AGP Executive Report

Jewish School Security: Hoax bomb threats forced evacuations or lockdowns at four Jewish schools in Brooklyn, Florida and Los Angeles, alarming students and families. Historic Church Lost: A fire destroyed Missouri’s Mt. Zion Christian Church, whose congregation dates to 1840; members say they plan to rebuild as investigators look into the cause. Displacement in Indonesia: A church-backed alliance urged authorities to provide permanent homes for about 10,300 people affected by Mount Lewotobi’s eruption, calling housing a right, not charity. Pope’s Health: Catholic communities around the world are praying for Pope Leo XIV after surgery confirmed lung cancer; specialists say next steps depend on test results. Attacks in Nigeria: A Catholic diocese withdrew priests and suspended activities at schools and a hospital in Benue state amid repeated attacks. Religion and Identity: A new UK study finds people most aligned with Christian nationalism are often infrequent churchgoers, with hostility toward Islam and immigration central to their views.

Religious Freedom: Estonia’s Orthodox Church has taken its fight to the European Court of Human Rights, challenging a law requiring it to sever ties with Moscow or face dissolution. Conflict and Community: Nigeria’s Gboko Catholic Diocese has indefinitely closed a parish, hospital and three schools after repeated attacks and arson, withdrawing clergy and staff. Religious Dress: Azerbaijan’s school uniform rules have sparked protests after reports that hijab-wearing girls were turned away; authorities say 37 people were detained. Faith and Politics: Indonesia’s top Muslim council is urging the cancellation of Andrea Bocelli concerts, citing his past support for Israel. Church Leadership: Pope Leo XIV is recovering after an operation for lung cancer, prompting prayers from Catholic communities. Death Penalty: Catholic and evangelical leaders condemned plans to livestream Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan’s execution, warning it would turn justice into a spectacle.

Pope Leo’s Health: The Vatican says Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer after surgery removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The operation was successful, and Catholics around the world are praying for his recovery. Faith and Security: Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Gboko has closed schools, a hospital and a parish in Ihugh after repeated attacks, citing risks to students and staff. Religious Freedom: Azerbaijan’s enforcement of secular school dress rules has barred some Muslim girls and teachers wearing hijab, prompting protests. In Indian-administered Kashmir, a proposal for common Friday sermon topics has drawn criticism as interference in Muslim religious affairs. Jewish Heritage: A congressional commission has begun studying whether Philadelphia’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History should join the Smithsonian, a move supporters say would broaden recognition of Jewish life in U.S. history. Buddhist Heritage: An international festival at Telangana’s ancient Nelakondapalli stupa brought monks together for prayer and meditation, with organizers considering a wider heritage tourism project. Death Penalty: The U.S. military’s Catholic archbishop condemned plans to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution and urged Catholic service members assigned to the firing squad to seek exemption.

Faith and Military Ethics: U.S. Catholic military leaders are urging Catholic service members not to take part in the planned firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, citing the Church’s opposition to the death penalty. Church in Africa: Russia’s Orthodox Church says its fast-growing network of about 350 African parishes exists to spread Christianity, denying allegations it lured people to Russia with job or study offers before steering them toward military service or war-related work. Jewish Heritage: A new museum in Fez’s historic Mellah presents more than 2,500 years of Moroccan Jewish life, with religious objects, manuscripts and displays on Jewish-Muslim cultural ties. Religious Hate: A Toronto man has been charged after allegedly setting Israeli flags ablaze outside a church; police had described the case as hate-motivated. Religious Detention: A report counted at least 65 religious figures detained by U.S. immigration authorities since January 2025, including Christian clergy and Muslim imams. Faith Behind Bars: At a Japanese prison, a Buddhist memorial service gave inmates serving long sentences a chance to pray for victims and the dead, and reflect on their crimes.

Papal Health: Pope Leo XIV says he will have surgery to remove an early-stage lung nodule; religious leaders worldwide are praying for his recovery. Antisemitism: Anti-Jewish hate crimes in England and Wales rose 10% in the year to March, while a bomb threat prompted an evacuation near a Jewish preschool in Florida. Faith and Politics: Brazil’s presidential runoff has put Catholic identity and evangelical support at the center of campaigning. In Idaho, LDS and Catholic groups gave $1.3 million to oppose an abortion-rights ballot measure. Religious Freedom: A lawsuit alleges Harvard fired a Jewish staffer after he took leave for Rosh Hashanah. Church and War: The U.S. military archbishop says Catholic soldiers should seek exemption from the planned execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, condemning plans to livestream it. Interfaith Dialogue: A Cameroon conference proposed a national religious council to help prevent conflict and bring faith communities together.

Global Catholicism: Pope Leo XIV’s planned surgery to remove a lung nodule prompted prayers and messages of support from religious and political leaders worldwide. Faith and Politics: Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox children were taken from school to protest arrests of draft evaders in Israel, despite education rules barring school-time demonstrations. Religious Freedom: A federal judge temporarily blocked Oklahoma from excluding a proposed Jewish charter school because of its religious instruction, opening a possible path for it to launch in 2027. Church and Memory: Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church opened an education and visitor center 63 years after a Klan bombing killed four girls, aiming to keep the victims’ legacy alive. Community Support: Cleveland’s Jewish Fertility Foundation has awarded 21 grants to help local families pay for fertility treatment, while offering peer support and education.

Sikh Community: A Punjabi association called for an independent inquiry into reported police treatment of protesters at Delhi’s Bangla Sahib gurdwara, including allegations of rough handling and disrespect for religious customs; police offered a clarification about footage of officers wearing shoes. Jewish Life: An opinion writer said Jewish mourners were confronted by an anti-Israel protest at a New York vigil marking Oct. 7, arguing that the demonstration left little room for grief. Catholic Advocacy: Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy urged Church media to amplify unheard voices, defend human dignity and resist online incentives that spread hatred. Ghana’s Catholic bishops’ president also warned that chemicals from illegal mining may be contaminating food and water and harming unborn children. Religious Freedom: A federal judge temporarily blocked Illinois from enforcing parts of its assisted-suicide law against several Catholic and Christian health care groups while their lawsuit proceeds. Buddhist Affairs: Sri Lanka gave a committee two weeks to propose prison-rule changes governing Buddhist monks, including provisions for religious attire during approved trips outside prison.

Catholic Church: Pope Leo XIV says he will have surgery to remove a small lung nodule, with about a week of recovery expected. Christian Communities: An opposition fact-finding team in West Bengal alleges attacks on Christians, including vandalism and denial of burial rights, since the BJP took power; the claims have not been independently verified. Jewish Safety: Two Orthodox Jewish schools in Brooklyn were evacuated after bomb threats. Police found no explosives, and the investigation is ongoing. Faith and Politics: The LDS Church donated $1 million to a campaign opposing Idaho’s Proposition 1, an abortion ballot measure. Gaza: Muslim Judicial Council president Sheikh Riad Fataar urged world leaders to heed calls for an end to the war, speaking at a Cape Town solidarity march. Religion in Britain: A new Theos report says people with Christian-nationalist views are often infrequent churchgoers; it also found racist attitudes among many in that group.

Religious Scrutiny: Malaysian authorities are investigating a social-media post accused of mocking a Quranic verse. In a separate case, Selangor officials say they have not confirmed a viral video showing a Muslim at another faith’s ritual and cannot rule out digital alteration. Church Accountability: Former Broome Bishop Christopher Saunders was sentenced this week for sexually abusing young Aboriginal men, ending a criminal case over offenses committed between 2010 and 2019. Interfaith Tensions: British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby called for the Conservatives’ campaign director to be removed over anti-Islam posts; she said her anger was directed at extremism, not Muslims or their faith. Conversion Case: Five members of a family in Chhattisgarh received prison sentences in a case involving allegations they pressured a man to convert to Christianity and harassed him before his suicide. Communities in Crisis: Panama’s Catholic bishops offered support after an earthquake damaged at least 13 churches. In Saskatchewan, fire destroyed Meadow Lake’s All Saints Orthodox Church; no one was hurt. Jewish Education: A U.S. group postponed a Jewish educators’ trip to Italy after organizers required a political statement on Gaza; Israeli participants planned to travel as scheduled.

Religious Sensitivities: Malaysia is investigating social-media content accused of mocking a Quranic verse, while a separate probe is examining videos that allegedly show a Muslim taking part in a non-Islamic ritual. Officials say any action will follow an investigation and the law. Church Safety: A Catholic church in West Bengal was vandalised after a crowd alleged conversions were taking place; police are investigating. Faith and Community: Kogi’s governor urged Christian and Muslim leaders to promote peace and mutual respect. In Baton Rouge, an Armenian Apostolic church is opening its doors for a festival celebrating faith, history and culture. Church Accountability: A former evangelical minister warns that church systems can enable sexual abuse, arguing that safeguarding requires more than reacting to individual cases. Catholic Outreach: Chicago’s archdiocese dedicated a memorial to people lost to suicide, reflecting a more compassionate approach to bereaved families. Religious Life: Poland’s declining number of priestly candidates may lead the Catholic Church to recruit more clergy from Africa, a priest and academic says.

Church-State Tensions: Armenian Apostolic leaders condemned a parliamentary inquiry into the Church, calling it government interference in religious freedom and church autonomy. Religious Freedom & Security: A church in Springfield, Oregon, says vandals repeatedly damaged its memorial to victims of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel; police are investigating. In Nigeria’s Adamawa state, suspected Boko Haram militants killed one person and burned a church and car. Faith and Politics: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $1 million to an Idaho campaign opposing an abortion-rights ballot measure. U.S. Catholic bishops separately condemned plans to livestream a military execution. Sikh Community: Sikh groups in Kashmir rallied for Punjabi to regain official recognition, citing its cultural and religious importance. Religious Policy: Malaysia’s 2027 budget increases Islamic-affairs funding to RM3.1 billion, including support for religious education and personnel. Cultural Heritage: A restoration project has preserved rare 12th-century frescoes at a Byzantine church in North Macedonia.

Religious Freedom: Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ruled that a Muslim family was wrongly denied a religious exemption from limits on payments for caring for a disabled relative. In Illinois, a federal judge temporarily barred penalties against Catholic health providers who refuse to assist with suicide. Church Leadership: Pope Leo approved Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines as the first Asian dean of the College of Cardinals. Sister Mary Barron became the first woman appointed to a senior leadership role in the Vatican’s missionary department. Justice and Mercy: Tennessee’s Catholic and Episcopal bishops urged Governor Bill Lee to commute Christa Pike’s death sentence after a failed execution, saying justice need not become vengeance. Interfaith Tensions: An Israeli student could face up to three years in prison over an alleged attack on a Jerusalem church; prosecutors say he spat on its façade to insult Christians and Arabs. Hate Crime: Police-recorded race and religious hate crimes in England and Wales reached a record high, with Jewish people most likely per capita to be targeted, according to Home Office data. EU Funding: The European Parliament called for closer monitoring of EU money reaching organizations suspected of links to Muslim Brotherhood networks.

Jewish Community: Jewish students and faculty held vigils marking three years since the Oct. 7 attacks, remembering victims amid heightened safety concerns. In Minnesota, an 18-year-old was charged with planning an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Mall of America, which authorities say he targeted because its owners are Jewish. Religious Liberty: An Illinois judge temporarily blocked the state’s assisted-suicide law from applying to religious health providers. Separately, UN experts raised concerns over a threat to confiscate Tehran’s historic St. Peter’s Evangelical Church and evict Christian families living there. Church Changes: Glasgow’s Catholic archdiocese has proposed closing 24 churches and halving its parishes, citing too few priests and too many buildings. Faith and Public Life: Catholic bishops in the Philippines urged officials and business leaders to consider the effects of a new Boracay casino on families and vulnerable people.

Religious Hate: Police-recorded race and religious hate crimes in England and Wales reached a record high, with Muslims and Jews among the communities facing the sharpest increases. Catholic Church: Pope Leo XIV urged church leaders to reflect on families facing separation, wounds and failed relationships as bishops gathered to discuss Amoris Laetitia. Jewish Communities: Commemorations of the Oct. 7 attacks brought grief and renewed safety concerns to Jewish communities worldwide, three years after the Hamas-led assault. Peace Efforts: South Sudanese church leaders called for an end to hostilities and protection for civilians, while church leaders in Ethiopia echoed the Pope’s appeal for peace amid renewed fighting. Religious Freedom: Indonesia’s vice president reaffirmed protections for worship after a Christian congregation was reportedly forced to disperse; the government plans to help it relocate. Faith and AI: OpenAI chief Sam Altman cautioned against treating AI as a religious authority or surrendering human judgment to chatbots.

Church and State: Armenia’s Mother See of Etchmiadzin condemned a parliamentary inquiry into the Armenian Apostolic Church, calling it unconstitutional interference in church governance and religious freedom. Faith and AI: Anthropic consulted Catholic, Jewish, Sikh, evangelical and Ubuntu thinkers on whether advanced AI could be conscious; Pope Leo XIV has rejected the idea that AI has human experiences or emotions. Catholic Teaching: At a Vatican gathering on family life, Pope Leo urged the Church to stay close to people facing fragile or painful circumstances while proclaiming its teaching on marriage and family. Religion and Law: The Madras High Court upheld denial of foreign-funding registration to a Zen meditation trust, saying organizations engaged in religious conversion should not receive approval; the ruling also drew a distinction between Hinduism and Abrahamic faiths. Jewish Remembrance: Communities marked the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks with memorials, while Jewish advocates urged universities to protect students’ ability to mourn safely.

AI and Faith: Anthropic researchers consulted Catholic, Jewish, Sikh and other religious thinkers on whether AI could be conscious; Pope Leo XIV rejected the idea, saying machines lack human experience, emotion and relationships. Christianity: Leo also warned against softening Christian teaching to make it more appealing. Glasgow’s Catholic archdiocese plans to halve its parishes and close two dozen churches amid falling attendance and a shortage of priests. Jewish Communities: As communities marked three years since the Oct. 7 attacks, hundreds of Israeli flags were vandalized outside a Texas church, and five people were arrested after a protest outside Britain’s Board of Deputies of British Jews. Religious Accountability: A former Thai Buddhist monk received the maximum 50-year sentence for embezzling donations meant for an AIDS hospice; Australia’s most senior Catholic leader was jailed for sexually abusing Indigenous men. Religion and Public Life: South Sudan’s elections commission sought church support for peaceful voting, while India’s Madras High Court upheld the rejection of a Buddhist trust’s foreign-funding application over its disclosure of religious activities.