Forty-nine languages received Scripture translations in 2017 thanks to work of Bible Societies, says report
Bible Societies around the world assisted in the completion of Scripture translations in 49 languages spoken by more than 580 million people last year, according to data from United Bible Societies. The organisation’s Global Scripture Access Report for 2017 also shows that seven communities – based in Mozambique, Myanmar, South Sudan, Taiwan, Turkmenistan and Vietnam – […]
Pakistan court orders citizens to declare religion
World Watch Monitor Pakistan’s citizens must now declare their religion when applying for identity documents, or if they want to work in government or register to vote, Islamabad’s High Court ruled on Friday. Applicants who disguise their true religion defy the constitution and betray the state, the judge said. Their true religion must now also […]
More children were killed in Syria in 2017 than any other year during war, says UN chief
More children were killed in Syria during 2017 than during any other year in the ongoing civil war. That “one stark fact” was highlighted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as he addressed the UN Security Council on Monday, adding that he was “deeply saddened” at the “immense loss and cascading suffering” of the Syrian people and “deeply disappointed by […]
PROGRESS?
It’s amazing how many things that we argue are progress – moving forward – are actually regress – moving backwards – because we don’t know history. PROGRESSIVE? Paul Clark says what appears to be taking us forward is often, in fact, a step back to the past. PICTURE: Jake Hills/Unsplash Extended trading/working hours seem progressive, […]
Medieval graffiti found in UK church may shed new light on Black Death response
Medieval graffiti uncovered in a church in the UK town of Winchester could shed new light on people’s responses to the Black Death, an expert has told The Telegraph. The graffiti was discovered in a tower at St John’s Church as part of a broader survey of medieval graffiti. As well as images of people […]
ISRAEL: JERUSALEM TAX SPAT PITS HEAVEN AGAINST EARTH
MICHELE CHABIN, of Religion News Service, looks at the dispute between the church and state in Israel which recently saw the doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed temporarily…
Mob attacks churches in Indian state of Tamil Nadu – report
Five churches in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu were attacked by a mob on Sunday, according to a report in World Watch Monitor. The news organisation said the attacks, in which several women were reportedly stripped, beaten and even sexually assaulted, were allegedly led by members of Hindu Munnani, an organisation formed to […]
ESSAY: FIVE YEARS OF FRANCIS AND HIS GRITTY CATHOLICISM
In an article first published by Religion News Service, JOHN GEHRING, Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life and author of ‘The Francis Effect: A Radical Pope’s Challenge to the American Catholic Church’, reflects on Pope Francis’ five first years in the office…