained committed to supporting those affected, to maintaining "the highest safeguarding standards and to ensuring its continued full cooperation with the civil authorities".

Priest pleads guilty to 109 sex offences

A priest has pleaded guilty to 109 sex offences at Londonderry Crown Court.

Edward Gallagher, 59, whose address is Maghaberry Prison, will be sentenced in December for offences between 22 June 2023 and 18 April 2025.

They include among others attempted sexual communication with a child under 16, having indecent images of a child, possessing an extreme pornographic image and attempting to encourage a child to engage in sexual activity.

The Catholic Bishop of Derry Michael Router confirmed that he would ask the Vatican to dismiss Gallagher from the priesthood.

When the charges were put to him Gallagher pleaded guilty to them all.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said that a pre-sentence report was needed and that "the facts are what they are".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) welcomed the guilty plea and said they now awaited sentencing, which is due to happen on 9 December.

Gallagher remains in custody pending that.

'Immense distress'

In a statement on Monday, Bishop Router said his thoughts were "first and foremost" with those affected by the case, "particularly the children who have suffered harm and those who continue to live with the consequences of abuse and exploitation".

The bishop said he would "move immediately to seek the most serious penalty available under church law" - Gallagher's dismissal from the priesthood.

"I can confirm that I am petitioning the Holy See to submit the case directly to the Holy Father with a recommendation that Father Edward Gallagher be immediately dismissed from the clerical state," he said.

The bishop said the Catholic Church could not "undo the harm that has been caused" but had "a responsibility to respond truthfully, justly and decisively".

He said the Diocese of Derry had cooperated fully with the PSNI and all relevant statutory authorities throughout their investigations in the Gallagher case - and would "continue to do so".

School historical sexual abuse commission launches survey

A public survey has been launched by the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools.

The questionnaire marks the beginning of the Commission's work and is the first stage of public engagement.

The commission was established to examine the handling of concerns relating to child sexual abuse in schools between 1927 and 2013.

It followed a scoping inquiry which resulted in allegations of abuse and highlighted the need for an independent investigation.

Mr Justice Michael McGrath was appointed as head of the Commission of Investigation in July last year.

The public survey will assist the team in identifying themes, patterns and experiences relevant to its investigation.

It is intended for people whose experiences or knowledge relate to schools, including primary or national schools, secondary schools, community schools and comprehensive schools. It covers both fee-paying and non-fee-paying schools.

Special schools are also included. However, industrial and reformatory schools are not generally part of the Commission's remit.

People who experienced historical child sexual abuse in a school or related to a school, as well as others with relevant information, are invited to take part.

The questionnaire is open to survivors who were sexually abused as children in a school, or in circumstances related to a school, between 1927 and 2013.

Family members can complete the survey on behalf of people who experienced sexual abuse but who are now deceased or on behalf of those who cannot be supported to participate themselves.

It is also open to people with "relevant knowledge of concerns" relating to sexual abuse in schools, including teachers, former pupils and others who may have witnessed abuse, been aware of concerns or been involved in reporting them.

Survivors and people with relevant information who are living abroad have also been invited to take part.

The survey will inform the Commission's selection of sample cases for investigation.

In a statement, it said the investigation would focus on how concerns about sexual abuse were handled, including whether there were failures to protect children.

The support service for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and their families, One in Four, will provide independent support to people taking part in the survey or those who need help doing so.

One in Four has pointed out that contacting the organisation does not commit anyone to completing the survey.

CEO Deirdre Kenny said when sexual abuse happens in a school setting, and a child is not seen, heard or believed, it can deeply damage their trust in the adults and institutions meant to protect them.

"This can make coming forward, even many years later, feel difficult. That is why people need time, clear information and independent support to decide for themselves whether taking part is right for them."

The survey will be available on the Commission's website from today.

For independent participation support contact One in Four on (01) 611 4654, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm or email coi@oneinfour.ie

Vermont's Catholic diocese wants to abandon bankruptcy process

The state’s Catholic diocese wants to abandon the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process it initiated two years ago, saying settlement talks with sex-abuse survivors have hopelessly stalled.

The extraordinary request, which still requires a judge’s approval, comes as the court has been inching closer to ruling on a key sticking point in those negotiations: whether some portion of more than $400 million in assets that the diocese transferred to local parishes in recent decades should be made available to people who say they were sexually abused by Vermont priests.

The answer to that question could be enormously consequential to sex-abuse claimants’ payouts and to the future of the Catholic Church in Vermont. 

Church officials have acknowledged that they moved assets into separate parish trust accounts in an effort to shield local churches from sex-abuse litigation. 

But they maintain that the transfers were legitimate, and that the bankruptcy process should be restricted to the more limited pool of diocesan assets.

Bankruptcy judge Heather Cooper on Sunday ruled that the committee representing sex-abuse claimants should be allowed to press its case that the parish resources are part of the diocesan estate.

The decision set the stage for a high-stakes legal proceeding.

This week, however, attorneys for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington met with claimants’ attorneys and delivered what the diocese described as its best and final settlement proposal.

Under the proposal, the diocese would pay out just over $29 million, or around $247,000 per sex-abuse claimant, according to court filings. 

The settlement would be funded in part by millions raised in recent and pending sales of diocesan property, including its eldercare homes and the campus of Rice Memorial High School.

The committee representing survivors rejected the deal, which led Bishop John McDermott to conclude that the bankruptcy process was no longer productive. 

In a letter to parishioners, the bishop said he was “extremely disappointed” by the bankruptcy process and asserted that mounting legal bills, which have already topped $2 million, are unsustainable.

“I believe the Diocese has made a good faith effort to resolve this process in a timely and just manner,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, our best offer was not accepted.”

Attorneys for sex-abuse claimants are vowing to oppose the diocese’s request. In a statement, committee chair and claimant Daniel Stack suggested that the diocese wants to back out of bankruptcy because the judge dealt a blow to its legal strategy. 

He described the request as a “second attempt to avoid accountability.”

Stack was one of several survivors whose lawsuit against the church was curtailed by the diocese’s decision to file for bankruptcy in 2024.

Dismissal of the case would restore the litigation free-for-all that preceded it, fueled by a state law that lifted the statute of limitations for sex-abuse claims.

McDermott had pitched bankruptcy as the most equitable way to handle the flood of lawsuits and preserve the diocese’s ability to carry out its religious mission. Survivor groups criticized the maneuver at the time.

Two years and $2 million later, the sides’ stances have flipped.

Tory party has a big opportunity to speak up for the Church of England (Opinion)

There is a big opportunity for one of the parties to show that it understands and values Britain’s Christian tradition.

You might reply that Reform has already seized that opportunity. 

If so, your grasp of Britain’s Christian tradition is shaky. 

In fact, it is Reform’s clumsy attempt at this that spurs my thoughts.

A party that rails against ‘liberalism’ and flirts with Christian nationalism is unlikely to have much understanding of Britain’s Christian tradition. 

What defines our religious story is the established Church, and the fact that it has developed a strong affinity with liberal values.

Last year it became increasingly apparent that Reform was playing the Christian card. It appointed a theologian, James Orr, as its head of policy. 

It recruited Danny Kruger, who had been perhaps the most vocal conservative Christian on the Tory front bench. 

And it also had the allegiance of Tim Montgomerie, the most influential Tory Christian pundit and think-tanker before his move to Reform. 

Furthermore, Nigel Farage began to open up about his quiet Christian allegiance.

All these men identify as Anglicans. But Reform types don’t always like to sing the praises of the CofE. Farage has said bishops are ‘out of touch with their flocks’. 

Orr, who has since stepped down as Reform’s head of policy after a Channel 4 sting, has spoken out against the ‘Leftward, progressive turn’ of the Church’s leadership. 

Reform, it seems, lacks affection for our established church as it is today.

Many Tories have also, of course, expressed dismay at the national Church on political grounds: in the 1980s, some of them accused it of issuing a ‘Marxist’ report on poverty, and Mrs Thatcher thought Archbishop Runcie was unpatriotic over the Falklands. 

But since then things have been more nuanced. 

When David Cameron introduced same-sex marriage against the will of the bishops, the old narrative was disrupted. 

And Theresa May showed that a Tory could have a quiet, sensible and authentic Anglican allegiance.

In other words, the Tories have largely moved away from their old line on the Church of England, that it has been taken over by liberal lefties and fails to embody national pride. Reform has taken up this mantle.

The Labour party has an awkward relationship with the national Church. Even though the Church was a key backer of the welfare state, and stood up for broadly socialist values in the 1980s, Labour has been wary of it. 

Surely it is still Tory at heart, however progressively the bishops talk, Labour politicians seem to think. 

So Labour has preferred to draw on the dissenting traditions of its roots. At first, Tony Blair seemed a solid Anglican, of a Christian socialist bent – then he converted to Catholicism. 

The northern Catholicism of his wife presumably felt more authentic than the religion of public school and Oxbridge. 

And now northern Catholicism has returned to the fore, with Andy Burnham as Prime Minister. 

Wes Streeting is a rare Labour politician who is openly Anglican. The party in general seems nervy and evasive about religion and national identity.

Without making a meal of it, the Tories should gently position themselves as the party in tune with the CofE, and the wider culture of liberal Christianity.

It would help if Kemi Badenoch were Anglican, but she is the next best thing: a cultural Christian who says sensible things on the subject. 

Badenoch has been impressively sceptical about ‘post-liberalism’, which has seduced so many brainiacs on the right. 

She rightly distinguishes between the ‘left-wing liberalism’ of identity politics and the ‘classic liberalism of free markets, free speech, free enterprise, freedom of religion, the presumption of innocence, the rule of law and equality under it.’

The Tory leader has calmly stated the obvious: that Britain should be proud of its liberal tradition, and confident in its Christian-based values. 

Above all, she seems to grasp the fact that Britain’s identity is both Christian and liberal. 

If she can hold to this course, and if other senior Tories follow suit, I predict a rise in the party’s fortunes.

New appeal to former residents of Donegal's Mother and Baby Homes

People in Donegal who spent time in Mother and Baby Institutions are being encouraged to find out whether they may be eligible for financial payments and health supports.

The appeal comes as applications to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme have increased following the launch of a nationwide public awareness campaign on August 24th.

Institutions located in Donegal included The Castle in Newtowncunningham and Donegal County Home, also known as St Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar.

This call-out to people in Donegal comes as an additional 202 people have applied for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme since the launch of a nationwide public awareness campaign on 24 August. 

It brings the number of applicants to the Scheme to almost 7,600, with over 6,200 payments made under the Scheme so far.

Applications are confidential, with information and support available throughout the process. Applicants do not need to provide institutional records, exact dates or detailed accounts of their experiences.

Anyone seeking further information can visit the Scheme’s dedicated website paymentscheme.ie or call the confidential Scheme’s Freephone service on 1800 843 354. 

Family members, carers and friends are also encouraged to support anyone who may be eligible to find out more.

Information is also available nationwide through primary care centres, public libraries, post offices, nursing homes and Citizens Information offices.

The Stranorlar County Home was among the institutions examined by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. 

Between 1922 and 1964, 1,646 unmarried mothers were admitted to the home, while 1,777 children were admitted or born there. 

The final Mother and Baby Homes report recorded that 343 children described at the time as “illegitimate” died in infancy or early childhood.

The Castle in Newtowncunningham operated as a supported hostel for women and children between 1982 and 2006. 

A total of 329 women and 64 accompanying children passed through its doors during that period.

‘Time is of the essence’ for mother and baby home probe – campaigner

Time is of the essence for the ageing victims and survivors of mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland awaiting answers in a public inquiry.

More than 12,000 women and girls entered the institutions run by churches and the State until the 1990s, where many suffered human rights abuse, degrading treatment and the forced separation of families.

Campaigners have welcomed this week’s appointment of Rachel Langdale KC as chairwoman of the Truth Recovery Public Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, as an important step.

However a warning has been sounded that time may be running out for many of the victims and survivors awaiting answers for decades and who are now in their senior years.

Adele Johnstone of Birth Mothers and their Children Together said time is of the essence for a “proper investigation”.

Recognising Ms Langdale’s extensive experience of complex public inquiries, Ms Johnstone said they hoped her appointment would “herald a genuinely independent, rigorous and survivor-centred inquiry in which victims and survivors are listened to, treated with dignity and given a meaningful voice throughout the process”.

“The appointment of the chair is, however, only the beginning. We are still waiting on the secondary legislation to allow this to proceed. This is causing further delay,” she said.

“We victims and survivors have campaigned far too long and are an ageing group.

“Time is of the essence for a process capable of properly investigating what happened to them, identifying responsibility and providing answers to the many questions that remain unresolved.”

Solicitor Claire McKeegan of Phoenix Law, a long-term representative of the victims and survivor groups, said it was essential that the probe fully examines the institutions, individuals, agencies and systems.

“We now look forward to engaging constructively with the chair and the Executive on the development of the terms of reference and inquiry rules,” she said.

“Survivors must be at the heart of that process.

“The success and credibility of this inquiry will ultimately depend upon its independence, its terms of reference, the powers and resources available to it, and the extent to which victims and survivors are meaningfully involved in shaping its work.

“It is essential that the inquiry follows the evidence wherever it leads and examines fully the institutions, individuals, agencies and systems involved in the treatment of women and children over the period within its remit.

“It must also confront the difficult questions of institutional and individual responsibility and ensure that evidence is not lost, overlooked or unnecessarily delayed.”

She added: “For many survivors, this is not simply a historical inquiry.

“These are deeply personal experiences which have affected their lives and those of their families for generations.

“The process must therefore be conducted with sensitivity, transparency and an understanding of the particular needs of survivors.

“The victims and survivors we represent have shown extraordinary persistence in seeking truth and justice.”

Arrests made after 'despicable' burglary at priest's home in Belfast

POLICE investigating the burglary of a priest's home in Belfast have arrested two people.

The man and woman were arrested in connection with Thursday's incident after initially being detained over a separate report of arson.

Police said the 25-year-old woman and 38-year-old man remain in custody 'as enquiries continue into their suspected involvement in these linked reports'.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that the home of Father Nideesh Varghese was burgled while he was out hearing confessions.

Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker said keys to local chapels were taken during the incident along with a passport, laptop and cash.

"This is a despicable act and those behind it must be held to account," he added.

The PSNI confirmed it received a report at 10.20pm on Thursday that a property on the Twinbrook Road had been broken into and that a number of items including cash and a laptop were taken.

"Initial enquiries have identified two suspects, a man and a woman, who gained entry via a side door of the property," added a statement.

St Luke's Parish in Twinbrook later thanked parishioners who offered help and made donations following the burglary at Fr Nideesh's home.

"Your kindness and generosity have been overwhelming," it added.

Hegseth announces 'Office of Religious Affairs' in speech on Pentagon policy

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the creation of a new "Office of Religious Affairs" during a speech Sept. 30 on Pentagon policy.

Hegseth — who uses the moniker "secretary of war" since Trump signed an executive order last year adding the "Department of War" as a secondary, ceremonial title for the Department of Defense — announced the new office during a speech at U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

"The experts, our chaplains, will finally have an advocate at the highest levels," Hegseth said. "Policy and resources will serve the mission, not smother the mission."

Elsewhere in the speech, Hegseth also announced the "Autonomous Warfare Command," an effort to develop autonomous capabilities across the military.

Catholic leaders, particularly Pope Leo XIV, have warned against the creation of autonomous weapons. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a backgrounder on Pope Leo's encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas," said the rise of these systems marked a "grave development of military technology."

Hegseth also confirmed plans to cut the number of spots reserved for admirals and generals by 20%, doubling the 10% reduction he ordered last year.

Hegseth also said he wanted "no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals" in the armed services.

A statement from the Department of Defense, also using the Department of War moniker, said it "is elevating spiritual readiness as a core element of combat effectiveness with the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs, a direct-report office to the Secretary of War charged with driving Department-wide policy, resource advocacy, and action."

"Wars are fought by people, and the strength of the force depends not only on weapons, training, and technology, but also on the resilience, conviction, and moral strength of those who serve," the statement said. It added the new office will "ensure religious affairs are no longer dispersed across distant bureaucratic layers, giving senior leaders a dedicated capability to protect free exercise, remove policy barriers, identify unmet requirements, and secure the support needed for the Service chaplaincies to succeed."

The statement added, "The Service chaplaincies will remain the Department's primary providers of religious support; ORA will give them a powerful advocate at the highest level of the Department.

"The office will not compel religious participation, favor one faith, or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or lack thereof," it said. "Instead, it will help ensure every member of the Force has voluntary, meaningful access to religious support and community that fosters purpose and resilience needed to endure hardship, deployment, combat, and loss."

In his speech, Hegseth said, "Our department is, you might say, putting on the full armor of God."

The phrase appeared to come from Chapter 6 of St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, where the apostle urges the Christian community: "Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens."

French vandals arrested after desecrating statue of Our Lady

Two young vandals on the French island of Corsica were arrested after destroying a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with dozens gathering later that day to protest and make reparation for the incident.

Uncensored video of the crime shows two unidentified males desecrating the statue, located at the southern exit of Port-Vecchio, that they later destroyed. Several locals quickly denounced the sacrilegious incident, with several gathering to protest the desecration at the vandalism site on Thursday afternoon.

“It’s outrageous because they’re desecrating what is most sacred,” Don Thibault Lambert, the priest of the parish that owns the statue, told French media. The priest also said he had filed a formal complaint.

“SHAME!” Porto-Vecchio Mayor Jean-Christophe Angelini declared in a Facebook post while denouncing the desecration. The politician had himself played a role in the erection of the statue near the town’s exit.

“At the start of our first term, at the request of Father Constant, we installed a statue of the Virgin Mary under the arch at the Stabiacciu roundabout,” the mayor said.

“This symbol, to which the people of Porto-Vecchio are deeply attached, was vandalized and destroyed last night by one or more irresponsible individuals,” he added. “On behalf of the City, as well as on my own behalf, I strongly condemn this unspeakable act.”

He further called for “a firm and swift response” from local authorities.

Two young men arrested

According to the French press, the Ajaccio District Attorney’s Office confirmed an investigation of the incident was proceeding amid strong reactions to the circulating video of the incident, evoking reactions of outrage and calls to manifest the community’s indignation.

The local outlet reported that two young men who are suspected of committing the crime were arrested by local law enforcement with apparent video of the arrests appearing on social media.

The French press also said that several dozen people came to the police station in order to protest the crime in the vicinity of the suspects, with one outlet reporting over 100 demonstrators. They provided video of protesters bringing an empty coffin to the gate of the facility and affixing the names of the suspects on it as a warning, expressing the collective outrage of the community over the incident.

Reparation made to the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the aftermath of the desecration, the local Catholic parish, which owns the statue, called for calm and invited locals to gather at the Stabiacciu roundabout on Thursday evening to celebrate the beginning of the Month of the Holy Rosary, which had been scheduled to be held in the local church but was moved following the vandalism.

Large crowds gathered in sorrow due to the desecration but also consoled by the opportunity to make reparation to the Blessed Virgin Mary for such an awful offense.

Posting several pictures of the event on Facebook, the local parish acknowledged that “Tonight, our hearts are heavy but also comforted: we were able to tell our Santa Maria once again how much we love her! This moment of prayer and unity did credit to the parish and the town of Porto-Vecchio. Evviva Maria!”

For his part, Mayor Angelini assured, “the destroyed statue will be replaced as soon as possible, in accordance with our traditions, the wishes of the people of Porto-Vecchio, and our political will.”

Christian Würtz is new bishop of Eichstätt

The former Freiburg auxiliary bishop Christian Würtz is officially bishop of Eichstätt. 

As part of a solemn introductory service on Sunday in the cathedral of the city located in the Altmühltal valley, he was presented with the papal appointment certificate by the Apostolic Nuncio in Germany, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen. 

He then traditionally sat on the Cathedra, the episcopal seat in the cathedral, in order to take possession of the diocese.

In addition, Würtz received the shepherd's staff as a visible sign of care for the faithful entrusted to him. 

The 55-year-old is currently Germany's youngest diocesan bishop. He succeeds Gregor Maria Hanke in Eichstätt, who resigned early in June 2025 at the age of 70.

That in the 8. Century of the diocese, founded by the English-born missionary Willibald, counts more than 330,000 Catholics. 

In Eichstätt, Germany’s only Catholic University is also based. 

The celebration was attended by a lot of prominence from church and politics. Among them were Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (both CSU).

‘Give the money to struggling mothers’: Bishop slams Spain’s pro-abortion campaign

A senior Spanish bishop has spoken out against a government campaign to promote abortion, saying the resources would be better spent helping women in difficult circumstances who wish to keep their baby.

The Secretary General of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Francisco César García Magán, auxiliary bishop of Toledo, was critical of the Ministry of Health’s campaign which has the slogan “whatever you do will be alright.”

“I wish the slogan ‘whatever you do will be alright’ were true and also applied to women who want to continue their pregnancies and become mothers,” he said.

“I wish the same amount allocated to the pro-abortion campaign were given to a woman who chooses and decides to become a mother, even if she is in difficult circumstances and has that opportunity,” he added during a press conference on Thursday reporting on the meeting of the bishops’ standing committee.

García Magán also said it was difficult to understand a pro-abortion campaign at a time when Spain is suffering from a demographic winter. 

“In a society that talks about the difficulty of population replacement, where one in four pregnancies ends in abortion, and where there is a law that allows it, I don’t understand the persistence of this situation,” he said.

“We defend the dignity of every person, and we reiterate: from conception until death,” the bishop added.

“It is a ‘yes’ to the child’s right to life, and a ‘yes’ to their right to health, education, and housing, until their final days,” he said, before noting that neither the family nor “the politician in power” should decide the moment of death.

The Spanish government launched the campaign last month, which includes the promotion of abortion via medication.

In a press release, the Ministry of Health said it would “begin the process of amending the product information leaflet for mifepristone, one of the medicines used in medical abortion, to allow its use outside the exclusively hospital setting.

“Furthermore, it will update the national health service’s portfolio of services to expressly include it within primary care,” it added.

Spain’s housing crisis

García Magán also weighed in the Maricarmen Abascal case that Pope Leo XIV commented on on his way back from France on Monday.

The case involved an 87-year-old woman being evicted from her home on a stretcher after her home was bought by a developer and the rent was increased.

After huge outcry and a protest encampment in Madrid, an agreement was eventually reached so that Abascal could return to her home and pay the same rent she had been for decades.

García Magán said that housing “is not a privilege, but a right” and said that “young people do not have decent access to housing, but their parents and grandparents did.”

The solution requires “demands vision from politicians” and “involves everyone in government.”

“There are many evictions in other autonomous communities, not in the one where Maricarmen’s case occurred,” he said.

However, he also said the housing crisis is not “a problem unique to Spain. In other European countries, the problem is as severe or even more so than in Spain; just look at Germany.”

He added that “it is not good to politicize this case.”

More than 500 million Christians face Bible access restrictions worldwide: report

New data reveals that more than 500 million Christians worldwide face Bible access restrictions, as laws imposed by governments hostile to Christianity and socioeconomic barriers prevent many people who would like Bibles from having them. 

The Bible Access Initiative released its 2026 Bible Access List Thursday, which provided updated statistics about access to the Bible worldwide by specifically highlighting countries where Bible access is explicitly restricted and places where Christians want the Bible but find themselves unable to access it. 

Overall, more than 500 million Christians worldwide face Bible access restrictions while over 125 million would like a Bible but do not have one. The report examined 106 countries, with a full analysis now available online. 

Afghanistan was identified as the country with the most restrictions on BIble access, followed by Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, Eritrea and Mauritania. All of the aforementioned countries have what the Bible Access Initiative refers to as “maximum restrictions” on Bible access. 

Turkmenistan, Libya, Sudan and Iran round out the list of the countries with the top 10 strongest Bible access restrictions. 

Those countries, along with Comoros and Maldives, are categorized as having “extreme restrictions.”

Countries listed as having “severe restrictions,” a step lower than “extreme restrictions,” are Algeria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Niger, Burkina Faso, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Morocco, Syria, Bhutan, Azerbaijan, Mali, Oman, Brunei, Myanmar, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Chad, Iraq, Central African Republic, Malaysia, Laos, India, Kuwait, Ethiopia, Cuba, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Mozambique, Bangladesh, Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Cameroon, Venezuela, Togo, Turkey, Lebanon, Tanzania, South Sudan, Malawi, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Kenya are identified as countries having “considerable restrictions” while Nicaragua, Russia, the Ivory Coast, Ukraine, Rwanda, Colombia, Uganda, Senegal, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Benin, Angola, Sierra Leone, Mexico, Burundi and Liberia have “some restrictions.” 

Examples of what constitute Bible restrictions, as highlighted in the report, include “Persecution through government controls, extremist violence, and family and community pressure.” 

Socioeconomic barriers to Bible access, including “poverty, poor infrastructure, illiteracy, lack of electricity, and limited internet access,” are also categorized as Bible restrictions. 

Bible shortages are highest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria and India. Each country has a shortage of more than 10 million Bibles. 

Uganda, Tanzania and China have Bible shortages ranging from 5-10 million while Indonesia, Angola and Mozambique round out the top 10 countries with the highest Bible shortages. 

Those countries, along with Malawi, Rwanda, Madagascar and Kenya, are short between 3 and 5 million Bibles. 

Countries with Bible shortages of 1-3 million are the Ivory Coast, Burundi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Cameroon, Cuba and Ghana. South Sudan, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso, Egypt and the Central African Republic have Bible shortages ranging from 500,000 to 1 million. 

“We often hear that the Bible is more accessible than ever, but we must not confuse availability with access,” said Bible Access List co-creator Wybo Nicolai in a statement reacting to the findings of this year’s Bible Access List. 

“Persecution-related Bible access restrictions can make accessing Scripture difficult or dangerous, while socioeconomic barriers can put a Bible beyond people’s reach. Even where Scripture is available digitally, limited internet coverage or unsafe online environments can still prevent people from accessing it.”

Ken Bitgood, founder and CEO of Digital Bible Society and co-creator of the Bible Access List, identified the report as “more than a picture of the problem but a roadmap for showing where intentional, strategic action is needed.” 

According to Bitgood, “We believe everyone deserves access to God’s Word, and our goal is to equip others to join us in this mission, combining our efforts, resources and energy together to make this a reality.”

This year’s Bible Access List examines 19 additional countries compared to the inaugural Bible Access List, which was published last year. 

A partnership between Bible League International, Digital Bible Society, Frontlines International, The Voice of the Martyrs and YouVersion, the Bible Access Initiative describes its mission as to “provide Bible agencies, mission organizations and churches with a comprehensive and reliable overview of restrictions on Bible access and shortages experienced across different countries” as well as “crucial information for enhancing strategic planning efforts aimed at addressing Bible access challenges more effectively.” 

European data rules may allow erasure of baptismal records, EU court adviser says

Europe’s data protection rules may require the erasure of personal data from Catholic baptismal records in some cases when an individual requests it, a top European Union official said Thursday.

The Oct. 1 opinion from Laila Medina, the advocate general at the Court of Justice of the European Union, could prove decisive in a dispute between the Catholic Church and European leaders over whether or not baptismal records can be preserved in Church registers.

The Court of Justice is currently considering the case, which was brought by the Brussels Court of Appeal and which asked for clarification about whether the Diocese of Ghent’s refusal to erase names from baptismal records when requested is in violation of Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation.

Catholic leadership has expressed strong concerns over the issue. The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union said in September that baptismal records are not merely a “list of members” of the Church but rather serve as a “record of historical events.”

Allowing baptismal record erasures would “constitute an infringement on the substance of the sacrament” and would “seriously impede” the functioning of the Church, the bishops said.

Pope Leo XIV has also expressed concern in the debate, having reportedly told the European bishops in May 2025 that he “considers the issue very important.”

In her Oct. 1 opinion, which is nonbinding on the justice court, Medina said European data rules apply to the case and that the “data processing in question,” i.e. the baptismal records, “must be in line” with those rules.

The Catholic Church must demonstrate “compelling legitimate grounds” for retaining someone’s name in the baptismal records after the person rejects, Medina said.

The Ghent Diocese had originally responded to the individual’s deletion request by striking through his name but still retaining his entry in a legible form. That measure, Medina said, “does not constitute erasure” under European data rules.

“The data must be rendered illegible to the extent necessary to ensure that the person is no longer identified or easily identifiable,” she said. She argued that “information concerning the fact that a baptism took place at a given place and time may be retained.”

Medina acknowledged that the issue was “complex” and that the European court must make a “case-by-case assessment” regarding such data disputes.

Though the report is nonbinding, advocate general opinions often help shape the outcome of cases in European courts. The Oct. 1 document noted that the judges are “now beginning their deliberations” in the case. A ruling is expected later in 2026 or in 2027.

In September the European bishops told the court that baptismal registers do not “bear witness to the faith of individual persons” but rather serve as a “fundamental evidentiary instrument” that in part helps the Church manage its other records related to marriage and confirmation.

Requiring the deletion of baptismal data, the bishops said, would dictate that the Church “adapt to [a person’s] feelings or opinions” in how it understands baptismal records.

This would require a shift in “theological reflection,” they said, which is “protected by Church autonomy.”

2 synod calls expose tensions in Syriac Catholic Church

A dispute over two proposed meetings of Syriac Catholic bishops has brought internal tensions in the Church into public view. 

Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan called a synod for Nov. 17–20, while another invitation called bishops to meet Sept. 29–30.

The patriarchate said Church law gives Younan the first right to convene the synod and considers the separate September invitation unlawful. 

It has also rejected claims that the patriarch failed to call a synod in recent years, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Sept. 30.

An unnamed source cited by ACI MENA disputed that account and questioned the timing of Younanʼs invitation. 

The disagreement comes amid wider tensions involving the patriarch and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Vaticanʼs Dicastery for the Eastern Churches. 

Younan has publicly accused the cardinal of encouraging bishops to seek his removal, placing the synod dispute within a broader debate over leadership and authority in the Syriac Catholic Church.

Lithuanian bishops announce investigation into crimes against minors since 1990

The Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference will pursue an investigation into all crimes committed against minors and vulnerable adults within the Church since March 11, 1990, when the country became independent from the Soviet Union.

“The priority is the victim, not institutional reputation. To achieve this, it is necessary to establish how many such crimes have occurred in the past, since 11 March 1990,” the bishops said in a statement, according to a Sept. 28 Delfi report.

The investigation follows a case involving Father Tadas Švedavičius, a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Vilnius who was charged in connection with 34 criminal counts of child sexual abuse, possession of child pornography, and distributing alcohol to minors over the course of 20 years, the report said. 

The conference will consult the Holy See and Lithuanian law enforcement during the investigation.

Disabled child’s papal blessing in Lourdes gives family ‘strength and hope’

One of the most moving moments of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France was his meeting Sept. 27 with 5,000 sick people and their caregivers at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

There, after defending the inalienable dignity of those who are suffering from illness or infirmity, he strongly criticized a trend toward the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide under the guise of “false compassion.”

“It is impossible to regard causing death as something normal. What is legal is not necessarily moral,” he said to loud applause from those listening.

Immediately following his speech, Leo broke from his schedule to go into the crowd and greet the sick and disabled, many of whom had waited hours in the hot sun to take part in the meeting.

He also took time to bless a few people as he approached the Accueil Notre-Dame (Notre-Dame Home), a residential accommodation classified as a healthcare facility that hosts sick, disabled, and frail pilgrims to Lourdes.

Olivia Hamelin, a girl with the rare genetic neurological condition CDKL5 deficiency disorder, was among those Leo blessed.

“Seeing the pope bless Olivia was truly a moment of grace,” Olivia’s father, Alexandre Hamelin, told EWTN News afterward.

After Leo blessed Olivia, her father embraced her with a look of pure joy and happiness.

“The fact that he blessed Olivia, in a special way gives us so much strength and hope for her future. This pope radiates kindness and grace. I am certain he will leave a lasting mark on the history of the Church,” Hamelin said.

It was 3-year-old Olivia’s first time in Lourdes, alongside her parents, Alexandre and Bérénice, and her siblings, 5-year-old Alba and 6-month-old Raphaël.

Raphaël was also blessed by Pope Leo in Lourdes.

The family traveled almost four hours by car from their home in Périgueux, a town in southwestern France, to Lourdes for Leo’s visit.

“For us, it was important to come to Lourdes to see the pope and hear his message of peace. It is a true sign of hope for our children,” Hamelin said.

CDKL5 deficiency disorder affects brain development and causes severe epilepsy. Those with this condition can have difficulty with movement and speech, alongside other challenges.

Hamelin said when they learned Olivia’s condition is not degenerative, it brought him and his family “enormous relief.”

“Since then, our sole goal has been for Olivia to have the most beautiful and happiest life possible. Of course, we live with her disability, but we try not to let it limit us, especially in everything we do as a family,” he said.

While his family had faith before the trial of Olivia’s illness, now, he said, it has “an even more important place in our lives.”

“It helps us keep moving forward, maintain trust, and not lose hope, even in the more difficult moments,” he said. “Above all, we are convinced that Olivia is a blessing in our lives. We believe that the Lord entrusted her to us and that, through her, he also brings us an abundance of beautiful gifts.”

The father noted how Olivia is teaching many people around her, even beyond their family.

For their oldest daughter, Alba, growing up with Olivia teaches her consideration for others, patience, kindness, and acceptance of differences, he said.

“These are beautiful values that Olivia passes on to her simply through her presence,” Hamelin noted.

“Olivia profoundly touches the people around her. She creates deep connections and brings a very special joy wherever she goes,” he said. “In the end, where some might see only the difficulties associated with her disability, we also see all the beauty she brings into our lives and into the lives of others. That, too, is what nourishes our hope and our faith.”

Pope moves St. Peter’s archpriest to Italian diocese without naming successor

Pope Leo XIV named Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, who has served for over five years as archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and the pope’s vicar for Vatican City, as archbishop of the central Italian Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto. 

The Vatican announced Oct. 3 that Cardinal Gambetti would succeed Archbishop Bruno Forte, whose resignation was accepted by the pope. 

However, the pope did not immediately name a new archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

The current vicar of the archpriest, who helps oversee the basilica, is Italian Bishop Calogero La Piana.

Cardinal Gambetti, whom the late Pope Francis created a cardinal in 2020, is a Conventual Franciscan and, before his 2021 appointment as archpriest, served as general custos of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis of Assisi.

As archpriest, the Italian prelate oversaw the daily administration of St. Peter’s Basilica and presided over liturgies when the pope was not present. 

Cardinal Gambetti also served as president of the Fabric of St. Peter, the Vatican office responsible for maintaining the basilica complex. 

According to Pope Francis’ apostolic constitution “Praedicate Evangelium” (Preach the Gospel) on the reform of the Roman Curia, the Fabric of St. Peter’s “deals with everything that concerns the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter,” which includes “the conservation and decorum of the building, and the internal discipline” of staff, pilgrims and visitors. 

Among the projects that he oversaw during his tenure was the restoration of the nearly 100-foot-tall baldachin towering over the basilica’s main altar, designed over 400 years ago by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

African bishops express solidarity with Zambia’s arrested Archbishop Banda, local Catholics amid unrest

Catholic bishops in Africa expressed solidarity and closeness to Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka, Zambia, and the Zambian bishops conference, following the prelate’s arrest over a car gift.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, archbishop of Kinshasa, Congo, and president of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences in Africa and Madagascar, or SECAM, said the organization had learned with “great concern” of the recent proceedings and investigations involving the archbishop.

He said they had appreciated that Archbishop Banda is not accused of involvement in the alleged disposal of the vehicle but had surrendered it to the state in December 2023.

“We trust that the competent institutions will discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the law, with respect for the rights and dignity of all those concerned, and in a manner that contributes to truth, justice and the common good,” Cardinal Ambongo said in a solidarity message on Oct. 1.

The statement also urged Catholics in Zambia to remain calm, united and prayerful.

Zambian bishops’ concerns

The message of solidarity from SECAM — the most important body of the Catholic Church in Africa — came amid mounting government-fueled violence in the country.

In a statement issued Sept. 30, after an extraordinary plenary held Sept. 29, Zambian bishops expressed concern about increasing incidents of arbitrary arrests and detention, the presence of military personnel in civilian places, and reports of excessive or unlawful use of force, including the loss of civilian lives. 

The leaders appealed for a “renewed commitment to the dignity of every human person,” and urged citizens to resist provocation, reject hatred, tribalism, violence, and misapplication of social media to misinform and insult.

The extraordinary plenary followed detention and subsequent release of Archbishop Banda over allegations involving a motor vehicle reportedly given to him as a gift.

‘Courage and moral clarity’

Following the arrest, Zambia’s Catholic bishops expressed solidarity with the prelate and affirmed their “deep respect for his pastoral ministry and his tireless dedication to the service of the Church and the nation.” They also called for fairness, dignity, and due process to be upheld without prejudice or intimidation. 

Archbishop Ignatius Chama of Kasama, president of the Zambian bishops’ conference who signed the Sept. 28 statement, urged fairness, respect for the prelate’s dignity, and the application of due process as the archbishop of Lusaka, the country’s capital, went through the trial.

“Archbishop Banda has consistently spoken with courage and moral clarity, reminding the faithful and the society at large of our shared responsibility to build a society rooted in integrity, unity and compassion. His witness strengthens our resolve to uphold the values of justice and peace in Zambia,” said Archbishop Chama, calling on Catholics and all people to continue to pray for calm, peace and unity in Zambia.

Archbishop Banda, 62, is known for his outspokenness on issues of governance, justice and national unity. 

He was arrested on Sept. 28 by the country’s Drug Enforcement Commission. On Sept. 29, he spent the night in a prison in Lusaka and was released the following day on a $4,000 bail.

The arrest shocked the nation’s Catholic community and is being viewed as one of the rare incidents in a majority Christian country in Africa.

Arrest alleges illegally acquired car

Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission has charged the archbishop with being in possession of a Toyota Hilux between April 2021 and December 2023. According to the commission investigating drug crimes, money laundering and financial-related offences, the vehicle was unlawfully obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority.

Archbishop Banda told the court that he understood the charges but denied them. He was ordered to surrender his travel documents and appear in court on Oct. 14 for a mention of his case. The trial is set to begin on Nov. 3.

According to press reports, former Zambian President Edgar Lungu gifted the archbishop with the vehicle under dispute. The archbishop had approached the president for means of transport for himself and the parish, and the president promised to help. The president did not say where the car would come from — in what the now-Zambian authorities say was an illegal acquisition. 

“As he undergoes this process, we accompany him with our prayers, asking the Lord to grant him fortitude, serenity and wisdom,” Archbishop Chama said in his statement. 

Civil unrest and crackdown

The arrest of the archbishop came amid a Zambian government crackdown on the opposition since the controversial general elections held Aug. 13.

President Hakainde Hichilema won a second term, but his main challenger and opposition leader, Brian Mundubile, claimed the vote was rigged. With ensuing civil unrest, the government has cracked down on opposition figures, some religious leaders and activists.

Some analysts say Archbishop Banda’s arrest over the car is linked to his criticisms of the current authorities. He is seen as a supporter of Mundubile and his deputy. Before the elections, the two had sought blessings and counsel from the archbishop.

In their Sept. 30 statement following the extraordinary plenary, the country’s bishops raised concerns over increasing political crackdown, narrowing freedom of expression and restrictions on access to justice.

“We appeal for protection of every person’s right to due process and access to justice and for an end to arbitrary arrests, intimidation and political violence,” said the leaders in the statement, which urged the citizens to resist provocation.

The bishops said they were concerned about the credibility and transparency of electoral processes, including concerns raised regarding the conduct and management of the 2026 general elections.

“Public confidence in elections is essential to legitimacy and stability of democratic institutions,” said the bishops.

The bishops, among other actions, called for a sustained process of national dialogue, reconciliation and healing, involving the people and institutions, and across the political, ethnic, religious and social differences.

Cardinal Ambongo in his SECAM statement said that as the Church enters the month of October, the month of the holy rosary, the African bishops entrust Archbishop Banda, Zambia’s bishops and the “entire Church in Zambia to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church.”

“May she obtain for them strength, peace, courage and hope during this time of trial, and may she accompany the Church in Zambia with her maternal care and protection,” African bishops said.