Police Attack, Threaten Christians in Tamil Nadu State, India

Officers of the law beat or harass various congregations.

HYDERABAD, India (Morning Star News) – Police officers rushed into a praise service at a house in Tamil Nadu state and began hitting worshippers in another violent month for Christians, sources said. A female police inspector identified only as Jeyalakshmi and five police officers on Oct. 6 entered the house where Christians were spending the […]

Christmas Celebrations, Turkish Style

Islamic nationalists ‘convert’ Santa Claus.

ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – This holiday season, Christians across Turkey gathered to hold services and celebrate Christmas, even as a small group of protestors “converted” that long-time Christmas mainstay, Santa, to Islam. On Christmas Eve, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of the Greek Orthodox Church led a divine liturgy at the Church of St. George […]

Almost Nine Years Later, Verdict in Malatya Killings Trial Still Awaited

Defense could seek removal of monitoring devices on suspects.

ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Another court hearing in the case of three Christians that were killed for their faith in Turkey almost nine years ago is set to be held next week. The Jan. 5 hearing will be the 109th hearing to take place since the killing took place in 2007. On April 18, […]

Five Years after Murder of Priest in Turkey, New Bishop Preaches

Pope Francis appointed Paolo Bizzeti to post at İskenderun Catholic Church.

ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – More than five years after a bishop in Turkey was viciously murdered for reasons still shrouded in mystery, a new bishop held his first service at the church where the slain priest once preached. Bishop Paolo Bizzeti, 67, celebrated Mass at İskenderun Catholic Church in Hatay Province on Nov. 29, […]

U.S.-Iran Relations and the Hope of Iranian Christians

Worldly might darkens the human rights landscape.

(Morning Star News) – The lament that human rights was not on the agenda when the United States and Iran recently met in Geneva for historic talks was right and proper. It must be understood, however, that for Iran, the issue of religious liberty (as defined by the West) is simply not negotiable. The regime […]

Iranian Pastor Arrested as Crackdown in Iran Intensifies

Church pressured to close as elections near.

ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – Security forces arrested an Iranian pastor in Tehran after raiding his house and pressuring his church to close as a crackdown on Christians intensified ahead of June elections. Robert Asserian was arrested Tuesday (May 21) during a prayer meeting at his Central Assemblies of God Church after authorities entered his house […]

Teacher Accused of Blasphemy in Egypt Released on Bail

Investigation continues even though school, government found no wrongdoing.

CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – A Coptic Christian teacher in Egypt accused of committing blasphemy and evangelizing in school was released yesterday after posting nearly $3,000 in bail. A judge reversed a May 11 order that elementary social studies teacher Dimyana Obeid Abd Al-Nour remain in jail for 15 days after she posted bail of […]

Jail Time Extended for Teacher Accused of Blasphemy in Egypt

Study shows Christians disproportionately accused, sentenced.

CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – A judge in Egypt on Saturday (May 11) ordered 15 days of additional incarceration for a Coptic Christian teacher jailed last week on accusations of blasphemy and evangelism. Three elementary schoolchildren and some teachers in the village of Al-Edisat, Luxor Province had complained on April 10 about social studies teacher […]

Pakistani Preacher Jailed for Sermon at Funeral

Muslims accuse him of ‘blasphemy,’ order relatives to leave village or be set ablaze.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – An evangelist accused of defaming Islam was telling mourners at a funeral about the sacrifice of Christ when Muslims present took offence, his son said.   Karma Patras, a 55-year-old resident of Chak 113-RB Bado Malhi of Punjab Province’s Nankana District, has been languishing in jail since Oct. 13 for […]

Secret Police Suspected in Attack on Church Pastor in China

Authorities restrict activities of Christian leader.

NEW DELHI  (Morning Star News) – China’s secret police are suspected of involvement in an attack on a Beijing pastor last month.   An unidentified man in a black SUV with covered license plates chased Liu Fenggang, a Beijing house church pastor who has served two prison terms for defending other Christians’ rights, and smashed […]