World

Unusual secrecy attends Biden's first meeting with Pope Francis as president

The unusual clampdown surrounding what is expected to be a roughly hour-long conversation is all the more curious as this pope and president are perhaps more aligned on world affairs than any combination since Reagan met the equally anti-communist, socially conservative John Paul II.
Missing Copts were detained by Libyan authorities - Open Doors

A group of Copts who went missing in Libya were detained by the authorities over their immigration status, Open Doors has said.
Horrific violence against Christians in North Korea detailed in new report

Prison guards in Communist North Korea struck the heads of Christian detainees suspected of Bible study until "blood spurted upwards", according to a new report from human rights organisation Korea Future.
Archbishop 'gravely concerned' by LGBT proposals in Ghana

The Archbishop of Canterbury has distanced himself from Anglican bishops in Ghana who have come out in support of a Bill that would make it a crime to be gay, bisexual or transgender.
End sexual violence against Christian women, petition urges

Christian women and girls around the world live with "double jeopardy" because of their gender and religion, Aid to the Church in Need has warned.
Fears for 17 Christians missing in Libya

A group of Egyptian Coptic Christians has gone missing in Libya, sparking fears for their safety and even of a possible repeat of the 2015 massacre of Coptic Christians by ISIS.
Message of forgiveness after gang threatens to kill 17 missionaries kidnapped in Haiti

The families of 17 kidnapped missionaries in Haiti have said they are "giving forgiveness" to the notorious gang holding their loved ones for ransom.
Hundreds of acts of persecution against India's Christians in 2021 - human rights groups

Human rights groups in India say they have documented over 300 incidents of Christian persecution in just the first nine months of 2021, warning that this year might be the worst in terms of the number of such incidents in the country's history.
10 years on, life for Christians in post-Gaddafi Libya 'as dangerous as ever'

Due to escalating conflicts between the various groups that fought against Gaddafi, the country has descended into a state of civil war, and Christians are especially vulnerable in areas where radical Islamic groups are active, says Open Doors' World Watch Research analyst Michael Bosch.
Hillsong UK purchases iconic north London theatre

It is the first time that the Australia-based church will own a venue in the UK after renting the Dominion Theatre close to London's Oxford Street since 2005.
Gang behind kidnap of missionaries in Haiti demands $17m

A criminal gang is demanding $1m per head for the safe return of kidnapped missionaries and children.
Kidnapped Christian teenager Leah Sharibu is still alive, says pastor

A pastor supporting the family of a Christian teenager kidnapped and held captive by militants in Nigeria has received reports that she is still alive.
Pope expresses sadness over attacks in Britain, Norway and Afghanistan

Pope Francis has spoken of his closeness to victims of attacks in Britain, Norway and Afghanistan and their families.
Please pray, says US Christian group after missionaries abducted

Christian Aid Ministries is asking people to pray for the safe release of its kidnapped workers and their children amid fears that a criminal gang will demand $1m per person.
Group of US missionaries kidnapped in Haiti - reports

An armed criminal group in Haiti is reported to have kidnapped a group of US missionaries and children.