Manuel Suárez of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance analyses the importance of the WEA recommendations to the UN regarding places of worship and pastor pensions in Spain.

During the 44^th session in Geneva, the World Evangelical Alliance denounced the “unreasonably high safety standards for non-Catholic places of worship” in Catalonia, and the need to address the problem of pensions for dozens of retired pastors.

At the epicenter of the Covid-19 crisis in Italy, an evangelical church opened its building to the community, transforming it into a shelter for the homeless.

“Churches were shut, but many have never been busier”, said the United Kingdom Evangelical Alliance as the findings of the survey ‘Changing church: Responding to the coronavirus crisis’ were presented.

Is the UK government’s decision to allow ‘private prayer’ yet more evidence of rife religious illiteracy within the corridors of power?

A 2019 report of the Observatory for Religious and Conscience Freedom warns that the violent attacks against places of worship have increased.

The “joy” of those who already had their first Sunday gatherings contrasts with the precaution of many others who prefer to wait some more weeks before organising in-person activities.

The first Sunday of reopening was May 24, but several churches waited another week. “Returning was a mixture of feelings between joy and pain”, church members said.

The German ‘land’ of Hessen re-opened church buildings on 1 May. The worship service followed hygienic and social distancing measures, but singing without face masks was allowed.

French evangelicals welcome the “affirmation of freedom of worship as a fundamental freedom” and issue a guide with practical information about the re-operning of church buildings.

Meanwhile in California, thousands of churches plan to restart public services on Pentecost Sunday, regardless of what the governor of the state says.

There are differences in the expected dates but evangelical organisations are already offering specific recommendations to churches.

How and when churches expect to go back to face-to-face gatherings.

The National Council of Evangelicals of France supports “the current restrictions for reasons of public health”. “In this crisis, we keep our hope in God intact, and seek to share it”.

Evangelical leaders in Colombia and Peru presented projects to their governments, to support coronavirus victims. Cuban evangelicals are actively working with those affected by the pandemia.

Mabuhay! Making that familiar and traditional Filipino greeting during a global lockdown carries more meaning and hope. It means, “Live!”

A megachurch in Colombia offers its temples for medical and spiritual help. Argentinian evangelical leaders pray for “renewed strength and encouragement”.

The Chinese Christian Church in Spain closely follows the religious freedom changes happening in its home country. “The government wants all evangelical churches to be subject to the organisation of the Three Autonomies”.

Hindu villagers have also stopped worshippers from coming to services, with threats that they would be brutally attacked if they continued gathering.

The closure of at least 12 Protestant church buildings gets international attention. Algerian Christians share their situation in videos posted online. 63,000 have already signed a petition defending religious freedom.

Police use force to eject Christians resisting in protest. The closures this week bring to 15 the number of worship buildings sealed since the government launched a campaign againt churches.

Peaceful demonstrations call authorities to “stop closure of worship places”. Churches re-organise themselves in houses as the government threatens to close more buildings.

The regional High Court rules that it is not lawful for the Madrid City Council to ask an evangelical church to meet the requirements of recreational activities. The ruling could create a legal precedent.

The place of worship in the city of Boghni was used by two Protestant communities. Around 380 members are affected.

“Protestant communities find it practically impossible to get permission to build churches”, a lawyer says. Up to 90% of places of worship are officially recorded as residential property.