Global Church Crime News 11/27/2023

(November 21) Christian Church Bombed In Sudan | SUDAN

A church was bombed in Omdurman, Suan, in the first week of November, leaving multiple communities devastated. The Church of Savior, which stood for 81 years, has been shared amongst two communities. In an attack believed to be related to the ongoing violence in Sudan, the church was bombed, leaving the roof in ruins and the insides completely burned, including all Bibles and Hymnals. 

This incident is one of many church bombings in the past year. Since former president Bashir was removed from power in 2019, Sudan has been in a state of flux, which only increased in April when the two leading forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), split power previously. 

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(November 21) A French Bishop Is Accused Of Attempted Rape In Latest Scandal To Hit Catholic Church In France | FRANCE

A French bishop has been given a preliminary charge of attempting to rape an adult man a decade ago, the Paris prosecutor’s office said Monday. It is the latest of a growing number of accusations of sexual abuse by clergy in France.

The Bishops' Conference of France said the accused bishop, Georges Colomb, contests the charge and deserves the presumption of innocence. He has asked the Vatican to step aside from his duties as bishop of La Rochelle and Saintes in western France to prepare his defense.

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(November 20) Church Set On Fire In Pakistan After Threatening Letter Left At Main Gate | PAKISTAN

A church building was set on fire in Lahore, Pakistan, on Thursday, a month after the pastor received a letter threatening the congregation for worshiping too loudly, sources said.

The blaze destroyed the church altar, a cupboard containing Bibles and other Christian books, two air conditioning units and furniture, among other items, said the Rev. Samuel Massey of Gulberg Presbyterian Church in Lahore.

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(November 18) Chinese Police Raid Christian Worship Service, Arrest 13 Believers | CHINA

Chinese police and national security agents raided a Christian worship service in the nation’s Sichuan province last week and arrested 13 believers.

Among those arrested in the November 9 raid were Elder Li Yingqiang and Pastor Dai Zhichao of Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church, an independent Christian church regularly harassed by the Chinese Communist Party.

Elder Li and Pastor Dai had traveled to the city of Dazhou, where they held a worship service at the “Good Land Mission Center,” a subsidiary of Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church. The service included baptisms and holy communion, according to reports by ChinaAid, a U.S.-based Christian charity.

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