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As the Lenten season begins, the Evangelical Church is offering a series of short devotional videos titled “Passions Prayers” on its YouTube channel. The initiative, now in its fourth year, aims to provide spiritual accompaniment throughout the period of reflection leading up to Easter. The videos will be released every Wednesday at noon, with additional services scheduled for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

The series will launch on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a prayer led by Reformed Pastor Thomas Hennmefeld, focusing on Psalm 119: “Lord, let your grace be upon me, your help according to your word.” The concluding video on Easter Sunday will feature Bishop Cornelia Richter reflecting on Deuteronomy 32:10, “He guarded his people like the apple of his eye.” The Evangelical Church hopes to reach those seeking a spiritual connection during Lent through this digital offering.

According to Laura Trumpes of the Evangelical Press Office, who is responsible for the production, the target audience is “all those who would like to be accompanied by a church contribution through the Passiontide.” The ten- to fifteen-minute short devotions are also intended “to stimulate reflection.”

The structure of each “Passions Prayer” follows a traditional worship service format, including a brief welcome, scripture reading, musical piece, interpretation, intercessions, prayer, and blessing. The themes are based on the liturgical texts of the Evangelical Church. Music for the series is provided by various musicians associated with the Evangelical Church.

YouTube Series Offers Daily Reflection

The Evangelical Church in Austria has also been offering similar content on YouTube. Since February 13, 2024, the church has published Fastenvideos (Lenten videos) and Passionsgebete (Passion Prayers) every Saturday during Lent, according to a report from evang.at. These videos, created by Pastor and fasting expert Manfred Mitteregger, explore different types of fasting and offer small approaches to the practice.

In addition to the Saturday videos, the Evangelical Church in Austria also releases ten-minute Passions Prayers every Wednesday at noon, aligned with the weekly scripture readings. These prayers feature musical accompaniment from organists and cantors, utilizing organs from various churches in Vienna. The Karfreitag (Good Friday) prayer will be led by Reformed Land Superintendent Thomas Hennefeld, and an Easter prayer will be offered by Lutheran Bishop Michael Chalupka.

Expanding Digital Outreach During Lent

The growing trend of offering Lenten and Passiontide content online reflects a broader effort by churches to reach wider audiences and provide accessible spiritual resources. The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKHN) is also promoting its “7 Weeks Without” fasting campaign, encouraging inner reflection and a re-evaluation of daily routines. Learn more about the EKHN’s Fastenaktion here. The EKHN’s 2026 campaign focuses on “Feeling! Seven Weeks Without Harshness,” emphasizing compassionate interaction and discovering new ways of relating to others.

Beyond individual reflection, initiatives like the “Climate Fast” encourage communal engagement and exploration of sustainable living practices. The EKD offers support for those interested in fasting, including resources for the “7 Weeks Without” campaign. Even children are included, with the “Fasten basteln” (Fasten crafting) project on religionen-entdecken.de offering a tangible way to understand the concepts of sacrifice, sharing, and gratitude.

As the Lenten season progresses, these digital resources aim to provide a space for contemplation, spiritual growth, and community connection for individuals and families alike. The Evangelical Church’s YouTube series and related initiatives offer a modern approach to traditional practices, making them accessible to a wider audience.

What comes next will be the release of the first “Passions Prayer” video on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, marking the official start of the series. Viewers can expect a consistent schedule of weekly reflections throughout Lent, culminating in special services for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Share your thoughts on these digital initiatives and how they enhance your Lenten experience in the comments below.

Rome – In an unexpected move, Italian President Sergio Mattarella addressed the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) today, delivering a strong message emphasizing the require for mutual respect between all branches of the nation’s government. The President’s intervention comes amid heightened political tensions and follows recent criticisms leveled against the judiciary, particularly concerning migration policies.

Mattarella underscored the “significant constitutional role” of the CSM, the self-governing body of the Italian judiciary, and stressed the importance of respect towards the institution from other governmental bodies. His remarks were delivered during a plenary session of the CSM, a setting he noted he hadn’t addressed in eleven years. This unprecedented appearance signals a clear intent to reinforce the independence and authority of the judicial branch.

Acknowledging that the CSM, like any institution, is not immune to flaws and criticism, Mattarella emphasized that such scrutiny should be constructive and respectful. He extended this observation to the legislative and executive branches, stating that all institutions are subject to imperfections and open to critique. The President’s core message centered on the necessity of maintaining a collaborative and respectful environment for the effective functioning of the Italian Republic.

“In this forum, which must remain rigorously institutional and separate from political themes and controversies, more than in my role as president of this council, as President of the Republic I feel the need to firmly reiterate the call for mutual respect at all times, in all circumstances, in the interest of the republic,” Mattarella stated, concluding his address.

Mattarella’s Intervention Follows Criticism of the Judiciary

The President’s address follows a period of escalating rhetoric between the government and the judiciary. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as reported by ANSA, has recently criticized judges for what she perceives as politicization and obstructionism regarding migration policies. These comments have fueled concerns about potential interference in the judicial process and the erosion of the separation of powers.

The CSM began its session around 10:00 AM local time, and President Mattarella briefly suspended proceedings after a unanimous vote on a European Union-funded judicial training project, ‘Judialogue’. He then departed from the CSM headquarters.

Nordio Responds to Presidential Call for Respect

Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio swiftly responded to President Mattarella’s address, expressing his full support for the call for mutual respect between institutions. “We fully appreciate and share the President of the Republic’s appeal, who, as guardian of the Constitution, feels the need for mutual respect between institutions, especially at a time when the tone of political debate tends to escalate,” Nordio stated in a released note. He affirmed his commitment to maintaining a “healthy, calm, and respectful dialectic” while upholding the government’s positions.

Nordio’s statement suggests a willingness to de-escalate tensions, but the underlying disagreements regarding judicial independence and migration policy remain. The Minister added that his department would work to ensure that any disagreements are handled with respect, even while firmly defending their own positions.

What to Watch Next

The coming weeks will be crucial in observing whether President Mattarella’s appeal for mutual respect translates into a tangible shift in the relationship between Italy’s governmental branches. The ongoing debate surrounding the implementation of judicial reforms and migration policies will likely serve as a key test of this commitment. Further developments regarding the decrees implementing the reform, currently described as “drafts” by Minister Nordio, will be closely watched for signs of constructive dialogue and adherence to the principles outlined by the President.

Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below.

A High Court challenge brought by Freemasonry bodies against a Metropolitan Police policy requiring officers and staff to declare their membership has been dismissed. Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled on Tuesday that the Met’s decision to add Freemasonry and similar organisations to its declarable associations policy “serves a legitimate aim, maintaining and enhancing public trust in policing, and is proportionate.”

The legal action was launched by the United Grand Lodge of England, the Order of Women Freemasons, the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, and two serving police officers who are members of the organisation. The Met announced in December that officers and staff would be required to disclose any past or present membership in groups that are hierarchical, have confidential membership, and require members to support and protect each other.

Approximately 400 Met officers and staff have already complied with the policy, according to the force. The ruling followed a 17-page judgement from Mr Justice Chamberlain, who determined that the grounds for the challenge were not “reasonably arguable.” He stated that the policy aims to eliminate both actual and perceived bias in policing, ensuring the proper exercise of a constable’s functions.

The judge also found that the policy was not discriminatory or “unduly stigmatising” towards Freemasons. He argued that allowing officers to declare membership on an “ad hoc basis” would not adequately maintain or enhance public trust.

Commander Simon Messinger, of the Met’s Professionalism Command, welcomed the ruling. “We had been prepared to robustly defend our decision through the courts, so today’s judgment is welcome,” he said. “Our declarable associations policy was changed after feedback highlighted concerns that involvement in these types of organisations could compromise impartiality or create conflicts of loyalty. Both victims of crime and those reporting wrongdoing must have trust and confidence there is no risk that investigations are tainted by such issues. We have prioritised this over any organisation’s desire to maintain secrecy.”

The policy change stemmed from a consultation with officers and staff, which revealed that 66% believed membership in such organisations affected the perception of police impartiality, and 64% agreed or strongly agreed that it impacted public trust. The move also followed a recommendation from the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel to address the role of Freemasonry in policing.

Adrian Marsh, grand secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, expressed disappointment with the outcome. “We maintain that we have an obligation to protect our members from discrimination, which, in our view, will do nothing to improve on the Metropolitan police’s delivery on its mandate to keep London safe by reducing crime, building public trust and upholding high standards,” he said.

During a hearing on February 11, lawyers representing the claimants argued that the Met’s decision effectively created a “blacklist.” Claire Darwin KC, representing the Freemasonry groups and officers, asserted that the policy constituted an “institutional signal of suspicion” that violated the human rights of Freemasons and was based on “limited, opaque and heavily perception-driven” evidence. She suggested the police were relying on “longstanding conspiracy theories and/or prejudicial tropes about Freemasons.”

Barristers for the Met countered these claims, stating that the suggestion of a blacklist was “plainly wrong” and that employees remained “free to become or remain Freemasons.”