In its 20th annual report, released on Monday, the Commission offered a bleak picture of oppressed conditions for practicing faith for believers of all stripes in the world’s most populous country.

For Cardinal Malcom Ranjith of Colombo, where Sunday’s Easter attacks took place, his focus is not so much on rebuilding churches but lives. His priority is to be there for his people. Where words fall short, gestures are the only comfort he’s able to give.

An organist from Notre Dame Cathedral – performing an April 26 benefit concert in Washington for the reconstruction of the iconic Parisian church – will end his program, fittingly, with a piece about Christ’s resurrection.

Though far away from the center of the action in Rome, Bishop Celestino Aos, the temporary head of the embattled Archdiocese of Santiago, Chile, has a tough job. He’s replacing a cardinal being investigated for cover-up of clerical sexual abuse, whose predecessor is also being questioned by local prosecutors.During the Easter season, Bishop Aos might have made his own job even harder when on Holy Thursday during the Chrism Mass he was filmed denying communion to at least two faithful who were kneeling down.

As the machine of warfare continues to churn out more dangerous weaponry, only the power and joy of Christ’s resurrection can fill hearts with comfort and peace, Pope Francis said before giving his Easter blessing.

One thing was clear when Currents News traveled to Paris to report on the aftermath of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire; it was a great loss, but all wasn’t lost. Holy Week and Easter continued as they always do, yet this year, many believers said things just ‘felt different.’

Resurrection Sunday in Paris this year served as a reminder that, for Catholics, salvation and new life are the essence of their faith.