World

Appeals for release of two priests seized by Russian authorities in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Donetsk has called for the release of two priests it says were wrongfully detained by Russian troops.

Christians at risk in northwestern Syria
There's a threat to the property, safety and existence of religious minority groups, including Christians, in northwestern Syria under the de facto governance of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate and U.S.-designated terrorist group, says the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in a new report.

Concerns for India's religious minorities after Supreme Court calls for action against Hindu conversion
Human rights and religious liberty campaigners are sounding the alarm after India's Supreme Court called on the government to act against supposed "fraudulent religious conversion".

Growing demand among trans people for both male and female genitalia
A new report highlights a growing trend of trans-identified and nonbinary individuals undergoing surgeries to have both male and female genitalia.

Qatar is open to the world this week, so why are its churches hidden from view?
"While visitors are being encouraged to pay a visit to Qatar's museums, ancient heritage sites and shopping malls, one thing they won't be able to do is visit a church."

Game for change: charities urge Christians to unite against exploitation during World Cup
With the World Cup calling global attention to the injustices faced by exploited workers in Qatar and a recent report showing a 25% increase in the number of people trapped in slavery worldwide, churches and Christian charities are coming together to make positive global change.

Using the World Cup to fight persecution
A leading charity committed to combating the persecution of Christians around the world has called on believers to use the football World Cup as a spur to their prayers.

Eritrea: 98 Christians detained
According to a Release International partner, the authorities raided premises where Christians were gathered for worship.

Tennessee preacher and MAGA celebrity Greg Locke claims YouTube has banned him
Locke, who rose from little-known Nashville preacher to Christian nationalist celebrity preacher on the strength of viral videos, has lost access to one of his biggest channels.

Persecution of Christians worldwide is getting worse, report warns
Christians who live in parts of the world that enjoy peace and religious freedom must speak up for the suffering Church in the face of increasing persecution, a new report by Aid to the Church in Need pleads.

Over 500 anti-Christian hate crimes were recorded across Europe in 2021
Over 500 anti-Christian hate crimes were carried out across Europe in 2021, according to a new report by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC).

Ukrainians are asking why God allowed the war, says Bible Society leader
The head of the Ukrainian Bible Society says that people in his country are searching for answers after months of devastating war with Russia.

Did faith fall off a cliff during COVID? New study says no
Religious life in America was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But did it lead to a loss of faith as well as a decline in churchgoing?

Iran releases two Christians from notorious Evin Prison
Two Christians imprisoned in Iran for their church leadership roles were released a few days after a fire broke out in Tehran's Evin Prison on Oct. 15, but rights advocates were mystified about why they were freed.

Church attendance still short of pre-pandemic levels although most have reopened - survey
The findings reflect more anecdotal reports from ministries of all sizes, which are still struggling to regain their pre-pandemic form.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury joins first climate repentance ceremony
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, was among religious leaders from around the world who took part in a climate repentance ceremony on Sunday.