Jack Bethel

Religious Freedom Correspondent

Articles by Jack Bethel

7 months ago

Europe 7 months ago

Russia’s crackdown on church leaders in Ukraine continues

By Jack Bethel

Church leaders in Russian-occupied Ukraine continue to face crackdowns, with one arrested for “missionary activities” and two others deported to Georgia.
8 months ago

Europe 8 months ago

Ukrainian priest could face prison for ‘espionage’

By Jack Bethel

A Ukrainian priest abducted by Russian occupiers nearly a year ago could face 12 years in prison after a secret court trial for alleged espionage, contrary to international law.
8 months ago

Europe 8 months ago

Pastor in Belarus jailed for calling for prayer to end war in Ukraine

By Jack Bethel

Authorities in Belarus this month sentenced a pastor to 15 days in jail for calling for prayer to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine after arresting him on Feb. 22, sources said.
9 months ago

Europe 9 months ago

Organized crime suspected in attempted poisoning of priest in Italy

By Jack Bethel

Decades of hostility by organized crime toward the Catholic Church in Italy allegedly surfaced anew when a priest who had received death threats found bleach in wine he was about to serve for Holy Communion.
9 months ago

Europe 9 months ago

Body of Ukrainian priest found after Russian forces detained him

By Jack Bethel

The bruised body of a Ukrainian priest who was detained by Russian occupation forces turned up on a village street on Thursday (Feb. 15), with an unconfirmed report of a bullet wound to the head, according to watchdog group Forum 18.
10 months ago

Europe 10 months ago

Christians endure persecution in Russia and Occupied Ukraine

By Jack Bethel

At 6 a.m. on Oct. 3, two clergymen staying at parish premises on Russia’s western edge awoke to find military figures armed with machine guns raiding the site, seizing electronic devices, documents and computer hard drives.
10 months ago

Europe 10 months ago

Religion law amendments in Belarus expected to curb freedoms

By Jack Bethel

Amendments to Belarus’s religion law are likely to curtail practice and expression of belief by Christians and people of other faiths, according to rights advocates.