Police

Third pastor in Canada arrested for violating COVID-19 restrictions

The third church leader to be arrested in Canada this month, Pastor Tim Stephens of Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary was arrested Sunday for holding a service in violation of COVID-19 restrictions. Local authorities said the arrest was made after weeks of attempting to collaborate with church leadership to address ongoing health concerns.

Dutch King Opens Slavery Exhibition Showing Unhealed Wounds

Her powerful voice trembled as she carefully sang her song in Papiamentu’ Vlemayo.’ It narrates the horrific story of a mother incapable of protecting her newborn child against famine, drought, diseases, and other threats.

Nigeria: Gunmen abduct Pastor during church Bible study, demand ransom

Suspected Muslim Fulani militants in Nigeria have demanded a ransom of 30 million nairas (US$73,600) for the release of Pastor Otamayomi Ogedengbe of Deeper Life Bible Church, whom they abducted at gunpoint from a Bible study at his church building in Akure, Ondo state on May 10, Morning Star News reports.

Pakistan: Mob of 200 Muslims attack Christian community in Punjab province

On May 15, a mob of over 200 Muslims attacked a Christian community in the Chak 5 village of Pakistan’s Punjab province, ransacking homes and seriously injuring eight people, International Christian Concern reports. Pakistan ranks 5 on the US Open Doors watch list of countries that persecute Christians; the persecution level in the country has been rated as “extreme.”

German court upholds ban on prayer vigil outside abortion advice center

A German has court has upheld a municipality ban on prayer vigils held in front of a pre-abortion advisory center, Catholic World reports. On May 14 the Karlsruhe Administrative Court dismissed a challenge to the ban by Pavica Vojnović, who had organized bi-annual prayer vigils outside the Pro Familia advice center, an International Planned Parenthood associate in Pforzheim, southwest Germany.

Four Christians beheaded in Indonesia; “please pray”

Four Christian men were beheaded in Indonesia earlier this month, in what is believed to have been an attack by East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) Islamic terrorists, Christian Today reports. The horrifying attack was carried out just six months after four Christians were murdered at a Salvation Army outpost in Sigi, Central Sulawesi.

Uganda: Christian leader beheaded, tongue cut out by Islamic extremists

Right after leading six Muslims to Christ during a public debate on May 3, a pastor in eastern Uganda was followed home and murdered by Islamic extremists who cut out his tongue and beheaded him, Morning Star News. The killing was the latest murder of Christians by Islamists in Uganda.

Supreme Court rejects warrantless seizure of guns from home

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled unanimously for a Rhode Island man after police responding to a domestic disturbance took guns from his home without a warrant — a violation of the man’s Fourth Amendment rights, the justices ruled.

NYC: Hundreds attend church vigil after vandal destroys Jesus statue

Hundreds of people attended a prayer vigil at a Catholic church in New York City’s Brooklyn Friday night, after a vandal entered the church grounds the night before and smashed a statue of Jesus that was there. Police are investigating what is believed to be a hate crime against the St. Athanasius Church, in which the perpetrator also burned the church’s American flag.

Belarus Detains DW Correspondent Amid Broader Crackdown

German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) says one of its freelance journalists has been sentenced to 20 days in jail in Belarus. The punishment came shortly after a senior military officer was jailed for leaking documents to the press about a government crackdown on protesters.

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