Global Church News

Even stars perish: Death is the great equalizer

Jan 01, 2016

Death, we are told by a most reliable source, can come like a thief in the night. We are all mortal, and even stars perish.
Some annoying words and phrases to ‘absolutely’ avoid in 2016

Jan 01, 2016

I like words, and I like etymologies (the study of the origins and root meanings of words). I am also prone to express a certain grief when words stray from their original, proper or biblical meanings.
Islamic State suicide bomb attack was planned for New Year's Eve in Munich, German police say

Jan 01, 2016

Police in Germany say they have information indicating as many as seven followers of the Islamic State (IS) group were planning a New Year's Eve suicide bomb attack on train stations in Munich.
ISIS persecution of Christians is ‘genocide’, says Hillary Clinton

Jan 01, 2016

Hillary Clinton has put her weight behind a campaign to recognise the “genocide” of Iraqi and Syrian Christians at the hands of Islamist extremists.
South African bishops call for referendum on nuclear power plants

Jan 01, 2016

The bishops of South Africa have called for a referendum on plans for new nuclear plants in the country, saying they are unaffordable.
Pope designates Walsingham shrine as a minor basilica

Jan 01, 2016

Pope Francis has given the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham in England a rare honour.
Indonesia: Churches close, but Christianity grows

Dec 31, 2015

Official church closures have not stopped the growth of Christianity in Indonesia.
Patriarch Sako on Christian Persecution: ‘Is This Not a Crime Against Humanity?’

Dec 31, 2015

“In one night, 120,000 Christians left their homes just with their clothes and have been living in camps for one and a half years.
Number of churches demolished in just one Chinese province has reached 1,500

Dec 31, 2015

The number of churches targeted for demolition in the Chinese province of Zhejiang has reached 1,500 in just two years.
Catholic church in Kenya lauds heroism of Muslims who protected Christians

Dec 31, 2015

On the feast of St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, Pope Francis recalled “many martyrs today who are suffering persecution” and stressed how St. Stephen’s capacity to forgive showed him to be a “true witness.”