Church gist news

Here are some recent news stories related to the Church:

Pope Francis

• Pope Francis has called for greater efforts to combat human trafficking, saying it is a "crime against humanity" that affects millions of people around the world. (Source: Catholic News Agency)
• The Pope has also expressed his support for the Amazon Synod, a two-week meeting of bishops from the Amazon region that is discussing the region's ecological and social challenges. (Source: National Catholic Reporter)

Christian Persecution

• A new report from Open Doors USA has found that Christian persecution has increased globally, with 245 million Christians experiencing high levels of persecution in 2020. (Source: Open Doors USA)
• In Nigeria, a group of Christian leaders has called for greater protection for Christians in the country, which has seen a surge in attacks by Islamic extremists. (Source: Morning Star News)

Church Finances

• The United Methodist Church has announced that it will be selling its headquarters building in New York City to raise funds for its pension plan. (Source: United Methodist News Service)
• The Episcopal Church has reported a decline in its membership and revenue over the past decade, with some dioceses facing significant financial challenges. (Source: Episcopal News Service)

Church Governance

• The Anglican Communion has elected a new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who will succeed Rowan Williams in March. (Source: Anglican Communion News Service)
• The Presbyterian Church (USA) has approved a new constitution that will give more power to its regional governing bodies. (Source: Presbyterian News Service)

Ecumenical Relations

• The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have signed a joint declaration on the importance of ecumenical dialogue and cooperation. (Source: Catholic News Agency)
• The World Council of Churches has launched a new initiative to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation between Christians and Muslims. (Source: World Council of Churches)