Archdiocese of Liverpool Ends Posting on X Citing Ethical and Moral Reasons While Maintaining Presence on Other Social Media Platforms in United Kingdom

In a surprising move this week, the Archdiocese of Liverpool announced it will no longer maintain an active presence on X, citing what it called “ethical and moral reasons.”

While it will continue engaging with followers on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, the archdiocese did not provide further details when contacted by EWTN News.

Observers note that this decision reflects a broader debate within religious communities about the impact of social media on public discourse, faith formation, and the moral responsibilities of institutions online.

Some argue the platform’s culture and policies may conflict with the values the Church seeks to uphold.

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World Youth Day 2027: Diplomacy in Action for Young Pilgrims

Organizers of World Youth Day 2027 have taken a hands-on approach to ensure global participation. On Feb. 4, a high-level meeting was held at the Catholic University of Korea with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from 25 countries across the EU and Latin America.

Father Fabiano Rebeggiani, deputy director of World Youth Day, emphasized the meeting’s purpose: to remove travel and visa obstacles for young participants.

“World Youth Day Seoul 2027 will offer a space to seek truth, pray for peace, and foster reconciliation and hope,” he explained. Notably, this will be the first World Youth Day hosted in a country where Christians are not the majority—a historic moment for the global Church.

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Calls for Syrian Mayor’s Release Grow on First Anniversary of Detention

Marking one year since his arrest, the mayor of Sadad, Syria, Suleiman Khalil, remains detained without formal charges, prompting renewed appeals from advocacy organizations.

In Defense of Christians (IDC) and Christian Solidarity International (CSI) highlighted Khalil’s deteriorating health and restrictions on religious items such as his Bible and cross.

Khalil, who played a key role defending Sadad’s Christian community from extremist attacks in 2015, continues to be held at Homs Central Prison under harsh conditions.

His family, speaking from the United States, has called for urgent international intervention, stressing that his detention violates both Syrian constitutional protections and international human rights standards.

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New Marian Statue Brings Spiritual Presence to New Hampshire Medical Center

In Manchester, New Hampshire, Bishop Peter Libasci gifted the Catholic Medical Center a hand-carved Swiss statue of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Einsiedeln, commemorating both the World Day of the Sick and the hospital’s first anniversary with HCA Healthcare.

The statue, now prominently displayed in the hospital lobby, serves as a symbol of hope and comfort for patients and staff alike. Religious scholars note that Marian statues in healthcare settings often offer spiritual reassurance and foster a sense of shared prayer and reflection.

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Patriarch Rai Urges National Unity During St. Maron Feast

In Beirut, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai used the feast of St. Maron to call for national cohesion, speaking before Lebanon’s top state officials.

Highlighting the Maronite community’s historic role in the country, Rai emphasized faith, land attachment, and civic responsibility.

Addressing political leaders, he called for consolidating armed forces under state authority, implementing U.N. Resolution 1701, and ensuring full sovereignty across Lebanon.

His closing prayer envisioned Lebanon as “a land of encounter and a space of hope,” echoing longstanding calls for peace and coexistence in the region.

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India Celebrates Completion of Pontifical Missions Secretariat

Nearly three decades after the project began, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India inaugurated a new secretariat building for the Pontifical Mission Organizations in Bangalore on Feb. 9. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli presided over the opening, which included a ribbon-cutting and plaque unveiling.

The building, equipped with a chapel, offices, a boardroom, and media facilities, will serve as the operational hub for mission coordination across India. Over 170 bishops attended the event, marking a significant milestone in the Church’s local infrastructure development.

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Filipino Bishop Calls for Peace During Lent and Ramadan

Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo of Kidapawan, Philippines, called on Catholic and Muslim communities to work together for peace and social care as Lent and Ramadan coincide on Feb. 18. Bagaforo stressed that this alignment provides an opportunity for interfaith prayer, fasting, and reflection.

He highlighted that both traditions encourage generosity, compassion, and care for the poor and environment, quoting scripture and the Qur’an to emphasize shared values: “Blessed are the peacemakers” and God “invites all to the Home of Peace.”

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Sacred Art Exhibition Opens in Kerala with Orthodox Bishops’ Blessing

Kerala, India, will host a sacred art exposition titled “Mananam,” curated by Orthodox priest and iconographer Father Rijo Geevarghese. The event, running from Feb. 12–26, invites viewers to explore liturgical art rooted in Scripture, hymnography, and Church tradition.

Six senior Orthodox bishops will bless the opening, underscoring the role of visual theology in deepening faith. Geevarghese described the exhibit as a space for families, youth, and children to engage with art as a form of prayerful contemplation, beyond mere aesthetic appreciation.

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What’s Next?

Looking ahead, many of these stories point to broader trends: the evolving role of social media for religious institutions, the Church’s growing focus on interfaith collaboration, and the preservation of sacred art and spiritual heritage.

Global events such as World Youth Day Seoul 2027 and interfaith initiatives in the Philippines show the Church increasingly engaging diplomatically and socially on the world stage.

Meanwhile, advocacy for detained figures like Suleiman Khalil underscores ongoing human rights challenges for Christians in conflict zones.

Summary

This week’s global Catholic and Christian news covers a mix of spiritual, social, and humanitarian developments.

The Archdiocese of Liverpool announced its departure from X over ethical concerns, while World Youth Day 2027 organizers met with international diplomats to ease travel for young pilgrims heading to Seoul.

In Syria, advocacy groups continue to call for the release of Sadad’s mayor Suleiman Khalil amid deteriorating conditions.

Meanwhile, faith leaders worldwide are fostering peace, charitable action, and cultural preservation—from Bishop Libasci gifting a Swiss Marian statue in New Hampshire, to Patriarch Rai urging Lebanese unity, to a sacred art exposition opening in Kerala.

In India, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference inaugurated a new Pontifical Missions secretariat, and Filipino Bishop Bagaforo emphasized interfaith cooperation as Lent and Ramadan coincide.