ECUMENICAL NEWS
Ecumenicalnews
- 80 percent of Americans say religion is shedding public life influence: PewEighty percent of U.S. adults say religion's role in American life is shrinking, but many people are not happy about that finding in the data, a new Pew Research Center survey has found.
- On March 17, Saint Patrick's role for serving migrants is highlightedOn March 17, there are celebrations around the world for Saint Patrick's Day to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, adopted by many, notably in the United States and other countries settled by Irish people. Like many holy feasts, St. Patrick's Day has morphed from a holy feast day to a secular festival, but his […]
- Faith sector's engagement with migrants, refugees for health and HIV services highlightedA gathering at the World Council of Churches has highlighted the right to health and dignified access to it, as well as the faith sector's engagement with migrants and refugees for health and HIV services in fighting stigma and discrimination.
- New UK extremism definition could drive communities apart, Anglican archbishops warnThe UK government's new definition of extremism is likely to "vilify the wrong people" by threatening freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the country's two senior Anglican clerics, have warned.
- Vatican's blessings for 'same-sex couples' triggers rejection of ecumenical dialogue by CoptsThe Vatican's Dec. 18 ruling approved by Pope Francis that Roman Catholic priests can bless same-sex couples, as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, has run into heavy flak from one of the most influential Oriental Orthodox Churches.
- Scottish prison chaplain to make a leap of faith from 10,000 feetIntrepid prison chaplain, Rev. Jill Clancy, plans to drop from the heavens to fund a Scottish community choir trip to the United States in 2025.
- Two Christian brothers freed of blasphemy charges by Pakistan court in landmark casePakistan's Anti-Terrorist Court in Faisalabad has acquitted two Christian brothers charged with blasphemy, which can be punishable by death, in a case that drew widespread attention due to the upheaval caused to Christians in an overwhelmingly Muslim country.
- Persecution of Iranian Christians continues, especially against converts: ReportThe number of Christians in Iran facing unprovoked arrests and other violations of religious freedom continues to rise, according to recent reports, which claim that most victims of the Islamic Republic's persecution remain "faceless."
- Attacks by jihadists in Mozambique force nuns, priests, church workers to flee to citiesA new outbreak of unrest in northern Mozambique, plagued by a jihadi insurgency, has forced thousands to flee their homes, according to United Nations figures and sources in Cabo Delgado province, heavily impacting Christians.
- World churches head meets Israeli president, calls for ceasefire, freedom of religion, humanitarian careIsraeli President Isaac Herzog has formally received World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay to discuss the current situation in Israel and Palestine and the war in Gaza.