CUBA
The people of Cuba have struggled mightily of late with an economic crisis that has led to chronic fuel shortages, electricity blackouts, and severe food instability. A number of churches have come together to make a positive difference for their country and for God’s kingdom. Watch the video and learn more about this positive work that’s bringing light and life to their challenges, here.
NIGERIA
Nigeria last year witnessed the bloodiest year of Islamist attacks against Catholics and Protestants, according to a new report. More than 8,000 were killed in 2023, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has said. The report published on Ash Wednesday gives harrowing details of killings, kidnappings, and forced disappearances in several parts of Nigeria. Read more here.
INDIA
India’s Christians suffered an alarming escalation of violence, hatred and systematic oppression last year, according to the Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI-RLC).
The 601 cases of persecution against Christians in India in 2023 marked a 45 per cent increase over the 413 instances recorded the previous year, according to EFI-RLC’s annual report. The article is here.
HAITI
Haiti now needs between 4,000 and 5,000 international police to help tackle “catastrophic” gang violence targeting key individuals and hospitals, schools, banks and other critical institutions, the U.N. rights expert for the conflict-wracked Caribbean nation said Thursday.
Last July, William O’Neill said Haiti needed between 1,000 and 2,000 international police trained to deal with gangs. Today, he said the situation is so much worse that double that number and more are needed to help the Haitian National Police regain control of security and curb human rights abuses. Read more…
UNITED STATES
Tennessee will now protect clergy and officials from being forced to conduct same-sex weddings.
House Bill 878, which Governor Bill Lee has now signed into law, states: “A person shall not be required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person’s conscience or religious belief.”
State Representative Monty Fritts, who sponsored the Bill, previously explained: “As societal views change about what constitutes a marriage, officiants must be able to refuse to solemnize marriages that are contrary to their beliefs.” Read more here.