The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has urged authorities to ensure that the ongoing investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings proceeds without political interference, following the arrest of a former intelligence chief on allegations of conspiracy and aiding the attacks.

Father Cyril Gamini Fernando, spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo, addressed a packed press conference at the archbishop’s residence on Feb. 26. He appealed for patience and called for the legal process to be allowed to take its course without obstruction from any quarter.

The appeal came a day after the arrest of retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who headed Sri Lanka’s military intelligence at the time of the coordinated suicide bombings on Easter Sunday 2019. The attacks targeted three churches and three luxury hotels, killing 279 people, including 45 foreign nationals, and injuring more than 500 others.

Two Catholic churches — St. Anthony’s Shrine and St. Sebastian’s Church — accounted for nearly two-thirds of the casualties, making the Christian community one of the hardest hit.

Church leaders reiterated that the rule of law must prevail, emphasizing that no individual, regardless of position or status, should be considered above the law. They stressed that anyone found responsible for criminal wrongdoing must be held accountable through a fair and impartial judicial process.

The newly elected government of Bangladesh has announced a monthly allowance for religious clergy, marking the first initiative of its kind in the Muslim-majority country’s history. However, a Catholic bishop has indicated that the Church will decline the funds, citing concerns about possible political pressure.

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting on Feb. 21 chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Speaking to journalists afterward, government adviser Mahdi Amin said the proposal fulfills one of the ruling party’s election promises to provide a monthly honorarium and festival allowance to religious leaders from mosques and other faith communities.

While the exact amount of the allowance has not been disclosed, Amin said implementation would begin in selected areas before Eid al-Fitr, expected in the third week of March.

The announcement represents a significant policy shift, as Bangladesh has not previously provided direct monthly financial support to clergy across religious traditions.

Christians make up a small minority in the country of approximately 170 million people, numbering around 600,000. According to the 2019 Bangladesh Catholic Directory, there are 119 parishes and 52 sub-parishes across eight dioceses. The directory lists 233 diocesan priests and 176 missionary priests serving in Bangladesh, many of whom are engaged not only in parish ministry but also in education, healthcare, and youth formation.

Church leaders have expressed concern that accepting state funding could compromise the Church’s independence and moral voice.

Catholics in the southwest of the South Korea have launched a series of public Eucharistic celebrations titled the “Gwanghwamun Mass Against Nuclear Power Plants,” marking the lead-up to the 15th anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster on March 11.

The Masses, held from February 13 to March 6, began with an opening celebration in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul’s Jongno district. Clergy, religious, and lay faithful gathered to pray and voice concern over government policies related to nuclear energy.

The initiative seeks to support calls for halting the extension of ageing nuclear power plants and reconsidering plans to construct new facilities. During the opening liturgy, Father Yang Ki-seok presided, placing a symbolic drum representing radioactive waste before the temporary altar.

In his homily, Father Yang recalled the lasting impact of the Fukushima disaster and criticized what he described as a renewed push for nuclear expansion. He questioned the extension of the lifespan of the Kori nuclear unit and proposals for additional plants, cautioning about long-term environmental and safety risks.

While acknowledging arguments that nuclear energy is needed to power artificial intelligence data centers and semiconductor complexes, he noted that nuclear plants require more than a decade to become operational. He instead advocated for renewable alternatives such as solar and wind power, which can be installed within a few years and provide sustainable energy for the nation’s future industries.

The Catholic Church in Flores has intensified efforts to combat human trafficking after 13 young women were rescued from alleged exploitation at a nightclub in Sikka Regency.

The women, aged 17 to 26 and originally from West Java, sought protection in January 2026 after reportedly suffering physical violence, sexual exploitation, and severe labor abuse. They are currently receiving shelter and assistance at a safe house run by Tim Relawan untuk Kemanusiaan Flores (TRUK-F), a humanitarian network supported by the Society of the Divine Word and the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit. The victims are being provided with psychological, pastoral, and legal support as their case proceeds through the courts.

The incident has raised alarm in East Nusa Tenggara. On February 9, the Sikka Human Rights Network organized a peaceful demonstration at the local legislative council in Maumere, calling for a thorough investigation and stricter enforcement of anti-trafficking laws. Priests, religious sisters, seminarians, and lay advocates urged authorities to strengthen oversight of entertainment venues and better protect vulnerable workers.

Sister Fransiska Imakulata, SSpS, director of TRUK-F, said the organization has assisted trafficking victims since 2000 and described the case as part of a recurring pattern. She cited previous incidents involving minors and migrant workers lured by promises of high salaries and stable employment.

She warned that women and children remain especially vulnerable, though men are also at risk when poverty forces migration. “When a victim suffers, the consequences extend to the entire family,” she said.

On February 25, Filipinos around the world commemorated the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, remembering the peaceful uprising that ended two decades of dictatorship in the Philippines in 1986.

The largely unarmed movement was sparked by an appeal from the late Jaime Sin, who urged citizens to gather along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Manila. Thousands responded, including priests, religious sisters, and lay faithful who stood before tanks and soldiers, offering prayers and rosaries. The revolution became a defining moment in Philippine history and a powerful testimony to the Church’s moral leadership, faith, and nonviolent resistance.

In Rome, Filipino priests, religious, students, and overseas workers marked the anniversary with a communal reflection on February 24 at the Collegio del Verbo Divino. The program, titled “EDSAmination of Conscience: Communal Reflection about Historical Honesty and Moral Clarity,” invited participants to revisit the revolution’s meaning in today’s social and political climate.

The gathering was spearheaded by Br. Armin Luistro, FSC, Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD, and Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ. Participants shared memories and reflected on how the spirit of EDSA continues to challenge Filipinos.

In his opening remarks, Fr. Marquez emphasized that even far from home, Filipinos remain deeply connected to their nation. He described EDSA not merely as a historical event but as part of the Filipino moral conscience. Acknowledging ongoing divisions over justice and human rights, he called the gathering a space for courage, truth, and renewed love of country.