RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A commercial court in Rivne, Ukraine, ruled on August 25, 2026, that the Holy Dormition Church belongs to the religious community rather than the city. Judge Vadym Torchynyuk canceled the municipal registration of ownership because the city failed to obtain required approval from the Ministry of Culture for this national heritage site. The court also recognized the community's ownership through acquisitive prescription, citing a 1979 agreement granting free use for worship and decades of maintenance. The city must pay 39,240 hryvnias in court fees. This decision resolves a dispute over the property's legal status.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Phil Hearing on UnsplashPersecuted church
The United States has called for the release of a Sufi singer facing execution in a northern Nigerian state on blasphemy charges. A US representative announced this during a congressional hearing, stating that Washington is engaging Nigerian authorities and urging the abolition of such laws. The singer was arrested after sharing lyrics on WhatsApp, which led to a mob attack on his home. He was convicted by a Sharia court without legal representation. The US emphasizes that reducing violence and attacks remains its primary objective in the region, highlighting the severe persecution faced by religious minorities.
The Dasewum Vision Missionary Society is hosting the 20th Military Mission Bridge Camp from November 24 to 26 at the Mangho Church in Gapyong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Organized by the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division Christian Military Chaplaincy, the event focuses on the theme 'Back to the Gospel.' The gathering aims to address the decline in youth church attendance by fostering spiritual identity and leadership among military personnel. Participants will engage in worship, lectures, and team-building activities designed to connect soldiers with local churches after their service. The organizers state that this approach seeks to create a sustainable model for youth evangelism and discipleship within the Korean Christian community.
On November 11, 2026, the Busan High Court in South Korea overturned a lower court ruling and sentenced Pastor Son Hyun-bo to one year in prison with a three-year probation for election law violations. This penalty is double the original six-month sentence, despite the appellate court reducing the number of proven criminal facts and hearing testimony favorable to the defense. The outlet argues the harsher sentence stems from a new constitutional interpretation regarding church-state separation rather than new evidence. The article highlights concerns that this decision penalizes the exercise of legal defense rights and restricts religious expression in sermons.
The nonprofit Global Edu held a two-day retreat at Naejangsan in Jeongeup, South Korea, from November 9 to 10. Fifty-three leaders and members attended to review educational mission results in Africa. The group reported building schools, universities, and wells in Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. Chairman Lee Hyung-gyu stated the organization aims to support third-world students through education. Participants also visited a local hospital to observe domestic welfare activities. The event highlighted the group's commitment to sustainable development and spiritual growth for African children.
In the ATS settlement of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, a local school is using Bibles as primary textbooks to teach children how to read and write. According to the Post-Courier, young students gather around open Bibles to practice phonics and read their first sentences. This initiative integrates religious texts into basic literacy education within the community. The method aims to help kids sound out letters and build foundational reading skills using familiar religious materials. This approach highlights a unique educational strategy in the region where religious resources are leveraged for academic instruction.
Pope John Paul II canonized St. Agnes of Bohemia in Vatican City on November 12, 1989. Thousands of pilgrims from Czechoslovakia attended the ceremony. Five days later, the Velvet Revolution began following a violent crackdown on student protesters. According to Cirkev.cz, Cardinal František Tomášek publicly supported the freedom struggle during a thanksgiving mass in Prague on November 25. The proximity of these events gave the canonization symbolic weight. The article notes that Agnes founded a hospital and monastery, inspiring the Order of the Cross with the Red Star. Her sainthood became associated with hopes for better times in the region.
A 13-year-old girl died in a Nigerian hospital two days after being released from six months of captivity by Fulani extremists. She was among 11 people kidnapped in April from predominantly Christian villages in a northern region. While six others were freed on November 1, the girl arrived in critical condition. The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa identifies these militias as major persecutors of Christians. Christian Solidarity Worldwide is urging Nigerian authorities to better protect vulnerable communities and secure the release of remaining abductees held in inhumane conditions.
Pope Leo XIV visited Lima, Peru, on Thursday, November 12, to address violence against women and girls. He first urged Peruvian bishops to handle internal church abuses with truth and justice. Speaking at the Plaza Mayor, he then condemned a macho mentality and called for the protection of young girls. This sequence aimed to establish credibility before addressing societal issues. According to the article, Peru's Ministry of Women recorded over 13,000 rape cases in 2025, with six out of ten victims being minors.
Bishops from Lutheran churches in Finland, Estonia, Hungary, Romania, and the Inkeri region gathered in Kőszeg, Hungary, in mid-October for the 15th Finnish-Ugric clergy conference. The event, themed around steadfastness, highlights the unique linguistic bond between these nations through their Finno-Ugric languages. Despite theological and political differences shaped by 20th-century histories, the group maintains its connection. The Inkeri church faced challenges regarding language use, as Russian dominates while Finnish declines. The next conference is scheduled for Estonia in 2030, continuing a tradition that began in 1937.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by GR on UnsplashPersecuted church
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Russian Orthodox Church plans to construct a military-patriotic temple in the occupied Crimean microdistrict of Blizhnie Kamyshi. According to Archpriest Vadim Sinichkin, reported by Suspilne, construction is scheduled to begin in spring on a 2,200-square-meter plot allocated by occupying authorities. The complex will include a chapel dedicated to Admiral Fyodor Ushakov and fallen soldiers of the so-called special military operation. The site will also host propaganda activities, a Sunday school, and facilities for youth military-patriotic clubs. This follows previous military-religious activities at the Holy Ilinsky Church in Saki.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court has ordered the transfer of a religious freedom lawsuit to the Shah Alam High Court in Malaysia. The case involves Shameer PV, a 34-year-old legal researcher who identifies as Christian but is legally classified as Muslim on his national identity card. He argues that this state-mandated labeling violates his constitutional right to choose his religion. After a seven-year struggle in Islamic Shariah courts, which dismissed his application and ordered state control over his faith, Shameer filed a civil suit against the federal and Selangor state governments. The transfer marks a procedural step in his challenge against Malaysia's dual-justice system and restrictions on apostasy. According to the International Christian Concern report, the case highlights broader issues regarding religious liberty and state enforcement in the country.
Prominent German church and political figures warn the federal government against further reductions in development assistance. Signatories include former Bundestag president Wolfgang Thierse, ZdK president Irme Stetter-Karp, and EKD former head Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. They argue that cutting aid to the world's poorest contradicts long-standing political consensus on ending poverty. Additionally, Missio president Wolfgang Huber criticized the low budget share of 1.7 percent for international cooperation. He emphasized the need to support church aid networks, especially ahead of the upcoming World Day of the Poor in Germany.
About 300 Protestant worshippers gathered in a makeshift evangelical church in Tsoundzou 2, Mamoudzou, Mayotte. The congregation, composed largely of refugees, sang praises in Swahili and Kinyarwanda while a pianist accompanied them. The structure, built with bamboo and green tarps, overlooks the nearby informal settlement where many believers reside. The article highlights the resilience and active faith of these displaced individuals as they continue their religious practices despite difficult living conditions in the French overseas territory.
The Korea Christian Family Life Association released the 2027 family worship book 'According to God's Will' on November 13 in Seoul. The publication involves 105 pastors from seven major denominations, including Presbyterian, Methodist, and Salvation Army groups. The book aims to help families read scripture together using simple language. The association also distributes copies to prisons and churches for people with disabilities. This year, 2,325 copies were donated, including 800 to correctional facilities. The initiative seeks to promote unity among different Christian groups and provide spiritual support to marginalized communities.
Four men from a house church in a city in Guizhou Province, China, are standing trial on charges including fraud and organizing minors to disrupt public order. ChinaAid reports that authorities link these allegations to the defendants teaching the Gospel and holding Sunday school classes. The defendants' families state that defense lawyers have been blocked from accessing case files. This case follows a pattern of unregistered church leaders facing fraud charges for voluntary offerings. Advocates argue these prosecutions criminalize ordinary religious activities and parental rights regarding children's education.
Lena Bergcoutts, a Swedish woman who was 23 years old in 2005, witnessed the murder of Brother Roger, the founder of the Taizé community in France. She attended evening prayers with thousands of young people when the 90-year-old leader was stabbed to death. Bergcoutts described the event as a feeling of shock, noting that the attack happened right in front of the assembled youth. Her account provides a personal perspective on the tragic incident that occurred in the French village of Taizé.
Evangelical churches in Egypt have grown by approximately 25 percent over the past 15 years, according to Pastor Andrea Zaki. The community, estimated to include 200,000 to 300,000 believers, now operates around 1,500 local congregations. Zaki, secretary general of CEOSS, noted that this growth stems from evangelism and youth activities. The churches actively engage in social services, running schools and hospitals. Relations with the government have improved, with land provided for new buildings. Leaders also collaborate with other Christian denominations on legal reforms and focus on training the next generation of leaders to foster social development and religious coexistence in Egypt.
The Church of England has allocated 13.4 million pounds to support mission and ministry activities in the Winchester, Chelmsford, and Worcester dioceses. According to Christian Today Korea, the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board approved the funding to strengthen rural and urban churches. The investment targets youth ministry, new worship communities, and leadership training rather than just building repairs. Bishops in each diocese stated the funds aim to foster sustainable local Christian communities and connect with diverse populations. This strategic move is part of a long-term plan to enhance regional church capabilities across the UK.
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