Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ámos

1. POPE LEO XIV OPENS GLOBAL FAMILY MEETING TEN YEARS AFTER AMORIS LAETITIA

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV today, Wednesday, October 7, opens a seven-day Vatican meeting with the heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches and presidents of Episcopal Conferences from around the world to examine the pastoral reception of Pope Francis’ 2016 apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia on love in the family. The meeting, titled “Ten Years after Amoris Laetitia: Proclaiming the Gospel with Families Today,” is taking place in the Paul VI Hall from October 7 to 14 and brings together Church leaders, families and experts for reflection on the contemporary challenges facing marriage and family life. The Vatican has made clear that the gathering is not a Synod and will not rewrite Amoris Laetitia. Rather, participants are being asked to share pastoral experiences from local Churches and discern how the Gospel can be proclaimed more effectively to families today. Pope Leo will preside over the concluding Mass in St Peter’s Square on October 14.

2. POPE LEO SAYS WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTION IS AN ASSET THE VATICAN MUST VALUE

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV has called for greater recognition of the professional, intellectual and human contributions of women working in the Vatican, telling representatives of the Women in the Vatican Association and the Association of Vatican Lay Workers that their presence is a “valuable asset” to the Holy See. The Pope made the remarks during an October 5 audience with representatives of the two associations, where he connected the question of women’s participation with the dignity of work and the Vatican’s mission as an ecclesial community. He said women’s expertise, discernment, creativity and sensitivity enrich the work of Vatican institutions, while urging employees and workers’ associations to address workplace difficulties through dialogue rather than confrontation. His intervention also came against the background of rapid developments in artificial intelligence, which he said make renewed attention to the dignity of human work increasingly important.

3. POPE LEO ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO CHOOSE A LOVE THAT CAN LAST A LIFETIME

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV has urged young people to approach love, marriage and family life as a lifelong vocation rather than merely an emotional experience. His message appears in the foreword to the new edition of YOUCAT: Love Forever, published on October 6, a catechetical resource designed for young adults, engaged couples, newly married couples, catechists and pastoral workers. The book was presented in Rome at the St Lawrence International Youth Centre as the Church prepared to begin its October 7–14 meeting on families. In the foreword, Pope Leo describes authentic love as a decision, a journey and a covenant for life, stressing that Christian love asks first how one can love as Christ loved rather than what one can receive from another person. The publication gives a strong youth and marriage dimension to the Pope’s wider pastoral focus on the family this week.

4. POPE LEO MEETS U.S. BISHOPS AHEAD OF GLOBAL FAMILY MEETING

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV met on Monday, October 5, with the leadership of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and several other prominent American bishops who are participating in the Vatican’s October meeting on the family. Among those who met the Pope were USCCB President Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Vice President Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, who are representing the U.S. bishops at the October 7–14 gathering. The meetings form part of a series of private encounters Pope Leo has held with American bishops since October 1, significant because he is the first Pope from the United States and because the American bishops are contributing to a global assessment of family ministry ten years after Amoris Laetitia. The encounter also brings the Pope into direct pastoral conversation with Church leaders from his country of origin as he begins a major international discussion on the family.

5. CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN TAYBEH LIVES UNDER GROWING FEAR AS OLIVE HARVEST SEASON BEGINS

TAYBEH, WEST BANK: Residents of Taybeh, widely regarded as the last entirely Christian village in the West Bank, are facing renewed insecurity as the olive harvest season begins amid restrictions on access to agricultural land and continuing tensions with Israeli settlers. Vatican News reported on October 6 that the Palestinian Christian community is living under growing pressure, with parts of the area placed under military restrictions and residents increasingly worried about their safety and ability to remain on their ancestral land. Taybeh’s situation is particularly significant for the Catholic Church because the village is home to a historic Christian community whose presence predates modern political borders by centuries. Local residents and Church voices say continued insecurity, restrictions and economic pressure are contributing to fears about emigration and the long-term survival of Christianity in the Holy Land.

6. SOUTHERN LUZON PILGRIMAGE TAKES ENVIRONMENTAL GRIEVANCES TO PHILIPPINE CAPITAL

QUEZON, PHILIPPINES: A Church-led environmental pilgrimage that began in Atimonan, Quezon, on Monday, October 5, is carrying the grievances of communities affected by coal development, land disputes and major energy projects towards government authorities in Metro Manila. The initiative, Lakbay Panaghoy para sa Kalikasan, Kapayapaan at Katarungan, translated as the Pilgrimage of Lament for the Environment, Peace and Justice, is travelling through communities, parishes and schools in Quezon and Laguna before reaching the national capital. Organisers say the pilgrimage is intended to bring the experiences of affected communities directly into national discussions on environmental policy, ecological justice and the rights of people whose livelihoods are threatened by large-scale development. The initiative demonstrates how Catholic communities are using pilgrimage not only as a devotional practice but also as a peaceful form of ecological advocacy.

7. KERALA CATHOLIC LAITY CONCLAVE CALLS FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE CHURCH

KOCHI, INDIA: Catholic lay leaders and Church representatives meeting in Kochi on October 6 called for a Church that responds more sensitively to changing social realities and the concrete needs of communities. The call came during a Laity Conclave organised as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council. Dr Nirmal Ouseppachan, an IAS officer and Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, inaugurated the gathering and urged Church institutions to move beyond excessive bureaucracy and understand the particular needs of communities before designing projects. Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan of Punalur delivered the benedictory address, while Bishop James Anaparambil of Alappuzha presided over the valedictory session. Discussions at the October 6 gathering covered lay responsibility, youth participation, family life, social justice and challenges confronting coastal communities.

8. SOUTH SUDAN BISHOPS BEGIN SAFEGUARDING TRAINING TO STRENGTHEN CHILD PROTECTION

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN: The Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference began a two-day safeguarding training programme in Juba on Tuesday, October 6, through its National Safeguarding Office, bringing Church personnel together to strengthen procedures for preventing and responding to abuse. The programme is designed to equip priests, religious and pastoral workers with practical knowledge for identifying vulnerabilities, preventing abuse and handling safeguarding concerns appropriately. The initiative is particularly important in South Sudan, where prolonged conflict, displacement, poverty and weakened social structures leave children and other vulnerable persons exposed to heightened risks. By conducting the training at national level, the bishops’ conference is seeking to move safeguarding beyond individual initiatives and establish a common culture of protection across dioceses and Church institutions. The programme therefore forms part of the Church’s broader effort to strengthen accountability and pastoral structures in a fragile social environment.

9. SOUTH SUDAN BISHOP URGES VOTERS TO REJECT POLITICAL INDUCEMENTS AHEAD OF DECEMBER ELECTION

YEI, SOUTH SUDAN: Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo of Yei has called on South Sudanese voters to reject political manipulation and judge candidates by their character, programmes and commitment to the common good rather than by temporary gifts. The Bishop delivered the message in Yei during a priestly ordination as the country prepares for national elections scheduled for December 22. He warned that poverty can make citizens vulnerable to politicians who use small financial or material inducements to influence their choices. Bishop Sakor said the Church has a responsibility to promote civic awareness and help citizens understand their rights and responsibilities. His intervention places electoral participation within the Church’s wider programme of moral and civic formation as South Sudan prepares for a significant political transition.

10. KENYAN BISHOP TELLS EXAM CANDIDATES THAT THEIR BACKGROUND DOES NOT HAVE TO DETERMINE THEIR FUTURE

BUNGOMA, KENYA: Bishop Mark Kadima Wamukoya of Bungoma has encouraged Kenyan students preparing for national examinations not to allow poverty, family difficulties or previous academic setbacks to determine the course of their lives. The Bishop’s message, published on October 6 as Kenyan schools approach the national examination period, called on candidates to work diligently, use available educational opportunities responsibly and maintain confidence in their abilities. He also appealed to parents, teachers and communities to provide young people with the support necessary to succeed. The intervention reflects the Catholic Church’s continuing involvement in education and youth formation, particularly in communities where economic hardship and difficult family circumstances can place additional pressure on students preparing for decisive examinations.

11. KENYA’S CATHOLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS SEEK NEW FINANCING MODELS FOR SUSTAINABLE CARE

MOMBASA, KENYA: Catholic health institutions in Kenya are examining new ways of financing healthcare as rising medical costs place increasing pressure on Church-run facilities. The issue is being addressed at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2026 Annual Health Conference, which began in Mombasa on October 5 and runs until October 9 under the theme, “The Future of Kenya’s Catholic Health Apostolate: Environmental Care and Equitable, Sustainable Health for All.” Bishop Norman Kingoo, Vice Chairman of the KCCB Commission for Promoting Integral Human Development, challenged Catholic health leaders to reconsider traditional financing models while maintaining affordable services for patients. The conference is therefore examining the relationship between financial sustainability, equitable healthcare and the Church’s social mission, with particular attention to the needs of vulnerable populations.

12. CARITAS NAIROBI REPORTS FAMILY CONFLICT AMONG BOYS IN YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

NAIROBI, KENYA: Caritas Nairobi has identified family conflict and limited parental participation as significant challenges emerging from its Gender and Youth Empowerment Programme, where boys participating in mentorship sessions have spoken about violence and conflict in their homes. The findings were highlighted in a report published this week by the Catholic humanitarian organisation as it works to create safe spaces where young people can discuss problems that may otherwise remain hidden. The programme uses mentorship to help boys process difficult experiences while encouraging families to become more involved in their development. The Church’s intervention demonstrates how Catholic social ministry is addressing violence not only at the level of national crises but also within households, where repeated exposure to conflict can affect children’s emotional wellbeing, education and future relationships.

13. SALESIANS BEGIN THREE-YEAR PREPARATION FOR PROJECT AFRICA GOLDEN JUBILEE

EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA: The Salesians of Don Bosco in the East-South Africa Region have begun a three-year preparation towards the Golden Jubilee of Project Africa, the missionary initiative through which the Salesian congregation expanded its work across the continent. The preparation is examining the history and achievements of Salesian missionary activity in Africa while also looking towards future priorities in youth ministry, vocation promotion and missionary outreach towards 2050. The initiative comes at a significant moment in the development of African Catholicism. Whereas the continent was once heavily dependent on missionaries from Europe and other regions, Africa has become one of the world’s fastest-growing Catholic regions and an increasingly important source of priests, religious and missionaries serving both Africa and the wider Church.

14. BENTIU DIOCESE SEEKS INVESTIGATION AFTER FIRE DAMAGES PARISH ALTAR

BENTIU, SOUTH SUDAN: The Catholic Diocese of Bentiu has called for an investigation after a fire damaged part of the altar at St Michael Panriang Catholic Church, prompting concern among parishioners about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Diocese’s appeal, reported on October 6, seeks to establish through evidence whether the fire resulted from an accident, negligence or another cause rather than allowing speculation to determine the narrative. The incident is significant for a Catholic community already ministering in a conflict-affected environment where insecurity and displacement have placed additional pressure on Church structures. By requesting a formal investigation, the Diocese is seeking both to establish the facts and to ensure that sacred spaces and parish communities receive appropriate protection.

15. CARDINAL ONAYIEKAN DEMANDS DECISIVE GOVERNMENT ACTION AGAINST KIDNAPPING

ABUJA, NIGERIA: Cardinal John Onaiyekan has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to dismantle the networks responsible for kidnapping and other violent crimes across Nigeria. In an interview published on October 6, the Cardinal argued that the authorities have no excuse for failing to confront the country’s insecurity and said the successful rescue of abducted schoolchildren should serve as encouragement for government to pursue stronger and more sustained action. His intervention comes amid continuing public concern over abductions affecting schools, communities and travellers. Rather than limiting the response to individual rescue operations, the Cardinal’s position calls attention to the need to confront the criminal structures that make kidnapping possible and to restore the state’s fundamental responsibility to protect human life.

16. FR MICHAEL BANJO: NIGERIA’S INSECURITY EXPOSES A CRISIS OF NATIONAL BELONGING

ABUJA, NIGERIA: The Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Fr Michael Banjo, has said Nigeria’s persistent insecurity, displacement and economic hardship expose a deeper crisis of national belonging. Fr Banjo made the observation in an interview with ACI Africa on October 1, 2026, on the sidelines of a media chart marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary; the interview was published on October 5. Reflecting on six decades of independence, he argued that Nigerians often respond to injustice primarily through ethnic, religious or regional loyalties instead of seeing the welfare of fellow citizens as a shared responsibility. He said Nigeria’s diversity is not itself the problem; rather, the country has not sufficiently developed a national identity capable of holding its differences together. As an alternative, he proposed a “culture of family” based on respect for life, love, acceptance, forgiveness, sacrifice, responsibility and concern for the weak.

17. CATHOLIC SECRETARIAT OF NIGERIA OPENS SECOND NATIONAL CATHOLIC HEALTH SUMMIT

ABUJA, NIGERIA: The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria is holding its Second National Catholic Health Summit in Abuja from Wednesday, October 7, to Thursday, October 8, bringing Church leaders and Catholic health practitioners together to address challenges facing the Church’s healthcare apostolate. The two-day summit comes as Catholic health facilities contend with rising medical costs, financial pressures, shortages of skilled personnel and the need to modernise healthcare delivery while preserving the Church’s commitment to the dignity of every human person. The meeting provides a national platform for discussing how Catholic healthcare can remain accessible, professionally effective and financially sustainable. It also reflects the Nigerian Church’s understanding of healthcare as an expression of its social mission and not merely as the provision of medical services.

18. CATHOLIC SECRETARIAT OF NIGERIA TRAINS EDUCATORS IN AI AND MICROSOFT TOOLS

ABUJA, NIGERIA: The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has commenced a three-day training programme on artificial intelligence and Microsoft digital tools to improve lesson delivery and strengthen the technological competence of educators. The programme, which began on Tuesday, October 6, and runs until Thursday, October 8, is part of the Church’s effort to prepare teachers and formation personnel for an educational environment increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. The training is significant because it moves the Church’s engagement with AI from general discussion to practical application, enabling educators to explore how digital tools can support teaching while preserving the human, ethical and formative dimensions of education. The initiative also raises the wider question of how Catholic institutions can adopt emerging technologies responsibly without allowing technology to displace the teacher’s formative role.

TODAY IN THE LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE CHURCH

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY: PRAYING WITH MARY, CENTRING ON CHRIST

The Catholic Church today, Wednesday, October 7, celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, a Marian memorial with particular resonance during October’s traditional month of the Holy Rosary. The liturgy presents prayer as a school of discipleship: in the first reading, Galatians 2:1–2, 7–14, St Paul recounts his mission to the Gentiles and his insistence on fidelity to the Gospel, while Luke 11:1–4 records the disciples’ request that Jesus teach them to pray and Christ’s response with the Lord’s Prayer. The connection is significant: authentic Marian devotion ultimately leads the believer to Christ, His Gospel and His mission. For Nigerian Catholics, today’s celebration provides an opportunity to unite the Rosary with prayer for peace, families, the protection of children and the conversion of hearts.