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USCCB welcomes Trump administration's policy change on religious worker visas (USCCB)

The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Migration welcomed a Trump administration policy change on the renewal of visas for religious workers.

“Catholic priests, religious, and others who hold religious worker (R-1) visas are generally required to depart the United States upon reaching the maximum period of stay for that visa (five years) and then can possibly return to the country on a subsequent R-1 visa,” the USCCB explained. “Previously, they were required to spend at least one full year outside of the United States between R-1 visas,” but the policy change “amends federal regulations to require no minimum time outside of the country ... provided they meet all other requirements.”

“We are tremendously grateful for the Administration’s work to address certain challenges facing foreign-born religious workers, their employers, and the American communities they serve,” said Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop Brendan Cahill. “This targeted change is a truly significant step that will help facilitate essential religious services for Catholics and other people of faith throughout the United States by minimizing disruptions to cherished ministries.”

Jerusalem's Christian schools suspend classes to protest new Israeli restrictions (AsiaNews)

Christian schools in Jerusalem suspended classes to protest new Israeli restrictions on Palestinian teachers from the West Bank.

The General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions in Jerusalem called for the suspension of classes after Israeli authorities decided not to renew the work permits of 171 teachers from the West Bank.

India's Christians experienced 'high level of violence and intimidation' in 2025 (L'Osservatore Romano (Italian))

The spokesman for the All India Catholic Union, a prominent lay organization, told the Vatican newspaper that the nation’s Christians experienced “high level of violence and intimidation” there in 2025.

John Dayal said that the United Christian Forum documented 706 incidents between January and November and that “the Evangelical Fellowship of India reported 183 incidents of violence in Uttar Pradesh and 156 in Chhattisgarh during 2025: assaults, disruptions of worship, vandalism, and false accusations of forced conversions.”

“We saw posters calling for a boycott of Christmas,” Dayal continued. “We recorded disruptions of at least 60 events across the country, beatings of Christmas carolers in Kerala, and harassment of worshippers during prayer.”

Dayal added that “hate speech by various government leaders and Hindu extremist groups like the Sangh Parivar has contributed to creating this climate. Propaganda labeling Christians as ‘outsiders to India’ has encouraged such actions.”

Secretary of State Rubio: US is working closely with Church in Cuba on disaster assistance (US Department of State)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced yesterday that the United States is “working in close partnership with the Catholic Church in Cuba” to deliver disaster aid “transparently and effectively.”

“Consistent with our longstanding policy, we have taken extraordinary measures to ensure that this assistance reaches the Cuban people directly, without interference or diversion by the illegitimate regime,” Rubio said of the US aid for victims of Hurricane Melissa.

Vatican newspaper highlights Iranian regime's repression (CWN)

L’Osservatore Romano devoted the most prominent article in its January 14 edition to government repression in Iran.

Vatican foreign minister denounces surrogacy (Vatican News (Italian))

Echoing comments made by Pope Leo in his address to the diplomatic corps (CWN analysis), the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations denounced surrogacy as a “new form of colonialism” and said that the practice is contrary to human dignity because it commodifies the human person.

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher made his remarks in a public conversation with Eugenia Maria Roccella, Italy’s Minister for Family, Birth Rate and Equal Opportunities. The conversation took place on January 13 in the Italian Embassy to the Holy See.

Manila's Feast of the Black Nazarene draws record 9.6 million devotees (CWN)

A record crowd of over 9.6 million people took part in the annual procession in Manila for the Philippine Feast of the Black Nazarene.

388 million Christians suffer 'high levels' of persecution and discrimination, report finds (Open Doors )

An organization dedicated to assisting persecuted Christians reported that over 388 million Christians suffer “high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.”

In its newly released World Watch List 2026, Open Doors stated that the countries with the highest level of persecution are North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Syria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Libya, and Iran.

Cardinal Pizzaballa: There Is a Longing for Justice and Human Dignity in Iran

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Trump Administration Restores Title X Funding to Planned Parenthood

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