Nepal Jails Pastor For Evangelism
An evangelical pastor in Nepal received a two-year prison sentence for evangelism activities that violated the former Hindu kingdom’s anti-conversion laws, trial observers said Thursday.
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Lava from volcanic eruption threatens more homes on La Palma
A fresh river of lava from the volcano on Spain’s La Palma island threatened Wednesday to engulf a parish church that has so far survived the eruption that shows no signs of relenting after 10 weeks.
US Supreme Court Poised to Limit Abortions
In a historic move, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority indicated Wednesday they would allow states to ban abortion much earlier in pregnancy. The opinion could even overturn the nationwide abortion right that has existed for nearly half a century.
Central India Churches Forced To End Sunday Service
Authorities in central India have reportedly forced churches to cancel Sunday services amid a Hindu crackdown on Christian conversations.
Myanmar Military Burns Church After Killing Pastor
Christian aid workers said Wednesday that the church was burned down amid further shelling by Myanmar’s military in the west of the troubled Asian nation.
Chinese government continues harassment of Christians; “please pray”
China’s ruling Communist Party is continuing its harassment of Christians by raiding house churches and detaining congregants: last month several believers from Shanghai and Sichuan were taken to police stations for questioning, and one woman was charged and detained, International Christian Concern (ICC reports).
Nigeria: Christians in Zamfara state warned to close churches or be attacked
An unnamed group has contacted Christians in Nigeria’s Zamfara state, telling them to close their churches or risk being subjected to “ferocious attacks,” International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. As Islamic militants continue to slaughter and terrorize thousands of Nigeria’s Christians, the country has been ranked number one in the world for believers murdered on account of their faith.
Myanmar: Burmese army continues to destroy churches
Ignoring calls to stop its attacks on houses of worship, the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) in late November burned down a Baptist church and a Catholic church as part of an ongoing effort to destroy the Christian-majority town of Thantlang in Myanmar’s Chin state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
“We forgive you:” Widow and children tell drunk driver who killed pastor
The widow and children of Minnesota church leader Verlyn Strenge used a November 24 court hearing at Clearwater County Courthouse to publicly extend forgiveness to David Nelson, the man who killed the pastor in a drunk-driving incident in Bagel, Minnesota last year, Inforum reports. Judge Eric Schieferdecker said he had never seen anything like it in his courtroom; prosecutor County Attorney Katy Lorsbach was brought to tears.
16 Christian leaders accused of breaching the peace after Hindu attack on church and pastor
ixteen Christian leaders in India’s Karnataka state were themselves falsely accused of disturbing the peace after they attended a magistrate’s office on November 13 to support a fellow pastor whose church was attacked by Hindu radicals and who was then charged with disturbing the peace for holding worship services, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Persecution against Christians in India has intensified since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014.
Christians Killed As US Removes Nigeria As ‘Country of Concern’
Just days after the United States removed Nigeria’s designation as engaging in or tolerating violations of religious rights, several Christians were killed by Islamic fighters, Christians said.
Taliban Hunting For Christians In Afghanistan
Christians in Afghanistan have reportedly turned off their phones and moved to undisclosed locations amid an ongoing crackdown by the ruling Islamist Taliban group.
Iran Orders Review Of Jailing Christians
A top Iranian court has ordered a review of five-year prison terms given to nine Christian converts who left Islam, according to sources familiar with the court’s thinking.
Afghani Christians facing employment discrimination and dire economic conditions
As Afghanistan descends further into chronic economic and political catastrophe, the nation’s Christians are facing hunger and even more severe employment discrimination than they were before the US withdrawal and the Taliban takeover in August, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Afghanistan ranked two on the US Open Doors Watch List 2021 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted – even before the Taliban took power this summer.
India: District authorities in Madhya Pradesh state ban all Christian gatherings
As the suppression of Christianity in India continues, earlier this month local authorities in Madhya Pradesh state imposed a ban on Christian religious gatherings in the Jhabua district, effectively shutting down over 50 house churches, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Nigeria Condemned Over Detention Christian Journalist
Aid workers have condemned the detention of a Nigerian Christian journalist after he covered attacks against mainly Christian communities in Nigeria.
Pakistan Frees Christian After 10 Years On Death Row For Blasphemy
A Christian who faced the death penalty in Pakistan for “blasphemy against Islam” was acquitted and quietly released after nearly 10 years in prison, Christian sources say.
South Korea Rejects Asylum Claims Of Chinese Christians
South Korea turned down asylum requests from dozens of Chinese Christians despite fears their deportation to China could mean imprisonment, “forced disappearances and torture,” Christians said.
US: $127.5 Million For Parkland Shooting Families
The U.S. government has reportedly reached a tentative $127.5 million settlement with the families of victims of a 2018 mass shooting at a Florida, high school.
India: Hindu nationalists attack congregants in Karnataka state
As Hindu nationalist persecution of Christians in India continues to intensify, on November 14 a mob of Hindu radicals stormed the Mercy Divine Church in Bangalor, Karnataka state, throwing stones and chairs at congregants, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Christian persecution in India has increased dramatically since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power in 2014.