The first known victims of Russia’s new anti-evangelism laws have been convicted and fined, according to the Forum 18 news service.
CHR Comment: The article includes numerous examples of how the law is being enforced and the various religious groups affected.
Source: US Christian among first victims of Russia’s anti-evangelism law | Christian News on Christian Today
Walking out of prison three years ago, Marvin Ramos Quintanilla seemed to turn over a new leaf after a life of crime and gangland violence.
CHR Comment: Marvin Ramos Quintanilla attended Nazaret Evangelical Church with his wife, a Christian teacher, and his family. He was ordained as a pastor but is now back in prison.
Source: In El Salvador, ‘gang pastor’ alleged to be crime financier – The Washington Post
A mob of radical Muslims vandalized multiple churches in northern Nigeria and beat a Christian student nearly to death after he was accused of insulting the Muslim prophet Muhammad.
CHR Comment: The article explains that a fellow Christian and a moderate Muslim helped take the injured student to the hospital. All three were university students.
Authorities said robbery may have been the motive in stabbing deaths of two nuns.
CHR Comment: The article includes much about the service of these two dedicated Christian women who worked as nurses in Lexington, KY.
She became the face of Italy’s earthquake: Sister Marjana Lleshi, blood staining her veil as she texted her family and friends in her native Albania that she was alive.
CHR Comment: The story of Sister Marjana Lleshi’s experience during the earthquake and the destruction of the convent where she was staying.
Source: Nun in iconic Italy quake photo texted friends ‘adieu’ – The Washington Post
About half of U.S. adults have looked for a new religious congregation at some point in their lives, most commonly because they have moved.
CHR Comment: A helpful new survey for congregations interested in doing outreach or in guiding their members who move to new locations.
Source: Choosing a New Church or House of Worship | Pew Research Center
(RNS) Ever since Pope Francis was elected, he has faced strong opposition to his push for church reforms — and the face of that opposition has often been Cardinal Raymond Burke.
CHR Comment: Burke’s change in service has raised questions about the relationship between this conservative American Cardinal and Pope Francis.
Source: Cardinal Burke insists he is serving Francis, not opposing him | Religion News Service
Asia Bibi, the Christian on death row for blasphemy in Pakistan, will have her final appeal against the ruling heard by the Supreme Court in the second week of October.
CHR Comment: The article includes a brief description of Bibi’s statement of faith and question that has resulted in charges of blasphemy. It also describes the belief of Pakistani Muslims that Christians are unclean and an example of how this affects social interaction.
A Ukrainian village church has had its doors locked for the last two years because of a community dispute over the right to worship there.
CHR Comment: A helpful video illustrating and explaining the long standing divide in Ukrainian Orthodoxy due to ties and tension with Russia.
Source: The Ukrainian church no one is allowed to enter – BBC News
From a symbol of resistance and hope, a pastor who galvanized thousands of Zimbabweans into anti-government action has become a subject of derision, fighting accusations of being a coward.
CHR Comment: Pastor Evan Mawarire’s decision to leave Zimbabwe, where he had launched social media campaigns raising issues of leadership, is causing discussion of whether one should retreat when facing persecution. This is an old question, going back to the early years of Christianity when government and local mob persecutions often took the lives of believers. Early Christians argued both sides of the issue, whether to stay and suffer persecution or to flee and continue to serve in a new place and way.
Below is a link to the writings of Athanasius who fled persecution and shares his thoughts on the issues. The second link is to a treatise by Tertullian, who discouraged flight from persecution.
Source: Zimbabwe: Supporters fume after protest pastor leaves for US – The Washington Post
church history review 