Thomas Osbeck, a 70-year-old Florida missionary, faces federal charges for sexual abuse of minors in Haiti. The US Attorney’s Office alleges he abused a boy aged eight to twelve between 2004 and 2008 and attempted to pay for sex with another minor in 2019 and 2020. Osbeck, who founded Jesus in Haiti Ministries, was arrested in Haiti in September and extradited to the US on October 14. He is currently held in Miami. The FBI is investigating whether he victimized other children in Haiti, a country currently experiencing severe political and security instability following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. According to a UN report, violence in Haiti has caused over 1,100 deaths between July and September alone.
US lawmakers are investigating ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria, where reports indicate thousands have been killed or abducted recently. A representative noted that attacks on churches and homes continue despite military cooperation with Nigerian forces. Democratic members criticized aid cuts for weakening security efforts. Experts attribute the persecution to local militias and government failure, urging broader institutional stability. The issue remains contentious as political control of Congress shifts, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and support for persecuted believers in the region.
A sociologist argues that a tripartite alliance involving pastors, lawyers, and officials in East Asia is reviving 'deprogramming,' a practice involving the abduction and detention of adults. Recent cooperation between anti-cult groups in South Korea and Japan has signaled a resurgence of these tactics. Data suggests forced conversion cases are increasing again after a previous decline. The report highlights that key figures in this network have prior criminal convictions for similar acts, raising serious concerns about religious freedom across the region.
A US representative stated that violence against Christians in a specific region of Nigeria continues one year after the country was designated a Country of Particular Concern. During a congressional hearing, the lawmaker highlighted ongoing killings and abductions. Testimony cited data claiming the nation accounts for a significant majority of global faith-related Christian deaths. The US government has faced criticism from local officials and analysts who dispute the genocide narrative. Meanwhile, legislation aimed at increasing accountability remains pending in Congress, despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting believers in the area.
The Colombian Attorney General condemned the ELN's kidnapping of two CTI agents, stating it lacked justification. The agents were held for over a year while performing security duties in a region of Colombia. They were released recently following negotiations involving humanitarian groups and the Catholic Church. The prosecutor expressed relief at their return but emphasized the risks faced by public servants. She thanked organizations like the Red Cross and the UN for their role in securing the release, while reiterating that the abduction of personnel serving the community is unacceptable.
A widow from a village in northern Nigeria, whose husband was executed by militants after he identified as a Christian, is joining a delegation to submit a petition to government officials in the United Kingdom. The petition aims to seek answers and accountability regarding the violence faced by Christians in the region. This action highlights ongoing security concerns and human rights issues, drawing international attention to the plight of victims of extremist groups in the country. The event underscores the persistent danger faced by believers in this area.
Authorities in Mozambique have arrested a sixth suspect linked to the murder of a prominent Catholic bishop in a city in central Mozambique. Investigators identified the detainee, a former soldier, as the alleged gunman based on forensic evidence and phone data. The suspect denies the charges, alleging police torture and claiming he fled to a neighboring country for trade. Six individuals are currently held in connection with the attack on the bishop. Officials state that other suspects remain at large as the legal proceedings continue toward trial.
Ten people were arrested after UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili was assaulted by a group led by Usman Nurmagomedov at a Hilton hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The incident occurred ahead of a wrestling event on Yas Island. Dvalishvili, a Georgian Christian, stated that Nurmagomedov and his entourage attacked him from behind. Abu Dhabi police described the event as a fight stemming from previous disputes. The MMA community reacted strongly, with some condemning the attackers as cowards, while others defended Nurmagomedov by citing a prior altercation in Georgia. The violence has drawn significant attention within the mixed martial arts world.
Thieves stripped lead from the roof of St Peter’s Church in Staines, Surrey, over the weekend. The theft left the west porch exposed to rain, causing significant structural damage. Local councillor Harry Boparai condemned the act as a new low for crime in the area. The church has launched a fundraising page to help cover insurance excess costs and repairs. A spokesperson stated the loss strains finances that support community services. The incident occurred shortly after a large Remembrance Day service, highlighting a stark contrast in community spirit.
Israeli airstrikes targeted two hospitals in Gaza on Wednesday, killing ten people and injuring at least thirty, according to Avvenire. The attacks hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis and al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The Israeli military stated the Nasser strike aimed to kill Hamas leader Mohammad Abu Ismail, who it claims coordinated hostage captivity. Meanwhile, heavy autumn rains have flooded thousands of tents, leading to the death of a ten-month-old infant from hypothermia. This violence occurs during a fragile ceasefire, with UN experts noting that ninety percent of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure has been destroyed since 2023.
Catholic priests in a major archdiocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo have condemned repeated attacks on religious communities in a specific province. A presbyteral council issued a statement demanding stronger security and thorough investigations. The appeal was read during the funeral of a local priest. The council stated that security is a right for all citizens, not a privilege for clergy. They described bandits storming religious houses with weapons and machetes. The group urged authorities to identify perpetrators and stop evading nighttime checks. They emphasized that these attacks threaten social stability and require immediate state protection.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Lian Tomtit on UnsplashPersecuted church
A Catholic priest in Nigeria’s Benue state was ambushed by suspected gunmen. The attack occurred on a major road while he was returning from a nearby city. According to a local resident, the assailants left the priest injured and unconscious by the roadside. This incident follows the recent kidnapping and release of another priest in the region. Reports indicate a surge in abductions and violence against Christians in the area, with data showing significant increases in killings and kidnappings over recent years. The local diocese attributed the previous priest's release to community prayers and divine intervention.
Six women in Goiânia, Brazil, have accused Pastor Pablo Junio Godoi de Moura of the Assembly of God Ministry Fama of sexual abuse. One victim told police that the pastor claimed he was preparing her for marriage by forcing sexual contact. The pastor's defense denies the charges, alleging political motives within the church. The women obtained protective orders banning the pastor from approaching them. The church leadership stated it supports the judicial investigation. Police are urging other potential victims to file reports.
Christian communities in southern Lebanon are facing direct threats of death and injury, allegedly linked to accusations of collaborating with Israel. Church officials have informed political and security authorities about these dangers, which sources describe as potentially organized efforts to intimidate residents. Mayors from several border villages, including Ramish and Ain Ebel, urgently appealed to the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke. They warned of ongoing Israeli attacks, displacement risks, and potential security vacuums after the UNIFIL mission ends. The groups demand guarantees for their safety and return, fearing that espionage accusations are being used to force them out of their homes.
The Observatory for Religious Freedom and Conscience (OLRC) released a report covering 33 violent incidents in Spain between June 2018 and October 2026. The document categorizes these events into murders, attacks on religious sites, and threats. According to the report, 76 percent of the episodes occurred during the legislative term starting in August 2023. Specifically, 58 percent of the incidents targeted Christians, their places of worship, or religious symbols. The study cites the 2023 murder of sacristan Diego Valencia in Algeciras and an axe attack in Montefrío in April 2026. The OLRC emphasizes that authorities must protect the fundamental right to religious freedom without fear of aggression.
The Christian Presence Observatory in the Holy Land, led by Latin Patriarchate priest Bashar Fawadleh, reported an attack on Taybeh, the only entirely Christian village in the West Bank. On the morning of November 12, Israeli settlers set fire to a vehicle and wrote anti-Arab slogans on a Greek Orthodox residential building near Ramallah. The group condemned the act as a violation of human dignity and a threat to the historic Christian presence. They urged Israeli authorities, churches, and the international community to intervene urgently to stop the escalating violence and protect the local residents from further intimidation and harm.
A pastor was killed in the Central African Republic following an attack by armed men. The assailants targeted his brother's home and later intercepted him near a field. His wife escaped with their two children and reported the incident. Locals discovered his body the following morning. The violence has heightened local tensions, with reports of damage to a mosque and Muslim residences. Security forces were deployed to restore order. This event follows recent kidnappings of young Christians in the region. The Central African Republic ranks 32nd on the 2026 World Watch List for Christian persecution. Church leaders are urging reconciliation and non-retaliation among the community.
A leader of a Christian ministry in Iran reported that believers face severe economic struggles and government persecution. He stated that Christians risk execution for protesting, describing their lives as miserable. The leader reported that numerous ministry-connected individuals were arrested, with many killed and others on death row. Despite this, he noted that faith remains strong, with some prisoners sharing their beliefs with others. He urged Western churches to support Iranian believers during this critical period, highlighting the ongoing conflict and political tensions affecting the region.
Pastor Albert Bry, Jr. of Victory Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, is searching for a new location after a third fire destroyed the Smithfield neighborhood building on Monday. The structure was already a total loss from a May blaze and suffered damage in October 2025. While the fire cause remains unconfirmed, one person received treatment for smoke inhalation. Bry attributes ongoing issues to nearby homelessness and a local shelter, though he expressed compassion for those affected. The city stated it is reassessing the condemned property for safety, while Firehouse Ministries called for better coordination among local organizations to address neighborhood concerns.
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