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Hello, I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News, and this is your OSV Newscast for Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Let's catch you up on the Catholic News of the Day. Here we go. In Washington, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is again pressing President Donald Trump to fill a key diplomatic role focused on defending religious freedom worldwide. The Bipartisan Federal Commission, known as U.S. CIRF, said the ambassador-at-large position is critical for advancing protections for people facing persecution because of their faith. Speaking with OSV News on May 12th, U.S. CIRF chair Vicky Hartzler said the absence of a confirmed ambassador means missed opportunities to advocate for vulnerable religious communities across the globe. The Commission's renewed appeal comes as Trump travels to China later this week, where concerns over religious freedom have long been raised by advocacy groups and human rights organizations. Hartzler noted there are many, many things related to religious liberty that could be addressed during the trip. The commission is also facing a transition period of its own, with the terms of all current commissioners set to expire this month. Hartzler said U.S. CIRF leaders are encouraging the White House and congressional leadership to move quickly on new appointments so the Commission's work can continue uninterrupted in monitoring and promoting international religious freedom. Incidents that have alarmed Christian communities already living amid escalating regional tensions. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, one soldier received 21 days of military detention after placing a cigarette in the mouth of a Marian statue in the Christian village of Debol, while another soldier who photographed the act received 14 days of detention. The military described the incident as serious and emphasized that troops are regularly instructed to respect religious sites and sacred symbols. The punishment follows another incident in April in the same village, where soldiers damaged a crucifix depicting Jesus Christ using the blunt side of an ax. In that case, soldiers received 30-day detention sentences. Catholic leaders in the region have condemned the axe and warned about growing hostility towards Christians and sacred sites. Father Ibrahim Faltas of the Custody of the Holy Land questioned how places of worship and religious symbols could be targeted, calling the incidents deeply offensive to believers during an already volatile period along the Israel-Lebanon border. In Indonesia, a major abuse scandal at an Islamic boarding school is prompting Catholic educators and church leaders to strengthen safeguards in their own schools and ministries. Authorities shut down the Nidolo Kasumo boarding school in Central Java after arresting its head cleric, Ashari, over allegations that he sexually abused dozens of girls over several years. Lawyers representing victims estimate that between 30 and 50 girls may have suffered abuse, many of them coming from poor families. Catholic leaders say the case underscores the urgent need for stronger oversight, clear child protection policies, and attentive pastoral care within religious education settings. Father Curdo Irianto of the Diocese of Surabaya said Catholic schools are tightening management practices and reinforcing child-friendly regulations while remaining attentive to students' personal struggles and well-being. Rights advocates also say abuse within some Islamic educational institutions remains underreported and rarely prosecuted. Leaders from Indonesia's largest Muslim organization have blamed weak monitoring systems and abuses of religious authority. Catholic leaders now say the scandal serves as a sobering reminder that safeguarding children must remain a constant priority across all faith-based educational institutions. In Detroit, Catholic leaders, clergy, and immigration advocates gathered for a major summit focused on supporting immigration communities amid expanded immigration enforcement efforts during the second Trump administration. More than 200 people attended the third and latest conference in a nationwide program, Witness to Hope, Pastoral Care of Immigrant Communities, at Sacred Heart Major Seminary on May 6th. Participants from 10 dioceses discussed how Catholic parishes, dioceses, and ministries can accompany immigrants facing uncertainty and fear. The summit brought together bishops, priests, parish leaders, and advocacy organizations in a collaborative effort led by the Archdiocese of Detroit, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, the Hope Border Institute in Texas, and the Center for Migration Studies in New York. Discussions centered on the church's role in responding pastorally and prophetically to immigration debates and the impact of current federal policies on families and communities. Father David Bursmeyer, a Detroit priest and chaplain of the Catholic advocacy group Strangers No Longer, said organizers hope the gathering energizes Catholics to take practical next steps in supporting immigrants and defending vulnerable communities. Speakers emphasized that accompaniment, advocacy, and human dignity remain central elements of the Church's mission in the immigration conversation. In Chicago, Catholics marked the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV's election with a special pilgrimage celebrating the Pope's Southside roots and early faith journey. Organized by the Pope Leo XIV American Legacy Foundation, the May 8th pilgrimage traveled by shuttle bus from downtown Chicago to several sites connected to the Pope's childhood and spiritual formation. One major stop was Christ Our Savior Parish in South Holland, Illinois, described as the de facto home parish of Pope Leo, who grew up as Robert Francis Prevost. The parish traces its history back to St. Mary of the Assumption, where the Prevost family worshipped when the future Pope was a child living in nearby Dalton. Pilgrims also visited Pope Leo's boyhood home, now owned by the village of Dalton, and envisioned as a future museum and center for community development. During the visit, Midwest Augustinians blessed and hung a portrait of the Pope inside the home. Father Anthony Pizzo also shared an email from Pope Leo expressing appreciation that the house would be used to advance social development and continue serving the local community. And that's your OSV Newscast for today. I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News. Check out the show notes for direct links to the stories in this episode. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast, follow us on social media, and bookmark osvnews.com. Thanks so much for listening and God bless. This has been an OSV News production. To learn more, visit osvnews.