WorldWatch
Christian World News
July 11, 2008
CWN.org - Click the play button or read below for this week's stories affecting the global church.
Murdered Catholic Priest Remembered
As Americans celebrated their Independence Day, about 1,000 Christians, Hindus and Muslims gathered in Kolkata, India for the funeral of a Catholic priest murdered by Hindu fanatics.
Johnson Moyalan, 60, was shot July 1 by members of the Nepal Defense Army.
The extremist group is pledged to using violence to restore Hinduism as the state religion in Nepal.
Christians Face Jail Time Amid China Olympics
In Beijing, religious rights activists say the Chinese government is rounding up and jailing Christians in advance of the upcoming Olympics.
Among them, is bookstore owner Shi Weihan.
Open Doors USA and the China Aid Association say he is being held illegally in a Beijing detention center because officials fear he may stir up trouble during the games next month.
Shi was released from prison last January, but re-arrested in March for printing bibles and Christian literature for unregistered house churches.
Friends say he is gentle and patriotic.
The Chinese government calls him a "dangerous religious element."
Church of England to Allow Women Biships
After a lengthy debate, the governing board of the Church of England has voted to allow women to become bishops.
Both sides agree that the tradition of male-only bishops would be changed.
The question was what accommodation would be given to dissenters.
They approved a compromise for church members who may object to women being ordained as bishops.
Advocates for women in the church ministry worry that a settlement would make women essentially second-class bishops.
Opponents have threatened to leave the church if their demands aren't met.
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