News

Chinese house church pastor arrested on fraud charges
Amid an ongoing crackdown on Christians and their churches, communist authorities in China have arrested an elder of a house church in southwestern Guizhou province in a trumped-up fraud case, according to reports.

Canadian pastor arrested after holding public worship services
A pastor has been arrested in Canada after holding in-person worship services in breach of public health orders.

Church of England issues guidance on memorials with slavery links
New guidance has been issued by the Church of England to help churches and cathedrals address concerns over memorials with links to slavery.

'Christians are on the blacklist' in Burkina Faso where jihadist factions are running amok
Jihadists are cutting a swathe across Africa with deadly consequences for Christians.

Chinese authorities arrest pastor who led church member's funeral
Communist authorities arrested a preacher from the heavily-persecuted house church in southwestern China's Sichuan province, Early Rain Covenant Church, for "allegedly disturbing public order" by officiating a member's funeral.

Church leaders appeal for peace amid violent clashes in Jerusalem
Church leaders have appealed for a return to peace in Jerusalem after weeks of violent clashes.

School chaplain challenges dismissal over LGBT views
A school chaplain lost his job at a Christian school and was reported to the government's counter-terrorism watchdog, Prevent, after telling students they were not compelled to "accept an ideology they disagree with", his lawyers say.

Christian counsellor challenges politician over conversion therapy 'torture' claims
The head of a charity that offers counselling to people struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction has hit out at claims of torture in a recent debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Peers grill Conservative whip over sweeping abortion powers for NI Secretary
Baroness O'Loan highlighted the lack of "public consultation on the Regulations", given that they were laid shortly before Parliament's Easter recess, which prevented the House from considering them before they took effect.

Joe Biden criticised over prayer proclamation that omits 'God'
American conservatives have voiced their disappointment after President Joe Biden, a Catholic, issued a National Day of Prayer proclamation this week that did not explicitly mention God.

Date set for High Court hearing in landmark Down's syndrome case
The date has been set for a hearing at the High Court in a landmark legal challenge against abortion laws that discriminate against people with Down's syndrome.

Charges against Christian politician are because of 'discriminatory hate speech'
Finland's state prosecutors are pushing back against the international outcry over the charges against a Christian politician by describing her statements on marriage and sexuality as "discriminatory hate speech".

Carl Lentz's wife attacks mean-spirited Christians
Laura Lentz said she had discovered true friendships in the people who have stood by her family since the firing of her husband Carl as pastor of Hillsong NYC.

Irish Prime Minister called to protect religious freedom after Covid worship ban
An open letter has been sent to Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin calling for guarantees that church worship will never again be banned in Ireland.

Swedish doctors halt use of puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria
Doctors at a prominent Swedish hospital that treats children suffering from gender dysphoria announced they will no longer prescribe cross-sex hormones or drugs that suppress puberty.

EU appoints new religious freedom envoy
The European Commission has appointed a new religious freedom Special Envoy after a two year vacancy.