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As clock ticks toward another Trump presidency, federal death row prisoners appeal for clemency

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President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office is putting a spotlight on the U.S. penitentiary in Terre Haute, which houses federal death row. In Bloomington, a small community of death row spiritual advisors is struggling to support the prisoners to whom they minister.  Ross Martinie Eiler is a Mennonite, Episcopal lay minister and member of the Catholic Worker movement, which assists the homeless. And for the past three years, he’s served as a spiritual advisor for a man on federal death row.
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Pakistan | Christian brothers acquitted of blasphemy; three accusers charged

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Pakistan is No. 7 on list of places most difficult to be a Christian

LAHORE, Pakistan — Two Christian brothers have been acquitted of blasphemy, and the three Christians who framed the brothers have been charged.

On March 1, Umar Saleem and Umair Saleem were acquitted following a police investigation showing the two had been framed, states the news services Christian Daily International and Morning Star News.

The brothers had been charged with committing “acts intended to outrage religious feelings,” defiling the Quran and making derogatory comments about Muhammad. 

The last charge carries a death penalty. In addition, the brothers were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act for “stir(ring) up sectarian hatred.”

Although the brothers were acquitted and freed, they cannot return to Jaranwala for safety reasons, said Tahir Bashir, their attorney.

After the blasphemy allegations were made against the brothers, Muslim rioters estimated to have numbered into the thousands attacked Jaranwala on Aug. 16, 2023. 

Christian churches, homes and businesses were targeted. Hundreds of Christians fled.

The three Christians who made the accusations against the Saleems have now been charged under the blasphemy laws, the news services report.

Pakistan is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.

Source: thealabamabaptist.org, Leigh Pritchett, March 27, 2024

_____________________________________________________________________








"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde



Location: Pakistan
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