Armed attackers killed at least nine people and injured more than 30 at a Greek Orthodox church in a village in Jordan. The violence occurred during a funeral service attended by approximately 250 Christians in a governorate. Survivors reported that gunmen opened fire on parishioners. Jordanian priests condemned the act as a tragedy affecting the entire society. King Abdullah II visited the wounded and vowed to protect national unity. Religious leaders emphasized that the attack does not represent the Christian community and called for continued coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the country.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 7 outlets
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Tunde Buremo on UnsplashPersecuted church
Aid to the Church in Need released its latest report, warning that persecution of Christians has worsened in a majority of the 18 countries studied. The organization attributes this trend to authoritarian regimes, jihadist groups, and religious nationalism. Significant violence occurred in regions such as northern Nigeria, northern Mozambique, and Sudan, while countries like China, India, and Pakistan saw increased restrictions and attacks. The report states that hundreds of millions of Christians live in nations where religious freedom is severely restricted. A family member of a murdered Pakistani minister emphasized the ongoing reality of religious persecution.
Translated from Français
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Gustavo Sánchez on UnsplashPersecuted church
Father Bernard Poggi, rector of the Latin Patriarchate seminary in Beit Jala, warned of increasing pressures on Christians in the Holy Land during a prayer event in Augsburg, Germany. He cited violence from settlers in the West Bank, economic hardship, and restricted movement as key factors driving emigration. Poggi highlighted the decline of tourism in Bethlehem and the severe impact on Gaza's small Christian community. He urged supporters to fund long-term development, including schools and jobs, to help families remain in their homeland rather than merely providing emergency relief.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 5 outlets
The Sainte-Famille school in Gaza City reopened on September 15, welcoming approximately 1,000 students after nearly three years of conflict. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the local parish priest, described the event as a beacon of hope for a devastated community. George Akroush from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem noted that about 130 Christian students will now study together in this single institution. The school previously served as a shelter for over 450 displaced people during Israeli bombardments. The reopening aims to restore a sense of normalcy and includes new psychosocial support for traumatized children and teachers, according to the outlet.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 7 outlets
Peter Bhatti, founder of International Christian Voice, visited a European capital to highlight the worsening plight of religious minorities in Pakistan. He stated that Christians face increasing threats from blasphemy accusations and forced conversions, creating a climate of fear. Bhatti called on the international community to support organizations aiding these vulnerable groups. He emphasized that his late brother, former minister Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated for defending human rights. Bhatti urged Christians to pray for their Pakistani brethren and asked Western governments to advocate for religious freedom and equality in the region.
The Aid to the Church in Need (AED) is launching its 11th Red Week from November 15 to 22, 2026. The campaign aims to raise awareness that one in six Christians lives in a country where religious freedom is violated, affecting 413 million people. Across France, landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and the Obelisk of the Concorde will be illuminated in red to symbolize the blood of martyrs. Additionally, the organization is hosting 'Night of Witnesses' prayer vigils in various French cities, featuring testimonies from persecuted Christians. Over 100 buildings participated in the previous year's event.
Residents of Alma el-Chaab in southern Lebanon, displaced by conflict near the Israeli border, hope to harvest olives this autumn. More than six months after their forced evacuation, some farmers received permission in September to clear their orchards. The village’s Maronite curate, Maroun Ghafari, tells AED France that this harvest represents a crucial first step toward returning home. Currently, the community remains dispersed across Lebanon without authorization to reside in the village. Ghafari highlights severe financial hardships and limited aid, noting that divine providence has prevented starvation. The parish seeks safe corridors for essential supplies and medical emergencies as residents wait for political decisions regarding their return.
An archbishop in Cameroon highlights the trauma from ten years of Anglophone crisis, which displaced up to one million people and killed thousands. To foster reconciliation, the local archdiocese is creating a peace catechism inspired by a recent papal visit. This educational tool aims to teach respect and dignity to students in Catholic schools, regardless of their religion. The initiative seeks to build a new culture of peace among the youth after years of violence and kidnappings, addressing the deep societal wounds caused by the prolonged conflict in the region.
Two Kenyan nuns were physically assaulted during a break-in at a girls' home in a village in northern Mozambique. The archbishop of a nearby city confirmed that a security guard is in critical condition and that no sexual violence occurred. The archbishop warned of exponentially rising crime in the region. This incident follows similar attacks in other cities and the killing of a local bishop. The northern province continues to suffer from a jihadist insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced millions, with the Church also facing frequent violence.
AED France reports a series of attacks on Christian churches across Europe and the Americas over the last three months. Incidents include vandalism in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Poland, and Northern Ireland, as well as thefts in the US, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. A drone attack in Colombia killed a child. Authorities in Bosnia investigated desecration at Medjugorje. The group states these deliberate acts highlight growing hostility toward religious sites, even in majority-Christian nations, urging protection of religious freedom.
Translated from Français
Read more →
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
