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2026-02-05
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Pastor Injured in Brutal Mob Violence

Pastor Bipin Bihari Naik being paraded in the street.
Photo: Morning Star NewsPastor Bipin Bihari Naik had just gathered with other believers for prayer in the village of Kandarsinga, Odisha State, on January 4th when a group of men burst into the home where the meeting was taking place. The men dragged the pastor outside and began to violently assault him. When Pastor Bipin's wife attempted to intervene, she was threatened with similar treatment.
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Pastor Expelled for Not Participating in Syncretic Rituals

Pastor Mariano Velasquez Martinez
Photo: CSWIn parts of rural Oaxaca State and other regions of southern Mexico, the dominant religion is a syncretism of Roman Catholicism and traditional indigenous beliefs. The resulting ritual-based belief system is a significant part of community life in many villages.
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Christians Released Amidst Ongoing Oppression

Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas
Photo: CSWIn recent months, Nicaragua's dictatorial government led by President Daniel Ortega has arbitrarily detained or deported Christians and shut down numerous non-profit organizations. (Read about some of the recent challenges.)On July 17th, 2025, Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas was among a group of Christians detained by police. No arrest warrants or charges were issued, and family members had not received any information on the believers' whereabouts for six months. Tragically, one of Pastor Rudy's detained companions, Mauricio Alonso Petri, died while in custody.
