Contrary to popular belief, Christian persecution is not simply the result of radical Islamic terrorism. In fact, the largest segment of martyrdoms in the 20th century took place in the Soviet Union. According to Vatican analyst John Allen, Jr., author of the newly released The Global War on Christians, these Christians are indisputably “the most persecuted religious Read more
The Archbishop of Canterbury said Christians across parts of the Muslim world are being deliberately attacked because of their faith. The Most Rev Justin Welby said that there had been more than 80 Christian “martyrs” in the last few days alone. He was speaking about the bombing of All Saints Anglican church in Peshawar, Pakistan, Read more
She sat beside the bed, tears brimming. ‘Mum’s dying.’ ‘Yes.’ We sat in silence for a bit. ‘I’ve lost my faith.’ ‘Uh huh.’ ‘When my friend died.’ ‘Mm.’ We held hands and Mum’s too, wondering in our own ways, about God and faith and people dying and what the universe meant, if anything. As we Read more
An international relief agency plans to airlift some 3,400 Christians out of Sudan, where they face increasing persecution from the Islamist government. Reports said many Christian women and children in Northern Sudan are separated from their families and endure increased persecution from an increasing Mulslim population. The Barnabas Fund, an international aid agency, said it Read more
Some Christians in the United Kingdom are claiming that their religious beliefs are preventing them from getting the top jobs because they are seen as “potential trouble.” A report in the Daily Mail based on the breakdown of employment and religious belief produced by the Office for National Statistics from the 2011 census, said Christians Read more
Unpunished attacks on Coptic Orthodox and Catholics led many Christians in Egypt to join the demonstrations that led to President Mohammed Morsi being ousted by the armed forces. “Most of the Christians do not want the president,” said Father Rafic Greiche, the spokesman for the Greek Melkite Catholic Church in Egypt. “We have to be Read more
Pope Francis has criticised people who masquerade as Christians, either rejecting the challenge of the Gospel or rejecting the joy and freedom the Holy Spirit gives. “In the history of the Church there have been two classes of Christians: Christians of words — those who say, ‘Lord, Lord, Lord’ — and Christians of action, in Read more
Catholics cannot hope to achieve unity with other Christians if they cannot be united themselves, Pope Francis has told a general audience. “How can we have Christian unity if we are unable to find unity among us Catholics? To have unity in our families? How many families are fighting? Seek unity,” he urged. Speaking to Read more
Christians in Gaza face a new threat as the Hamas government has decided to ban coeducational schools. This means the five Christian schools on the strip, two Catholic and three Protestant, may have to close — even though they serve a largely Muslim population. National Catholic Reporter correspondent John Allen points out that the distorting Read more
The patriarch of Syria’s Catholics has said Western nations are responsible for the carnage in Syria, where the morale of Christians is “very, very low”. Syriac Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan said the present situation in Syria is the result of Western nations carrying out a geopolitical strategy “to split Syria and other countries” in Read more