Religious quotes and news – July 26, 2026
Snippets of religious statements and highlights of events from around the world
Our hope in God
Mgr Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, preached about the prophet Elijah during a mass in Ukraine:
“Elijah had persevered through a long period of persecution by men, and he once again showed himself to be persevering and trusting to the very end. Elijah’s example encourages us not to lower our arms, not to despair amid difficulties, but to remain tireless in prayer and keep our hope in God alive.
“True and abundant graces come only from God – like the peace for which we pray. The only thing God expects from us is faith, together with our righteous actions, repentance for our sins and humble and trusting prayer.”
A just society
At a forum on the economy, Mgr Marco Formica, interim chargé d’affaires of the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN said:
“Economic growth has lifted billions out of extreme poverty but is marred by dysfunctions such as increasing inequalities and new forms of poverty. For the international community to deliver on the sustainable development, it must combat these disfunctions. Every truly just society is built on recognition of the inviolable dignity of the human person [which] precedes any concession by the state and cannot be subordinated to shifting social consensus.”
Transforming the world
Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, called on African Catholic youth to build “authentic bridges of communion. That does not mean indiscriminately imitating or assimilating the ways of the world, diluting our Christian identity or watering down the demands of the Gospel.
“It is, rather, to be in the world as a transforming vitality, like yeast. It is not a matter of making a show of ourselves, but of living daily lives, quietly transforming the world from within in communion with God and others.”
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)