Anabaptists in India say they have been horrified that Christians have had to the jungle with nothing but the clothes on their backs, fearing for their lives because of communal violence in a country once known for religious tolerance.

A senior Bajrang Dal leader in Karnataka has been arrested in connection with the widespread attack on Christian churches and prayer halls, police officials and the Indian Catholic Bishops Conference in India have announced.

Human rights activist and journalist Lauren Booth has been trapped illegally in the Gaza strip as a result of a legal campaign calling for an end to the Israeli government blockade there, say Palestinian activists.

Speaking at a pastoral congress in Germany, Cardinal Martino deplored the prejudice and hatred being meted out to Romany and travelling people (often called "gypsies") in many parts of Europe, and called on churches to support them.