Alan Tower, national director for Christian charity Friends International and former international director of the South American Christian charity, Latin Link, told Premier churches play a central role in the country.

“I think we just should be praying for churches to have wisdom,” he said.

“They are doing a lot socially, just looking after people’s basic needs, but in terms of where they choose to enter into the political debate needs immense wisdom.

“And we should pray for wisdom and guidance for church leaders to help the current political processes and to be looking after the churches and those that turn to the churches for help.”

President Nicolas Maduro has refused to step down from power after opposition leader, Juan Guaidó was recognised as interim leader of Venezuela by more than 50 countries, including the US, the UK and most in Latin America.

Mr Maduro claimed on state TV that a US-backed coup against him had failed.

The opposition leader has called for further action on Wednesday.

The violent street battles that erupted in parts of the capital Caracas were the most serious challenge yet to Mr Maduro’s rule.

While the rebellion seemed to have garnered only limited military support, at least one high-ranking official announced he was breaking with Mr Maduro, in a setback for the embattled president.

The…

They are countries of “particular concern” for participating or tolerating “systematic, ongoing and egregious violations”, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) claimed in its new report.

Chair, Tenzin Dorjee said: “The freedom to believe as one’s conscience dictates is a fundamental human right and vital to the security, stability and economic vitality of any state or region.”

So-called Islamic State, the Taliban in Afghanistan and al-Shabab in Somalia were among five bodies named by the Commission as “entities of particularly concern” for similar reasons.

Mr Dorjee continued: “In the past year, we have seen severe violations of religious freedom mount around the globe, from the imprisonment of individuals charged with blasphemy in several countries to the internment of over one million Uighur Muslims in China.

“We and others labouring in the realm of religious freedom must persevere in our efforts to make this right a reality for everyone, everywhere.”

The Commission, which advises the US President and lawmakers, published the warning in its 20th annual report on religious freedoms.

Additionally, twelve countries were…

Fr Malaka Leonard told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN): “We Sri Lankans suffered enough from 30 years of war against terrorists.

“We thought that Sri Lanka was becoming a peaceful environment. But with these blasts, all our hope has gone.

“We are far away from peace.”

Fr Leonard’s friends were killed in the bombing of St Sebastian’s Catholic Church, Katuwapitiya.

More than 250 people, including 47 children, were killed when seven Islamist suicide bombers blew themselves up, targeting worshippers in three churches and in three luxury hotels.

Lamenting on the deaths of children, Fr Leonard said: “Children are innocent.

“They are unable to understand what is happening. Most of the children are in fear.

“Schools are closed for a few days.”

He added that peace must be restored in the country.

“There is no road to peace, peace is the road,” he said.

“The way of peace is the path of love. Let us take every possible step to avoid violence and live peacefully.”

Highlighting the growing persecution Christians face around the world, Dr Thomas Heine-Geldern, executive president of ACN (International), said: “The atrocities in Sri Lanka mark the bloody climax of a trend that has endured for some years now – the persecution of Christians knows no bounds.

“It knows no let-up, especially on the holiest days of the Christian…

Ms Onasanya, 35, who was elected as a Labour MP, served just 28 days of a three-month prison sentence for lying about who was driving her car when it was caught speeding in July 2017.

She was released from prison in February and has continued to receive her £77,379 salary.

A recall petition opened on 19th March and her constituents have had six weeks to sign it before it closes at 5pm on 1st May.

If the petition attracts the signatures of ten per cent of eligible voters – about 7,000 people – Ms Onasanya will be forced out and a by-election called.

Under recall rules, she will be permitted to stand for re-election.

The result of the count, which will be conducted in private on the evening of 1st May, will be sent to House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, Peterborough City Council said.

He will notify the council as to when it can announce the result.

Ms Onasanya, who was expelled from the Labour Party after her conviction, was not subject to automatic removal as an MP as her sentence was less than 12 months.

Recall petitions are launched when MPs receive a custodial sentence, including suspended sentences, are barred from the Commons for 10 sitting days or are convicted of providing false information about their expenses.

The petition process will cost about £500,000,…

The leaders of 16 places of worship received a certificate of recognition during a ceremony hosted at the city hall by Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Zafar Ali, on Tuesday afternoon.

Rev Chris Chorlton, rector of St Paul’s Church in Manningham – one of the churches involved – said the scheme is just one way different local faith groups co-operate.

He told Premier: “Churches and mosques have been working together for a long time; people of faith in this city acknowledge it’s important to work together.

“The scheme is more a greet-and-greet, and a time to acknowledge the work that has been going on.”

We were delighted to host faith leaders from 16 different places of worship, from all across the district today, as part of a special ‘twinning’ project to bring together people of different faiths and backgrounds #TeamBradford pic.twitter.com/WdUAfyrVSj

— Bradford Council (@bradfordmdc) April 30, 2019

At least two religious communities in six of Bradford’s local districts have committed to meet twice-per-year and work together on a joint project.

In signing up to the “twinning project” – the first scheme of its kind in the UK – they also agree to honour each other’s beliefs and offer support during moments of crisis.

Rev Chorlton continued: “We’ve done litter picks; we do faith trails [walks along a route…