The Assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Colombia has decried the human rights abuses continuing to take place in the country, where Christians are sometimes killed for offering a different way of life than joining drug trafficking groups.

"The situation is very delicate, and we as Bishops are the voice of those who have no voice, so we need to highlight that we are not living in human conditions in this area. We are forgotten by all, we have no protection, people live in anguish and without hope," said His Exc. Mgr. Julio Hernando García Peláez, Bishop of Istmina-Tado, according to Fides News Agency.

The region of Chocò was highlighted as a particular concern, where drug traffickers often prevent the presence of the services of the state. Mgr. Garcia added that security forces in the area also bare a good deal of responsibility for the violence, and claimed that some security members use civilians "to protect themselves from the fire of illegal armed groups, and innocent people die in these deadly clashes." more >>

One faith-based leader who met with President Barack Obama and Governor Rick Perry in Dallas Wednesday says the private meeting with local officials and faith leaders was productive in homing in on solutions that will meet the state's most immediate needs in dealing with the border crisis.

Despite appeals from members of his own party to accept Perry's invitation to tour the U.S.-Mexico border where the humanitarian and national security crisis is unfolding, Obama declined, opting instead to meet in Dallas before attending one of three Democratic fundraisers in the state.

"The purpose of the meeting was to find solutions in dealing with the border crisis in Texas," Chris Liebrum, director of disaster recovery for the Texas Baptist Convention told The Christian Post Wednesday night. more >>

Sudanese Christian mother Meriam Ibrahim said that her newborn daughter Maya, whom she gave birth to while in prison, will undergo an ultrasound to see if she can walk. Her family is currently staying at the U.S. Embassy in Sudan and hoping to be able to move to America soon.

While previous reports suggested that Maya is physically disabled, The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday that hopes are now that the two-month-old girl will be fine, but the ultrasound will be needed to confirm that she will be able to walk. A doctor who came to the U.S. embassy in Khartoum performed the physical examination.

The publication says that it spoke with Italian journalist and activist Antonella Napoli, who visited Ibrahim's family at th U.S embassy, and revealed that Meriam, her two children, and her husband Daniel Wani, an American citizen, are sleeping in the embassy and are being cared for by staff. more >>

Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry told members of the U.S. Homeland Security Committee Thursday afternoon that the illegal immigrants who've flooded the border since October must be sent back home.

Perry told committee members who toured a facility in McAllen and other centers in the state, where immigrants are being housed temporarily, that returning the children and adults who are entering the U.S. illegally will send a message to others to not embark on the dangerous and possibly deadly journey.

"Some may think that allowing them to stay here is the more humane option; I assure you it's not," Perry asserted. "Nobody is doing any of these children the slightest favor by delaying a rapid return to their countries of origin." more >>

Americans are celebrating the United States' 238th Independence Day Friday, marking the time in which the Declaration of Independence was propagated to the rest of the world.

The Fourth of July has become a major holiday noted for its parades, barbeques, and numerous fireworks displays. As with other holidays, July 4th has its own mythology and interesting factoids surrounding it.

Here are some random trivia: more >>

Witnesses claim that Sudanese government officials recently destroyed a Christian church in the area of North Khartoum as congregants looked on.

Members of the Church of Christ in the Thiba Al Hamyida area of the country's capital told CNN journalists stationed in the area that they were given notification by government officials during their mass on Sunday that their church would be destroyed. One day later, a reported 70 security personnel, some dressed in plain clothes and armed with guns and tear gas, arrived at the church at around 10 a.m. and prevented congregants from entering. Church members then watched from outside as a bulldozer demolished their house of worship.

Security officials reportedly threatened to beat any church members who tried to stop the demolition. "They wanted to beat us or throw tear gas on us," one witness told Morning Star News, adding that no one was injured during the demolition that left the church in rubble by Monday afternoon. more >>