Faith activists hold 'no fly' climate summit

21 January 2010

Religious leaders concerned about the outcome of the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen, called COP15, have held their first "no fly" conference. And they are urging politicians to follow the example of the world's great faiths in the fight against climate change, Ecumenical News International reported.

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

21 January 2010

Churches in India have joined the rest of the world to commemorate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Christian Post reported.

The ecumenical tradition is observed by members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Roman Catholic Church, from 18 to 25 January.

In India, the National Council of Churches in India and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India jointly observed the week of prayer under the theme, “You are the witness of these things” (Luke 24.48) on 18 January.

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FJKM President makes public return

21 January 2010

The CWM-member Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM) celebrated the beginning of the new year at a special service on 17 January, the Madagascar Tribune reported.

It was the the first public appearance by FJKM President Rev Lala Rasendrahasina since 17 March 2009 when he had been removed and abused by the military.

Mr Rasendrahasina recalled the events of the last year, and warned that the FJKM will continue to encounter difficulties.

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Pressure on Madagascar's church continues

21 January 2010

Security forces in Madagascar used tear gas to break up opposition marchers in the capital, Antananarivo, on 6 January.

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South African leaders call for swift response to Haiti earthquake

21 January 2010

Leaders of South African churches meeting as the National Church Leaders’ Consultation released the following statement on 19 January concerning the earthquake in Haiti.

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Firebomb attack hits Malaysian church

08 January 2010

A church in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur had been firebombed Friday, gutting the first storey of the building in a residential area, amid a row over the use of the word "Allah" for the Christian God.

A court ruling last week allowing Catholic newpaper The Herald to use "Allah" for the Christian God has been appealed by the government of the mainly Muslim nation of 28 million people.

The issue has threatened relations between the majority Malay Muslim population and the minority ethnic Chinese and Indian populations who practise a range of religions including Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Read more: Firebomb attack hits Malaysian church