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        <title>Christian Today | World</title>
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            <title>Christian Today | World</title>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christian aid organisations mobilise emergency Ebola response in Democratic Republic of Congo]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christian-aid-organisations-mobilise-emergency-ebola-response-in-democratic-republic-of-congo</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98872.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Ebola, DRC, Democratic Republic of Congo]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Samaritan's Purse) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Samaritan's Purse has deployed a disaster assistance response team to the DRC. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 14:47:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Christian aid organisations are mobilising emergency health responses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a deadly Ebola outbreak in the country’s north-east that has prompted international concern.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christian aid organisations are mobilising emergency health responses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a deadly Ebola outbreak in the country’s north-east that has prompted international concern.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on May 15 after cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola were detected in Ituri province. 
According to WHO, there is not yet any authorised vaccine or treatment for the strain involved in the outbreak.
Tearfund said its teams in the DRC have already begun working with churches and local faith leaders to help slow the spread of the virus through public education campaigns focused on hygiene, early symptom reporting and safe burial practices.
Following a visit from Bunia in Ituri province, Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s country director in the DRC, warned that the outbreak poses a serious threat because of the region’s highly mobile population.
Over 170 people have already died and over 750 suspected cases identified. Anguandia said that population movement was making contact tracing increasingly challenging.
“We can waste no time in mobilising faith leaders to prevent the spread of Ebola,” said Anguandia, adding that pastors were already sharing practical guidance on handwashing, seeking medical help, and safely handling the bodies of victims in order to reduce transmission.
Tearfund has launched an emergency appeal to respond to the crisis. 
Anguandia added, “The numbers are growing fast and timing is critical. This outbreak is situated in a densely populated region characterised by high levels of internal and cross-border migration. All the dominoes are set for a major disaster. 
 
“In the DRC people often have to choose between water to drink or water to wash their hands. Many people don’t have access to running water and often have to walk for miles to collect even a small amount.”
The organisation, which has operated in Ituri province for more than a decade, said it had rapidly activated communication networks across local communities to distribute public health information and support preventative measures.
The charity also highlighted the wider humanitarian challenges facing the region, noting that many families lack access to basic sanitation supplies such as soap and clean water, which are critical in containing outbreaks of infectious disease.
Cuts to humanitarian aid in recent years have placed additional pressure on charities and healthcare providers responding to crises in vulnerable communities.
During previous Ebola outbreaks between 2018 and 2020, Tearfund partnered with health centres to install clean water facilities, triage and isolation units, latrines and incinerators as part of emergency response efforts.
The charity also previously worked alongside church leaders and local communities on awareness campaigns that included radio broadcasts, public announcements, music and door-to-door education initiatives delivered in local languages, aimed at reducing transmission and countering stigma surrounding Ebola survivors.
Samaritan's Purse announced that it is deploying a specialist disaster response team to the DRC as cases continue to rise.
The initial deployment is expected to include outbreak specialists, engineers, infection prevention experts and medical personnel tasked with bolstering local mission hospitals and strengthening infection control measures.
The Christian relief organisation said it is also preparing, in collaboration with the DRC government, an Ebola Treatment Centre and shipments of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers serving affected communities.
President of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham, said: “Samaritan's Purse has been on the frontlines of fighting Ebola for more than a decade, and we aren't going to stop now. We are going to do everything we can to help save lives. We want people to know that God loves them, and they are not alone.”
Samaritan’s Purse has previously operated Ebola treatment centres in both Liberia and the DRC during earlier outbreaks, while also carrying out large-scale public health education campaigns involving thousands of church leaders and local volunteers.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Three Baptist pastors killed in Manipur ambush after peace conference]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/three-baptist-pastors-killed-in-manipur-ambush-after-peace-conference</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Surinder Kaur]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98871.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Manipur]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Evangelical Fellowship of India) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian leaders gather during a peace and fellowship conference in Churachandpur, Manipur, shortly before three Baptist pastors were killed in an ambush while traveling home on May 13, 2026. The meeting focused on dialogue and reconciliation between tribal communities affected by ongoing violence in Northeast India. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 13:44:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The victims were senior leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI), a Baptist denomination rooted in the Thadou-Kuki community of Manipur.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Three Baptist pastors were shot dead in an ambush in India’s northeastern state of Manipur on Wednesday, May 13, while traveling home from an interchurch peace conference focused on easing tensions between tribal Christian communities in the conflict-hit state. At least five others were wounded.
By nightfall, condemnations had arrived from India’s major Christian bodies, regional governments, and community organizations across the Northeast, while the question of who carried out the attack remained bitterly contested.
The victims were senior leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI), a Baptist denomination rooted in the Thadou-Kuki community of Manipur. They had attended the United Baptist Convention Assembly in Churachandpur, a town in Manipur’s southern hill district also known as Lamka, and were traveling back to Kangpokpi, roughly 60 miles north, when gunmen ambushed their convoy between the villages of Kotzim and Kotlen along the Imphal-Tamenglong highway at around 10:25 a.m.
The killings struck at ongoing efforts by Christian leaders to reduce tensions between the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities, both largely Christian tribal populations whose relations have deteriorated in recent months amid Manipur’s wider ethnic conflict. One of those killed, Rev. Dr. Vumthang Sitlhou, had emerged as a prominent advocate for reconciliation between the communities.
Who Was Killed
The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), the national evangelical umbrella body of India and a charter member of the World Evangelical Alliance, was among the first national organizations to confirm the deaths and issue a formal response. EFI General Secretary Rev. Vijayesh Lal identified the three killed as Rev. Dr. Vumthang Sitlhou, TBAI’s president and former general secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention; Pastor Kaigoulun Lhouvum, TBAI’s secretary for finance, youth and music; and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou, TBAI’s superintendent pastor.
The injured include Rev. SM Haopu Sitlhou, TBAI’s executive secretary; Rev. Kaithang Singsit; Mr. Thangtinlen Sitlhou; and Mr. Lungoumang Lhouvum, three of whom were transported to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Imphal, the state capital, for advanced medical care.
Rev. Lal called the killing of “unarmed church leaders returning from Christian fellowship and ministry deeply disturbing and tragic,” urging authorities to ensure urgent medical care for the injured, protection for affected communities, and a thorough investigation so that those responsible are brought to justice.
EFI also called on churches across India to remember Manipur in their upcoming worship services and prayer gatherings, “asking God for comfort, healing, peace, and wisdom.”
A Peacemaker Among the Dead
The killing of Rev. Dr. Sitlhou has drawn grief across community lines in a region where such lines are rarely crossed. His mother belonged to the Rongmei Naga community, one of the groups whose relationship with the Kuki-Zo people has been under severe strain. His late father, Pastor Pakho Sitlhou, had dedicated much of his ministry among the Rongmei Naga community and translated Kuki gospel songs into the Rongmei language.
In the weeks before his death, Rev. Dr. Sitlhou had been one of the most active bridge-builders between Kuki and Naga Christians in Manipur. He had convened a peace consultation in Kohima, the capital of the neighboring state of Nagaland, under the auspices of the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, bringing together leaders from communities currently in conflict. On the day before he was killed, he participated in discussions in Churachandpur where Christian leaders from both communities met to discuss peaceful coexistence and dialogue.
He was traveling home from that meeting when armed men stopped his vehicle and opened fire.
“It is heartbreaking that a man dedicated to reconciliation was killed so mercilessly,” the Kuki-Zo Council said. The Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes in Manipur, added: “It is … profoundly heartbreaking and enraging that a man who dedicated himself to peace and reconciliation should fall victim to such a merciless and calculated act of violence.”
Similarly, Allen Brooks, spokesperson for the United Christian Forum of North East India (UCFNEI), said: “The Church in North East stands poor today, as it has lost a tall leader, and most importantly a man of peace. Rev. Sitlhou was at the forefront working tirelessly for peace to return to the land he so dearly loved.”
Background: Manipur’s Overlapping Conflicts
Manipur, a state of approximately 3.2 million people bordering Myanmar, has been convulsed by ethnic violence since May 2023, when clashes erupted between the Meitei community, the majority population of the state’s lowland valley and predominantly Hindu, and the Kuki-Zo people, a cluster of predominantly Christian tribal communities living in the surrounding hills. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands and claimed hundreds of lives.
More recently, relations between the Kuki-Zo and Naga peoples, another group of predominantly Christian tribal communities in Manipur’s hills, have also deteriorated sharply, with clashes breaking out in Ukhrul district in February 2026. It was this Kuki-Naga divide that Rev. Dr. Sitlhou had been working to address.
Several armed groups operate in this volatile environment, including the NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Isak-Muivah faction), a longstanding Naga insurgent organization in a ceasefire with the Indian government since 1997, and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), representing the Zeliangrong Naga people.
Valley-based groups aligned with Meitei interests also remain active. The use of these groups’ names by rival factions has deepened confusion over responsibility for Wednesday’s attack.
A Contested Claim of Responsibility
Multiple Kuki-Zo organizations, including the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the Kuki-Zo Council, and the Kuki Students’ Organisation City Branches (KSO), alleged that the ZUF-Kamson faction, acting in collusion with NSCN-IM operatives and Meitei insurgent groups, carried out the ambush. The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum called it “a premeditated act of terrorism aimed squarely at the heart of Kuki peace-making.”
The Zeliangrong United Front denied involvement, however, calling the allegations fabricated and counter-alleging that NSCN-IM operatives carried out the attack while using the label “ZUF Kamson,” arguing that such a faction does not exist.
The NSCN/GPRN (National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim), a separate Naga insurgent faction distinct from the NSCN-IM, also denied involvement.
The United Naga Council (UNC), the principal apex body representing Naga civil society in Manipur, condemned the attack and additionally alleged that in the hours following the ambush, approximately 20 Naga residents of Konsakhul village had reportedly been taken hostage by Leilon Vaiphei, a Kuki village. The UNC called for their “immediate and unconditional release.” The Naga Legislature Forum, a caucus of Naga elected members in the Manipur state assembly, made a similar appeal for the safe release of detained civilians from both communities.
Separately, a social media post circulating Wednesday night, attributed to a page associated with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo civil society body, claimed that the same armed group had attacked a second vehicle in the area and that a man from the Chiru community, a small tribal group distinct from both Kuki-Zo and Naga peoples, had died on the spot. Christian Daily International could not independently verify this report, and no official confirmation had been issued as of the time of publication.
Police confirmed the attack and said investigations were ongoing. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday evening.
The State Government Responds
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited the injured at Shija Hospitals late Wednesday alongside Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, and announced that the state would bear all medical expenses for the wounded.
In a written statement, Singh condemned what he called “the dastardly terror act of the armed miscreants,” saying: “This act of violence is deeply troubling and devastating not only for the families but for the entire state, as it disrupts our path to peace.” He pledged to “use every resource of the State to bring the perpetrators and their handlers to justice,” and urged people to “immediately stop abductions and taking hostage and intimidations on community lines.”
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen called the attack “a cruel and heartbreaking act of violence,” while the Naga Legislature Forum issued a signed condemnation bearing the names of nine legislators including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, and urged law enforcement to “trace and book the culprit at the earliest.”
The Church Responds: From the Northeast to the World
The United Christian Forum of North East India (UCFNEI), speaking from Guwahati and representing Christian communities across the northeastern region, said the killings were “not merely an attack on individuals or a tribe,” but “an assault on the Christian faith, on the sanctity of life, and on the very fabric of brotherhood and sisterhood in North East India.”
The Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI), one of the largest Baptist bodies in India with more than 1.2 million members across more than 8,000 congregations, appealed for Christians to rise above ethnic divisions. The CBCNEI is the parent council whose member conventions include both the Manipur Baptist Convention and the Nagaland Baptist Church Council. Its secretary general, Rev. Dr. Namseng R. Marak, said: “Our identity in Christ must rise above tribal, ethnic, or social divisions. As believers, we are called to be peacemakers and instruments of healing in our broken world.”
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council condemned the killings as “an act of abhorrence to God and our Christian moral principle,” while also urging grieving communities not to seek revenge. Speaking directly to the attackers, the NBCC said: “To those who committed this act: we denounce what you have done, but we do not return evil for evil. We urge you to surrender to justice and seek the mercy of God through repentance.”
World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Rev. Botrus Mansour called it “an unprovoked hideous attack against Christian brothers” and urged authorities to ensure accountability and greater protection for Christians in the region.
The National Council of Churches in India condemned the killings as “a grave assault not only on human dignity and life, but also on the sacred mission of peacebuilding, reconciliation, and communal harmony.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India expressed “deep sorrow and grief.” The Archbishop of Imphal, Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli, whose diocese sits at the geographic center of the conflict, appealed to all communities to “embrace dialogue, forgiveness, reconciliation, restraint, and peaceful coexistence,” writing that “the people of Manipur have already endured immense pain, loss and suffering, and there is a growing longing everywhere for healing, understanding, and a return to normalcy.”
Additional condemnations came from Baptist, evangelical and community organizations across Northeast India, as well as political leaders including Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
A State on Edge
The attack triggered immediate disruption across parts of Manipur. Protesters enforced a blockade on National Highway-2, a key road linking the state with Nagaland and the rest of India. The Kuki Students’ Organisation declared an emergency indefinite shutdown, while the Kuki Inpi Manipur announced a three-day shutdown across Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
The Thadou Inpi Manipur declared the three slain pastors “Thadou Martyrs,” emphasizing that the Thadou people are a distinct ethnic community separate from the broader Kuki identity, reflecting the complex internal diversity within Manipur’s hill communities.
Wednesday’s attack on church leaders was among the deadliest such incidents in Manipur in recent years. It came weeks after a bomb attack in Bishnupur district on April 7 killed two young children as they slept, an incident that triggered widespread protests and also remains unsolved.
Three years into a conflict that has displaced tens of thousands, destroyed hundreds of villages, and fractured relationships between communities that share the same Christian faith, efforts toward reconciliation remain fragile.
The day before he died, Rev. Dr. Vumthang Sitlhou had sat across a table from Naga Christian leaders in Churachandpur to discuss peace. He was killed the next morning on the road home.
© Christian Daily International]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Pleas to remember Africa's forgotten wars]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/pleas-to-remember-africa-s-forgotten-wars</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Father Diego Dalle Carbonare]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Aid to the Church in Need) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Father Diego Dalle Carbonare ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 08:48:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Both Sudan and the DRC have been blighted by endless civil wars.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A Catholic missionary to the Islamic world has asked that the faithful not forget the suffering of those caught up in humanitarian crises, particularly in Sudan and other parts of Africa.
Father Diego Dalle Carbonare, a Comboni missionary who has served in Egypt, Lebanon and Sudan, told Aid to the Church in Need that more needed to be done to bring peace to conflict-ridden zones.
Sudan has spent the majority of its post-independence history in one civil war or another. At present the country is divided between the RSF and the SAF, essentially the factions of two formerly allied warlords.
The story is similar in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While the country enjoyed relative stability under the totalitarian rule of President Mobutu, since his death in 1997 conflict has been nearly constant. At present government forces are engaged with the allegedly Rwanda-backed M23 group, with Islamist militants also carrying out attacks.
Father Carbonare, remarking on the current state of the world, said, “The Catholic Church teaches that we share a common home. Distance should not be an issue. What is happening in Sudan, what is happening in Africa, to civilians, children and women, concerns all of us in some way.”
He added, “We all believe in a judgement. One day, God will examine us, and many will be surprised when he asks about forgotten wars. As citizens, we have the duty to ask our governments to do whatever that is in their power to stop wars and to regulate the weapons and the gold trade, which is what funds wars such as the one in Sudan.
“We are all citizens of countries whose governments should be held to account for their commitment to peace in the world, everywhere. Therefore, to forget about Sudan, or any African country, is not to be taken lightly by us or by our governments.”
The flow of the various conflicts has had an impact on Christians caught up in the middle of it.
In March last year Christians in Sudan were able to return to the capital of Khartoum and resume worship, after the SAF drove the RSF from the city.
Father Carbonare noted however that conditions remained difficult, with schools struggling to find teachers and students.
“Many teachers and their families had to move from place to place, there are even people who fled to South Sudan, people who were almost graduating and suddenly found themselves without work and without a future," he said. 
“Some teachers were killed - one was captured and tortured. It was a tragic story. He was going to get married, he could have been a headmaster, and instead he suffered a slow death.”
The priest recounted another story in which a widowed teacher was threatened by RSF militants. The militants threatened to steal her car, and she simply told them to take it.
On another occasion they entered her house and threatened to kill her.
“She replied ‘Fine, do what you must, but remember, he who lives by the sword will die by the sword’. Startled, they asked what she meant, and she explained: ‘It’s from the Gospel, don’t you know?’ and they fled.” 
“She recounted the episode calmly but added: ‘God’s Word is powerful’. The next day they returned and asked for forgiveness.”
Though far from the first person to observe this, Father Carbonare noted that war had the capacity to bring out both the best and the worst in people.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[United Bible Societies celebrates 80 years of ministry with pledge to reach more young people]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/united-bible-societies-celebrates-80-years-of-ministry-with-pledge-to-reach-more-young-people</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98868.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Dirk Gevers, United Bible Societies]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: United Bible Societies) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Dirk Gevers, Secretary General of United Bible Societies, addresses the fellowship's 80th anniversary gathering in Jakarta, May 2026. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 08:03:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The United Bible Societies marked eight decades of global ministry this month with the release of a landmark declaration pledging renewed commitment to making Scripture accessible to younger generations worldwide.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The United Bible Societies marked eight decades of global ministry this month with the release of a landmark declaration pledging renewed commitment to making Scripture accessible to younger generations worldwide.
The fellowship of 156 Bible Societies issued "The Bible for Tomorrow: A Global Commitment to Future Christian Generations" during its anniversary gathering in Jakarta, held May 6–11, alongside a parallel online event drawing representatives from Bible Societies across the globe.
The declaration reaffirms what UBS describes as its founding vision — "the Bible for everyone" — while responding to what the organization calls a period of heightened spiritual openness among young people, even as many report feeling overwhelmed by global instability and moral uncertainty.
Although UBS was formally established in May 1946 in the aftermath of World War II, it traces its roots to the early 19th century and a global Bible movement spanning more than 200 years. Today the fellowship operates in more than 240 countries and territories and, according to the organization, has contributed to over 70% of the world's Bible translations — enabling more than 6.2 billion people to access Scripture in their primary language.
Secretary General Dirk Gevers said the anniversary was an occasion for both gratitude and forward-looking commitment. "We give thanks for God's faithfulness and for the countless people who have made the Bible available across languages, cultures, and generations since the beginning of the 19th century, when our global Bible movement started," he said. "We believe the Bible continues to offer hope, truth, and direction for young people and for all who seek meaning in a complex world."
The declaration was presented to young leaders from within the fellowship, including Albert Barrero of the Colombian Bible Society and Sonia Irankunda of the Bible Society of Burundi, as well as youth representatives of the Indonesian Bible Society — a gesture the organization said was intended to symbolize its commitment to the generations ahead.
A generation searching for direction
The declaration's opening describes a world marked by "profound conflict, uncertainty, and moral confusion," with many young people feeling, in its words, "unanchored" and unsure where to turn. Yet UBS said its member societies have observed a corresponding rise in spiritual curiosity, with people in both religious and secular societies showing greater openness to engaging with the Bible and Christian communities.
"The Bible offers an anchor of enduring values, a source of unchanging hope, and a narrative that speaks into the deepest questions of the human search for truth, belonging, justice, and peace," the declaration states. "The Bible connects people to God through Jesus, the Word of God incarnate."
UBS said Bible Societies globally have seen increased engagement through youth-focused programs, finding that Scripture provides grounding for young people navigating questions of identity and purpose.
Six commitments
The declaration outlines six commitments the fellowship is making to future generations. The first is spiritual dependence — seeking God's guidance through Scripture, prayer and the Holy Spirit in all the organization undertakes.
The second commitment is universal access: making the Bible available to all, regardless of geography, literacy or economic circumstances. This includes expanding translation work and distribution in print, digital, audio, braille and sign language formats to reach those who have historically lacked access.
Third, UBS commits to fostering deep Bible engagement — encouraging reflection, discipleship and community practices that nurture what the declaration calls "lifelong encounters with God." Fourth, the fellowship pledges to honor cultural and contextual diversity, supporting translations and formats suited to local realities around the world.
The fifth commitment is to serve churches directly, equipping them for what the declaration describes as their "God-given mission" through interconfessional ministry. The sixth is holistic mission — integrating Bible engagement with acts of compassion, healing and justice, in what the declaration calls "the footsteps of Jesus."
A call to the global Church
UBS is calling on churches, ministries and Christian partners worldwide to join the effort, framing the declaration as an invitation to shared responsibility. The organization said it hopes future generations will engage with Scripture as a source of wisdom and hope, inherit a church that is "vibrant, diverse, and rooted in love," and participate in God's mission with what the declaration describes as "courage, compassion and joy."
"With humility and confidence in God's faithfulness," the declaration concludes, "we, a global Fellowship of 156 Bible Societies, dedicate ourselves anew to the vision entrusted to us: the Bible for everyone, now and for generations yet to come."
© Christian Daily International]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Hillsong founder Brian Houston denies posting porn to X]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/hillsong-founder-brian-houston-denies-posting-porn-to-x</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/hillsong-founder-brian-houston-denies-posting-porn-to-x</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Leonardo Blair]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/47/94745.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[brian houston]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Hillsong) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Brian Houston ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 07:54:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Days after an explicit pornographic video appeared on his X account, Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston sought to assure supporters that he doesn't watch pornography and alleged that someone with access to one of his devices compromised the account.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Days after an explicit pornographic video appeared on his X account, Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston sought to assure supporters that he doesn't watch pornography and alleged that someone with access to one of his devices compromised the account.
“I wanted to take a moment to speak to people personally and address a vile post that appeared on my X account a few days ago. A good starting point is to say, I do not watch pornography, not online, not on social media, nowhere else,” the founder of the Australia-based global megachurch declared in a video on Facebook Wednesday.
“I've been in active ministry for over 54 years, and in that time, I've seen the fallout of pornography on individuals, on marriages, on families, and I detest it.”
The 72-year-old Houston said at the time the post appeared on his X page that he and his wife, Bobbie, were “in bed.”
Taking issue with The Christian Post’s use of the word "hacked" in last week's report, Houston clarified that he never used the word hacked and instead said "compromised," adding that there is a difference between an account being hacked and compromised. 
“According to The Christian Post, and probably others, they said, and a tweet that I did since then, that I said that I was hacked. I never used the word hacked. That's false. It's untrue. I did say my account was compromised, and you might say, 'Well, what's the difference?' But I think that there's a difference,” he explained.
“I don't believe that it's likely that anyone actually hacked into my X account. Not impossible, but not likely. I think there's a different explanation. I believe that someone has used one of my own devices, using my own passcode, to access my phone without my knowledge or my permission.
"Someone with a grudge wanted to cause maximum damage, but perhaps minimum effort, to smear me and to humiliate me. And I don't think it's the first time it's happened.” 
Houston, who, after leaving Hillsong, launched the ministry Jesusfollowers.tv with his wife, said in an X post last week: “This account was compromised overnight. Any odd posts, links, or messages shared earlier were not legitimate and have been reported and deleted. Thank you for your patience.” 
The pastor further clarified that he didn’t believe this was the first time the unknown person had gained access to his accounts and said he and his wife were offended by the post.
“If you were exposed to that video, and you were disgusted or offended, I totally understand. Bobbie and I feel exactly the same way,” he said before asking for prayers.
“Bobbie and I are not quitters. We keep trucking on. I'm asking you to pray for us, and we will certainly continue to pray for all the people in our world. God bless you,” he ended.
In a separate incident in 2024, Houston said his X account was hacked after the account tweeted the words “ladies and girls kissing,” drawing scrutiny from social media users. 
Houston later reposted a statement shared by one of his assistants urging users to disregard any recent posts that “seem out of the normal.”
“Rest assured we are working on discovering how Ps. Brian was hacked,” the statement read at the time. “Our team has ascertained that someone logged into his account from a location within the USA. We’ve changed his password so here’s hoping they no longer have access. Please disregard anything that seems out of the normal. For your safety remember Pastor Brian does not contact anyone privately.”
Houston resigned as Hillsong Church’s global senior pastor in March 2022, amid revelations that two women made allegations of sexual misconduct against him. 
In January 2022, Hillsong Church announced that Houston was stepping down from his role at the church's helm.
Before his formal resignation from Hillsong Church, Houston initially stepped down from Hillsong's boards in September 2021 as he faced criminal charges related to allegations he concealed sex abuse committed by his father, Frank Houston, decades earlier after he heard about it in 1999. Houston denied any wrongdoing, and an Australian court later found him not guilty of the charges.
Four months before the acquittal, Houston pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more in California. He was also sentenced to three years' probation, a $140 fine, and other penalties.
Court records show that after an arrest on Feb. 26, 2022, Houston pled "not guilty" to driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more, and failing to display two license plates on the vehicle he was driving.
The Hillsong Church founder, who was set for a pre-trial hearing that June, reversed course on the drinking charges while the charge for failing to display two license plates on the vehicle he was driving was dismissed.
In addition to the three-year probation and the $140 fine he received for the driving under the influence charge, the court required him to complete a three-month first-offender alcohol program, victim impact counseling, and participate in self-help meetings for one year.
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Holy Land leader welcomes release of Palestinian Anglican held by Israel]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/holy-land-leader-welcomes-release-of-palestinian-anglican-held-by-israel</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/holy-land-leader-welcomes-release-of-palestinian-anglican-held-by-israel</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Layan Nasir]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Hosam Naoum/Facebook) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Layan Nasir has been released from Damon Prison at Daliyat al-Karmel, Israel, after being held for eight months on unclear charges. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 13:38:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Many of the details surrounding Layan Nasir's case remain unclear.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christians have welcomed the release of an Anglican Palestinian woman who was held prisoner by Israel for reasons that remain unclear.
Layan Nasir, a member of St Peter’s Anglican Church in Birzeit, the occupied West Bank, was first arrested in 2021 for being an alleged member of the Democratic Progressive Student Pole (DPSP), a leftwing group banned by Israel.
She was initially held for two months but was later released on bail. Reports suggest the case may never have come to trial and remained in a kind of legal limbo.
Then in April 2024 she was arrested again and held in administrative detention for eight months on the grounds that she allegedly represented a security threat. No charges were ever brought.
Then in 2025 she was arrested and imprisoned again for uncertain reasons. After eight months in detention, she has now been released.
In a Facebook post Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Primate of the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, said the release was “joyful news”.
The Very Rev. Richard Sewell, Dean of St George’s College in Jerusalem, told Church Times that Nasir had described conditions in the prison as “a cemetery for the living” and that she remained deeply concerned about the remaining inmates.
Welcoming her release, Sewell added, “There were blaring car horns along with singing and chanting, creating a joyful atmosphere. She looked so thin, having suffered greatly in prison, but Layan’s smile was infectious and everyone experienced an explosion of joy and relief.”
Nasir’s imprisonment has previously drawn condemnation from Anglican leaders, saying it lacked “any legal or moral justification”. ]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[‘We’ve had nothing like this’ - over 30,000 attend historic Franklin Graham evangelical gathering in Belarus]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/weve-had-nothing-like-this-over-30-000-attend-historic-franklin-graham-evangelical-gathering-in-belarus</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/weve-had-nothing-like-this-over-30-000-attend-historic-franklin-graham-evangelical-gathering-in-belarus</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Franklin Graham Belarus 2026]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: BGEA) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christians in Belarus called it a ‘miracle’ as Franklin Graham preached to record-breaking crowds of nearly 31,000 . ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 09:58:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The two-day “Festival of Hope”, organised by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), drew almost 31,000 people to Chizhovka Arena in the Belarusian capital.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Thousands of Christians packed a major sports arena in Minsk over the weekend for what organisers described as the largest evangelical outreach event ever held in Belarus, with attendance records broken on both nights of the gathering. 
The two-day “Festival of Hope”, organised by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), drew almost 31,000 people to Chizhovka Arena in the Belarusian capital.
Church leaders in the country said the scale of the event was unprecedented for Belarus’s evangelical community, which represents less than 2% of the population.
The wife of a pastor in Minsk, Alyona Lazuta, said: “It really is a miracle. We’ve prayed for something like this for many years.”
The outreach was organised in partnership with almost 700 evangelical churches from across Belarus, marking what church leaders said was the first nationally coordinated evangelical event of its kind in the country.
Leonid Mikhovich, general secretary of the Belarus Baptist Union and one of the event coordinators, said evangelical churches in Belarus had historically faced severe limitations on the size and visibility of public gatherings.
He explained: “We used to maybe be allowed to have 1,000 people come for something. But to have more than 10,000? No, we've had nothing like this. The status of this arena is also important. It's one of the largest hockey arenas in the country. We could never ever dream to even rent such a building.”
Over 15,200 people attended the opening night on Saturday, with organisers reporting that both the main arena and overflow areas reached capacity. Crowds even reportedly gathered outside to listen to the preaching and worship as the venue was full.
The attendance rose again to around 15,500 on the second evening, prompting officials to make another level of the arena available and add extra seating.
Preaching during the event, Graham urged people to place their faith in Jesus Christ.
“Jesus didn’t come to condemn you, He came to save you,” he told the crowd. “He [God] made you and He loves you, but the only way to be forgiven of your sins and have a personal relationship with Him is through His Son, Jesus Christ.”
Christians across Belarus prepared for the outreach through prayer, fasting and personally inviting others to hear the Gospel. 
A 1,300-member choir made up of believers from 43 cities and villages also took part in the event.
According to the BGEA, over 2,000 Bibles were distributed to people who accepted the Gospel message over the weekend.
Among them was a man who reportedly told volunteers he had attempted to take his own life earlier in the week before attending the festival and deciding to become a Christian.
A deaf student named Aleksandr said he experienced a sense of freedom after hearing the message.
“I was so tired of my sinful life,” he said. “Now … I feel in my soul it's easier for me, there's no weight. Something that was holding me let go.”
The festival also carried political significance in a country where public religious activity is closely monitored.
Ahead of the gathering, Graham met Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov at the Palace of Independence in Minsk, where he thanked the authorities for allowing the event to proceed.
“We have come to deliver our message to all Belarusians, and this message is from the Lord God,” Graham said following the meeting. “I pray that our presence here would help, not just for today, but for future generations.”
Belarusian state media aired an interview with Graham discussing faith, spiritual diplomacy and the war in Ukraine. 
Speaking with anchor and deputy director general of First Informational TV, Viktoryia Senkevich, Graham said Christians should “bring people together” and act as “ambassadors for God.” 
Asked whether US President Donald Trump and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko could help cease the conflict in Ukraine, Graham said he believed both leaders wanted peace and urged people to pray for a resolution.
He added: “I would like to see them come together and meet.”
Reflecting on the weekend, Mikhovich said the event had strengthened relationships between evangelical churches and government authorities at what he described as an important moment for Christians in Belarus.
He said: “The evangelical church here has had different periods of history. This is a good time. We don't know what will happen tomorrow, but we will hold onto this, and I hope we will have some opportunities in the future.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Despite minor improvements, Saudi Arabia remains a tough place for Christians]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/despite-minor-improvements-saudi-arabia-remains-a-tough-place-for-christians</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/despite-minor-improvements-saudi-arabia-remains-a-tough-place-for-christians</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia, Riyadh]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 09:48:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Officially, conversion from Islam carries the death penalty.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A decade on from reforms to its religious police, Saudi Arabia may not be quite as tough as it once was on its Christian population, but it remains one of the toughest places in the world to believe in Jesus.
In its annual ranking of global persecutors, Open Doors places Saudi Arabia as the 13th worst country for the persecution of Christians. While foreign-born Christians of a certain status are able to enjoy a very limited amount of religious freedom, the situation is far worse for those lower down in society and for native-born Saudis who wish to follow Christ.
A report for International Christian Concern notes that unlike the world’s number one persecutor of Christianity, North Korea, Saudi Arabia does not even bother with the pretence of religious freedom.
There are no “sham” churches for international observers. There are no churches at all. But there are still over two million Christians in the country, the vast majority of whom are migrant workers from poorer countries.
The report cites the case of one Christian in the country, “Nicolas”, a foreign-born Christian who is fortunate to be among the more well-off in society. Nicolas, and others like him are occasionally able to worship at foreign consulates or can gather privately in their homes.
For poorer immigrant Christians however, police raids on such meetings are a real risk.
The situation for Saudis of any class is even more serious. It is impossible to be a Saudi citizen without also being Muslim. Conversion officially carries the death penalty, although this has never been carried out.
Such is the social and legal pressure that Nicolas said he had never encountered a Saudi Christian: “I’m sure if there are any, they live in complete secrecy or try to leave the country and claim asylum abroad.”
Nicolas also recounted incidents in which the religious police would confiscate crosses, question those with Bibles and on one occasion beat and forcibly cut the hair of a Muslim man who had long hair.
Since the reforms of 2016, the religious police are no longer able to enforce Islamic morality in quite such a direct way – they retain only the authority to “observe and report”.
As the report puts it, “The glory days of violently righteous authorities seem to have subsided. But Saudi Arabia remains a sharia kingdom, which means it’s best to stay Christian on the stealth and keep your crosses hidden.” ]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Calls to free Nicaraguan Protestant pastor unjustly imprisoned for four years]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/calls-to-free-nicaraguan-protestant-pastor-unjustly-imprisoned-for-four-years</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/calls-to-free-nicaraguan-protestant-pastor-unjustly-imprisoned-for-four-years</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 09:38:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A Christian rights organisation has intensified calls for the release of imprisoned Nicaraguan pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A Christian rights organisation has intensified calls for the release of imprisoned Nicaraguan pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López, marking four years since his arrest with an international petition campaign delivered to diplomatic missions across Europe and the Americas.
More than 1,000 people signed the petition by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) urging the Nicaraguan government to free the Protestant pastor immediately and unconditionally. 
The petition was presented to Nicaraguan embassies and consulates in eight countries - the US, Mexico, Switzerland, Cuba, Belgium, Colombia, Austria and El Salvador.
Pastor Vílchez López was arrested on 15 May 2022 after reportedly being beaten by police officers. 
Three days later, authorities charged him with aggravated rape and psychological harm against a minor - CSW insists the charges were fabricated in retaliation for his criticism of President Daniel Ortega’s government and co-President Rosario Murillo.
The Third Specialised District Court for Violence in Managua sentenced the pastor to 23 years in prison in September 2022. 
According to CSW, the court altered the categorisation of the charges during proceedings and declined to review evidence pointing to his innocence, including CCTV footage said to show he was elsewhere at the time of the alleged incident.
The pastor is currently incarcerated at the Jorge Navarro National Penitentiary System, commonly known as “La Modelo”. 
CSW says he has faced increasingly harsh prison conditions despite suffering from diabetes, hypertension and other health problems.
The organisation reports that his Bible and glasses had been seized, that he had been denied access to books and adequate medical supplies, and that since August 2024, his daily water allowance has been reduced to one small container, as well as limited outdoor access.
Relatives have also allegedly been prevented from delivering food, medication and other basic necessities.
Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy and head of its Americas team, described the accusations against Pastor Vílchez López as “completely unfounded” and expressed concern over his deteriorating health after four years in detention.
She remarked: “We call on the government of Nicaragua to release him immediately and without condition and to end the harassment, imprisonment and forced exile of religious leaders and all those considered critical of the government.”
The case comes amid growing international concern over religious freedom in Nicaragua. 
Earlier this year, CSW reported a sharp rise in alleged violations of freedom of religion or belief, increasing from 222 documented cases in 2024 to 309 in 2025.
According to the group, many pastors and priests in Nicaragua are now subjected to police monitoring measures requiring regular reporting to authorities and prior approval for certain religious activities. 
Some church leaders have reportedly been arrested for extended periods, while other reports suggest restrictions have been placed on importing Bibles into the country.
CSW says the crackdown on religious communities has intensified since anti-government protests erupted in 2018. 
Open Doors currently ranks Nicaragua 32nd among the world’s most difficult countries for Christians.
CSW pointed to similar cases involving other clergy members, including Bishop José Leonardo Urbina Rodríguez, who received a 30-year prison sentence in 2022 on comparable charges before eventually being forced to leave Nicaragua.
Ms Stangl said the international community must do more to support “independent voices” in Nicaragua, including religious groups facing increasing pressure from the state.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christians-call-for-ceasefire-amid-drc-s-ebola-crisis</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christians-call-for-ceasefire-amid-drc-s-ebola-crisis</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Ebola in the DRC]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Health care personnel at front line of Ebola response in Beni, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the Ebola outbreak in 2019. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 08:11:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[So far 131 people have been killed by the outbreak.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The World Council of Churches’ (WCC) general secretary, Rev Jerry Pillay has spoken of his deep concern at the Ebola outbreak that has hit the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
So far 131 people have been killed by the outbreak, which started in the province of Ituri. Officials have stated that there are over 500 suspected cases in the country, while one person has reportedly died in Uganda.
The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern.
The outbreak adds to the DRC’s already considerable list of woes – the country is still in the grip of a conflict between government forces, the allegedly Rwanda backed rebel group M23 and Islamist militants.
Pillay said, “This outbreak is unfolding in contexts already burdened by poverty, fragile health systems, food insecurity, displacement, and the long-term impacts of conflict.
"Such socioeconomic vulnerabilities heighten exposure to disease, limit access to timely care, and undermine the ability of individuals and communities to adopt preventive measures.”
He urged churches to do all they could to help ease the suffering of locals, not only through material assistance but through promoting accurate medical information and countering misinformation.
“We call on governments, international agencies, churches, and civil society to cooperate across borders, to share treatments, technologies, and financial resources so that the most affected communities are not left behind, and to ensure safe and unhindered access for health workers and humanitarian actors," he said.
“We note with grave concern that, according to the WHO, there is currently no approved vaccine or therapeutics for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola driving this outbreak.”
Pillay also urged all parties in the ongoing conflict to bring a halt to military action and to facilitate the delivery of medical aid and assistance.
“The WCC calls on communities worldwide to accompany the most vulnerable—the sick and their families, health workers, displaced people, women and children at risk, and communities already scarred by violence and poverty—through persistent prayer, courageous advocacy, and concrete acts of solidarity," he continued.
“In this shared global responsibility, we reaffirm that solidarity must extend beyond emergency response to addressing the root causes of vulnerability, including inequality, marginalization, and lack of access to essential services, so that communities are better protected against future health crises.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Pakistani girl at centre of forced marriage and conversion case moved to government shelter]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/pakistani-girl-at-centre-of-forced-marriage-and-conversion-case-moved-to-government-shelter</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/pakistani-girl-at-centre-of-forced-marriage-and-conversion-case-moved-to-government-shelter</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 08:34:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The girl has been placed in a neutral government shelter, pending the results of an age test.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Lawyers representing the family of a Pakistani Christian girl who was allegedly forced to convert to Islam as a minor have welcomed a court decision to place her in a neutral government shelter, pending the results of an age test.
Sonia Tariq went missing in late 2024. When she was found, it emerged she had married an older Muslim man and converted to Islam. Tariq claims that she willingly converted and does not wish to return to her Christian family.
At the centre of the case is a dispute over Tariq’s age. Tariq herself has claimed to be 20 years old, while her family insist she is only 15, a claim backed up by official records.
To determine whether Tariq was a minor at the time of her marriage and conversion, a court has ordered medical age tests to be conducted on her, as official records in Pakistan may not always be reliable.
The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has ordered Tariq be placed in a government shelter in the meantime.
This decision was welcomed by The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS-UK), which has been working with Tariq’s Christian parents.
Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, said, “We are encouraged by the Federal Constitutional Court’s decision to place Sonia in a safe and neutral environment and to order an independent medical assessment of her age. This reflects a serious and balanced approach by the bench in a highly sensitive case.
“We have been pursuing this case since 2024 in close partnership with The Edge Foundation in Pakistan. For nearly two years, the family has been seeking justice under extremely difficult circumstances. Today’s development gives renewed hope - not only to this family, but to many others facing similar situations.”
A further hearing is due to take place on 20 May.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Drought insurance helps Nepal families survive food crisis]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/drought-insurance-helps-nepal-families-survive-food-crisis</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/drought-insurance-helps-nepal-families-survive-food-crisis</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Nepal April 2026]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Tearfund) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Women in Bajura queue to receive food staples brought through a ‘drought insurance’ payout to Tearfund. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 07:34:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[An innovative drought insurance scheme has provided emergency support to hundreds of vulnerable farming families in western Nepal]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
An innovative drought insurance scheme has provided emergency support to hundreds of vulnerable farming families in western Nepal, in what Christian relief organisation Tearfund says is a major step forward in protecting communities from climate-driven hunger before disaster fully sets in.
Tearfund announced that a $100,000 insurance payout had been triggered in Nepal’s Bajura district after severe drought conditions threatened crops and livelihoods across the region.
The scheme uses satellite technology to monitor soil moisture and water availability for crops. When rainfall and moisture levels reach critically low levels, funding is automatically released without the need for lengthy damage assessments.
Tearfund said the payout is believed to be the first of its kind in Nepal and forms part of a wider pilot programme exploring “anticipatory finance” - a growing humanitarian approach aimed at releasing aid before a situation escalates.
Tearfund and its local partner, International Nepal Fellowship, provided food assistance to 671 households and dispensed drought-resistant vegetable seeds, farming tools and agricultural training to 405 people, most of them women. 
Water collection tanks for small-scale irrigation were also installed for 176 households. Families facing acute food shortages received emergency supplies including rice, lentils, oil and salt.
Among those supported was 59-year-old blacksmith and farmer Bune Sunar, whose crops were devastated after flooding last summer was followed by severe drought during the winter months.
“In my whole life, I have never seen this much food in my house at one time,” he said after receiving assistance.
Sunar said his family had previously relied on modest harvests of wheat, millet and rice to survive for several months each year. 
However, failed crops and worsening drought had reduced that security to just a single month’s supply of food this year.
Alongside farming, he supports his family of 11 by crafting farming tools and kitchen utensils, sometimes receiving grain instead of money as payment.
Pranaya Pandey Chhetri, Tearfund’s Country Director for Nepal, said climate-related disasters were making farming increasingly unpredictable across Asia and placing growing pressure on already vulnerable communities.
“The gap between the cost of global disasters and the finance available to respond to their impact is growing,” he said.
He added that access to insurance and emergency financial protection could help families avoid falling deeper into poverty by enabling them to protect assets, adapt livelihoods and respond more quickly to failed harvests.
“This insurance innovation brings vital finance to support those on the front lines of the climate crisis,” he remarked. “This payout is helping people keep hope alive through a desperate food shortage.” 
The payout was arranged through a parametric insurance product developed by Global Parametrics, part of the CelsiusPro Group, and supported through funding from Humanity Insured, a UK-registered charity aided by the insurance sector.
The wider risk financing initiative is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, alongside Germany’s development bank KfW.
Chief executive of CelsiusPro Group Mark Rüegg said “fast, pre-arranged financial aid” could play an important role in helping climate-vulnerable communities develop resilience against increasingly severe weather events.
He said the Nepal payout demonstrated how satellite-based insurance systems could deliver fast and practical support to families facing food insecurity and economic hardship.
Tearfund warned that countries such as Nepal are becoming more vulnerable to alternating cycles of floods and drought linked to climate change, with rural farming communities often among the hardest hit.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Court case launched in support of DRC Christians]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/court-case-launched-in-support-of-drc-christians</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/court-case-launched-in-support-of-drc-christians</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98846.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Wreckage following an attack in the DRC.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: ADF International) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Wreckage following an attack in the DRC. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2026 08:24:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[DRC forces believed the locals were sympathetic to M23 rebels.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Legal advocacy group ADF International is supporting a case filed with the East African Court of Justice in support of Christians whose churches have been destroyed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Last year conflict in the DRC flared up with M23 rebels seizing the key city of Goma.
M23 is believed to be supported by neighbouring Rwanda. The DRC accuses Rwanda of wanting to annex its mineral reach eastern territories.
For their part, Rwanda has claimed that the DRC is harbouring people suspected of involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Added into the mix are Islamic militant groups that have been able to commit atrocities while government forces and M23 are focused on each other.
ADF have asked that the DRC recognise the damage done to Christian communities during an attack on the city of Uvira in January of this year. The group said that the attacks had not only killed people, but left survivors with no place to freely practise their faith.
The attack took place on 18 January and was part of a broader military operation by the DRC to retake Uvira from M23. The local people were, according to ADF, falsely accused of sympathising with M23, leading government forces to destroy homes and places of worship.
ADF have also said that the DRC should compensate those affected by the attacks and help them build new places of worship.
Sean Nelson, Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom at ADF International, said, “This is the often-overlooked aftermath of ethnic and religiously motivated violence. 
"Beyond the immediate devastation, these attacks leave lasting scars on communities. In this case, these Christians from the Banyamulenge community in the DRC are now significantly hindered in their ability to worship, gather and live out their faith."
Innocent Nteziryayo, legal counsel and representative of the churches impacted in the attack, said, “It is only right that the DRC acts swiftly to prevent further violence, takes responsibility and supports the reconstruction of destroyed churches and religious properties.
"Banyamulenge communities must be able to rebuild not only their homes, but also the churches and organizations that sustain their spiritual and communal life.” ]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Cuban pastor's son at risk following months-long detention]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/cuban-pastor-s-son-at-risk-following-months-long-detention</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/cuban-pastor-s-son-at-risk-following-months-long-detention</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98840.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Jonathan Muir Burgos]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Open Doors) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Jonathan with his parents Elier Muir Ávila and Minervina Burgos López, both evangelical pastors ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 08:21:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The family has long been a target for Cuban authorities]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Open Doors have accused Cuban authorities of holding a 16-year-old Christian boy in jail and denying him medical treatment in an attempt to pressure his parents, who run an unregistered evangelical church.
Jonathan Muir Burgos was arrested with his father, Pastor Elier Muir Ávila for taking part in anti-government protests in March. While Pastor Elier was released after questioning, Jonathan remains in detention.
According to Open Doors, the family has been deemed “ideologically dangerous” by Cuba’s communist authorities. Over the last 10 years the family has said it has faced numerous instances of detention, death threats and psychological torture.
The state’s opposition to the family and its church has led to 60 church members leaving over the years. The authorities have refused to legally recognise the church and have reportedly been keeping it under surveillance.
Concerns have been raised about Jonathan’s medical wellbeing, as he suffers from a skin disease known as dyshidrosis. Without constant treatment and medication, Jonathan is at risk of potentially life-threatening infections.
According to Open Doors, Jonathan has had no access to medication since being placed into detention and the conditions in the prison, which include an infestation of bedbugs, have led to the worsening of his condition.
An anonymous advocacy leader for Open Doors in the region said, “This case reflects the restrictions on religious freedom and punishment for peaceful protests that Cuban citizens face … Jonathan’s case demands a clear response.”
Open Doors called for the immediate release of Jonathan, the provision of adequate medical care and clarity on any criminal proceedings against him.
A spokesperson for Open Doors said, “The situation calls for solidarity and for the defence of human dignity, especially for those who are most vulnerable. As the Body of Christ, we cannot remain indifferent to the situation of one of our members, particularly when it involves a minor.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christians urge UN to keep human rights spotlight on Eritrea]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christians-urge-un-to-keep-human-rights-spotlight-on-eritrea</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christians-urge-un-to-keep-human-rights-spotlight-on-eritrea</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/46/94659.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Eritrea]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Pexels/Anthony Beck) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 08:38:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Eritrea is sometimes called the "North Korea of Africa".]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has joined 30 human rights organisations in calling for the UN Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for human rights in Eritrea.
The mandate was extended last year and, according to a letter signed by CSW, there has been no fundamental change in the country since then.
It is believed that more than 10,000 people are being held in arbitrary detention. Eleven have been held incommunicado for nearly a quarter of a century after calling for democratic reforms.
Claire Denman, UN Officer for CSW, said, “That the government of Eritrea continues to go to great lengths to prevent scrutiny of its human rights record is evidence of the positive impact of the work of the mandate of the special rapporteur.
"Without a continued spotlight on the country, the regime would be further emboldened to commit gross violations, including crimes against humanity, with impunity, and the victims of these violations would be abandoned and unheard."
In 2016 a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights in the country found “reasonable grounds to believe” that crimes against humanity had been committed since 1991. The report said that Eritrean officials had been, and continued to be, involved in “enslavement, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, torture, other inhumane acts, persecution, rape, and murder”.
The letter calling for the UN to extend the mandate notes that since 2020 there has been no progress in reaching certain standards around the rule of law, civil liberties, women’s rights and other key areas.
This, the letter argues, is a result of deliberate policy rather than mere unfortunate circumstances: “In a context in which Eritrea refuses to meaningfully cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms, and considering that the cause of serious violations in the country is political in nature, rather than merely due to a lack of capacity or resources, the provision of technical assistance and capacity-building would at this time be neither efficient nor adequate to address the country’s challenges."
Ms Denman added, “We urge Member States not to be misled by the Eritrean government’s efforts to paint a false picture of progress, and to instead support a strong resolution that extends the mandate of the special rapporteur, assisting the mandate holder whenever requested.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Calls for investigation into disappearance of Protestant missionary in southern Mexico]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/calls-for-investigation-into-disappearance-of-protestant-missionary-in-southern-mexico</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/calls-for-investigation-into-disappearance-of-protestant-missionary-in-southern-mexico</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98841.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Benito Guevara Arcos is well known in the region.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: CSW) ]]>
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                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Benito Guevara Arcos is well known in the region. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 08:07:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The 79-year-old Protestant missionary has been missing for more than six weeks.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A 79-year-old Protestant missionary has been missing for more than six weeks in southern Mexico after reportedly being abducted by armed men while carrying out evangelistic work in Guerrero State.
Human rights organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has urged Mexican authorities to launch an immediate inquiry into the disappearance of Benito Guevara Arcos, who was last seen on March 31 in San Vicente, a community in the municipality of Chilpancingo de los Bravos.
According to CSW, Mr Guevara Arcos had travelled from the nearby town of Ocotito to share the Gospel and distribute Bibles in the area. 
He had been lodging with a fellow Protestant Christian, who became concerned when the missionary failed to return later that evening.
Residents reportedly told the friend that armed men had confronted Mr Guevara Arcos over his preaching activities before coercing him into a vehicle and driving him away. 
Local contacts later suggested that an organised criminal group had said it was verifying who the missionary was, despite him carrying official identification documents at the time.
Days later, the group allegedly informed local Christians that the missionary had been freed in the town of Amojileca on April 4 and asked relatives to collect him there. However, he could not be located.
Family members said Mr Guevara Arcos was not in possession of a mobile phone when he disappeared but had enough money on him to travel home independently if released safely. 
A missing persons report was submitted to Guerrero’s National Search Commission on April 13, and police protection was later provided while relatives distributed flyers across the municipality.
Despite widespread local media coverage and the missionary reportedly being famous in the region, no confirmed information about his whereabouts or condition has emerged. 
His family has reportedly avoided filing a formal complaint with the state prosecutor’s office due to fears of retaliation from criminal groups operating in the area.
In a statement, Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy and Americas Team Leader, expressed deep concern for Mr Guevara Arcos’ safety and called on both state and federal authorities to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
She said: “We urge anyone who may have information as to what has happened to come forward …We urge the Mexican government, at all levels, to increase efforts to arrest the influence of organised criminal groups in the country, recognising the specific threat that these groups pose to religious leaders and human rights defenders in particular, and prioritising their protection accordingly.”
The case comes amid wider concerns over escalating disappearances and violence in Mexico. 
A recent report by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) said disappearances in the country have risen by more than 200% over the past decade, warning that state actors are usually implicated either directly or through failures to curb organised criminal activity.
Broader international monitoring has also highlighted the growing risks faced by Christians and church leaders in Mexico. 
Earlier this year, persecution watchdog Global Christian Relief reported that Mexico recorded the world’s highest number of verified abductions and assaults against Christians between late 2023 and 2025, documenting 376 incidents.
The report explained that powerful drug cartels frequently target pastors and Christian community workers because anti-drug and youth outreach efforts are viewed as threats to criminal control.]]></content:encoded>
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