A US Christian leader has asked a World Council of Churches peacemaking team visiting the United States for assistance to rid his country of the "scourge" of gun violence during the team's September 2007 visit.

Immigrants are the new scapegoats in many modern societies, says a leading Christian figure in the United States. People of faith should be among those seeking a new deal for those displaced and on the move.

A year ago a call went out to US filmmakers who may not have thought about religious cooperation before to produce short films on the same issues facing those working for Christian unity. It has proved a big hit.

Senior US Christian leaders are pressing the Bush administration and Congress to end current bans on travel to Cuba, calling on both the Houses of Representatives and Senate to support bipartisan legislation in favour of cultural and religious freedom.