50 Killed In Nigeria Church Attack
Nigeria’s Cardinal John Onaiyekan has condemned the shooting by suspected Muslim herdsmen at a church in his nation which killed over 50 people, including children.
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India: Christians suffer arrest and imprisonment in Uttar Pradesh, ”Our lives are in danger”
At least 30 Christians were imprisoned on false charges in India’s Uttar Pradesh state last month, as Hindu nationalists continue to abuse the state’s harsh anti-conversion laws and accuse believers of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Uganda: Youth pastor killed in Islamic terror attack on church
A 32-year old youth pastor in Uganda has succumbed to his wounds after being axed in the head during an Islamic terror attack on his church in Kiboga District last month, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Ugandan Christians are coming under increasing attack from Islamic terrorists, although Christianity is legal in Uganda, and Muslims are a minority population there.
Ukraine’s President: ‘Churches Burning, Cities Destroyed’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Russia to “stop burning churches” and end attacks on his nation after a famed Orthodox Church was destroyed while explosions rocked the capital Kyiv, overshadowing Pentecost celebrations. Heavy street battles also raged in a strategic city in Ukraine’s east that Russian forces want to capture as part of an ongoing invasion.
Christians Marry Despite China Crackdown
A Christian couple that was forced to postpone their wedding after Chinese authorities prevented ceremonies were eventually able to marry in southwestern China, Christians confirmed.
EU Cancels Sanctions Against Russian Patriarch
The European Union canceled plans to impose sanctions against Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill after Hungary threatened to veto the bloc’s latest round of measures against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
President Biden Demands Ban On Assault Weapons After Mass Shootings
U.S. President Joe Biden called for banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in a prime-time address to the nation after mass shootings killed at least a dozen people and injured 55 over the holiday weekend and into this week.
35 Arkansas congregations consider disaffiliation from United Methodist Church over LGBT stance
Thirty-five Methodist congregations in Arkansas are considering disaffiliation from the mainline United Methodist Church (UMC) denomination amid concerns that the UMC is headed away from its traditional stance on LGBT issues and toward blessing same-sex marriage and allowing noncelibate homosexuals to serve as clergy, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Middle East Council of Churches meets in Egypt
The General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has been able to hold a meeting in Egypt for the first time, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. That this Christian organization was allowed to meet in Egypt is notable, given that the country ranks 20 on the US Open Doors World Watch List of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
Nigeria: 31 people die in stampede for free food at church event
Thirty-one people, including numerous children, were killed Saturday during a stampede at a church’s free food event in Nigeria’s River state, the Associated Press reports.
First transgender Lutheran bishop has been asked to resign
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has asked Megan Rohrer, its first transgender bishop, to resign after the cleric fired a Hispanic pastor on a culturally important religious day for the Latinx community, Church Leaders (CL) reports.
Head of Nigerian Methodist Church kidnapped, released next day
The head of the Nigerian Methodist Church was abducted from Abia in south-east Nigeria on Sunday, before being released the next day, Christian Today (CT) reports.
Police Burns Church Building In Central India
Nearly four months after their thatched-roof church building was torched, Christian villagers in central India have expressed concern that the suspect has not been charged.
China Prevents Christian Wedding
A Christian couple in southwest China was forced to cancel their wedding after Chinese authorities learned it would include a celebration
attended by members and leaders of their church who were later detained, Christians confirmed to Worthy News.
India: Christian pastors ordered to cease all ministry
Christian pastors in India’s Uttar Pradesh state were summoned to a police station earlier this month and ordered to cease all house church gatherings and religious activities unless they had a permit from the District Magistrate, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
India: Hindu authorities shut down church following complaints about conversions to Christianity
A pro-Hindu news outlet reported approvingly on May 24 that authorities in India’s Odisha state shut down a church following complaints about local tribal residents converting to Christianity. Persecution against Christians in India has intensified greatly since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014.
Pakistan: Catholic girl abducted, forced to marry Muslim man, family “pleading with police” for help
A 15-year-old Catholic girl in Faisalabad, Pakistan was abducted by a Muslim man earlier this month and has now been forced to marry him, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Rights groups report that at least 1,000 Christian and Hindu girls and women are forcibly married to Muslim men every year in Pakistan.
US Urged To Add Nigeria As ‘Country Of Particular Concern’ After Killing Christians
An influential U.S.-based Christian advocacy group has urged the Biden administration to reverse its “baffling error” and add Nigeria back to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC).
Sudan: Court orders destruction of evangelical church buildings
Exemplifying the increasingly precarious status of Christians in Sudan, a Sudanese court has approved the destruction of buildings owned by the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC) in Omdurman, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
China introducing new financial regulations in clampdown on churches
Continuing its clampdown on churches and other minority religious organizations, China’s communist regime is bringing in new regulations for governing the management of revenues, local and foreign donations and expenses of religious organizations, the Barnabas Fund reports.