“Nigeria and India have been rocked by alarming instances of religious violence and persecution,” the Jan. 17 letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee states.
President Aleksandr Lukashenko authorized a law that solidifies the government’s power to inspect and monitor religious communities, according to those close to the situation in Belarus.
“There is no justification as to why the State Department did not designate Nigeria or India as a Country of Particular Concern, despite its own reporting and statements.” —U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Coy Webb, crisis response director of Southern Baptist’s Send Relief stated, “We have partners on the ground assessing the situation in Japan. At this time Send Relief is not responding as our assistance has not been deemed needed.”
With Pope Francis’ encouragement, the Vatican’s doctrinal office issued a document on Monday (Dec. 18) allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples.
“While a majority of American Christians support military action by Israel now, a much larger group believe lasting peace must come by mutual agreement of Palestinians and Israelis,” said Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research.
A bomb created from a mortar round exploded Sunday (Dec. 3) during a Catholic mass in the
Philippines killing four. The mass was being held in a gym at Mindanao State University.
Southern Baptists have mobilized through local, Christian partners to provide housing, food, medical supplies, bomb shelters and trauma counseling for more than 20,000 displaced and hurting people in Israel and the region.
Early reports indicate an overnight explosion at St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza City killed at least 40 people — including 19 Christians …
The U.S. State Department is urging U.S. citizens to be on the alert while traveling anywhere in the world. The advisory comes amid escalating global tensions due to the Israel-Hamas war.
