News
Evangelical Christians Campaign to Stop Massive Gay Parade in Jerusalem
A coalition of evangelical Christians from the United States and Israeli Orthodox Jews will unite together to campaign against the 2005 Gay and Lesbian World Pride Parade scheduled for this summer in Jerusalem...
Religious Freedom Agreements Draw Near in Eritrea, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia
Three countries, which have been condemned over the past year for their poor religious freedoms records, have been touted as being on the verge of a deal, which would see the state of religious liberty greatly advance...
Church World Service to Install School Safe Zones Program in Kenya
Church World Service (CWS), a US-based global humanitarian ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations, have been cooperating with the Kenyan Government to implement a 'School Safe Zones' initiative...
China Citizens Gain Right to Provide Religious Education to Children
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson made an historical announcement yesterday, 15th March, when it was declared that Chinese citizens will now have the right to provide religious education for their children...
CSW Calls for Release of Cuban Prisoners as UN Human Rights Commission Begins
In a press release dated on 15th March, the UK-based human rights organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is calling on the international community to renew pressure for the release of a Cuban prisoner...
Global Day of Prayer to be Observed by 175 Countries on Pentecost
A global prayer initiative will be observed by over 200 million Christians from nearly 175 nations on Pentecost. The event, known as "The Global Day of Prayer" (GDOP) will take place on Pentecost...
Episcopal House of Bishops Release Windsor Report Statement
On 15th March 2005 at the House of Bishops’ Spring Meeting the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church adopted a "New Covenant" by an almost unanimous vote. Today, further work will be carried out at the meeting...
Majority of Aid Groups Asked to Leave Tsunami Areas in Indonesia
The government of Indonesia is asking aid groups not involved in reconstruction to leave areas affected by the 26th December quake-tsunami disaster, agencies reported on Monday. However, the government emphasised that foreign help is still needed...
California Gay Marriage Ruling Interview
On Monday, March 14, 2005, a San Francisco judge ruled against California’s ban on same-sex "marriage", reopening the battle-front of the cultural war that exploded in the same city exactly thirteen months ago...
"Gender Neutral" TNIV Bible Launched in the UK
On 15th March, a brand new translation of the Bible called Today's New International Version (TNIV) was launched in the UK. It features the use of gender-neutral language and an edited choice of words...
Over 100 Christians Join CSW Global Prayer Day for Burma
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a UK-based human rights charity working on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs, observed a Day of Prayer for Burma last Saturday, 12th March...
Anglican Church of Nigeria Consecrates Ten New Bishops
Ten new bishops have been consecrated by the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Nigerian Primate, the Most Rev Peter Akinola, presided over the service, which is historical for being the largest number of bishops consecrated in one sitting...
Reactions Mixed as California Rejects Gay Marriage Ban in US
Proponents of same-sex "marriage" lined the streets of San Francisco on Monday to celebrate the controversial ruling that knocked down California's ban on gay unions earlier that day. Meanwhile, pro-family leaders criticised the ruling...
WCC Announce UN Seminar into Human Rights in Iraq
The World Council of Churches has announced a seminar to take place at its Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on Tuesday 22nd March 2005. The seminar will look into the responsibility of the United Nations for Human Rights in Iraq...
UN Agrees Audit on Tsunami Relief Fund to Ease Iraq Corruption Allegations
The United Nations (UN) has announced an agreement with PricewaterhouseCoopers to monitor disbursement of its US$1 billion tsunami relief fund. According to the UN it is an effort to boost transparency...
Christian Institute Calls for Judicial Review into BBC Springer Fiasco
The BBC's controversial broadcast of the musical, Jerry Springer – The Opera has had an action put forward against it for Judicial Review by a Christian group. The BBC2 broadcast the show despite a huge outcry...