World

Hillsong's Brian Houston to plead not guilty of concealing dad's abuse
Hillsong's Brian Houston to plead not guilty of concealing dad's abuse

The lawyer of Brian Houston says the Hillsong senior pastor will plead not guilty to charges of concealing his father's sexual abuse.

Open for business: The Syrian Christian who brought café culture back to his war-torn hometown
Open for business: The Syrian Christian who brought café culture back to his war-torn hometown

An eastern suburb of Damascus almost completely vacated during the Syrian war has just seen a sliver of normal life return: a café launched by a local Christian.

Over 2,000 people sign petition demanding pastor's release
Over 2,000 people sign petition demanding pastor's release

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition demanding the release of a Protestant pastor who's been imprisoned by Cuba's communist regime without trial for participating in peaceful protests that emerged across the country in July.

'We were constantly monitored,' says nun who escaped Afghanistan
'We were constantly monitored,' says nun who escaped Afghanistan

A nun who escaped Afghanistan in the last airlift to Italy before the Taliban takeover has spoken of the fear she experienced in her final days in the country.

Chinese pastors were told 'to behave' and 'be quiet' ahead of national day
Chinese pastors were told 'to behave' and 'be quiet' ahead of national day

"By applying the already familiar tools of intimidation, Chinese authorities are trying to make the Christians invisible."

Government restrictions on religion remain high across the world - Pew
Government restrictions on religion remain high across the world - Pew

Government restrictions on religious beliefs remain at high levels around the world, but religion-related terrorism has declined, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center.

Coptic Archbishop urges greater international cooperation to tackle persecution
Coptic Archbishop urges greater international cooperation to tackle persecution

The Coptic Archbishop of London has called for a "new narrative" in global interfaith dialogue - "one that focuses on human dignity".

Christians flee to Afghanistan's remote regions to escape the Taliban
Christians flee to Afghanistan's remote regions to escape the Taliban

Christians in Afghanistan are leaving the cities in a bid to evade the Taliban, according to partners of Release International.

Evangelicals say religious freedom must be protected after Switzerland backs same-sex marriage
Evangelicals say religious freedom must be protected after Switzerland backs same-sex marriage

"The freedom of churches must be protected," the Swiss Evangelical Alliance has said after same-sex marriage received overwhelming public support in a referendum.

Christian leader dies after mob attack on home
Christian leader dies after mob attack on home

Rev Yohanna Shuaibu was a "popular and inspirational" figure who was involved in many community projects.

Religious discrimination is intensifying in Turkey
Religious discrimination is intensifying in Turkey

"The leadership, both religious and lay leadership of Turkey's non-Muslim communities, are now expected to be willing and able players in whitewashing the regime's persecution and crimes."

Meet the pastor rebuilding life in the bombed-out city of Mosul
Meet the pastor rebuilding life in the bombed-out city of Mosul

"In our situation it's normal for people to lose their hope. But what if you lost everything - your village, your church, your community, your childhood, your family, everything? You need to work hard to get hope back."

Events in Afghanistan have emboldened extremists in Iraq - Archbishop
Events in Afghanistan have emboldened extremists in Iraq - Archbishop

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is fuelling Islamist extremism in Iraq, leading to "further persecution" of the Christian minority, one of the Middle East's leading Catholic bishops has warned.

The Christian who wouldn't stop sharing his faith - even when threatened with execution
The Christian who wouldn't stop sharing his faith - even when threatened with execution

"I was going to accept and embrace any sentence the judge was going to give me. I also knew that the Lord's plans are beyond our comprehension, so I sat in peace in the courtroom," says Taher.

Surplus vaccines must be shared, say Anglican leaders
Surplus vaccines must be shared, say Anglican leaders

They warn of potentially millions of vaccines going to waste at a time when poorer nations are struggling to vaccinate their populations.

10 ways you can intercede for Afghanistan and its Christians
10 ways you can intercede for Afghanistan and its Christians

Simply offering our prayers in such a terrible situation can feel like a glib promise. However, that is exactly what Afghanistan's thousands of secret believers want us to do, most of all.