'There could be another wave of attacks,' says Sri Lankan security official

Security officials in Sri Lanka have warned that the Islamist militants behind the Easter Sunday suicide bombings are planning more attacks. 

They said there was a risk of imminent attacks in five locations involving attackers dressed in military uniforms. 

"There could be another wave of attacks," the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other security sections, seen by Reuters on Monday.

"The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." 

Speaking to reporters, the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, claimed to have seen an internal security document that warned of more attacks on churches.

The Catholic Church suspended all masses across the island as a precaution while Anglican churches were told by bishops to "prayerfully discern" whether to go ahead with their services. 

Some Christians chose to observe Sunday worship in their homes.  

The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, delivered a televised sermon from a chapel at his home in which he called for unity. 

"We cannot kill someone in the name of God... It is a great tragedy that happened," the Archbishop said in his sermon.

"We extend our hand of friendship and fraternity to all our brothers and sisters of whatever class, society or religion that differentiates us."

The service was attended by President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sunday passed off without any attacks and the government lifted a curfew in the evening that had been in place since the attacks on churches and hotels last week that killed 253 people.

Security across the island has been ramped up after the attacks, which the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for, and last week police carried out a number of deadly raids on suspected militant safe houses. 

On Saturday, President Sirisena outlawed the militant groups National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim, which are suspected of carrying out the attacks. 

Christians have spoken of their forgiveness for the attackers and asked for prayers for comfort and healing, as well as unity among the many faith and ethnic groups in the country. 

News
Christian teacher challenges dismissal after sharing pro-life views in class
Christian teacher challenges dismissal after sharing pro-life views in class

A Christian teacher is bringing a discrimination claim against a secondary school in Sunderland, alleging that she was dismissed after answering pupils’ questions about her pro-life beliefs and other personal views in class.

Who was the Ethiopian eunuch and what can we learn from him?
Who was the Ethiopian eunuch and what can we learn from him?

When we think about the history of Christianity in Africa, we may immediately think of European missionaries who travelled to the continent to spread the gospel. Yet Africa’s connection to Christianity stretches much further back, to the earliest days of the Church itself.

Christian campaign asks shoppers to reduce reliance on retail giant Amazon
Christian campaign asks shoppers to reduce reliance on retail giant Amazon

The Challenge Amazon campaign is encouraging Christians to support local businesses instead.

Fewer than half of Americans believe in virgin birth, study finds
Fewer than half of Americans believe in virgin birth, study finds

This is the first time a major national survey has recorded belief in the virgin birth dropping below 50%.