A Catholic media worker from Nicaragua now resides in the United States after escaping religious persecution in his homeland. According to Aid to the Church in Need, he faced arrest and threats under the current regime for promoting human rights and evangelization. His brother was beaten by police, and bishops were imprisoned or expelled. He launched a media outlet to document ongoing abuses against catechists and families. He seeks asylum in the United States, citing religious freedom, while continuing to report on the suffering of the Church in Nicaragua.
Mumangi Muthiani, a Christian laborer in Kenya’s Greater Somalia region, was severely beaten by Somali Muslim men after his work was cancelled. The attack left him with a fractured leg and facial injuries. While unconscious, his photo was circulated online, leading his community to believe he was dead and prompting premature mourning. Security reports indicate that al-Shabab militants and local herdsmen frequently target Christians in this predominantly Muslim area. Muthiani was rescued and treated, expressing gratitude for his survival. The incident highlights the ongoing violence and fear faced by believers in the region, who remain uncertain about future attacks.
Christians in Turkmenistan endure severe persecution under the authoritarian regime. The government tightly controls religious activities, permitting only state-approved groups like the Russian Orthodox Church to meet openly. Converts from Islam, particularly in rural areas, suffer physical violence and social ostracism. Unregistered churches risk police raids, fines, and imprisonment. Support organizations provide assistance through underground Bible distribution and encouragement for hidden believers who must practice their faith in secret to avoid arrest or harm. This environment forces many to conceal their identity to ensure personal safety and survival within a hostile societal structure.
In northern Laos, seven Christian families were expelled from their villages in early 2025 after converting to Christianity. Local authorities issued an ultimatum to renounce their faith or leave, offering land and timber to those who recanted. The families chose to remain faithful and were forced out, with their homes demolished. They now share a small safehouse, receiving aid from Open Doors partners. Additionally, a separate family led by a believer and his relative faced expulsion from their mother’s home due to religious opposition. These cases highlight the ongoing persecution of Christians in Laos, where the faith is often viewed as a threat to traditional village life.
According to ZENIT, anti-Christian incidents in Israel have risen sharply, with 88 cases reported in the first half of 2026. The Center for Religious Freedom Data attributes this to extremist groups and post-October 2023 trauma. Meanwhile, international surveys by Pew Research show declining global support for Israel, partly due to settlement expansions in the West Bank and Gaza. Church leaders warn that these actions threaten the historic Christian presence in the Holy Land. Although many Israeli Jews support Christians, the overall climate of polarization and violence is damaging Israel's reputation abroad and endangering local religious communities.
A Christian couple in Laos was separated by persecution after one partner converted from animism. Authorities confiscated property and pressured the husband to renounce his wife’s faith. He abandoned the marriage, but she fled to protect her new belief. Years later, he converted to Christianity, leading to his second divorce and eventual reconciliation with her. The couple, now married again, faces ongoing hostility. Villagers destroyed their home, forcing them to live in forest huts. They hold illegal worship services there, risking further displacement. Open Doors reports their story as an example of resilience amid religious oppression in Laos.
On June 24, a group of Muslims attacked a Christian prayer house in the Hegarmanah Indah Housing Complex in West Java, Indonesia. The mob demanded the facility be closed and threatened to burn it down, while also assaulting several church members. Rev. Marudut, the housing developer, stated he had previously donated land for mosques and that the unrest began after a change in neighborhood leadership. The SETARA Institute notes that West Java consistently records the highest number of religious freedom violations in Indonesia. This incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding worship spaces in the region.
A retired US general shares his grandfather’s missionary work in Iran and Libya during the 1950s. While Christian organizations report over 250 arrests of Iranian Christians last year, the family operated freely in major cities before political shifts. The general founded a humanitarian foundation in Afghanistan. He connects his grandfather’s evangelism to his own charitable efforts, emphasizing service to those in need despite legal restrictions on religious proselytizing in the region. The account highlights a contrast between past religious freedoms and current repression.
In a village in Cross River State, Nigeria, a mob brutally assaulted a woman during a church crusade. Accused of witchcraft by a pastor, she was beaten with canes and anointed with oil before being left motionless. While she survived, community sources report another victim died. Weeks later, no arrests have been made despite police claims of an investigation. Human rights advocates cite this as part of a wider crisis of religiously motivated violence against alleged witches in the region.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Experts estimate that damage to the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Ukraine reached 40 million euros following a Russian drone strike on June 15. The Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported this assessment, which exceeds initial local estimates. Ukrainian officials state that temporary roofing is being installed on the Dormition Cathedral, with plans to reopen the site to visitors soon. The attack damaged roofs, domes, and walls, though the main iconostasis was saved. Ukrainian authorities are seeking international support through UNESCO and allocating state funds for restoration, emphasizing the site's significance as a World Heritage location. The complex celebrates its 975th anniversary this year.
A pastor in India, who converted from Hinduism to Christianity, recently endured a violent attack by a mob of Hindu nationalists. Approximately twenty attackers entered his church, assaulting women and threatening the congregation. The group verbally abused the pastor and his family for two hours, demanding the permanent closure of the church. Although a police complaint was filed, no official report was generated. An international Christian organization provided groceries and emotional support to the family, who now face financial hardship and constant surveillance. The church remains closed, and the pastor is unable to meet with members freely due to ongoing persecution in the region.
A priest serving in a parish in a central region of the Central African Republic was shot dead amid persistent unrest. Gunmen allegedly killed the cleric during the evening, though details remain unclear due to the volatile security situation. A local bishop described the event as a tremendous loss for the community and the diocese. Regional church leaders noted that ongoing gunfire hinders precise information gathering. The victim’s colleague, a missionary with decades of service, is recognized for peace negotiations with armed groups in the violence-plagued area. The incident highlights the severe dangers facing religious leaders in this conflict zone.
Nine individuals in a district of Chhattisgarh, India, were released on bail following a violent attack on Christian worshippers. A mob assaulted thirteen believers during a Sunday service in a village, causing severe injuries that required hospitalization. Sources state the attackers looted homes and property after the families fled. A senior leader of a regional Christian forum criticized the police for filing mild charges and excluding religious hate crime elements. This incident highlights rising hostility against Christians in the region, with India ranking high on global persecution lists.
David Musobya, a 37-year-old man, was severely beaten by a group of approximately nine individuals in Mayuge District, Uganda, on June 14. The incident occurred after Musobya and his wife distributed Christian materials and preached in the Ikulwe Centre area. According to his wife, Elizabeth Nakato, the attackers objected to their evangelistic activities and struck Musobya with blunt objects, causing fractures to his leg and hand. He lost consciousness before fleeing attackers were deterred by a passing truck. Musobya is currently receiving medical treatment in Mayuge. Church pastor Joseph Omala plans to report the assault to police once Musobya is discharged.
The World Organization Against Torture reports that torture risks in Nicaragua are extremely high. Specific detention centers function as torture hubs with total impunity. The annual index places the country alongside nations like Russia and Iran. At least forty distinct torture methods have been recorded, including sexual violence and electric shocks. Since 2018, eight political prisoners have died while in custody. The report emphasizes structural impunity, noting a complete lack of convictions for such crimes. Government constitutional reforms removed explicit bans on torture and established a voluntary police force. Victims receive no state support and instead face persecution.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A drone attack damaged the residence of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church priest in Pavlohrad, Ukraine, according to the church's information department. The priest, his wife, and their two young children were inside during the incident. Father Alexander stated that while the house suffered significant structural damage, including broken windows and roof holes, the family survived with only minor injuries from debris. He described their survival as a divine miracle. The event highlights the ongoing risks to civilians in the region due to aerial attacks.
Christians in southern Lebanon, including Jdeidat Marjayoun, live in fear as Israeli forces occupy areas near the border. The conflict, triggered by Hezbollah rocket fire, has led to widespread destruction and displacement of Shia residents. According to the Associated Press, non-Shia communities face raids, home damage, and isolation. Tensions have risen as residents turn away displaced Shia neighbors to avoid Israeli retaliation. The military claims it targets militants, but locals report civilian casualties and detentions. This situation echoes past occupations, causing deep sectarian strain and uncertainty for those remaining in the zone.
British missionary Duncan Dyason faced a life-threatening situation in Guatemala City when a gang member pointed a gun at him. Dyason requested one minute to share his faith, which reportedly calmed the attacker. The gunman later admitted that the weapon had jammed during previous violent attempts, attributing the failure to divine protection. Dyason, who works with street children in the region, stated that this incident confirmed his belief in God's safeguarding presence. The account is featured in Simon Guillebaud’s new book, highlighting Dyason’s long-term ministry in Central America aimed at helping vulnerable youth.
On June 15, Russia launched 70 missiles and 611 drones against Ukraine, killing 11 people and injuring over 30. Jerry Pillay, secretary general of the World Council of Churches, condemned the strikes as an illegal invasion and called for an immediate end to the aggression. He highlighted damage to civilian buildings and the UNESCO-listed Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv. Pillay urged both sides to show restraint and protect cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Ukraine signaled potential willingness to join no NATO, but refuses to cede occupied territories, complicating peace talks as UN monitors warn of rising civilian risks.
Translated from Français
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