Open Doors 2024 Watch List highlights persecution of sub-Saharan African Christians
United States RNS In its annual list detailing countries of concern when it comes to persecution against Christians, the watchdog organization Open Doors International highlighted outbreaks of violence against sub-Saharan African Christians, where 16.2 million were forced out of their homes at the end of 2022. The report, published at the beginning of every year, […]
Few persecuted Christians find refuge in US, new report finds
United States RNS Fewer Christians fleeing persecution in their native countries have found a safe harbour in the United States in the past half decade, according to a new report from a pair of Christian non-profits, which cites the effects of the pandemic and the dismantling of US refugee resettlement programs during the Trump administration. […]
Christian persecution higher than ever as Open Doors’ World Watch List marks 30 years
United StatesRNS In the three decades since the religious liberty organisation Open Doors has been compiling its World Watch List of the 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution for their faith, that persecution has never been worse. That’s according to the 2023 World Watch List released in the US on Tuesday evening, which showed North […]
Essay: Remembering Brother Andrew, a fearless smuggler of Bibles
DAVID CURRY, president and CEO of Open Doors USA, reflects – in an article first published on Religion News Service – on the life and call of Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors, who died this week…
Open Doors campaign highlights persecution of Christians at Easter
Persecuted church support organisation Open Doors is again putting the spotlight on the risks many Christians face for practicing their faith at Easter. The organisation says that some 526 Christians have lost their lives during Easter celebrations around the world over the past seven years with hundreds more injured. St Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, was one of […]
Afghanistan displaces North Korea as the most dangerous place to be a Christian – report
RNS Afghanistan is the most dangerous country for Christians, according to an annual list put together by the Christian watchdog group Open Doors. It is the first time in two decades that North Korea has not been at the top of the list. Open Doors said the Taliban’s takeover of the Afghan Government in mid-August […]
From ‘cow banks’ to ‘secret believers’: Christian and other charities launch Christmas 2021 gift catalogues
PETA MCCARTNEY takes a look at how your Christmas giving can impact the wider world in a positive way this year…
Christians in India face “existential threat” from Hindu nationalists – report
Christians in India face an “existential threat” from violent nationalist persecution, according to the findings of a report commissioned for persecuted church support organisation Open Doors which detailed numerous examples of attacks and discrimination. The report, which was compiled by researchers from the London School of Economics, found that daily life for many Christian and Muslim communities in India has […]
Islamist militants fuel Christian persecution in Kenya, faith leaders say
Nairobi, KenyaRNS The majority of this East African country’s population is Christian, and churches are free to proliferate. It’s also not unusual to find preachers setting up loudspeakers to call people to Jesus. Christian literature is sold on the open street, and phrases like “Praise God” and “Amen” are part of the common greetings. But […]
Christians denied emergency COVID related food relief because of their faith – Open Doors’ report
The worldwide coronavirus pandemic has been a “catalyst” for the repression of Christian minorities around the world with some denied emergency relief because of their faith, according to Open Doors‘ latest annual report on the persecution of Christians across the globe. The report – known as the World Watch List – said that among those […]