A pastor and lawyer in Iran has finished a fifteen-year project to translate the New Testament into pure Persian, eliminating Arabic vocabulary. Speaking to a news outlet, he explained the work seeks to revive Persian identity and culture. The translation employs Hebrew names and Persian equivalents for theological terms. The translator, who studied in Iran, France, and Australia, noted strong support from the Jewish community and invitations from Israeli universities. He plans to make the text available to the public soon, believing it will resonate with Iranians seeking cultural authenticity.
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Thousands of people assembled on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on Sunday, May 17, for a one-day prayer event focused on the United States. The gathering, titled 'Renew Our Covenant as a Nation Under God,' featured worship music and stained-glass imagery depicting the nation's founders alongside a cross. According to the Associated Press, US President Donald Trump read scripture in a video message. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other senior Republicans attended the event, which was held as part of the celebrations for the US bicentennial. Speakers emphasized the historical connection between Christianity and American history.
A Christian advocacy group in Iran sent a formal letter to the Pope, expressing concern over the Islamic Republic's use of a Vatican diplomatic honor for propaganda. The group warns that Iranian state media has distorted the award to imply papal support for the regime, despite it being standard protocol. The organization highlights the government's human rights abuses, including the persecution of Christians and domestic church members. The group urges the Vatican to exercise greater caution in diplomatic interactions, arguing that Iranian officials do not represent the Iranian people, who desire peace and religious freedom rather than repression.
Mohabat News reports that Chinese authorities are altering Christian texts to align with socialist values. Officials in a northern province allegedly forced a state-approved church to remove the Ten Commandments, replacing them with quotes from President Xi Jinping. Additionally, a university textbook reportedly changed a biblical story to depict Jesus stoning a woman instead of showing mercy. These changes aim to position the party as the supreme authority. The report also notes that surveillance technology monitors sermons and thousands of crosses have been removed from churches across the country.
According to OIDAC Europe, anti-Christian incidents surged across Europe in April, with 38 recorded hate crimes. France led with 10 cases, followed by Germany and Italy with seven each. The report highlights violent attacks during Easter, including assaults on clergy in Ireland and Spain, and vandalism in France and Italy. The organization warns that unreported crimes likely indicate a broader vulnerability for Christian communities and worship sites across the continent.
Three Christian pastors from a specific ethnic community were killed in a shooting in a district of Manipur, India. The attack also left four people injured. The victims were identified as three pastors. Local groups blamed a rival faction for the killings. The state chief minister described the murders as disturbing. This incident adds to the ongoing ethnic and religious tensions in the region that have persisted since May 2023. The event highlights the increasing danger faced by religious leaders and minority groups in the state.
The Marburger Medien Foundation in Hesse, Germany, unveiled a special Bible edition designed to help dementia patients reconnect with their faith. Titled 'Meeting Jesus – Stories from the Gospel,' the book features simplified text and colorful illustrations based primarily on the Gospel of Luke. The project, developed over two years, aims to evoke memories and provide comfort to patients, caregivers, and families. Board chairman Carsten Hatmann stated the initiative addresses the growing elderly population by helping those with prior church connections recall their beliefs. The publication is intended for use in nursing homes and by family caregivers.
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According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, Pope Leo XIV awarded the Order of Pius IX to Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Iran's ambassador to the Holy See. The ceremony honored the embassy's efforts in promoting peace and dialogue. However, this decision contrasts with the Pope's recent criticism of the US and Israel's actions against Iran and his condemnation of protests in Iran. Christian organizations report that at least 50 Christian citizens are imprisoned in Iran for religious activities. The Vatican's move raises questions given Iran's historical pressure on Christians, including church closures and asset confiscations.
Church leaders in India established a national federation to address the harassment of Christians. The initiative was launched during a national meeting attended by bishops and representatives from various Christian denominations. A senior archbishop will lead the new body. According to church officials, the federation aims to counter systematic violent attacks, anti-conversion laws, and government efforts to seize church assets through foreign funding regulations. The group states that unity is necessary to protect millions of Christians in the country from false accusations of forced conversion.
An Islamic rebel group linked to ISIS killed at least 40 Christians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The attacks occurred near the Ugandan border. A civil society leader reported that victims died in multiple districts within the region. Local sources warn the death toll may rise as many residents remain missing. Amnesty International has previously accused the group of war crimes. The DRC continues to face violence from multiple rebel factions, including the M23.
The president of Iran wrote to the Pope, thanking him for his moral stance regarding recent attacks. The letter claims these attacks killed the Supreme Leader and thousands of citizens, including children. The president accused the United States and Israel of violating international law while asserting that Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians coexist peacefully in Iran. However, reports indicate severe persecution of Christian converts, such as a young convert facing imprisonment despite serious health issues. These conditions contradict the president's claims of religious harmony, highlighting the ongoing danger faced by believers in the region.
A Christian advocacy organization sent a formal letter to Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials, strongly criticizing the awarding of a high diplomatic honor to an Iranian ambassador. The group, comprising global church leaders, stated the gesture causes deep pain to Iranians seeking justice, especially following recent protests and executions. They warned that such symbols could inadvertently serve as propaganda for the regime. The letter urged the Vatican to clarify that the honor does not endorse human rights abuses, hold Iran accountable for suppressing dissent, and continue showing pastoral concern for persecuted minorities and political prisoners in the country.
Larry Holland, a 79-year-old Catholic priest, stated that medical staff at a Vancouver hospital in Canada proposed medical aid in dying (MAID) twice while he recovered from a hip fracture. The Vancouver Sun and APTN reported that a doctor and a nurse raised the option despite his condition not being terminal and his known opposition to euthanasia. Holland expressed shock, calling the unsolicited suggestion false compassion. Critics, including Amanda Achtemaier, argue this reflects a broader shift in Canada's healthcare system where vulnerable patients are pressured into MAID. The Canadian government reports over 76,000 MAID deaths recorded by December 2024.
SAT-7 reported that Iranian authorities arrested a 30-year-old Christian woman recently. Security agents detained her for sharing Christian-related content on Instagram, according to John Sarneglia, head of SAT-7 USA. The arrest was confirmed by a relative working for the network. This incident follows the detention of three other Christians in a region for forming a house church. Sarneglia stated these events highlight serious risks for Christians in Iran and urged global Christian response, while noting that local believers remain steadfast in their faith despite persecution.
Israeli prosecutors have indicted 36-year-old Yona Shreiber for attacking a French Catholic nun in Jerusalem's Old City on April 28. The indictment alleges religiously motivated assault causing actual injury and simple assault. Surveillance footage shows the attacker, wearing religious Jewish attire, pushed the nun to the ground and kicked her, also striking a bystander who tried to intervene. The nun suffered bruises on her face and leg. Shreiber was arrested the following day and remains in custody. Christian community members report rising tensions and harassment in the area, while Israeli police state they strictly oppose violence against religious groups.
Three years after ethnic violence erupted in a northeastern Indian state, the Christian community continues to endure a severe humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate that clashes between local groups have displaced tens of thousands of people. Official figures show that over 58,000 individuals remain in refugee camps, with hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed and hundreds confirmed dead. Activists criticize the government's response, noting that no perpetrators have been convicted. A former leader of a local Catholic organization stated that religious division persists. Many Christians refuse to participate in the new government, citing unresolved grievances and ongoing restrictions on returning to their homes and places of worship.
Violent clashes occurred in the Al-Khader area near Bethlehem, Palestine, on Tuesday, May 15, between Muslim and Christian residents. The incident began when the Israeli army stated that two Palestinian attackers threw Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles and then fled into the St. George Church, where Christians were holding an annual celebration. The army claimed the attackers used the congregation as a human shield and avoided entering the holy site to protect civilians. According to the outlet, violent conflicts broke out between the two religious groups shortly after Israeli forces withdrew. Israeli officials described the event as evidence of violence against Christians in the Middle East.
A Ukrainian researcher testified before the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that the Russian Orthodox Church assisted in the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. Vladislav Havryliv stated the church coordinated with state authorities to relocate over 20,000 children, many from the Luhansk region, since 2022. He alleged that some children were placed in church-run monaster and orphanages for re-education or adoption. Havryliv claimed the institution acted like a state entity rather than a religious body. The Russian Orthodox Church has not publicly responded to these accusations. Only about 2,000 children have reportedly been returned to Ukraine.
Members of the deaf community in the Philippines gathered in Manila on April 28 and 29 to review the translation of the New Testament into Philippine Sign Language. The event took place at the Philippine Bible Society center. Eight participants examined selected sections from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, providing feedback to improve clarity and accuracy. Petra Alvin Bailon and Petra Jojo Mahinang led the sessions. The Philippine Bible Society states this community review ensures the text accurately reflects the culture and language of deaf Filipinos. This project aims to make the Bible accessible in their native sign language, supported by Republic Act 11106 which recognizes Philippine Sign Language as the national sign language.
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