French government reports increase in visits to Catholic cathedrals

From shock to slow recovery: Israeli government reports tourism growth for 2025 with this data

Jorge Enrique Mújica

According to data released on January 6 (2026), the largest share of visitors came from the United States, with roughly 400,000 arrivals, followed by France (159,000) and the United Kingdom (95,000).

Bishop Chairmen Praise Legislation “Helping Mothers to be Able to Welcome Their New Children”

Redacción Zenit

The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act is needed legislation that would simply ensure that colleges and universities at least provide information about the resources, services, rights, and accommodations available for pregnant and parenting students.

How a new Israeli law is redefining education—and survival, for the worse—in Palestinian Christian schools

ZENIT Staff

Approved by 31 votes to 10 and promoted by Likud lawmakers Amit Halevi and Avichay Boaron, the new legislation bars graduates of Palestinian Authority–accredited universities from teaching in Israeli schools unless they also obtain specific Israeli certification

100,000 euros in two weeks: How Spain came together to heat its monasteries

Covadonga Asturias

Last winter, DeClausura raised €68,400, enabling support for 64 contemplative communities, with an average of €1,070 per monastery. This time, surpassing €100,000 in record time reflects not only donor generosity but also heightened public awareness—an awareness sparked in large part by recent media coverage

From Spain to Mexico: Cardinal Aguiar defends the Cause for Beatification of Queen Isabella the Catholic in Valladolid

Covadonga Asturias

For Aguiar, that decision embodied a deeper spiritual vision: the recognition that every human being is fundamentally a brother or sister. In his view, this principle places Isabella

Brazil attacks influencer for criticizing the government for funding LGBT+ organizations

ZENIT Staff

In the video, Nine criticised Brazil’s LGBT National Secretary – a man who identifies as a woman. Shortly after the post, the Secretary filed a complaint, triggering a criminal investigation into Nine

Questions about liturgy: ‘Outwardly Like Ourselves’

ZENIT Staff

Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum university.

New Western Effort to Push Abortion in Africa

ZENIT Staff

Many African countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, still have strong pro-life laws, and there remains a great social stigma against abortion. The African Coalition for Research and Communication on Abortion (ACORCA) wants to change that.

Lack of Demand for Contraceptives?

ZENIT Staff

According to the Guttmacher Institute, “[f]ocusing on this [narrower] group helps prioritize limited resources.” However, they insist that “broader investments will ultimately be needed to reach the many other women who also face barriers to contraceptive care.”

Denmark Forcibly Sterilized Greenlandic Women

ZENIT Staff

A report was published last September documenting the stories of over 350 women and girls who were given hormonal contraceptive injections or had intrauterine devices (IUDs) inserted without their consent—and in some cases, even without their knowledge.

Restoration of Bethlehem Basilica announced: the birthplace of Christ

ZENIT Staff

The restoration shall be executed by the Italian firm entrusted with the recent rehabilitation of the Basilica of the Nativity, ensuring continuity in method, craftsmanship, and artistic sensitivity toward a site of unparalleled sacred symbolism

New report shows systematic abuse in Israeli prisons

ZENIT Staff

The Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem, released new figures and testimonies revealing the extent of violence employed against Palestinians in Israeli prisons, which function as a network of torture camps

Nicaraguan regime bans urban and rural “door-to-door” missions in the country’s dioceses

Enrique Villegas

The ban affected pastoral outreach scheduled for January 24 as part of the so-called Ecclesiological Year proclaimed by Bishop Sócrates René Sándigo, who governs both the dioceses of León and neighboring Chinandega

Woman Accused of Harassment Simply for Praying Outside An Abortion Clinic

Rafael Manuel Tovar

Claire Brennan was convicted for staging an illegal protest and appealed the conviction, while David Hall admitted his guilt. Lawyer Christian Concern described the conviction as «an unprecedented development.» The woman filed a motion to recuse the presiding judge of the County Court, Ciaran Moynagh, due to his extensive history of pro-abortion activism.

The Catholic Church’s Mission Territories Continue to Grow: Here Is the Data

ZENIT Staff

Currently, there are 1,132 mission territories, which depend on the Dicastery for Evangelization of the Holy See, formerly the Propaganda Fide or Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

French government reports increase in visits to Catholic cathedrals: these are the most visited

Covadonga Asturias

Cathedrals, in Catholic theology, are not museums with altars but living churches whose primary purpose is sacramental and pastoral. The current surge in attendance suggests that beauty and transcendence still exert a powerful pull in an increasingly secular society

Brazil: Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro sees increase in number of sacraments celebrated

Enrique Villegas

In 2025, the Christ the Redeemer sanctuary did not simply receive more people. It became more Church

The Better Part: The First Intellectual Jounal Written by Catholic Women

Dante Alba, LC

The journal emerged as a response to a clear gap in the contemporary publishing landscape. Its founder and editor-in-chief, Heidi Bollich-Erne, explains that the idea arose while she was searching for texts that addressed the female experience from a Catholic and intellectual perspective for her students.

Initiative launches to support Catholic Church’s ministry to migrants

What happens when the world’s bishops arrive in Rome for ‘ad limina’ visits Father Miguel Silvestre explains his role in facilitating the bishops’ ad limina visits to the Holy See and what they entail, with a focus on the recent visit by the bishops of Puerto Rico.

Initiative launches to support Catholic Church’s ministry to migrants Catholic research groups are assisting the Church in organizing public accompaniment, witness, and parish training to help show solidarity with immigrants and refugees.

Bishops urge Welsh Senedd to reject UK’s assisted suicide bill ahead of vote

Two bishops in Wales have issued a joint statement expressing “deep concern” about a U.K. bill that would legalize assisted suicide and urging members of the Senedd in Wales to “withhold consent.”

How his Latin American experience shaped the new archbishop of New York

The time he spent as a volunteer and later as the director of “Our Little Brothers” home for disadvantaged children in Latin America profoundly marked the new archbishop of New York, Ronald A. Hicks.

2 new miracles reported through intercession of St. Charbel in 2026 Two new miracles have been attributed to St. Charbel already in 2026 — one in the United States and one in Lebanon.

Pope Leo XIV urges Roman Rota judges to seek balance between truth and charity Pope Leo XIV received the prelates of the highest appellate tribunal in the Catholic Church at the Vatican on Monday, emphasizing that true justice requires a balance between truth and charity.

Catholic leaders urge calm in Minneapolis, reflect on ‘well-ordered’ society The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Minnesota Catholic Conference issued statements amid violent immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Spanish bishop warns of risks of misinterpreting synodality Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Spain explains the risks of misinterpreting synodality and refutes the errors of Marianist theologian Eduardo Arens.

Cardinal Parolin meets with Danish foreign minister, king amid Greenland controversy The Vatican secretary of state visited Denmark to commemorate the 12th centenary of St. Ansgar’s mission, meeting with the king and the foreign minister and visiting monasteries.

In a tense Minnesota, Christians help immigrant neighbors

In a tense Minnesota, Christians help immigrant neighbors*
Christianity Today: As the Twin Cities reel from ICE arrests and the killing of Alex Pretti, churchgoers drive immigrants to work and doctor’s appointments.

As Springfield’s 15,000 Haitians brace for deportations, local churches train to resist ICE
Religion News Service: Over a year since Donald Trump and JD Vance spread falsehoods about the city’s migrants eating pets, Haitians’ temporary protected status is set to run out Feb. 3.

Access denied: Why Muslims worldwide are being ‘debanked’
The Guardian: Innocent people are being frozen out of basic banking services — and it all traces back to reforms rushed through after 9/11.

Why an agnostic animal-rights activist went to seminary*
The New Yorker: Wayne Hsiung has gone to court and done jail time to improve the lives of animals. Now he’s going to church.

What we get wrong about forgiveness — a counseling professor unpacks the difference between letting go and making up
The Conversation: Forgiveness does not have to mean a reconciliation. At its core, forgiveness is internal, a way of laying down ill will and our emotional burden, so we can heal.

Thousands rally against immigration enforcement in subzero Minnesota temperatures
The Associated Press: Police arrested about 100 clergy demonstrating against immigration enforcement at Minnesota’s largest airport Friday, and several thousand gathered in downtown Minneapolis despite Arctic temperatures to protest the Trump administration’s crackdown.
Religion News Service: Inside the effort to organize clergy nationwide to resist ICE

What your pastor says this Sunday matters very much
Baptist News Global: This is the time for the great emptying of the whitewashed sepulchers of a distorted American Christianity.

A new look at the sex-abuse case against TV’s ‘Frugal Gourmet’*
The New York Times: Three decades after allegations that the chef and ordained Methodist minister Jeff Smith assaulted boys, a documentary series delves further into his story.

Has there been a Christian revival among young adults in the U.K.? Recent surveys may be misleading
Pew Research Center: Surveys using random samples of the population do not show clear evidence of a Christian resurgence.

Two unlikely friends offer university students, faculty advice for fruitful conversations
Deseret News: Ivy League professors Robert P. George and Cornel West don’t agree on many issues, but they are best friends seeking truth together.

BEARING & RENEWING OUR PUBLIC WITNESS

 A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP SUSAN: BEARING & RENEWING OUR PUBLIC WITNESS 

Dear People of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego,

Thank you all for your prayers and tender care. Some of you know that I had surgery this past Thursday, and it went very well. I’m still experiencing pain, but this will lessen in the days ahead. I have just been released from the hospital and am resting at home. Your prayers, your ministries, and your support mean more to me than words can express.

I write now to you about a matter that deeply wounds our national conscience and calls forth our faithful response.

In recent weeks across our country, there has been a shocking escalation of violence involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. In Minneapolis, multiple people—including U.S. citizens and bystanders—have been shot and killed during federal immigration enforcement actions and protests. Most recently, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a Veteran’s Administration ICU nurse devoted to serving others, was killed by federal agents —the second fatal shooting in that city within weeks. Prior to that, Renee Good, another U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a raid, sparking widespread outrage and grief. These incidents are occurring within a pattern of aggressive enforcement actions that have seen federal agents open fire on civilians and detain U.S. citizens and others in troubling circumstances.  

We hold these realities before God with sorrow and righteous indignation. Scripture reminds us that the measure of our humanity is found in how we treat the “stranger”—the foreigner, the vulnerable, the powerless (Leviticus 19:33–34; Matthew 25:35). When national policy and public practice risk dehumanizing our neighbors—especially those already living in fear—the Church must speak, pray, and act with clarity and compassion.

I know that within our Diocese, many are already living out this calling in concrete ways:

Walking with Vulnerable Neighbors. Through EDSD’s Migration Ministry, congregations and volunteers offer accompaniment, legal support connections, pastoral care, and hospitality to migrants and their families as they navigate complex systems and fearsome uncertainties.

Advocacy for Just Policy. We have prayed with and supported those advocating for humane immigration policy at local, state, and federal levels, reminding our civic leaders that human dignity must never be sacrificed for fear or political expediency.

Clergy and Lay Formation. Our ongoing formation efforts help equip the faithful to address immigration realities in their communities with theological grounding and compassionate presence.

You can learn more about these ministries and how to get involved at the EDSD’s Migration Ministry page: https://edsd.org/migration-ministry/.

Due to my current health issues, I cannot be present at vigils and marches, but know that I am with those of you who are standing for justice in prayer. In this moment, I invite us all—individuals, congregations, and ministries—to renew our commitment to:

Prayerful Presence—Join in sustained intercession for victims of violence and their families, for law enforcement charged with public safety, and for policymakers entrusted with governing with justice and mercy.

Nonviolent Witness—Uphold and participate in peaceful, faith-rooted public witness calling for accountability, restraint, and structural reform that honors human life.

Pastoral Support—Reach out to immigrant communities fearful of enforcement actions with pastoral care, practical support, hospitality, and accompaniment.

Civic Engagement—Advocate for policies that protect the dignity and rights of all — immigrants, citizens, and residents alike—and that seek justice through accountability, transparency, and respect for human life.

Financial Aid—Bishop of Minnesota, the Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, has asked for donations to Casa Maria, an Episcopal nonprofit that is organizing groceries and other aid to immigrant families in Minneapolis.

In the coming days, my office will be announcing new opportunities to learn how best to engage in these ways. Until then, be reminded that our faith calls us not merely to lament suffering but to be agents of God’s peace and justice in a troubled world. As followers of Christ, we are called to stand with the vulnerable, to speak truth to power, and to embody the reconciling love of Jesus in every place where fear threatens to eclipse compassion.

May the God of mercy and justice uphold you, strengthen you, and guide our shared witness in the days ahead.

Blessings,

Bishop Susan Brown Snook

 

Rock Church Swahili 01.25.2026

Rock Church Swahili

Join us LIVE for our Sunday Worship Service @ 11am! Location:Rock Church Swahili, 4001 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92105 Bring People to Jesus. Develop to Christ-like Maturity. Equipping people for World Ministry. Let's come together as a community of faith, wherever you are, to celebrate, pray, and worship. Rock Church Swahili is a vibrant, family-oriented ministry located in City Heights, San Diego. We are part of the Rock Church family, led by Pastor Miles McPherson. Our mission is to serve the Swahili-speaking community and all believers through the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We provide services in Swahili and English, creating a welcoming home for East Africans and everyone seeking a deeper relationship with God.

covenantchurchsd 01.25.2026

We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill 

Covenant Presbyterian Church

What is the Evangelical Presbyterian Church?

Covenant Church at 30th & Howard  is a Christian church in the tradition of the Protestant Reformation and allied with the EPC [The Evangelical Presbyterian Church] We believe the Scriptures to be the infallible Word of God and our final authority in faith and practice, and we find the historic creeds of the early church (the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed) to be vital expressions of the most important tenets of the global church universal. When the EPC started in 1981, we determined that we would not disagree on the basic essentials of the Christian faith, but on anything that was not essential—such as the issue of ordaining women as officers or practicing charismatic gifts—we would give each other liberty. Above all, we committed ourselves to loving each other and not engaging in quarrels and strife. The result is that when we get together in our regional and national meetings, we spend most of our time in worship and fellowship and almost none in arguing with each other.

The Black Church and Evolving Faith

 

Jan 24, 2026

For generations, the Black church has been a cornerstone of faith, culture and community. Today, however, many people are redefining what belief looks like. Host Kenia Thompson conducts an intergenerational conversation about the shifting role of the Black church and evolving spiritual practices. Guests are Reverend Sheritta Williams, Minister Khalid Greenaway and Pastor Wrenwyck Williams. Black Issues Forum Each week, Black Issues Forum presents a diverse panel of guests who discuss such topics as politics, social concerns, health, education, justice, entertainment, technology and public policy. Watch on PBS NC and the free PBS app.

San Diego Japanese Christian Church 01.25.2026

We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill 

San Diego Japanese Christian Church

OMS Holiness Church of North America

San Diego Japanese Christian Church (SDJCC) is here to share the good news that a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the key to abundant living in today’s world. Our church was founded as an outreach to Japanese speaking farmers in San Diego County over 80 years ago. SDJCC now has English and Japanese speaking ministries. It’s easy to miss, tucked away at the elbow of 19th and E streets just above Interstate 5: the Japanese American Christian Church in Golden Hill. You’d most likely drive past this humble place of worship on the way up Broadway without noticing it, but if you happened to be on a stroll down E Street looking at the nice old houses, you’d stumble upon it after the bigger homes give way to a series of California bungalows. It’s there before E turns right into 19th. Across the street from the church, a chain-link fence lines the sidewalk above the 5 where the homeless set up camp on a regular basis before they are swept out and relocated only to return again when the police shift their attention elsewhere. Historically, the church itself is a product of a relocation of a different sort. As my City College colleague, historian Susan Hasegawa informed me, it was originally founded as the Japanese Holiness Church by Christian Nikkei (immigrants and their descendents) in 1930 and located on Newton Avenue. Sponsored by the Oriental Mission Society, the church focused its efforts on outreach to Issei (first generation immigrant) farmers.

Christ United Presbyterian San Diego 01.25.2026

We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill

Christ United Presbyterian Church of San Diego

What Is The Presbyterian Church (USA)

Christ United Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Rev. Dr. Kerry Allison is the pastor of this parish church in South Park. We were established in 1981 when an invitation was extended to two churches—Brooklyn Heights Presbyterian, established in 1921 and the Golden Hill Presbyterian, established in 1956—to merge and each church accepted. The late Reverend Doctor George Walker Smith founded Golden Hill Presbyterian Church in 1956 with support from the Presbyterian Women organization. The church, located at 22nd and Market in South Park, became a human rights leader in San Diego as the congregation grew. Reverend Smith was the first black school board member in San Diego. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Christ United continues its ministry in power and presence to the present day. All are welcome to join us in worship and togetherness. 

Makers Church 01.25.2026

 We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill

Makers Church

Southern Baptists Explained in 2 Minutes

Makers church was founded in 2010 as MOSAIC San Diego. In 2017 we became Makers Church. Two years later, in another act of faith, Makers Church and North Park Baptist, a dynamic community with almost 100 years of legacy and ministry, chose to merge into something beautiful and new.