Believers in a North African nation face significant dangers due to the absence of a unified central government. Although Open Doors lowered the country’s persecution ranking due to fewer recorded violent incidents, Christians remain under threat. Converts from Islam endure pressure from families and communities, while foreign migrants risk kidnapping and exploitation. Since recent arrests, online church activities have faced increased surveillance. The outlet emphasizes that public worship remains impossible, forcing believers to hide their faith to ensure safety.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Aditya Vyas on UnsplashPersecuted church
Twelve Catholic bishops expressed regret after photos and videos of them praying for President Donald Trump in the Oval Office were released. Some bishops claimed they were misled about the publicity, stating they were told images would remain private. The incident occurred shortly before the November 3 midterm elections, leading to accusations that the prayer was a political endorsement. Bishops Jeffrey Grob and William Joensen issued statements apologizing for being used. The USCCB clarified it did not organize the meeting, which was arranged by the Heritage Foundation. Polls show Catholic voters are nearly evenly split between Democratic and Republican candidates.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ali wassouf on UnsplashPersecuted church
The Japan Evangelistic Alliance has released materials for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Citing Open Doors data, the organization urges Christians to pray for believers in Syria, Iran, and Iraq. These regions face severe violence and displacement, with millions fleeing since 2000. The materials highlight specific stories, such as a family surviving an ISIS-linked bombing in a Middle Eastern city. The JEA emphasizes that despite high persecution levels, remaining communities maintain their faith. The organization encourages churches to use the provided resources for prayer and reflection on these global challenges.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Damian Patkowski on UnsplashPersecuted church
A Kenyan high court in Mombasa convicted 29 leaders of the Good News International Ministries sect for the deaths of 191 people, including 190 children. Judge Diana Kabaza Mochache ruled that the group forced followers, especially children, to starve to death through isolation and control. Over 400 bodies were found in the Shakohola forest near Malindi. The court rejected claims that victims were not forced to fast, citing evidence of a hierarchy of death. Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, while the defense plans to appeal the verdict. The case highlights the dangers of extreme religious doctrines in Kenya.
A South Korean court sentenced Hwaseung Church founder Jeong Myung-seok to 33 years in prison for sexual assaults against 16 female followers. The Daejeon District Court handed down the sentence on the 19th, exceeding the prosecution's request of 27 years. The court found that Jeong abused his religious authority to commit approximately 80 incidents between 2018 and 2022. This is a first-instance verdict; if finalized, it will be added to his existing 17-year sentence, totaling 50 years. The court also ordered electronic monitoring for 15 years. Other church officials received prison terms for their roles in the crimes.
The US Department of Defense announced plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, a former army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas in 2009. The event is scheduled for December 3 at the base. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from major Christian leaders, including USCCB President Archbishop Paul Coakley and NAE President Walter Kim, who argue it promotes a culture of death. However, some pastors, such as Douglas Wilson and Robert Jeffress, support the public nature of the execution as a biblical precedent. The execution marks the first US military death penalty since 1961.
Since the Taliban took control, Christians in Afghanistan face severe persecution, ranking high on global watch lists. Converts from Islam risk execution under strict laws, while surveillance and honor-based violence threaten believers in urban areas. Underground church gatherings are extremely dangerous, and digital communications are monitored. Many refugees returning from neighboring countries encounter additional hazards. A local believer describes life as precarious, yet maintains hope despite constant fear and pain, highlighting the resilience of the faith community under intense pressure.
The Council of Churches in Japan (NCC) sent a protest letter to Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita and Immigration Services Agency Director Takaji Nishiyama on June 6. The NCC opposes recent fee increases and stricter permanent residency guidelines under the revised Immigration Control Act. The organization argues that higher costs, such as a 200,000 yen fee for permanent residency, hinder small churches from hosting missionaries and threaten the stable lives of foreign residents. The NCC demands a reversal of the fee hikes, a review of the stricter rules, and a forum to hear opinions from affected communities and supporting groups.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Amir Shiri on UnsplashPersecuted church
Since recent conflicts erupted, Iran has intensified persecution of Christians, ranking tenth on Open Doors' World Watch List. Authorities view believers as Western threats, targeting converts with house raids, arrests, and coercive interrogations. The government passed a broad spy law allowing the death penalty for dissent. Following tensions with the US and Israel, officials publicly accuse Christians of espionage. In at least 21 cities, 54 believers were arrested and labeled as foreign agents. Despite severe pressure to recant, some Christians maintain their faith. The situation places underground church members at unprecedented risk of imprisonment and economic ruin.
Yoido Pure Evangelical Church and Sarang Church in South Korea have confirmed they were victims of cyberattacks, with suspected leaks of member personal information. Yoido Pure Evangelical Church announced on the 7th that data including names and birthdates of approximately 850,000 members may have been compromised. Senior Pastor Lee Young-hoon apologized for the incident. Security firm Oasis Security discovered the breach after analyzing attacker servers, noting that both churches' systems were infiltrated. Sarang Church has established an emergency response team to mitigate further damage. The attacks highlight significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities within large religious organizations in the region.
For over thirty years, Turkmenistan has enforced strict surveillance and persecution against Christians, both foreign and local. According to Christian Today Japan, nearly all foreign Christians have been expelled. Registered churches face constant threats and bans, while registration often leads to tighter government control. Local pastors have endured exile, violence, fines, and imprisonment. Believers maintain their faith under extreme risk in this closed society. The outlet notes that Christians constitute less than 2% of the population, with Muslims making up the majority. This ongoing oppression highlights the severe difficulties faced by religious minorities in the Central Asian nation.
Christian Today Japan reports that persecution of Christians in India has intensified due to rising Hindu nationalism and anti-conversion laws in over twelve states. The outlet notes that India ranks 12th on Open Doors' World Watch List. In one northern state, a couple received a five-year sentence for holding a home prayer meeting, while another region has effectively banned house churches. The article also highlights ongoing violence in a northeastern state, where thousands of Christians remain displaced. Despite these hardships, believers maintain their faith, though the outlet urges prayers for their safety and protection from extremist violence.
On September 22, a Sri Lankan appeals court sentenced 15 individuals to prison terms ranging from 200 to 260 years for their roles in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The attacks targeted churches and hotels in Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa, killing approximately 270 people. While Christian groups welcomed the verdict, organizations like Christian Solidarity Worldwide emphasized that full justice remains incomplete without addressing alleged state intelligence failures. Defendants plan to appeal to the Supreme Court. This ruling follows previous decisions holding former officials accountable for ignoring security warnings.
A prominent religious institution revoked an award from a Pakistani cleric following revelations of his past support for a known terrorist leader and criticism of a famous author. Although the cleric had previously received the honor for interfaith efforts, the Archbishop of Canterbury stated that recent disclosures necessitated a re-evaluation. The cleric's council argued the comments were taken out of context. This reversal occurred on the anniversary of a major terrorist attack, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding religious dialogue and historical extremism within the region.
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