Persecution Relief reports that mobs disrupted Christmas events in a district in Madhya Pradesh and a district in West Bengal. In one location, individuals were detained at a local police station following disturbances at a church. In West Bengal, a pastor stated that attackers damaged sound equipment during caroling. Additionally, a man was arrested in Assam under anti-conversion laws, while a woman was evicted from her home in Madhya Pradesh due to her faith. Upcoming court hearings are scheduled for several pastors in other regions.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Praswin Prakashan on UnsplashPersecuted church
Persecution Relief reported multiple incidents of violence and legal action against Christians in India. In one state, a mob disrupted a Christmas program, leading to the detention of a church member. In another region, a pastor reported an assault on carol singers. In a third area, a believer was arrested under anti-conversion laws. Meanwhile, a pastor remains jailed in a western state, with hearings scheduled in various provinces. The organization urges prayer for those facing physical attacks, displacement, and prolonged legal battles across the country.
Religious freedom advocates warned of a possible new wave of mass violence against Christians in Nigeria around Christmas. Intelligence indicates coordinated militant movements near several states, potentially replicating past attacks. A researcher described the violence as genocide, citing thousands of deaths and church destructions since 2009. Participants included lawmakers and a nominee for international religious freedom. The group urges immediate intervention to prevent further atrocities against believers in the region.
In a city in Pakistan, a young Christian girl was assaulted by a neighbor while receiving tutoring. The victim's father reported the crime, leading to the suspect's arrest under national penal laws. However, the accused's relatives are pressuring the Christian family to drop the complaint and accept a settlement, threatening their safety. A Christian aid organization is providing legal support and relocating the family to ensure their protection during the legal proceedings. This incident underscores the severe challenges Christians face in seeking justice and safety within the country's legal and social systems.
Ministry workers share stories from northern Nigeria about Christians enduring Boko Haram attacks. They report meeting widows of martyred believers and women kidnapped by militants. One survivor, shot in the face with an AK-47, remains faithful and encouraged his son to forgive the attackers. These experiences demonstrate how God sustains believers through disappointment and heartbreak while they serve persecuted communities in the region. The accounts highlight the resilience and forgiveness of Christians facing severe persecution in this area.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Beau Swierstra on UnsplashPersecuted church
Father Lucas Perozzi serves the Catholic community in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, where residents endure daily missile attacks and severe energy blackouts. The priest notes that the town lacks the air defense systems of Kyiv, resulting in direct hits on buildings and casualties. Daily life is disrupted by power cuts and rising costs, with worship often held by candlelight. Additionally, the community rents a church confiscated during the Soviet era. As Christmas approaches, Father Perozzi expresses hope for divine presence amidst the ongoing conflict and economic hardship affecting locals and refugees.
A Christian family in a district of Pakistan is seeking justice after a Muslim man allegedly raped their six-year-old daughter. The incident occurred in a local village. The victim’s father reported that the accused forced the child into a room after school. After medical confirmation, police arrested the suspect. However, the accused’s family pressured the victims to drop charges and threatened them with violence. Consequently, the family fled their home. An international Christian solidarity organization is providing legal aid and security, noting the suspect faces severe penalties under local law. This case highlights the ongoing persecution of Christians in the region.
Rt Rev Stephen Dokolo, the Anglican Archbishop of Lui in South Sudan, survived an ambush on Monday while traveling to a funeral in Maridi County. Armed men intercepted his vehicle on the Lui–Mundri road, looting money and phones before fleeing. Security officials confirmed no one was harmed. The police commissioner accused rebel forces of involvement, noting recent clashes in the Greater Mundri area. Church authorities condemned the incident and urged authorities to improve traveler protection amid ongoing insecurity.
International Christian Concern reports that Nigerian Christians face heightened danger as Christmas 2025 approaches, following deadly attacks in northern regions. President Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations. Jihadists have historically targeted believers during holidays, exploiting travel and gatherings. Locals warn of planned kidnappings and village invasions in the Middle Belt. Security measures include church closures and surveillance, though resources are limited. An evangelist notes widespread trauma and fear. Critics accuse the government of complacency and inconsistent gun law enforcement, leaving civilians vulnerable to armed groups.
Eighteen members of a house church remain detained in a city in southern China as the case enters its tenth week. Nine women are held in one center and nine male pastors in another. Families report frequent interrogations and denied medical bail for an elder who requires heart surgery. Despite restrictions, the church held an online Sunday service with over 1,500 participants. Authorities continue to characterize tithing as fraud, while some families have fled to other countries. The group states that worship continues despite the uncertainty and pressure from law enforcement.
Persecution Relief reported incidents of harassment against Christians in India. In one region, a pastor remained detained while others were released. In another area, a worship service was disrupted, causing injury, and several individuals were taken to police before release. In a third region, a pastor and numerous believers were detained after an interruption. The group also noted court hearings for pastors in various states facing conversion charges. Additionally, media reports from a different region described families leaving Christianity and chaos at a prayer meeting. The outlet urges prayer for those affected by these events.
A high court in Uttar Pradesh, India, ruled that distributing Bibles and preaching Christianity does not violate the state’s anti-conversion laws. The court criticized local police for arresting individuals without formal complaints or victims coming forward. This ruling addresses concerns that the Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act is being misused to target peaceful religious activities. A bishop stated the judgment provides legal protection for minorities and highlights the danger of arbitrary arrests based on unverified third-party complaints. The case will be reviewed in four weeks.
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, stated that a pilot of a hijacked aircraft told the assailant that God loves him. The incident occurred in South Sudan, when a man boarded a plane delivering medicine to a remote village. The hijacker threatened the pilot and demanded to be flown to a neighboring country. The pilot instead spoke calmly to the man, who then surrendered. The plane landed safely in a regional city, where security forces arrested the suspect. Graham praised the outcome, noting no one was seriously injured. The organization expressed gratitude for the swift action of local authorities.
In North Sulawesi, Indonesia, young Muslims stoned the Silo Watuliney Christian Evangelical Church on November 30, wounding two Christians and shattering windows. The attack triggered a brawl where a Christian mob burned a security post in a neighboring village. Police detained suspects and deployed officers to prevent further violence. Christian militia leaders, including James Sumendap and Nah Hendrix, mobilized forces to monitor the situation and urge police action. Tensions remain high between residents of Molompar and Watuliney villages, with social media fueling unrest amid concerns over rising religious extremism in the region.
Data from the Taliban's supreme court indicates that at least 108 individuals were publicly flogged in Afghanistan over a three-week period. These punishments, primarily issued in various provinces, targeted offenses such as theft, alcohol trafficking, and running away from home. At least seven women were among those punished. Additionally, the court reported a public execution by retaliation in one region. This figure is lower than a recent UN report, which stated 215 people were flogged between August and October. Human rights groups continue to condemn these corporal punishments as violations of international standards.
Roman Oleksiv, now 11, testified at the European Parliament about a 2022 Russian missile strike on a hospital in Vinnytsia, Ukraine. The attack killed his mother and left him with severe injuries requiring extensive surgery. According to Avvenire, the boy described digging through rubble to find his mother's hair before being rescued. His testimony highlighted the human cost of the war, contrasting with what the outlet describes as Western distraction. The story aims to remind European audiences of the ongoing conflict's impact on civilians.
A Christian couple was attacked by a mob of approximately 300 people in a village in Karnataka, India. The violence followed false rumors that a government health worker had forced conversions. Although police intervened, they failed to stop the assault. A First Information Report named six men from a local community as perpetrators. Reports indicate that other Christian families in the area also faced harassment, including utility cuts and death threats. The organization urges authorities to investigate thoroughly and address rising hostility toward religious minorities in the region.
One year after the regime change in Syria, Christians remain fragile despite the absence of systematic religious persecution. Worship continues openly, mandatory military service was abolished, and some seized properties were returned. The new government appointed a Christian minister and elected a female MP, signaling inclusion. However, security remains unstable. Reports indicate incidents of kidnapping, theft, and attacks on churches, including a bombing in a major city and violence in another region. Economic hardship persists, keeping emigration as a primary option for many. Church leaders warn that retaining the remaining population is now the main challenge.
Nigeria faces escalating violence and mass kidnappings, particularly in the north and center. A priest attributes attacks on Christians to Fulani pastoralists and past government policies. Recent incidents include the abduction of students in a northern state and a pastor in another region. While some view this as religious persecution, others describe it as a criminal kidnapping industry. Data from the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa shows significant Muslim casualties as well, highlighting complex ethnic and resource conflicts rather than simple religious war.
Translated from Italiano
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