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Shalom World News, Philadelphia, PA (2025)

09/17/2025

Twelve-year-old Sophia Forchas, a student at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, is defying the odds after being shot in the head during the tragic August 27, 2025, attack. Her family describes her recovery as nothing short of miraculous, crediting the power of prayer and the outpouring of support from around the world. The shooting, which took place three weeks ago, left several students injured and claimed the lives of Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10. On September 12, Sophia’s family shared a hopeful update on her GoFundMe page, celebrating the hospital’s decision to upgrade her condition from critical to serious. Once warned to be on the brink of death, Sophia, who is now being called a warrior, is fighting fiercely for her life and inspiring families everywhere who have rallied behind her. The road ahead remains challenging, but Sophia’s determination shines through. Funds raised for her recovery, which have reached nearly $1.2 million, will help cover medical expenses, therapy, and support for her family, including her brother, who witnessed the attack but was unharmed. The community’s prayers and generosity continue to lift Sophia and her loved ones as they navigate this difficult journey.

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09/17/2025

Fr. Wilfred Ezemba, the parish priest of St. Paul’s Parish, Agaliga-Efabo in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, has been kidnapped by armed men. The priest was reportedly abducted on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Imane, Olamaboro LGA, along with some yet-to-be-identified commuters on the Imane–Ogugu road. The incident has left the Catholic community in the area distressed. A fellow priest, Fr. Michael, said: “Since his abduction three days ago, the kidnappers have not made contact. But we are confident that God will deliver him safely. We strongly believe in the power of prayers, and we trust he will regain his freedom.” Security agencies, including the Kogi East Neighbourhood Watch, the police, and troops, are said to be combing the surrounding forests in search of the abductors. The abduction marks the second kidnapping incident in Olamaboro LGA within a week. When contacted, the spokesman of the Kogi State Police Command, SP Williams Aya, said the headquarters had not yet been formally briefed on Fr. Ezemba’s abduction.

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09/16/2025

Tensions have flared in Rajasthan’s Dungarpur district, where a right-wing extremist group is fiercely opposing the Catholic Church’s plans to build a school and hospital in Jalana village. The group claims these institutions are a front for converting tribal residents, accusing Christian missionaries of luring people with promises of healing and support. On September 14, 2025, about 15-20 members of the group stormed a Church-run center, demanding to stop all activities and threatening consequences if their demands were ignored. Church officials reported that the group used harsh language and issued warnings against any further construction, leveling accusations of illegal religious conversion. Police were called to the scene and quickly dispersed the crowd. Father Siby Thomas, who has served Jalana for 15 years, expressed his dismay at facing such pressure for the first time, insisting the center is a hub for seminars, meetings, and prayer services that welcome people of all faiths. He believes these hardliners are determined to keep tribal communities from accessing education and opportunities that could help them rise above manipulation by extremists. Despite police assurances of protection, local Christians remain anxious about future attacks. The incident unfolded just days after Rajasthan passed a strict anti-conversion law, making unauthorized religious conversion a non-bailable offense with penalties of up to 20 years in prison and hefty fines. India now ranks 11th globally for Christian persecution, according to the US-based Christian rights group Open Doors.

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09/16/2025

Rallying under the banner “Christ died in Gaza,” the network, “Priests Against Genocide,” draws a powerful parallel between the suffering in Gaza and the evangelical compassion and identification with the suffering and the least as depicted in the Gospels. They pointed to “Christ, who identifies with the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, and the stranger” as mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew 25. Founded in Italy by Catholic priests, the group’s mission is to pray for peace, support Christian communities in the Holy Land, and speak out against every form of war crime and genocide, especially those impacting Palestinians today. Over 550 priests from 21 countries, mostly Italian, have joined, along with seven bishops from around the world, including Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero of Rabat. At a virtual press conference, Father Pietro Rossini, a Xaverian missionary, spoke for the network, emphasizing their role as spiritual leaders who cannot remain silent in the face of such tragedy. Their message, he said, is not one of opposition but of hope for life and peace, calling for respect for international law and the dignity of every human being. The network’s logo, created by artist Gianluca Costantini, features the phrase “Christ died in Gaza” and is inspired by the real image of a Palestinian mother mourning her son, Mohammed Zakaria.

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09/16/2025

Across the US, a wave of unexpected churchgoers, many of them college students who rarely set foot in a sanctuary, are filling pews in what some are calling “the Charlie Kirk effect.” Since the assassination of the conservative Christian activist, stories of packed Masses and unfamiliar faces have become common. Matt Zerrusen, co-founder of Newman Ministry, shared that every Catholic college ministry leader he spoke with recently reported larger crowds and a surge of students seeking spiritual guidance. At a major Northeastern university, a priest met with 15 young men over the weekend, all strangers to him, who came searching for direction. Zerrusen described this as a spiritual “revival” that Kirk’s death has intensified, building on a movement he has watched grow for months. At Texas A&M, more than 400 students now attend the OCIA class at St. Mary’s Catholic Center, a remarkable turnout. Since September 10, 2025, social media has been alive with posts from people inspired by Kirk to attend church for the first time or return after years away. Viral videos show young people parking blocks away just to get a seat, and parents marvel as their non-churchgoing children ask to join them at Mass. Even in Salt Lake City, Father John Evans noticed not just a rise in attendance, but a deeper shift: in the days after Kirk’s death, people gathered before Sunday, praying together and alone, seeking comfort and connection.

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09/16/2025

Pope Leo XIV has ushered in a new era of inclusivity at the Vatican, championing the hiring of people with disabilities and affirming that their abilities are what truly matter in Church service. The revised regulations require Vatican offices to actively welcome and support employees with disabilities, providing necessary accommodations and recognizing that disability does not limit a person's capacity to contribute. Health requirements for job candidates have also shifted, now emphasizing suitability for specific roles rather than demanding perfect health, with Vatican health services providing the needed certification. These sweeping changes, effective immediately across both the Holy See and Vatican City, build on the Pope’s recent decision to expand family benefits, such as paternity leave and extra support for parents of children with disabilities.

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09/16/2025

The death of Milad Farakh, a Melkite Greek Catholic from Kafra in Syria’s Valley of Christians, has ignited a storm of debate online. Just two weeks after his arrest and transfer to Balouna Prison in Homs on accusations of selling “spoiled meat”, leaked reports surfaced, alleging he died under torture. According to a local source, the spoiled meat charge was simply a pretext to avoid unrest, and even the security services reportedly admitted Farakh’s death resulted from torture, issuing an official apology and detaining the officer in charge for his interrogation. Despite this, the source emphasized that claims of Christian persecution in Wadi al-Nasara are exaggerated, insisting that the local community and security services maintain a relationship of coordination, especially with church leaders. Meanwhile, the nearby city of Qusayr in Homs province has seen a recent wave of arrests. While initial rumors suggested a campaign to expel Christians, it later emerged that 30 people, both Muslims and Christians, were detained on charges ranging from murder and r**e to falsifying property records. Some have since been released, but about 15 remain in custody, including seven Christians, according to the Syrian Ministry of Interior.

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09/16/2025

Pope Leo XIV has urged people of all faiths in Bangladesh to nurture a culture that thrives through unity and shared action, praising their solidarity during times of disaster and hardship. In a heartfelt message to the 'Conference on Interreligious Dialogue and Harmony' held in Dhaka from September 6 to 12, 2025, Pope Leo commended the gathering, which featured a prominent Vatican delegation led by Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. On September 9, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Kevin S. Randall delivered the pope's message, in which Leo encouraged faith communities to foster a flourishing culture by drawing on the sunlight of truth, the water of charity, and the soil of freedom and justice.

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09/15/2025

On September 16, 2025, Westminster Cathedral will witness a moment steeped in history: the first Catholic funeral for a British royal since the Anglican Reformation. The service will honor the duchess of Kent, who embraced Catholicism in 1994 after a life marked by both privilege and profound personal trials. Born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley, she passed away at 92 in Kensington Palace on September 4. Raised Anglican, she wed Prince Edward, duke of Kent, in 1961, joining a lineage that traced back to King George V. Her spiritual journey toward Catholicism began amid heartbreak. In 1975, while expecting her fourth child, she contracted measles and, following medical advice, underwent a medically necessary abortion. Two years later, she became pregnant again and, in a moving address to the British Congress of Obstetrics, spoke of the sanctity and miracle of every human life, honoring those who defend life and family. Tragically, she lost that child at 36 weeks, a loss she called "devastating" and interpreted as retribution for her earlier abortion. Despite her grief, she remained Anglican for years, making pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham with the then archbishop of Canterbury. The Church of England’s 1992 decision to ordain female priests prompted many Anglicans, including the duchess, to seek a new spiritual home. In January 1994, she was received into the Catholic Church, becoming the first British royal to do so publicly since the late 1600s. The last was King Charles II, who converted on his deathbed in 1685 but was given an Anglican funeral.
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09/15/2025

On the night of September 13, 2025, St. Peter’s Square was transformed into a living canvas, as tens of thousands gathered for Grace for the World, a concert that crowned the third World Meeting on Human Fraternity. The evening began with a breathtaking display: over 3,000 drones painted the sky with light, sketching the image of Pope Francis and illuminating Michelangelo’s dome and Bernini’s colonnade. For a moment, the crowd stood in reverent silence, then applause swept through the square. The air filled with the soaring voices of Andrea Bocelli and Teddy Swims, their duet of "Amazing Grace" mingling with the gentle hum of the drones, creating a sense of awe that lingered in the night. The sky became a gallery of hope as drones formed the hands from Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, a massive dove of peace, and the poignant image of the Pietà. The icon of Salus Populi Romani, beloved by Pope Francis, was also projected, deepening the sense of unity. This innovative display called for universal fraternity, cultural dialogue, and hope in uncertain times. For the first time, St. Peter’s Square became an open-air arena for a concert of this magnitude. The event concluded the two-day World Meeting on Human Fraternity, which gathered 500 participants—Nobel laureates, academics, cultural leaders, and experts in technology and the environment. Fifteen panels sparked conversations on peace, planetary care, technology’s influence, and humanity’s future.

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09/14/2025

Today, September 14th, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, millions of hearts across the globe join in joyful prayer to honor the 70th birthday of Pope Leo XIV, a guiding light of faith, a spiritual father to millions, and an unwavering champion of unity and love. This milestone is more than a personal celebration for the Pontiff; it is a profound moment for the entire Catholic Church and for every soul uplifted by his gentle words, his humility, and his living testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Pope Leo XIV marks 70 years, his life and mission shine ever brighter as a beacon of hope. Through his prayerful leadership in the Vatican and his heartfelt messages that echo worldwide, the Pope reminds us that true greatness is found in humility, service, and love. His birthday is a time not only to celebrate the years he has lived on earth, but also to honor the countless lives transformed by his ministry. On this special day, let us unite in prayer for Pope Leo XIV, asking God to grant him strength, grace, and wisdom to lead the Church for many more years with his devoted service. Shalom World News extends our warmest wishes for a joyful 70th birthday, beloved Holy Father. May your life continue to inspire us all!

09/13/2025

Pope Leo made a surprise phone call to the Holy Family parish, Gaza’s only Catholic sanctuary, where about 450 refugees have found shelter. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, shared the news on social media, marking the first time the pontiff has personally called this embattled community. During the call, Pope Leo asked after their well-being, offered his blessing, and assured them of his prayers for peace. This compassionate gesture echoed the daily calls once made by Pope Francis, who regularly reached out to show his solidarity with Gaza Catholics. On the day he called, Pope Leo was working in Castel Gandolfo. Later, he returned to the Vatican, where he addressed the press about the grave news of Israeli strikes on buildings linked to Hamas leaders. He emphasized the need for continued prayer and a relentless pursuit of peace. That same day, Israel renewed its evacuation order for Gaza. The past two weeks have been especially trying for Gaza’s Christians. Despite warnings and the looming evacuation, many have chosen to remain, holding fast to their faith and community.
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