Category - religious freedom

Madrid inter-faith summit highlights global problems and possibilities

staff writers — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:38:25 +0100

The scale of the challenge and the glimmer of new possibilities in interreligious understnading is on display at the 16-18 July international interfaith conference convened in Madrid by the Muslim World League.

Power to which people, exactly?

Simon Barrow — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:29:03 +0100

Britain counts itself as a mature democracy. But what really guarantees freedom and fairness, asks Simon Barrow, and how does the church relate to the will of the people in wider society?

Plea for recognition of Orthodox Christians in China

Ecumenical News International — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:31:49 +0000

The new Orthodox metropolitan of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia says his priorities include dealing with the Chinese government to bring about the proper recognition of Orthodox Christians in mainland China.

Violence in Indian state is partly fuelled by religious intolerance

Ecumenical News International — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:35:07 +0000

Recent religious conflict in the Indian state of Orissa has been aided by the aggressive evangelising of missionaries from outside the region, says an official with the largest traditional Protestant denomination in northern India.

Malaysian Christians upset over seizure of Bibles

Ecumenical News International — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:45:08 +0000

The seizure by Malaysian customs officials of 32 English-language Bibles from a Christian woman who was bringing them into the country for a study group has prompted an outcry from Christians in the Muslim-majority country.

Protests at Turkish damage to historic Orthodox monastery

staff writers — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:08:42 +0000

A world church leader has responded with "strong disappointment and shock" to what he says is the unlawful recent destruction of an historic Orthodox Christian Church by eight officials of a local Ministry of Forestry in Turkey.

Vietnam Mennonite Church to gain official recognition

staff writers — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:35:23 +0100

Vietnam's national Religious Affairs Committee has announced that it will present a 'Certificate for Religious Activities' to the Vietnam Mennonite Church in early October 2007, following concerted attempts by the church to gain recognition.

Beijing's new Catholic bishop promises harmony between church and society

Ecumenical News International — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:22:38 +0100

Beijing's new Catholic bishop, 42-year-old Joseph Li Shan, reported to have the approval of both the Vatican and the Chinese government, says he will help the development of a "harmonious society". Government officials in say religion can play an important role in building such a society.

Christians celebrate new religious freedoms in Libya

Ecumenical News International — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 08:56:30 +0100

A new wave of religious freedom is sweeping across Libya, say Christians in the north African country. This follows three decades during which the tiny community faced restrictions due to the nation's hostile stance towards the West - which people identified with Christianity.

Legal repression of Protestants and Muslims continues in Uzbekistan

Felix Corley Forum 18 News Service — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:23:15 +0100

In a new crackdown on Protestant churches across Uzbekistan, Sharofat Allamova was given a suspended prison sentence of six months in the central city of Bukhara [Bukhoro] in late August.