Pakistan: sentence mother of 4 children to death on blasphemy charges

Sep 22, 2024 11:40

Former nurse Shagufta Kiran, 40, received the death sentence on Wednesday (18th September) by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) court in Islamabad. Photo: Aid to the Church in Need

made a heartfelt visit to the Latin parish of Jenin to show support and assess the extensive damage caused by a recent ten-day Israeli military operation

ACN has supported 76 projects in the country in the past year to assist the Church and ease the suffering of those affected by extremist violence.

The Catholic church in Jenin, located in the heart of the West Bank, has once again been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.

One of the most striking revelations in the report is the disproportionate targeting of Christian communities.

The blaze, which reduced much of the 19th-century neo-Gothic structure to ruins, claimed the iconic bell tower, roof, and the main nave

On August 28, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive across several West Bank cities

Persecuted Christians•Testimonies

Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam in Pakistan

Christians falsely accused of blasphemy in Pakistan struggle to find a lawyer and are discriminated against in the justice system, according to Shagufta Kausar, a mother of four who was imprisoned for allegedly sending text messages – despite being illiterate and not owning a mobile phone – insulting the Muslim Prophet Mohammed.

Sep 04, 2024 11:41

Amy Balog

Persecuted Christians

150 killed (22 of them Christians) in “unprecedented” Islamist attack in Burkina Faso

A group of more than 100 jihadists opened fire on both soldiers and civilians digging defensive trenches to protect themselves in Barsalogho, central Burkina Faso

Aug 27, 2024 17:51

Amy Balog

Local Church•Persecuted Christians

Research Indicates That Discrimination Against Christians in Europe Has Increased by 44%

OIDAC Europe’s 2022/23 Annual Report pointed out a 44% increase in hate crimes against Christians, with a total of 749 incidents recorded, the majority of which were acts of vandalism and arson.

Aug 27, 2024 05:38

ZENIT Staff

Local Church•Persecuted Christians•Vatican City

Nicaraguan Dictator Accuses Vatican of Being a “Fascist Conglomerate”

He made these statements during a virtual meeting of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), a political and economic coalition, which brings together ten countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, including Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia.

Aug 27, 2024 05:35

ZENIT Staff

Local Church•Persecuted Christians

Nicaraguan dictatorship imposes taxes on Catholic Church donations

The Nicaraguan church finds itself at a crossroads: resist the government’s pressures, adapt to a new and complex legal environment, or find creative ways to continue its mission in a country where freedom of worship and association is under siege

Aug 22, 2024 17:35

Elizabeth Owens

he clarified that the document is not “strictly normative” and will require thoughtful interpretation and application over time.

Pope Francis determines that final synod document on synodality is papal magisterium

Drawing from “Amoris Laetitia”, he reiterated that not every doctrinal or moral debate requires magisterial intervention. Local churches are encouraged to explore “inculturated solutions” that honor traditions while addressing unique challenges.

Pope Francis emphasized the critical importance of road safety education, particularly for young people.

“Invest in Life”: Pope Francis Urges Road Safety Awareness

The Pope encouraged the Federation to continue its dual mission of managing the sport of motorcycling and promoting international representation while prioritizing road safety education

Pakistan: sentence mother of 4 children to death on blasphemy charges

Cardinal Pizzaballa Visits Jenin, Offering Solidarity and Hope Amid Devastation

Christians persecuted in Burkina Faso: desperate situation following escalation of violence

Israel: Destroying machines also raze a Catholic church in the West Bank

Alarming report: crisis of violence and kidnappings against Christians in Nigeria rises to critical levels

French Catholic church set on fire: offender had set fire to 10 churches in France

Israel continues to attack Christians and seize land from Palestinians now in the West Bank

Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam in Pakistan

150 killed (22 of them Christians) in “unprecedented” Islamist attack in Burkina Faso

Research Indicates That Discrimination Against Christians in Europe Has Increased by 44%

Nicaraguan Dictator Accuses Vatican of Being a “Fascist Conglomerate”

Nicaraguan dictatorship imposes taxes on Catholic Church donations