
Christians remain captive in Nigeria despite ransom payment
Two pastors kidnapped along with others in Nigeria last month remain captive despite their denomination paying 11 million naira (US$12,264) for their release, church officials said.

Two pastors kidnapped along with others in Nigeria last month remain captive despite their denomination paying 11 million naira (US$12,264) for their release, church officials said.
Nigeria's socio-religious conflicts have a long and complex history, with numerous factors influencing the current violence. Whatever the cause, it cannot be denied that Christians are being disproportionately affected by the brutal violence that continues to result.
Accused of orchestrating or tolerating attacks on Christians, top representatives of India's RSS went mute. A video of the scene went viral. For India to fulfill its promise in this century, its most influential non-governmental organization must lead by example in transparency, accountability and permitting space for freedom of religion.
Sudan's civil war continues to rage after three years of devastating conflict and Sudan's two million Christians face particular peril. Yet this conflict is largely overlooked compared to other conflict zones. It seems to be a crisis too complex, too distant, and too African to hold the Western gaze. God sees, however, so let us pray for peace in Sudan and protection especially for Jesus' followers among the Sudanese.
Hungarians celebrating a change in government last week reminds us that freedom can be recovered through democratic means and that illiberal systems are reversible and autocratic leaders are removable. Yet for followers of Jesus our hope is not in political change. Freedom is an inner reality that we must cultivate.

Islamic extremist terrorists rampaged through a predominantly Christian village in northeastern Nigeria on Christmas Day, setting houses on fire, looting shops and killing two Christians, area residents said.

A former terrorist who was associated with the Fatah political party and the Palestinian Liberation Organization before converting to Christianity in the 1990s believes the Israel-Hamas war is preparing many Muslims in Gaza to become Christians.

In a joint press statement released on December 28, prominent figures and political commentators, including Apoorvanand, John Dayal, ASR Mary Scaria SCJM, AC Michael, Minakshi Singh and Shabnam Hashmi, addressed the paradoxical journey of the Christian community in India through 2023.

Nicaraguan authorities have detained two senior Catholic priests, escalating tensions between the state and the Catholic Church. The priests, identified as Carlos Aviles and Hector Treminio, are closely associated with the country’s top Catholic leader. Their arrest brings the total number of clergymen detained last week to at least six, Reuters reported Saturday.

Police in Uttar Pradesh detained a Christian, along with a guest, for praying in his own house on New Year’s Eve in Maharajganj district yesterday. Pastor Raj Kishore along with some of his friends had gathered in his own house for New Years’ Eve in Sonbarasa village on December 31, when the Kothibari police reached his house around 11 pm and detained him and a friend at the complaint of a neighbour.

Unidentified terrorists on Thursday (Dec. 28) killed eight Christians in Taraba state, Nigeria, after 13 others were slain the previous week, sources said.