Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), an advocacy and aid group, reported that militants attacked three of eight children belonging to a Christian widow near Nairobi on 17th November.

The Christian charity said: “Hadiya, an immigrant from Somalia, had not yet returned from a trip to a funeral when the assailants — also of Somali descent — broke into her home at 5:30 in the morning.”

The extremists reportedly forced their way into Hadiya’s home after her sons, aged 13 and 21 asked the men to identify themselves when they knocked at their door.

The family, whose surname has been withheld amid security concerns, were attacked by the intruders when they tried to escape.

Neighbours of the family arrived at the scene described by the charity as a “bloody scene”.

Explaining the family’s injuries, VOMC said: “The youngest of the three sustained injuries to his left leg, neck, and chest; while his elder brother, who was hit with a blunt object, sustained more serious injuries to his head, chest and back.

“Their 17-year-old sister, who also received heavy blows and kicks, bled from her nose and sustained a rib injury.”

The charity claimed the assault on the family isn’t an isolated incident.

“Since embracing Christianity, they have suffered much persecution,” it said.

“In another incident, which took place last year, one of Hadiya’s other adult sons was beaten so badly that he was left unconscious.”

VOMC asked for people to not only pray for the family but also for the…

The course, called ‘Tragedy and Congregations’, aims to help junior clergy react to a tragedy in their area in line with best church practice.

Clergy from all denominations are encouraged to reflect on theological truths by thinking about how tragedy fits in with God’s plan, as well as thinking about how to respond in prayer.

Churches can book a training team for between one and three days to help them think about the minister’s role at times of tragedy and how liturgy can be shaped to help the congregation flourish amidst difficulty.

The training is led by Dr Christopher Southgate, an Associate Professor in Interdisciplinary Theology at the University of Exeter.

He has previously worked as a lay chaplain and on mental health wards.

Dr Southgate told Premier: “When something really terrible happens, still in this country, people look to see what the church will do, so for the church to have a sense of what its resources are is really important.”

Speaking about how churches can react to tragedy helpfully Dr Southgate said: “I hope churches will see the opportunities these terrible events provide them to serve.

“And to provide resources such as prayer and vigil that you can’t find in the secular society.

“We always do material on pastoral care of individuals in times of need but I’ve never seen any programme focused on crisis in congregation and how clergy might respond”

There will be at least twelve sessions held over the country, funded by the Templeton World…

Fr Alessandro Palermo, a 30-year-old parish priest for Marsala in the west of the island, also said that images viewed on phones could lead people into sin, according to The Times.

He said blessing the phones could help to ensure that they were used in ways that were instead beneficial for the spirit.

He told members of his church: “Society is drugged by the cell phone but at the same time it is not interested in understanding how it should be used.

“That’s why a blessing can do good, not to the phone but to those who use it.”

Tuesday (13th December) is the feast day of Santa Lucia (St Lucy) which is marked by Catholics and Orthodox Christians, and also celebrated by members of the Lutheran Church.

Lucy, whose name means ‘light’, was born in 283 AD in Syracuse, Sicily, and was martyred in about 304 AD after having her eyes gauged out, according to some accounts.

Other versions of the story say that she took out her own eyes to discourage a suitor who admired them.

Fr Palermo told his congregation the patron saint of the blind could help them.

He added: “We need an educated vision that enables us to make a correct and positive use of our smartphones and tablets.

“That’s why I want to bless them.”