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Good news and the persecuted church, from around the world

SermonWave World News

Thursday, November 5, 2026 Updated 6:52 PM Central Time 724 stories

Physical attacks

Stories about this topic, from the outlets we read.

Persecuted church

Jordan Refers Church Attack Suspects to National Security Court

Mohabat News Jordan

Jordanian authorities have referred suspects involved in an attack on an Orthodox church in a region of Jordan to the National Security Court. The prosecutor general announced that investigations into the incident at a church in a village are complete. The case includes charges of collaborative terrorism resulting in death, use of weapons, and conspiracy. Armed men opened fire on attendees at a funeral ceremony. The prosecution states that evidence collection and witness testimonies have been finalized, and the file is now ready for trial proceedings under national security laws.

Translated from فارسیAlso reported by 6 outlets

Illustrative photo: Church in Murree, Pakistan
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Church in Murree, Pakistan · Fraz.khalid1 / Wikimedia Commons · CC0
Persecuted church

Christians in Pakistan Find Strength Amid Blasphemy Law Persecution

Christian Today Japan (クリスチャントゥデイ) Pakistan

Pakistan ranks high on persecution lists. Recently, a mob attacked Christians in a city in Punjab province, causing significant trauma. A local partner stayed to support victims, while a university lecturer testified that faith helped him forgive his attackers. Reports indicate blasphemy laws are often used for false accusations, land disputes, and forced conversions of girls. Despite these dangers, local churches continue providing education and biblical support. The article highlights how believers maintain hope and community resilience despite ongoing violence and legal injustices.

Translated from 日本語

Persecuted church

West Bengal Christians Testify Before People's Tribunal on Mob Violence

Christian Today India India

Fifteen Christians testified before a citizen-led tribunal in a city in West Bengal regarding mob attacks on house churches. Organized by civil society groups, the hearing featured survivors describing assaults, vandalism, and alleged police inaction since the ruling party took state power. Jury members, including a former Chief Information Commissioner, criticized the violence and official complicity. The organizers plan to submit a report to state and central governments. Church leaders condemned the incidents, citing increased fear and a lack of legal protection for minority worshippers in the region.

Also reported by 1 other outlet

Illustrative photo: Vicenza Palazzo Chiericati Esterno 1
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Vicenza Palazzo Chiericati Esterno 1 · Zairon / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Persecuted church

Fake Carabinieri Scam Drains Accounts of Vicenza Parishes and School

zazoom.it Italy

A priest in Vicenza, Italy, was defrauded by an individual impersonating a Carabinieri officer. The scam resulted in the disappearance of at least 170,000 euros from the bank accounts of four parishes and a kindergarten within the Porta Ovest pastoral community. The incident occurred on October 23. Local priests informed the faithful about the theft during recent masses. The Diocese of Vicenza has intervened to provide 80,000 euros to cover urgent expenses, as the affected communities face significant financial risks. Details regarding the suspect's identity and specific fraud methods remain undisclosed.

Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 1 other outlet

Persecuted church

Jordanian Bishop Calls Shared Citizenship Antidote to Terror After Church Attack

Vatican News (Portugues) Jordan

Following a deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in a village in Jordan, a bishop issued a message urging national unity. The attack killed nine people and injured approximately forty others. The bishop stated that the pain was national, not religious, highlighting solidarity across faiths. He described shared citizenship as a defense against terrorism, noting that Christian institutions serve all citizens regardless of belief. The Pope also condemned the violence. The bishop emphasized that living together requires constant effort and mutual respect to maintain social harmony in the region.

Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 1 other outlet

Persecuted church

Armed Militia Movements Reported in Taraba State Following Recent Attacks

Truth Nigeria Nigeria

Security sources in Nigeria report that armed Fulani ethnic militia members are moving in large numbers within a local government area in Taraba State. These movements follow recent violence, including a massacre in a village and attacks on other settlements. During those incidents, over 15 people were abducted, and several residents were killed or injured. The group says these activities raise fears of further attacks on vulnerable communities. Truth Nigeria notes that the specific plans for additional assaults have not been independently verified.

Persecuted church

Taybeh priest warns settler attacks are driving Christians from West Bank village

Christian Today Palestinian Territories

Father Bashar Fawadleh, the parish priest in Taybeh, the West Bank’s only Christian village, warns that ongoing attacks by Israeli settlers are causing a Christian exodus. Locals report vandalism, arson attempts on the church, and damage to olive groves. In August, the IDF declared the area a closed military zone to protect residents, though the priest says this restricts movement and harms the economy. He states that 16 families have left in three years, reducing the population by 10 percent. The priest emphasizes that residents seek basic human rights and access to their land, echoing concerns from Jerusalem church leaders about dangerous rhetoric encouraging such attacks.

Persecuted church

Pakistan blasphemy cases drop but Christians remain vulnerable

Christian Today Korea (크리스천투데이) Pakistan

Pakistan reported only 13 blasphemy allegations this year, a notable drop from previous years, according to International Christian Concern. This decline is attributed to military crackdowns on hardline Islamist groups, which also reduced related violence. However, ICC warns that underlying laws remain unchanged, leaving religious minorities, particularly Christians, at risk of false accusations and mob attacks. A recent incident in a city in Pakistan involved a Christian family targeted by a mob, though police intervened. Despite fewer cases, experts caution that the legal framework enabling such abuses persists, leaving vulnerable communities at continued risk.

Translated from 한국어

Persecuted church

Nigeria Cleric Murder Sparks Fears of Sectarian War Endangering Christians

Truth Nigeria Nigeria

The assassination of a prominent Islamic cleric in northern Nigeria has ignited fears of sectarian violence, potentially endangering Christian minorities. The victim, known for promoting interfaith harmony, was killed recently, with an Al-Qaeda-linked group claiming responsibility. However, his family suspects local rivals from a rival religious movement. Security experts warn that retaliatory attacks between Muslim factions could escalate, creating broader communal insecurity across the region. Religious leaders are deeply concerned that extremist ideologies targeting interfaith cooperation may lead to widespread instability, putting vulnerable Christian communities at significant risk of persecution and violence in the affected areas.

Also reported by 1 other outlet

Illustrative photo: blue house near seashore
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Tony Williams on Unsplash
Persecuted church

Four men file hate crime complaint after Rouen attack

tendanceouest.com France

Four men filed a complaint in Rouen, France, alleging they were attacked because of their religion. The incident occurred on October 31 near the Docks 76 shopping center. According to the Rouen prosecutor's office, a group of about fifteen people assaulted ten others while the victims were singing a Catholic song in the street. One victim sustained minor injuries and sought medical attention. Mayor Nicolas Mayer Rossignol condemned the violence and requested a strong legal response, suggesting the motive may be religious. The Territorial Criminality Division is investigating to identify the perpetrators and determine the exact circumstances of the assault.

Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 3 outlets

Persecuted church

Two Arrested in Telangana for Attacking Christian Women

siasat.com India

Police in a city in Telangana state arrested two men for assaulting young Christian women. The incident, which occurred in a district within the state, was captured on video and recently released, sparking public outrage. The attackers accused the women of using chocolates for religious conversion. Following the video's emergence, local Dalit Christian and political groups protested at a crossroads in the area, condemning the violence and demanding protection of constitutional rights and communal harmony. Authorities are currently verifying further details of the case to ensure justice is served for the victims.

Persecuted church

Dalit Christians Protest Attack on Women

siasat.com India

Dalit Christian organizations, alongside people’s and political groups, staged a large-scale protest at a crossroads in a city in India. The demonstration occurred to condemn an attack on two women and demand stringent legal action against the perpetrator. Protesters asserted that violence against women and religious hatred violate democratic principles and constitutional values. They called for justice for the victims and urged authorities to prevent similar incidents. Police made security arrangements to maintain order during the event, which emphasized the equal right of all citizens to live with dignity and freedom.

Persecuted church

Al Jazeera Op-Ed Warns Against Public Retaliation After Church Attack

aljazeera.net Jordan

An Al Jazeera opinion piece contrasts a European nation's democratic response to past attacks with public calls for executions in Jordan following a recent church bombing in a specific region. The article argues that Jordan must uphold the rule of law rather than seeking vengeance, as doing so would validate the terrorists' goal of dividing society. It emphasizes that state legitimacy comes from legal institutions, not public spectacle, and urges the government to maintain justice and security without abandoning core national values.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Terrorists Suspected Crossing River Kaduna to Niger State

Truth Nigeria Nigeria

Intelligence suggests approximately twelve local boats are crossing a major river toward a local government area in Niger State. These vessels, each capable of carrying fifty people, are allegedly transporting unidentified armed terrorists. Operators are reportedly being coerced into this service. This movement follows earlier alerts regarding the relocation of a known terror leader to a local government area in Kaduna State, which borders Niger. The outlet urges security agencies to verify the intelligence and protect vulnerable communities, including the forced boat operators. (Source: Truth Nigeria)

Persecuted church

Nigeria Militia Threatens Farmers and Churches in Southern Kaduna

Truth Nigeria Nigeria

Security documents reveal that a Fulani militia is orchestrating a campaign to starve Christian farmers in a region of northern Nigeria. The group seized individuals in a local village as part of broader efforts to destroy livelihoods and disrupt harvests. Reports indicate over 400 fighters have moved into the area, with plans to target churches and community defense groups. The assessment warns that these actions aim to suppress voting ahead of upcoming elections and erode trust in the government. This escalation raises concerns for international partners regarding religious freedom and security stability in Nigeria.

Persecuted church

ISIS Plot to Attack Churches in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan Before Christmas

Mohabat News Syria

A security source reported that ISIS is planning coordinated suicide attacks against Christian churches in several Middle Eastern countries around Christmas. The group has selected operatives equipped with explosives to create security gaps and fuel sectarian tensions. The source emphasized the critical need for regional intelligence coordination to prevent the plot and protect vulnerable communities from such targeted violence.

Translated from فارسی

Persecuted church

Russia bombs Ukrainian aid center after ceasefire ends

Kukmin Ilbo Mission (국민일보 미션) Ukraine

Russia struck a humanitarian aid distribution center in Komysheva Bah, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine, killing at least 29 people shortly after a local ceasefire ended. The BBC reports that nine 3,000-kilogram bombs were dropped on the school facility used for relief efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a second attack targeted a nearby shelter where civilians had gathered. In retaliation, Ukraine launched drone attacks on Moscow, which Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said were intercepted. Cyberattacks also triggered false nuclear alerts in both nations. Diplomatic talks are scheduled for November in Abu Dhabi.

Translated from 한국어

Persecuted church

Ukrainian man faces life sentence for monastery attack in Poland

RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine) Poland

A 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen, identified as Igor M., faces a potential life sentence after prosecutors in Poland updated charges against him for a deadly attack on a Benedictine monastery in Jarosław. The incident on September 24 resulted in the death of a 72-year-old priest and injuries to four others. Initially charged with murder and attempted murder, prosecutors now allege five separate crimes committed with repeated intent. Igor M. confessed to the acts but remains in a secure psychiatric hospital due to diagnosed psychotic disorders. Experts are currently evaluating his mental state at the time of the offense to determine criminal responsibility.

Translated from Українська

Persecuted church

WEA Leader Visits Church Shooting Victims

Christian Today Korea (크리스천투데이) Jordan

A WEA Secretary General visited a village in Jordan to mourn Christians killed in a church funeral shooting. The attack occurred at a local Orthodox church. The leader, accompanied by another senior figure, paid respects to families and condemned the violence. Jordanian authorities arrested suspects and conducted airstrikes against alleged terrorist links. The WEA emphasized that terror cannot defeat love and pledged continued support for the victims' families and the local community.

Translated from 한국어

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