(The Christian Institute) — The number of children born with Down syndrome in the UK has halved since the introduction of controversial Down syndrome tests, a recent study has shown. Since non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) was made available here in 2012, Down syndrome births have fallen by 54 percent. … In Great Britain, around 92 […]
(The Christian Institute) — Church buildings in Scotland have been closed as part of the latest lockdown changes. The restriction, expected to last for “at least four weeks,” affects all of the mainland, preventing the vast majority of Christians in Scotland from meeting in person for communal worship. Churches across England and Northern Ireland may […]
WATERLOO, Ontario — All six of the elders and pastors of a church in Ontario, Canada received a summons to appear in court after they held in-person church services on Dec. 27 with more than 10 people. The elders, who have refused to temporarily stop services altogether yet have put social distancing and other protective […]
(Voice of the Martyrs Korea) — Christianity is growing even amidst persecution in Communist Vietnam, but according to pastors in the places where the church is growing the fastest, the growth is not due to an increase in church buildings but to an increase in the number of motorbikes available for church planters. “New religious […]
NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – A Korean Christian and three nationals of India are in jail in Uttar Pradesh state, accused of fraudulent conversion attempts while distributing food and other aid to people in need due to COVID-19 lockdown, sources said. Under a new “anti-conversion” law that went into effect in Uttar Pradesh state, India […]
DUBLIN — The Irish public service broadcaster RTE has apologized for causing offense after receiving hundreds of complaints about a blasphemous comedy skit that aired on New Year’s Eve depicting God led away by police after being convicted of raping Mary. “RTÉ recognizes that matters which can cause offense naturally differ from person to person, […]
ROME — On one of the Roman Catholic feast days following Christmas, “Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God,” Jorge Bergoglio, also known as “Pope Francis,” consecrated 2021 to the deceased Mary, asking that she bless the days ahead and help men to find time for God and others. His words were affirmed by some and […]
(Hurriyet Daily News) — In Laodicea, which was a metropolitan city in ancient times and was home to one of the seven churches mentioned in the Bible, a church was unearthed inside a house, located adjacent to the northern theater. Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency, Professor Celal Şimşek said that works have been continuing […]
China (International Christian Concern) – On Dec. 31, a Christian street evangelist in China’s Hunan province was again sentenced by the authorities to ten days in administrative detention for “disturbing public order.” Last August, Chen Wensheng, who is a member of the Xiaoqun Church in Hengyang, underwent the same punishment for “illegal evangelism.” Despite his […]
(Release International) — Christian persecution in 2021 is set to rise in India and China, forecasts Release International, which has just published its annual Persecution Trends survey. Release International supports persecuted Christians around the world. “Our partners tell us that attacks are on the rise under Communism in China, Islam in Iran and Malaysia, and under […]