Christian world

Church Leaders in China Detained after They Re-erect Crosses on Churches

Two pastors in China have been detained for re-erecting church crosses which the government had ordered taken down.

Huang Xiaoyuan, a deacon of Shangzhou Church and Zhang Zhi, a deacon of Zianqiao Church, were detained by police and charged with “gathering a crowd to disturb public order,” according to China Aid.

Last Sunday, Huang’s church re-erected their church’s cross which the government had ordered be taken down as part of the campaign to remove crosses from all Chinese churches.Government authorities cut off the church’s power after the cross was re-erected, but church members brought in a generator so that the church could have lighting.The government authorities then told church members to take the cross back down and detained Huang.

Church opens the first Christian museum in Basra, southern Iraq

  The Archdiocese and Archbishop Habib Alnaufali Jajou are behind the project. The collection includes unique items, ranging from religious artifacts and documents to liturgical furnishings and photographs. For the prelate they are evidence of "the care our ancestors paid when they exercised their faith."

Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief for All: Experts gather at Halki

From September 7 to 9 more than 40 human rights experts from across Europe journeyed to the hilltop theological school of Halki on the Turkish island of Heybeliada. Once the heart of theological education for the Orthodox world, the school closed in 1971 as a result of a ban on private higher education in Turkey. Arriving by plane, train, and even by foot, participants discussed and debated approaches to advancing freedom of religion or belief.

Europe in the Holy Land

Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe in Jerusalem

At the invitation of His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the annual Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE), the assembly which brings together the Presidents of all the Bishops' Conferences representing 45 nations on the continent, will take from 11-16 September in the Holy Land.

The Pope Will Meet With Fidel Castro on Cuba

Pope Francis will meet with the Cuban president, Fidel Castro, during his upcoming trip to the island, scheduled from 19 to 22 September, as revealed on Monday on the site Vatican Insider.

In the article, it is explained that the Vatican requested the meeting, which has received the green light from the authorities of the Island. The details of the meeting, to be held in Havana are still unknown.

International conference: "Peace is always possible" begins in Tirana

Peace is Always Possible

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the last Balkan war, an international conference is being held in Tirana, Albania to discuss the important theme of peace. This conference is being hosted by the Community of Sant'Egidio in coordination with the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and the Episcopal Conference of Bishops of Albania.