Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, OFM Conv, archbishop of Tehran, shared a message reflecting on his experience celebrating Easter in Rome amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In his April 6 message published in Agenzia Fides, Mathieu emphasized that “in the communion of saints and in the grace of the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, we are truly united, even when we cannot be so visibly. … I celebrated the Easter Vigil carrying you all in my heart: far from my flock, but precisely for this reason, in a mysterious way, close to each one of you.”
Cambodia welcomes 375 new Catholics
The minority Catholic population in Cambodia has reported a surge in the number of baptisms this Easter, according to Fides News Agency.
Apostolic Prefect of Battambang Father Enrique Figaredo said 92 people were baptized in his province, while 152 catechumens were baptized in the capital city of Phnom Penh and 131 were welcomed into the Church in Kampong Cham.
“The new baptisms of young people and adults that we celebrated this year are a sign of great hope. They show that young Cambodians hear Godʼs call and want to follow it. For our Church, they are a true source of strength and life,” Figaredo said.
Filipino bishop condemns Easter ritual involving dove and balloon
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan in the Philippines reprimanded a local parish for the way it used a live dove in an Easter ritual involving a balloon, according to a Licas News report Wednesday.
The report said the bird was tied to the balloon during the ritual, causing distress to the animal, which was eventually killed.
“I was not aware that there was a subsequent practice of tying the pigeon to balloons, with its wings restrained. Had I known, I would have objected, because this is not only cruel to the animal but also harmful to the environment, especially to marine life that may ingest deflated balloons,” David said after the incident drew controversy among the Philippine Animal Welfare Society.
Christians in southern Lebanon at odds with state and Hezbollah operatives
Lebanon’s Christian community is reacting with growing fury after an Israeli strike killed Pierre Maouad, a Lebanese Forces official; his wife, Flavia; and their neighbor, Roula, on Easter Sunday, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News reported Tuesday.
The deaths quickly fueled accusations that Hezbollah operatives had been using civilians as cover in Christian areas, especially after conflicting accounts emerged about whether the targeted apartment had been occupied. The episode has deepened mistrust toward both Hezbollah and state institutions, with many residents dismissing the Lebanese Army’s explanation of events and demanding accountability.
In several neighborhoods, the fear has translated into stricter local vigilance, new security measures, and louder calls for self-protection, as many Christians insist they are being forced to bear the cost of a war not of their making.
South Korean archdiocese launches Carlo Acutis-inspired AI initiative
The Archdiocese of Seoul has announced it will soon launch AI-integrated information services inspired by St. Carlo Acutis.
The first phase of the initiative will launch in May and will integrate data across services provided by the archdiocese, including catechism, pastoral programs, and volunteer work, with its other information systems, UCA News reported Wednesday.
The second phase will focus on the archdiocese’s administrative systems from 2029–2031. The report said the initiative will also promote World Youth Day 2027, which is set to take place in Seoul.
3 Asian Church leaders appointed by pope to communications dicastery
Three prominent Asian prelates have been tapped by Pope Leo XIV to serve on the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication.
The Vatican announced Thursday the appointments of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect for the Dicastery for Evangelization; Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, archbishop of Goa and Damão, India, and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences; and Bishop Marcelino Antonio M. Maralit, president of the Office of Social Communications of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
The Dicastery for Communication oversees the various media outlets of the Holy See, including the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican News website, Vatican Radio, Vatican Television Center, LʼOsservatore Romano, the Vatican.va website, and the Holy Father’s X account @pontifex.
French church targeted by vandals on Holy Thursday
Vandals attacked a Catholic Church in the French city of Rosny-sous-Bois just outside of Paris, causing serious damage on Holy Thursday.
The unknown perpetrators drove a car into the Church of Saint-Laurent and vandalized the church’s interior with an axe, according to an UOJ report Tuesday. The gates and doors of the church were destroyed, and the sacristy was vandalized, the report said, noting that nothing was stolen.
Religious sisters remain in Yemen amid ongoing conflict
A group of 10 sisters from the Missionaries of Charity are continuing to minister to communities in Yemen despite war and instability in the gulf region.
“The most concrete example of mission in a war-torn area is that of the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the priest who lives with them,” Bishop Paolo Martinelli, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, said in an interview, according to Licas News, noting the sisters provide companionship to the small community of Catholics. “I am impressed by their joy, by their joy at being in Yemen and being able to be close to the suffering people.”
