Churches have expressed concern for the political situation in Liberia, which has become increasingly polarised in advance of a referendum and elections.

Norway has experienced “an unprecedented, horrible level of violence against innocent people,” says the Norwegian head of a world churches' body.

As Poland prepares to host the European Football Championship in 2012, Christians in the country have put the meaning of "victory" and "defeat" at the centre of their reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that will be celebrated earlier in the year.

South Sudan achieves its independence today. The new president has received an assurance of continued solidarity from the World Council of Churches.