Ancient Christian relics found under historic church in Iraq
Six ancient Christian stone reliquaries and several manuscripts in Syriac and Aramaic languages have been discovered under a historic church in Mosul, Iraq, the Jerusalem Post reports.
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Supreme Court overturns ban preventing religious schools from receiving state funding
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned Maine’s ban on state tuition assistance to students attending religious schools in an education case that could have big implications for schools around the country.
Iran: Pastor and two Christian women jailed for leading house churches
A pastor and two Christian women in Iran have been sentenced to jail terms ranging from 6 to 10 years because they are leaders of house churches, Article 18 reports. Iran’s Islamic regime considers Christianity a threat to its power, and has had Christian leaders imprisoned on false charges of violating national security and of disseminating anti-government propaganda.
Gunmen Kidnap Christians In Abuja
Gunmen abducted a Christian father and his teenage daughter from one of Africa’s largest housing estates in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, their neighbor told Worthy News Sunday.
Authorities Close India Church Over Hindu Protests
Christians in eastern India are questioning the sealing of their church building after authorities ordered the believers to stop gathering for worship, a rights group said Thursday.
SBC sex abuse survivors release statement proposing immediate reforms
Following the release of a catastrophic report on the systemic cover-up of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), seven survivors of such abuse in the denomination have published a statement calling for reform and the immediate implementation of specific measures, including the establishment of a restoration fund for victims, Church Leaders reports.
India States Detain Pastors Over ‘Forced Conversions,’ Death
A pastor and his wife are among the first Christians to face prosecution under controversial anti-conversion legislation that has been introduced in India’s southwestern state of Karnataka, while another couple faces similar charges elsewhere in India. Pastor V. Kuriyachan, 62, and his wife Selenamma, 57, were detained for two weeks shortly after Karnataka’s governor signed the legislation on May 17, for allegedly converting Hindus to Christianity, police and Christians said.
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.
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.