Unsafe Abortions on the Rise
An international group of scientists says that the rate of unsafe abortions is on the rise. Researchers from the Guttmacher Institute and the World Health Organization say that nearly half of the abortions performed in 2008 were characterized as unsafe. The study, published in the British medical journal, "The Lancet," defines an unsafe abortion as one performed by a person lacking necessary medical skills, or, in an environment that does not meet medical standards. Metrosource reports that from 2003 to 2008, the number of abortions fell in developed countries, but increased in developing nations.

"Freedom to Marry" Campaign Launched
A coalition of 80 U.S. mayors launched a so-called "Freedom to Marry" campaign in the Nation's Capital, recently, to build public support for gay marriage under U.S. and state laws. Among those present was New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said, "I certainly plan to continue to support, regardless of the party and regardless of where in this country, those people that I think advance this country and give freedom to everyone." Same-sex marriage currently is legal in six states and the District of Columbia.

Contraception Mandated in Church-Affiliated Health Care Plans
Church-affiliated institutions have until August of 2013 to include contraception in their health care plans as part of the Healthcare Reform Act. Although the directive does not cover churches, per se, it does include church-run hospitals, universities and social service agencies. In response, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called the move, "literally unconscionable."

Likewise, a New Jersey congressman is criticizing the health care mandate as an attempt to end Catholic health care. Republican representative, Chris Smith, claims that the Obama administration's decision to force religious organizations to purchase health insurance plans, in violation of their consciences in regards to contraception, is an attempt to force Catholic health care to cease to be. Congressman Smith told the Catholic News Agency, "That's the end goal here. I think we have to be very blunt about it." The representative from New Jersey says that the mandate violates conscience rights of those who object to contraception, and those who object to abortion.

Famine Easing in Portions of Somalia
The United Nations says that a famine is easing in portions of Somalia. According to World Vision, rain has helped the crops. "It has been helping the crops; it's also helping people to have water," said World Vision spokeswoman, Lauren Fisher. "But," she says, "the other side of that is very muddy roads; and, in some areas, it has even caused some flooding, which has displaced people. Now, the muddy roads, for us, is a real concern -- because, usually, our aid workers can drive in there. Instead, they are forced to fly, currently -- and that means 3 days of driving just to get into some of those key areas where those people need us." Fisher says that a 5th refugee camp has been opened for displaced populations from Somalia.

Disaster Relief Kitchen Featured on the History Channel
A Southern Baptist disaster relief kitchen was recently featured on the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" program. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief's "Manna One" is a fully operational kitchen in the form of an 18-wheel rig. Baptist Press says that it takes about 3 hours to transform the rig into a working kitchen, and is described as one of the biggest food trucks ever built. At full capacity, the unit can support 60 cooks and serve up to 30,000 meals a day. This past August, "Manna One" fed more than 46,000 people after Hurricane Irene struck the East Coast.

Ministries Lobbying Against Cuts in Federal Government Programs for the Poor
Bread for the World is again gearing up to lobby against any cuts in federal government programs that help the hungry and poor around the world. Ministry president, Rev. David Beckmann, says that programs that may be scaled back this year include food stamps and unemployment insurance. "To some extent," says Beckmann, "it is just, everybody is agreed -- we have got to reduce the U.S. deficit. And other groups and interests don't want whatever they get out the U.S. government cut; so sometimes, you end up hurting hungry kids just because you don't have anyone to defend them." Beckmann said that foreign aid cuts may include programs that help poor farmers in Africa, and provide bed nets for people to combat malaria.

Bible Translation Work Expanding in Papua New Guinea
Wycliffe Associates is expanding its Bible translation work in Papua New Guinea. Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe, says that the nation has "the highest concentration of linguistic diversity in the entire world, with over 800 unique languages just on the Eastern half of the island of New Guinea." He says that a new translation center is under construction so that translation training can move closer to the community that the translators are serving. This way, says Smith, "there is not a lot of time lost in travel, or time away from home for the translators -- away from their families." Wycliffe says that many people in Papua New Guinea have become Christians.

Sharia Court in Kashmir Issues Order Targeting Christians
Churches in India have denounced the verdict of an Islamic court in Kashmir that ordered the expulsion of Christians, including a Protestant pastor and a Dutch Catholic missionary; and, recommended government control of Christian schools. A spokesperson for the National Council of Churches in India told Ecumenical News International, "this is totally unacceptable." Samuel Jayakumar continued, "India is a secular country, and the personal law of a community should be confined to itself." Sharia courts have no secular legal standing in India.

Churches Around the World Observe Week of Prayer
Churches around the world observed a "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," January 18th through the 25th, holding special worship services and gatherings that emphasized what Christians hold in common. Ecumenical News International said that this year's week of prayer for Christian unity centered on the scriptural theme, "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ." Celebrated in some areas at Pentecost, the week is sponsored by the Catholic Church's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Geneva-based World Council of Churches. The WCC said, in a news release, that materials for celebration and reflection this year were prepared by churches in Poland, sharing their history of partition and victory over oppression.

New Presbyterian Denomination Formed
More than 2000 conservative Presbyterians, meeting in Orlando recently, formed a new denomination, saying that the Presbyterian Church (USA) is too consumed by internal strife and bureaucracy to nurture healthy congregations. The creation of the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians follows the PC(USA)'s church-wide vote last year to lift its ban on gay clergy.