• Christians Most Persecuted Religious Group In World, Studies Indicate

  Christians are among the most persecuted religious groups in the world, with approximately 90,000 killed for their faith in 2016, stated representatives of a leading religious study group. Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) director Massimo Introvigne told Vatican Radio that half a billion Christians around the globe are unable to express their faith completely freely, while estimates indicate one Christian died every 6 minutes for their faith during 2016.

  

• China Urges Vatican to be 'Flexible, Pragmatic' on Improving Religious Ties

  While Pope Francis tries to heal a decades-old religious rift with China within which Chinese Catholics are divided between loyalty to him and those who are members of a government-controlled official church, China's head of religious affairs on Tuesday said Beijing is willing to have constructive dialogue with the Vatican but stressed Catholics should "hold up high the flag of patriotism" and adapt Catholicism to Chinese society.

  

• Carrie Fisher, 'Star Wars' Princess Leia and Author, Dies at 60

  Carrie Fisher, who famously starred as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" films and later endured drug addiction before sharing her story as a best-selling author, died on Tuesday aged 60, her family said. She suffered a heart attack aboard a plane on Friday as she flew into Los Angeles, after which she was met by paramedics and rushed to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Fisher described herself as an "enthusiastic agnostic who would be happy to be shown that there is a God." She was raised

  

• Church Members Prank Single Mom, Tow Her Car But Follow With Stupendous Christmas Present

  One of the most generous 2016 Christmas gifts bestowed actually started by church members donating one dollar at a time! A Coral Springs church in Margate, Fla., surprised a mother of two children with a new car after she thought her 1992 vehicle was being towed. Church by the Glades in Coral Springs staffers and members executed a convincing prank on one of its members, Nicole Rollins, as she watched her car being pulled away.

  

• Christians Care International Helps Escalating Jewish Humanitarian Crises in Russia

  A Jewish American with Russian roots, Don Horwitz, believes God called him to lead the Christian ministry, Christians Care International (CCI), to help bolster impoverished Jews of the former Soviet Union (FSU). After numerous visits to Russia and witnessing neglect and abuse of Jews, Horwitz adopted three daughters from a Russian orphanage, and founded a group in Moscow to help other orphans. Now, as CCI's executive director, Horwitz just managed an expansion of the organization from Europe int