John Pontifex, Aid to the Church in Need

• Appeals for peace in Egypt after sudden increase in attacks on Christians

  The UK head of a charity that supports persecuted Christians is calling on people to pray for peace in Egypt after a sudden spike in attacks on Copts in the wake of President Morsi's dramatic downfall.

• Whole of Syria has become a battlefield, says church leader

  Damascus Patriarch makes urgent peace appeal

• Anger over violence against Pakistani Christians

  Government authorities in Pakistan stand accused of failing to protect a vulnerable community who fled their Christian quarter and watched helplessly as their homes were robbed and set ablaze.

• Archbishop calls refugees back to Burma

  Burma's three million refugees should return home and help rebuild their nation, according to the leader of the country's Catholics, who says that after half a century times are changing for the better.

• Egypt's new constitution will create 'Islamic caliphate'

  Church leaders in Egypt are disappointed with the new constitution

• Palestinian Christians joyful this Christmas

  Christmas in Bethlehem this year will be especially joyful for local Christians who – according to their bishop – have hailed the UN recognition of the state of Palestine as a "victory".

• Stand up for faith and freedom, school pupils told

  The Archbishop of Glasgow has told youngsters from primary schools in Scotland about the importance of standing up for religious freedom, saying that around the world Christians suffer the most persecution.

• Syria's Christians fear being attacked

  Christians in Damascus and Aleppo are terrified of being targeted and driven away, according to a senior bishop.

• 'Nigeria’s Christians must convert,' says Islamist group

  Islamist militants have claimed responsibility for the deaths of more than 50 people in north-central Nigeria – and called on the country’s Christians to convert to Islam.

• ACN sees increase in giving

  The UK director of a leading Catholic charity has thanked benefactors for keeping up their support for persecuted Christians through the economic downturn.

• Christians 'desperate to leave Gaza'

  On the eve of the Pope’s visit to the Middle East, Gaza’s only Catholic priest has given a damning indictment of the situation facing the people in the beleaguered Palestinian territory – especially Christians.

• ACN saving the saveable in Sudan

  Children in northern Sudan’s sprawling displacement camps are to benefit from a massive aid payment announced by a leading Catholic charity.