Pittsburgh follows Duncan to Southern refuge

The Diocese of Pittsburgh voted to leave The Episcopal Church of the United States at its annual convention last month, realigning with the Province of the Southern Cone following the deposition of its bishop, Robert Duncan in September. The vote carried with 119 of 191 lay delegates, and 121 of 160 clergy voting for the shift. Pittsburgh is the second US diocese to join the Southern Cone, following the Diocese of San Joaquin late last year. This month, Fort Worth (Texas) and Quincy (Illinois) dioceses are expected to vote on similar resolutions.

Meanwhile, St John's Shaughnessy, led by former Sydney Anglican, the Rev David Short is one of three Canadian churches currently in court in a bid to stay in their church buildings. SC will be following the case.

Orissa verdict brings no justice for Christians

The Crime Branch of Orissa police confirmed last month that Maoists killed Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati in Kandhamal on August 23, 2008.

Yet violence towards Christians continues in the troubled state. Since the Hindu leader's death, 59 people have been murdered, as Hindu radicals' retaliation continues against the Christian community.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) have confessed to plotting the Hindu leader's murder about seven months ago, with a group of about six hardcore extremists killing the VHP leader.

Hindu radicals have continued to destroy thousands of churches and homes belonging to Christians, leaving over 50,000 homeless. Some Christians have reportedly been forced to convert to Hinduism.