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        <title>Christian Daily International | Oceania</title>
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            <title>Christian Daily International | Oceania</title>
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        <copyright>Christian Daily International © 2026</copyright>
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        <lastBuildDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:18:28 -0400</lastBuildDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Darlene Zschech reflects on struggles that inspired popular worship song 'Shout to the Lord']]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/darlene-zschech-on-struggles-that-inspired-shout-to-the-lord</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/darlene-zschech-on-struggles-that-inspired-shout-to-the-lord</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Christian Post]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/52/5234.webp">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Darlene Zschech reflects on struggles that inspired popular worship song Shout to the Lord]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Hoganson Media Relations ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Darlene Zschech ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:35:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Veteran worship leader Darlene Zschech believes the Church is once again entering a season in which God is moving powerfully and new expressions of worship are emerging.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Veteran worship leader Darlene Zschech believes the Church is once again entering a season in which God is moving powerfully and new expressions of worship are emerging.
The Australian singer and songwriter, formerly of Hillsong, reflected on the relationship between worship and revival during an interview with Michael Foust on his "Crosswalk Talk" podcast. 
Looking back at earlier periods of revival and comparing them with what she sees happening today, Zschech said she believes the Church is living in “revival days again.”
“The new song has always coexisted with a fresh revival on the Earth, wherever it was,” she said. “It was always a new song that accompanied historical revivals, and we’re there again.”
She is encouraged by a new generation of Christian songwriters emerging within the Church and urges them to build upon the foundations laid by those who came before them.
“Seriously, I’m in awe of some of these songwriters now that are picking up these new frequencies, but their job is still the same,” she said.
“When we’re creating worship for the church, we’re not trying to be clever; we’re trying to release something out of people.”
Zschech said she wanted younger worship leaders and songwriters to “get on our shoulders and go as high and as wide as you can,” adding that she found this season “so exciting.”
Her reflections came as she discussed "The House of Worship,"    a new film bringing together influential worship artists and looking back over 25 years of songs that have shaped contemporary Christian worship.
Zschech recalled experiencing what she now recognizes as revival during the formative years of the modern worship movement in Australia, when worship services would frequently lead directly into calls for people to respond to the Gospel.
“We were living in revival days,” she said. “We’d lead worship, and rather than, you know, polite clap and someone walks up and preaches, [we’d] lead worship and someone would do an altar call, and just heaps of people would come and get saved.”
Although acknowledging there was “some messiness later,” Zschech said those years had a profound impact on her own faith and the community around her and that she “wouldn’t be sitting here today … without those days, where God really shaped us as a community of faith.” 
“He shaped us as a community of worship, leaders of worship, musicians, production, writers. We were being formed and forged together.”
She said one of the blessings of that period was that those involved were largely unknown outside their own circles, allowing their spiritual foundations to develop away from wider attention.
“It was like God hid us for a season while the roots went down deep,” she said. “And I’m so thankful for those days.”
During the interview, Zschech also reflected on the unlikely beginnings of “Shout to the Lord,” one of the most popular contemporary worship songs in the world.
She wrote the song during a difficult period in her family’s life, when she and her husband were raising two young children and struggling financially. Their business wasn't doing well, and Zschech was singing advertising jingles to help bring in money.
Against that backdrop, she sat down at her piano one day and began pouring out her heart to God. The song came together in around 20 minutes.
“I just sang it, and I sang it, and I sang it, and it was just a prayer to the Lord,” she said.
At the time, Zschech lacked confidence in her songwriting and initially didn't show it to her church’s worship pastor.
When she eventually played it for him, she was so embarrassed that she asked him to turn his back while she sang and kept offering to change parts, fearing they were not good enough. By the time she finished, the worship pastor had tears in his eyes and told her the church would sing it that weekend.
A visiting minister told her that day that the song would quickly travel around the world, a prediction she initially struggled to comprehend.
What followed was particularly meaningful to Zschech because it happened before social media and today’s opportunities for musicians to promote their work internationally.
“It was a miracle of God,” she said. “There was no kind of master plan, and I really liked that, because none of us can take credit for it.”
She recalled beginning to receive letters from people around the world and wondering how they had even encountered the song.
“God took this song and just breathed on it,” she said. “When God wants something out there, He can do it.”
More than three decades later, Zschech said she remains humbled when she hears congregations singing songs she has written, often becoming so absorbed in worship that she forgets she wrote them.
Looking ahead, Zschech said she believes worship will continue to have an important place in what she sees as an emerging spiritual awakening.
“I think we’re on the brink of something so magnificent,” she said.
Originally published by The Christian Post.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Australian homelessness worsens as charity calls for data in 2026 Census]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/australian-homelessness-worsens-as-charity-calls-for-data-in-2026-census</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/australian-homelessness-worsens-as-charity-calls-for-data-in-2026-census</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/47/4790.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Helping Homeless]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Halfpoint/Adobe Stock ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:52:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Mission Australia says better data must lead to stronger action on housing and homelessness.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Mission Australia wants homeless people to take part in the 2026 Census, being conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Aug. 11.
It comes as Australia marks Homelessness Week from Aug. 3 to 9, amid indications that homelessness is becoming more widespread.
Mission Australia, a Christian community services and housing provider, said housing affordability and rental stress were causing systemic problems.
According to data from the 2021 Census, 122,494 people experienced homelessness, but Mission Australia said the number was “likely to be higher today” because a lack of affordable homes has forced more people into unstable living conditions like overcrowded or temporary housing, and other forms of insecure accommodation.
Mission Australia Chief Executive Officer Sharon Callister said homelessness was becoming more widespread but harder to see.
“Homelessness is not always what people expect,” Callister said.
“It includes people staying with friends or family because they have nowhere else to go, people living in overcrowded homes, and people moving between short-term and unstable accommodation.
“Young people are also being deeply affected by the housing crisis. We are seeing more young people trying to study, work and live their lives without the stability of a safe and secure home.”
For some of those affected, homelessness is the result of family conflict, but for many it is the simple reality of being unable to find or afford a place to live, according to Callister: "The housing crisis is driving more people into these situations, and we expect the numbers have increased since the last Census."
Callister believes the Census has a critical role to play in understanding homelessness, but only if everyone is counted.
“The Census is one of the best tools we have to understand homelessness in Australia,” she said.
“But it only works if people are included. If people aren’t counted, they remain invisible in the data, and it becomes harder to respond effectively.”
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is offering help for homeless people to complete the Census on Aug. 11, whatever their living situation.
ABS staff will visit known locations where people are sleeping rough, including in cars or tents. The survey can also be completed online and accommodation providers like hostels, refuges and boarding houses will supply forms to complete on Census night. Those temporarily “couch surfing” with family or friends will receive instructions at those addresses from late July.
Mission Australia staff and frontline services are also supporting people experiencing homelessness to complete the Census, which is confidential.
Callister said better data must lead to stronger action on housing and homelessness.
“We know what works,” she said.
“When people have a safe, stable and affordable home, homelessness can be prevented or resolved. We also know that targeted support makes a real difference in keeping people housed.
“Nearly all people who receive tenancy support through our services are able to stay housed or avoid homelessness. That shows what is possible when housing and support work together.
“But we cannot end homelessness without more housing. We need a sustained increase in social and affordable housing so it makes up at least six per cent of all homes over the medium term, and 10 per cent over the longer term.”
Mission Australia is campaigning for authorities to “act on the evidence” and commit to long-term reform of the housing system so that more people can access safe, stable and affordable homes.
That includes more youth-specific housing options and supported models like Youth Foyers, as well as targeted housing pathways for young people at risk of homelessness.
“We know from our Youth Survey that young people are being hit hard by the lack of affordable housing, and too many are being pushed into homelessness early in life,” she said.
“They need stable and affordable housing options that actually meet their needs.”
Homelessness Week is a reminder that action must match awareness, she added: “The theme this year is Homelessness Action Now, and that is what’s needed.
“It means making sure homelessness is properly counted, understanding the full scale of the problem and committing to the level of housing investment required to actually end it.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Less than 1% of trafficking victims are ever identified, but church can help, anti-trafficking leader tells UN forum]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/less-than-1-of-trafficking-victims-are-ever-identified-but-church-can-help-anti-trafficking-leader-tells-un-forum</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/less-than-1-of-trafficking-victims-are-ever-identified-but-church-can-help-anti-trafficking-leader-tells-un-forum</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Sarah Scott Webb, representing the World Freedom Network, tells UN forum delegates that fewer than one percent of trafficking victims are ever officially identified.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Sarah Scott Webb, representing the World Freedom Network, tells UN forum delegates that fewer than one percent of trafficking victims are ever officially identified. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:30:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Fewer than one in a hundred victims of human trafficking is ever formally identified, a global anti-trafficking advocate told a United Nations side event Monday, calling the gap a fundamental failure of protection systems worldwide — and a challenge the church is uniquely placed to help address.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Fewer than one in a hundred victims of human trafficking is ever formally identified, a global anti-trafficking advocate told a United Nations side event Monday, calling the gap a fundamental failure of protection systems worldwide — and a challenge the church is uniquely placed to help address.
Sarah Scott Webb, founder and director of the Oceania Freedom Network and a leader within the World Freedom Network, addressed the High-Level Political Forum side event "From Commitment to Action: Urban Solutions to Human Trafficking in Liberia and Sierra Leone," held July 13 at the Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission in New York.
"Less than one percent of trafficking victims are ever officially identified," Webb told the gathering. "That means for every one victim who reaches protection and assistance, more than ninety-nine remain invisible — invisible to governments, invisible to services, invisible to justice, invisible to us."
Webb argued that victim identification is the single most critical bottleneck in the global anti-trafficking response. "Victim identification is the gateway to every other part of the anti-trafficking response," she said. "Without identification, victims aren't protected, traffickers aren't held accountable, communities remain vulnerable, and the true nature of trafficking stays hidden."
The side event was planned by the World Evangelical Alliance's UN New York team as part of its ongoing advocacy on human trafficking policy, and co-organized by the World Freedom Network, Rain Collective, and World Hope International. It brought together UN member states, UN agencies, researchers, civil society, and faith-based organizations to examine evidence-based approaches to combating trafficking, with a particular focus on Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Speakers discussed research findings from both West African countries, where grassroots programming by trusted local networks is working to strengthen community resilience against emerging forms of exploitation. The session was framed around Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
At the heart of Webb's address was a challenge to how victim identification is understood. She said the standard definition — the moment an official authority formally certifies someone as a trafficking victim — is correct but incomplete, because it captures only the end of a much longer process.
She drew on her home country as an illustration. In New Zealand, she said, victim identification is considered to have occurred at the moment Immigration New Zealand formally certifies that the legal threshold for trafficking or exploitation has been met. That determination unlocks legal protections for the person involved. "That's how victim identification is commonly understood — and it's not wrong," Webb said. "But it's incomplete. Because it's only the very end of the identification process, not the whole thing."
"Victim identification begins long before that moment of formal determination," she said. "It is more accurately defined as a process — a series of interactions where different people, at different points of contact, notice indicators of trafficking, build trust, ask the right questions, share information, and make decisions that shape what happens next in a victim's journey to safety."
Webb illustrated the point with an account of a young migrant woman who passed through a health clinic, a factory labor audit, a place of worship, and an immigration encounter — each interaction a missed opportunity. "At every point she was visible. She interacted with multiple systems designed to protect people. And yet identification never happened. Not because no one cared, but because each point of contact saw only one piece of her story."
She contrasted this with a different version of the same encounters, in which a health worker asks whether the woman is free to leave her job, a labor auditor notices her passport is not in her possession, a faith leader recognizes fear rather than stress and knows who to call, and an immigration officer pauses to ask questions before issuing a penalty. "Nothing about the victim changed," Webb said. "Everything changed about the ecosystem."
Webb emphasized that victim identification requires awareness, trust, screening, referral, and partnership across multiple sectors. Governments, law enforcement, health professionals, businesses, researchers, churches, and civil society all have a place within it, she said, but none can do the work alone.
The role of churches and faith communities drew particular emphasis. Webb noted that faith communities often hold the trust and local access that formal systems lack, giving them the ability to reach people who would never approach a government office or law enforcement agency.
"Civil society and faith communities bring trust, local knowledge and access to vulnerable communities," Webb said. "Together, we create the conditions in which victims can be recognized, protected and supported."
That argument has a long international pedigree, she noted. The Palermo Protocol — the United Nations agreement that has formed the legal backbone of the global anti-trafficking response for more than two decades — has recognized partnership as one of the foundations of an effective response since its adoption. SDG 17 reinforces the same principle, she said, affirming that complex global challenges can only be solved through strong, multi-stakeholder collaboration.
She noted that the importance of partnership was affirmed at the same day's ministerial session of the UN General Assembly. "Partnership is essential," she said, "emphasized by the president of the General Assembly at this morning's ministerial session at the UN."
Webb also highlighted the need for evidence over assumption. Research into why victims remain hidden — what barriers exist, where systems break down, which partnerships make the greatest difference — is what makes better policy and practice possible, she said.
"If we can't understand why victims remain hidden, we cannot build the ecosystems that help them be found," she said.
The stakes are high: an estimated 50 million people live in modern slavery globally, with 27.6 million trafficked into situations of forced labor. The response to those numbers, she said, depends on persuading every sector of society — including the church — to see victim identification as a shared responsibility rather than a task delegated to authorities.
"We need to stop seeing victim identification as an event," she said, "and start seeing it as a shared responsibility. Our responsibility."]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[New book calls churches to make child protection a gospel priority]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/new-book-calls-churches-to-make-child-protection-a-gospel-priority</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/new-book-calls-churches-to-make-child-protection-a-gospel-priority</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Gods Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding: Practical Theology from Global Perspectives]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Book cover ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ God's Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding: Practical Theology from Global Perspectives ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:59:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Church leaders, theologians and child advocacy practitioners from around the world gathered online to launch God's Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding, a new volume urging Christians to view safeguarding not as an administrative requirement but as a central expression of the gospel.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Church leaders, theologians and child advocacy practitioners from around the world gathered online to launch God's Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding, a new volume urging Christians to view safeguarding not as an administrative requirement but as a central expression of the gospel.
Published by Langham Publishing in partnership with VIVA, the Lausanne Children at Risk Issue Network and the Global Child Protection Alliance, the book brings together more than 30 contributors from five continents to address child abuse through biblical theology, practical guidance and case studies drawn from ministry contexts around the world.
During the online launch, co-editor Dr. Martin Munyao said the book was written to help fill a significant gap in theological education and ministry resources.
"We cannot ignore" the scale of abuse facing children, Munyao said, citing global estimates that one in four girls and one in 13 boys experience sexual abuse before age 18, while more than 600 million children live in conflict or humanitarian settings. He also noted that abuse within churches remains widely underreported and that many theological institutions still lack child protection frameworks.
"What we're talking about today is safeguarding. It's not just an optional extra for Christians. It's a gospel imperative," he said.
Munyao described the book as more than an awareness resource. Covering issues including gender-based violence, child trafficking, online sexual exploitation, child marriage, disability, family violence, humanitarian crises and church ministries, each chapter combines a global overview, biblical reflection and practical case studies. The book is intended for seminaries, churches, Christian organizations and NGOs.
Co-editor Dr. Nativity A. Petallar said she hopes the book will encourage churches to confront difficult realities rather than avoid them.
"My hope is that this book will break through church discomfort by forcing an honest conversation about an unthinkable reality — abuse happens within religious institutions," she said. She expressed hope the resource would help readers move "from passive bystanders to active advocates" who foster safer church cultures and take proactive steps to prevent abuse.
Asked what she hopes church leaders will remember from the book, Petallar said safeguarding should never be viewed as merely another policy.
"The central message I hope church leaders would take from this book is that safeguarding is an essential expression of the gospel," she said. Over the next five years, she hopes theological colleges, churches and ministries will embed cultures of protection into everyday practice.
Phil Green, CEO of VIVA, said churches around the world have often done remarkable work for children but acknowledged they have also sometimes caused harm.
"Our motivation to do better when it comes to child protection and safeguarding needs to be that God values children and therefore so should we," Green said. "Keeping children safe is a biblical mandate." He added that safeguarding must become embedded in relationships and community life rather than existing only as written policy.
The launch also highlighted practical examples featured in the book. Tryphosa Kwagala, VIVA's monitoring and evaluation manager in Uganda, described how community networks have established "safe spaces" in police and judicial facilities to provide child-friendly environments for victims and witnesses of abuse.
She said local churches can play a critical role because they understand their communities and are well positioned to advocate for children's protection.
"They can link the teachings of Christ into how people should safeguard children," Kwagala said. "They can be big advocates of child safeguarding because they are already rooted in their communities."
The event also featured the Global Child Protection Alliance, which seeks to promote collaboration among Christian organizations working to protect children. Alliance representatives argued that child protection should be viewed as a matter of justice rooted in God's character rather than as an optional ministry emphasis.
World Vision International also endorsed the publication. Bill Forbes, the organization's global director for child protection and child participation, described the volume as an important theological and practical resource for churches.
"This book reminds us that safeguarding and protection are not optional extras," Forbes said. "They are a true measure of our faithfulness." He added that the book calls Christians to move beyond awareness toward intentional action to prevent violence and support healing and justice for children.
The launch concluded with prayer for children affected by abuse and for churches to become places of safety. Organizers also announced a three-part webinar series later this year that will explore the book's themes in greater depth.
Published by Langham Publishing, God's Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding is available in print and digital formats through major booksellers and Christian retailers.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Australian churches show gains in child safeguarding policies, survey finds]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/australian-churches-show-gains-in-child-safeguarding-policies-survey-finds</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/australian-churches-show-gains-in-child-safeguarding-policies-survey-finds</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Children participate in a church program. A new report finds most Australian churches now have formal child safety policies, though many congregants remain unaware of how to report concerns about abuse.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Unsplash ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Children participate in a church program. A new report finds most Australian churches now have formal child safety policies, though many congregants remain unaware of how to report concerns about abuse. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:01:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The majority of Australian churches have developed formal policies for protecting children and vulnerable people, according to findings published in April from the National Church Life Survey, though a wide gap remains between what church leaders know and what ordinary congregants understand about reporting abuse.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The majority of Australian churches have developed formal policies for protecting children and vulnerable people, according to findings published by the National Church Life Survey, though a wide gap remains between what church leaders know and what ordinary congregants understand about reporting abuse.
The NCLS data, drawn from surveys conducted in 2016 and 2021, found that 83% of churches reported having well-developed safety and protection policies by 2021, while 87% said they had formal processes for lodging complaints about child abuse or sexual misconduct by a minister or church worker.
Both figures represent an increase from 2016, and the trend held across four broad faith traditions — Catholic, Mainstream Protestant, Evangelical Protestant and Pentecostal.
Larger congregations were more likely to report having well-developed policies in both categories, the survey found, suggesting that institutional size plays a role in safeguarding capacity.
A gap in awareness
Despite the policy gains, the survey revealed a striking disparity between leaders and ordinary church members. Nine in 10 senior leaders — 93% — said they knew how to lodge a complaint about child abuse or sexual misconduct in their church. Among general attendees, that figure dropped to just three in 10.
People serving in children's or youth ministry roles were more likely than other attendees to know the reporting process, the NCLS found. Senior leader awareness of complaint procedures also increased between 2016 and 2021 across all traditions surveyed.
On broader misconduct not related to child abuse, 88% of senior leaders said they knew how to file a complaint.
Training and confidence
In the three years leading up to the 2021 survey, 93% of senior church leaders reported receiving formal Safe Churches training, mostly in the form of refresher courses. The survey noted that standards for how frequently such training should be completed remain unclear.
Congregant confidence in church authorities, however, has been affected by the ongoing fallout from clergy sexual abuse scandals. Half of church attendees — 51% — said in 2021 that clergy sexual abuse had damaged their confidence in church authorities, a figure that rose from 2016 and was consistent across all faith traditions included in the study.
At the same time, 69% of respondents agreed that the church now appeared to be taking appropriate steps to meet its responsibilities, a slight increase from five years earlier. Leaders and those in ministry positions were more likely than general attendees to hold that view.
More work needed
The April report, drawing on National Church Life Survey data, concluded that while Australian churches have made measurable progress in safeguarding infrastructure, congregational awareness of how to report concerns about child abuse or sexual misconduct remains a significant gap requiring further attention.
The NCLS is a national research initiative that has tracked church life in Australia over several decades.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Ban on late abortions rejected in South Australia]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ban-on-late-abortions-rejected-in-south-australia</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ban-on-late-abortions-rejected-in-south-australia</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[baby]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Aditya Romansa / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:05:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The South Australian Parliament has decisively rejected a controversial bill that aimed to ban most late-term abortions in the state. Abortion is legal in South Australia for up to 22 weeks and six days. A late-term abortion, however, is allowed if two doctors agree the mother’s health is in danger or the child has severe fetal abnormalities.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The South Australian Parliament has decisively rejected a controversial bill that aimed to ban most late-term abortions in the state. Abortion is legal in South Australia for up to 22 weeks and six days. A late-term abortion, however, is allowed if two doctors agree the mother’s health is in danger or the child has severe fetal abnormalities.
The Family First Party introduced the law to ban abortions after 25 weeks by removing mental health and fetal abnormalities as legal reasons unless the mother’s life is in danger or the child would not naturally survive outside the womb.
The Termination of Pregnancy (Restrictions on Terminations After 24 Weeks and 6 Days) Amendment Bill 2026, introduced by Sarah Game, a member of the Legislative Council, narrowly passed the Upper House at Parliament House in Adelaide by 10 to 9 on June 17. It was immediately fast-tracked to the Lower House for a free vote, where MPs decisively defeated it by 36 votes to 9.
On social media, Lyle Shelton, national director of the Family First Party, accused Premier Peter Malinauskas of using his “thumping majority” in the lower house to “fast-track” the killing of the bill.
“He wanted to kill off further public debate and lobbying of MPs,” wrote Shelton. “Human rights for unborn babies and better support for their mothers cannot be allowed to suck up political oxygen.”
Even so, Shelton called the success of the initial vote in the upper house “significant and should be celebrated.”
“Pro-life initiatives in Australian Parliaments always generate intense and emotionally charged opposition,” he said. “This was no different.
“Abortion is a sacred cow for the radical left. They think it is healthcare, even though killing her baby is almost never medically necessary to save the life of a mother.”
Shelton opined that with awareness growing of the “brutality of abortion,” politicians are slowly shifting in their views. 
“Late-term abortion is procured by the injection of potassium chloride through the mother’s uterus into the baby’s heart,” he pointed out, “a painful procedure not allowed to be performed on animals.”
The legislation faced strong opposition from major medical bodies, including the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of GPs. The organizations argue that late-term abortions are highly complex, rare—representing roughly 1% of terminations in the state—and should remain a decision between patients and their doctors.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Scientists find far more climate-resilient coral reefs than previously thought]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/scientists-find-far-more-climate-resilient-coral-reefs-than-previously-thought</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/scientists-find-far-more-climate-resilient-coral-reefs-than-previously-thought</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[New hope beneath the waves: scientists have identified 166,000 sq km of coral reef capable of surviving climate change — three times more than previously thought.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Unsplash / Francesco Ungaro ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ New hope beneath the waves: scientists have identified 166,000 sq km of coral reef capable of surviving climate change — three times more than previously thought. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 03:15:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Researchers have identified nearly 166,000 square kilometers of coral reef capable of surviving climate change — three times more than earlier estimates — raising cautious hope for one of the world's most threatened marine ecosystems, according to a study published Tuesday.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Researchers have identified nearly 166,000 square kilometers of coral reef capable of surviving climate change — three times more than earlier estimates — raising cautious hope for one of the world's most threatened marine ecosystems, according to a study published Tuesday.
The findings, reported by Reuters, draw on an analysis of 45,000 coral surveys combined with decades of climate and ocean data. Scientists mapped climate-resilient reefs across 71 countries and 100 territories, including areas of the Caribbean and the Pacific and Atlantic oceans not previously recognized as candidates for long-term survival.
Coral reefs support roughly a quarter of all marine life but have suffered severe damage in recent years from tropical storms, pollution and mass bleaching events driven by rising ocean temperatures. Some scientists have warned the ecosystems face irreversible decline.
"Coral reefs are often framed as ecosystems beyond saving," said Emily Darling, director of coral conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society and one of the report's authors. "This research shows otherwise: we know where the hope is and what we need now is political will."
The research comes as governments worldwide are developing action plans under the so-called "30 by 30" framework — a target to place 30% of land and marine environments under formal protection by 2030. Darling said only 28% of reefs currently fall within protected areas, and she pointed to a looming super El Niño event as further reason for urgency.
Co-author Stacy Jupiter, executive director of the WCS's Global Marine Program, said the data could help governments direct limited conservation funding toward reefs with the strongest chances of recovery.
"In certain cases, where reefs are below certain benchmarks for ecosystem function, it may be a case of triage, where we may need to leave those places," Jupiter said, according to Reuters.
The study offers a potential tool for policymakers as international negotiations over marine conservation continue ahead of the COP30 climate summit.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[‘Happy Father's Day in Heaven, Dad’: Nick Vujicic remembers father in moving tribute]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/happy-father-s-day-in-heaven-dad-nick-vujicic-remembers-father-in-moving-tribute</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/happy-father-s-day-in-heaven-dad-nick-vujicic-remembers-father-in-moving-tribute</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Christian Post]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Vujicic - No Limbs No Limits]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Screenshot/No Limbs No Limits ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Nick Vujicic ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:37:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Nick Vujicic reflects on the death of his father, Boris Vujicic, in a newly released clip from the upcoming documentary “No Limbs, No Limits: The NickV Story,” and shares how one of the most painful losses of his life deepened his understanding of grief and faith ahead of Father's Day.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Nick Vujicic reflects on the death of his father, Boris Vujicic, in a newly released clip from the upcoming documentary “No Limbs, No Limits: The NickV Story,” and shares how one of the most painful losses of his life deepened his understanding of grief and faith ahead of Father's Day.
The clip, released from the faith-based documentary set to arrive in theaters Sept. 25, features footage of Vujicic speaking at his father's funeral following Boris Vujicic's death in 2017. 
The evangelist, who was born without arms or legs and has spent decades sharing a message of hope around the world, chokes up as he begins speaking at his father's funeral, while Vujicic's wife, brother and sister reflect on the toll Boris' death took on his son. 
The documentary arrives nearly a decade after Boris Vujicic's death, a loss his son said is still difficult to process despite years of ministry and public speaking.
“Throughout my life, I’ve overcome countless challenges by the grace of God, but the loss of my dad was one of the most difficult chapters I’ve encountered yet,” Vujicic told The Christian Post.
“In the years since, I’ve come to understand more deeply that life is about going through those kinds of valleys and mountains, good days and bad days, learning about yourself and about life along the way, communicating the love of God to everyone around you as best you can, and discovering your purpose and the true meaning of life.”
The bestselling author and founder of NickV Ministries has often spoken about the critical role his parents played in helping him overcome the emotional struggles that accompanied growing up with a severe disability.
Born in Australia without limbs, Vujicic endured years of bullying and depression before finding purpose through his Christian faith. Over the past two decades, Vujicic has traveled to 87 countries, met with 37 presidents, addressed national governments and shared the Gospel with hundreds of millions of people. According to his ministry, nearly 1.5 million people have professed faith in Jesus Christ through outreach events connected to his organization.
In the documentary clip, he opens up about how he learned to navigate grief following his father's death. Vujicic adds that grief never fully disappears, though he has learned healthier ways to process it.
“I guess we all deal with things differently, and for me, I couldn't talk about my dad,” he says. “I've learned how to process it differently and not just let things pile up, but you never stop missing him.”
Boris Vujicic died in August 2017. At the time, Nick Vujicic announced the news on social media, writing that his father had “gone to Heaven to be with our Almighty God.”
Months before his death, Boris Vujicic appeared alongside his son in interviews promoting the book Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child: Facing the Challenges with Strength, Courage, and Hope. During one conversation, the elder Vujicic reflected on watching his son become an internationally known evangelist despite the challenges he faced from birth.
“I felt so proud that you have become a leader in some aspects, an internationally influential person; that God has turned your disability to be used as a powerful force to motivate not only those with disabilities, but also the world all over,” he told his son.
Now, in the spirit of Father's Day, Nick Vujicic said his father's legacy continues to shape his life and ministry.
“Happy Father’s Day in Heaven, Dad; we love you and will always thank God for your life.”
“No Limbs, No Limits: The NickV Story” chronicles Vujicic's life, faith and global ministry and will be released nationwide through Fathom Entertainment on Sept. 25.
Originally published by The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Australian Christian survey finds strong support for climate action]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/australian-christian-survey-finds-strong-support-for-climate-action</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/australian-christian-survey-finds-strong-support-for-climate-action</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Australian Christians who participated in a new climate survey by NCLS Research and Common Grace reported taking practical steps such as reducing energy use and installing rooftop solar panels as part of efforts to address climate change.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Unsplash / David Clode ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Australian Christians who participated in a new climate survey by NCLS Research and Common Grace reported taking practical steps such as reducing energy use and installing rooftop solar panels as part of efforts to address climate change. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:30:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A new survey released by Australian research organization NCLS Research and Christian advocacy movement Common Grace found that many Australian Christians who participated expressed concern about climate change and reported already taking practical steps to address it, including reducing household energy use, installing solar panels and engaging in civic advocacy.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A new survey released by Australian research organization NCLS Research and Christian advocacy movement Common Grace found that many Australian Christians who participated expressed concern about climate change and reported already taking practical steps to address it, including reducing household energy use, installing solar panels and engaging in civic advocacy.
The Climate Action Survey of Australian Christians, based on responses from more than 1,100 participants in late 2025, examined attitudes toward climate change, support for various climate-related policies and technologies, and the kinds of actions Christians say they are taking individually and through churches.
The findings offer a snapshot of climate engagement among a segment of Australian Christians at a time when environmental issues continue to shape political, economic and theological debates across many churches globally.
Researchers cautioned that the survey was not representative of the broader Australian church population. According to the report, participants disproportionately consisted of highly educated Christians and were largely from Protestant backgrounds.
Even so, the report said the data provides insight into what encourages or discourages climate-related engagement among churchgoers already interested in the issue.
According to the survey, nearly all respondents reported taking some form of consumer action connected to climate concerns. About nine in 10 said they had reduced energy use or undertaken measures such as installing solar power. Around seven in 10 reported participating in civic actions including voting, advocacy or discussing climate issues with family and friends.
The study also explored support for climate-related policy approaches and what respondents viewed as barriers to further action.
In comments released alongside the report, Common Grace National Director Gershon Nimbalker said many Christians involved in climate discussions are looking for practical ways to respond.
“This research confirms what we’re seeing across the Church and in our movement as well — many Christians care deeply about God’s creation and want to live out Jesus’ love in ways that ensure that their children, their communities and our global neighbours flourish,” Nimbalker said.
He added that many Christians are asking whether their actions can make a difference and whether others in the church share similar concerns.
Common Grace, which describes itself as a Christian movement focused on social justice issues, used the release of the report to renew its support for a proposed 25% levy on Australian gas exports. The organization said such a policy could help address cost-of-living pressures and fund public services, though the survey itself focused more broadly on attitudes and participation related to climate action.
The approximately 40-question survey covered demographics, beliefs about climate change, support for climate solutions, personal and church-based actions, and perceived barriers preventing greater involvement.
The report forms part of broader discussions within Australian churches over environmental stewardship, fossil fuels and renewable energy. Christian groups in Australia, as in other countries, remain divided on how climate policy should intersect with theology, economics and public policy.
NCLS Research, known for its long-running National Church Life Survey, describes itself as a research organization focused on church life, spirituality and community wellbeing. The organization said the climate survey was commissioned to help build a research base for understanding Christian engagement with climate-related issues in Australia.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Mission Australia launches Youth Survey 2026, marking 25 years]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/mission-australia-launches-youth-survey-2026-marking-25-years</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/mission-australia-launches-youth-survey-2026-marking-25-years</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Tim Mossholder / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:15:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Mission Australia’s Youth Survey is marking 25 years of gathering the views of young people by inviting those ages 14 to 19 to “come to the party” and participate in the 2026 survey.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Mission Australia’s Youth Survey is marking 25 years of gathering the views of young people by inviting those ages 14 to 19 to “come to the party” and participate in the 2026 survey.
The survey opens today (March 19) and allows young people to share their hopes, views and concerns, according to the ministry.
Last year, more than 17,000 young people completed the survey, identifying cost of living (64%), mental health (29%), climate change and the environment (27%) and housing and homelessness (25%) as the top issues facing Australia.
This year’s survey will ask some new questions, including, “What’s one thing that could be changed in your neighborhood to make your life better?”, as well as young people’s opinions on barriers to participating in community events and the widely discussed social media ban.
Mission Australia deputy chief executive officer Ben Carblis said the Youth Survey provided crucial insights into what young people were thinking and feeling.
“For a quarter of a century, Youth Survey has given young Australians an outlet in which to not only communicate their concerns, but suggest changes they want to see,” he said.
“During that time, more than 500,000 surveys have been completed, and while fashion trends might have come full circle, young people’s responses have not.”
In the early years of the Youth Survey, responses to questions about key concerns showed a shift from issues such as alcohol and other drugs, family conflict and body image to coping with stress, school or study problems and mental health.
When the national issues question was added to the Youth Survey in 2010, the top issues included alcohol and other drugs, population or societal issues and equity and discrimination, while recent concerns focus on the environment, cost of living and mental health.
“In more recent years, we’ve seen young people primarily shift from concerns about the environment to focusing more on housing and cost of living,” Carblis said.
“Last year, cost of living was the top concern for the second year in a row and at the highest level since the question was first asked in 2010.”
Results of the survey will be published in November 2026 and shared with government, non-government organizations, schools and the public.
Carblis urged schools, community groups, local councils and families to “spread the word” and encourage young people to take part in the survey.
“For 25 years, Youth Survey data has been used by a range of decision-makers and stakeholders to inform policies and the development of programs and services that impact young people,” he said.
“We want as many young people as possible to participate in the survey, so we can make sure we are hearing from young people from a range of backgrounds and experiences across the country.”
Youth Survey 2026 is open from March 19 to Aug. 14 and takes about 20 minutes to complete.
The survey can be completed online through participating schools or groups, or individually via Mission Australia’s website.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Database launched on anti-Christian violations of religious freedom in Australia]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/database-launched-on-anti-christian-violations-of-religious-freedom-in-australia</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/database-launched-on-anti-christian-violations-of-religious-freedom-in-australia</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Warwick Marsh of the Canberra Declaration at launch of Australian Christian Freedom Index.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ CDI screenshot of webinar ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Warwick Marsh of the Canberra Declaration at launch of Australian Christian Freedom Index. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:04:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[An advocacy group defending Judeo-Christian values in Australia has launched a database to track infringements of Christians’ religious freedom.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
An advocacy group defending Judeo-Christian values in Australia has launched a database to track infringements of Christians’ religious freedom.
The Canberra Declaration, a group calling on Australian leaders to rebuild the country’s Judeo-Christian foundations, on March 11 launched the Australian Christian Freedom Index (ACFI) with a 40-page report on anti-Christian currents in 2025.
The launch of the index and the report came in a  webinar in which key Christian leaders and legal experts mapped religious discrimination across Australia.
Panelists argued that anti-discrimination laws in Australia silence the church. They contended that a formal index must prove to the government that structural forces erode religious rights. To support this, the group is organizing a survey to record infringements of those liberties.
“The ACFI brings together multiple lines of evidence to paint the most comprehensive picture of Christian freedom in Australia ever produced,” said Kurt Mahlburg, one of the leaders of the Canberra Declaration.
Another leader, Warrick Marsh, said Australia needs freedom to share the gospel, “and that is probably the most critical freedom.”
“We’ve been losing these freedoms for many, many years – for decades – and we need to make a stand,” Marsh said.
He described the Index as a “line in the sand” to show politicians, the media and those antagonistic toward Christianity the benefits of religious freedom. He argued that Australia must maintain its foundations as a nation that holds Christian freedom as a core value.
The leaders intend to build a database of hard evidence and survey results to illustrate how the state restricts Christian freedoms. They plan to present the document to politicians and the media as evidence that Australian Christians face rising discrimination.
A central concern involves the “rule of silence,” in which Christians endure pressure to keep their faith private, especially regarding issues such as gender, parenting and education, said George Christensen, a former Member of Parliament representing CitizenGO.
Mahlburg noted that the group is auditing state laws following incidents of the state forcing Christian schools to hire staff members who do not share the institutions’ religious beliefs. He also cited cases of laws compelling medical workers to participate in abortion and euthanasia, alongside restrictions on street preaching near abortion clinics.
“We want to see which states are the freest and which are the least free,” Mahlburg said. “Hopefully, that puts the wind up legislators in the different parliaments.”
The panel highlighted lack of robust legal protection for religious belief in Australia. While the United States relies on the First Amendment, Mahlburg observed that Australia offers only small “exemptions” rather than strong rights.
“What strikes me is that in Australia, we really don’t have religious freedom explicitly protected in law – not robustly,” Mahlburg said.
He added that while Section 116 of the Australian Constitution offers a “nod” to religious freedom, the government has failed to build upon it.
“In the last couple of decades, federal and state governments have brought in anti-discrimination and vilification legislation,” Mahlburg said. “Christian freedom in Australia has become a series of ‘carve-outs’ or exemptions in other laws...Structurally, the situation in Australia is not good.”
Christensen lamented that Christians are learning a “new rule” in Australia: “Stay quiet.”
“The idea is that your faith is not to be lived openly or expressed in ‘controversial’ areas like gender, parenting or education,” Christensen said. “It’s not paranoia; it’s a pattern of expanding rules and complaint-based systems being used to pressure us into silence. People are self-censoring to protect their jobs.”
Christensen rebutted the notion that the ability to “still go to church and sing hymns” constitutes true religious freedom, calling that a “hollowed-out version of faith.” He reported that the U.S. State Department has already expressed interest in the index.
Other participants included Michelle Pearse, CEO of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL); Peter Downie, National Director of FamilyVoice Australia; and Augusto Zimmerman, a law professor establishing Christian law schools. Zimmerman, who is establishing a Christian law school in Sydney, argued that the state’s “protection” via anti-discrimination laws remains unwarranted.
“I want the state to leave me alone,” Zimmerman said. “The greatest sin of Australia is the idolatry of the government. We need to stop asking for more laws and start voting for politicians who will repeal them. I don’t feel we are free in this country anymore. What God gives, no man can take away.”
The Canberra Declaration describes itself as an active, caring, “growing community of people who have a vision for an Australia where children are safe, women are secure, families are happy, everyone receives a fair go, incentive is rewarded, integrity is paramount, life is precious, freedom is for all, including those of faith. Where everyone is able to enjoy the prosperity that comes from the revitalisation of the Judeo-Christian Values that form the foundation of our nation.”
The Canberra Declaration calls on national leaders to protect life, defend marriage, support family, rebuild Judeo-Christian foundations, secure religious freedom and safeguard children.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christian legal group raises safety concerns over ‘all-gender’ toilet rules in Australia]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-legal-group-raises-safety-concerns-over-all-gender-toilet-rules-in-australia</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-legal-group-raises-safety-concerns-over-all-gender-toilet-rules-in-australia</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[public restroom]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Sung Jin Cho / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:10:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[New building rules in Australia allowing “all-gender” toilets have raised safety concerns for girls and women, according to a Christian legal rights group. State governments have until May 1 to either adopt or reject new rules that could reduce the number of single-sex toilets in public buildings, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) reported.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
New building rules in Australia allowing “all-gender” toilets have raised safety concerns for girls and women, according to a Christian legal rights group.
State governments have until May 1 to either adopt or reject new rules that could reduce the number of single-sex toilets in public buildings, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) reported on March 11.
The National Construction Code 2025 allows developers to replace up to half of the mandatory male and female toilets in a building with so-called "all-gender" facilities. If adopted, the rules would affect a wide range of public spaces, including schools, workplaces, shopping centers, and sports venues.
Michelle Pearse, the CEO of the ACL, said reducing the number of single-sex toilets raises genuine safety concerns.
“Women and girls deserve safe, private spaces in public buildings,” said Pearse. “Removing or reducing women’s toilets puts their safety and dignity at risk.”
Pearse said survivors of sexual violence, young girls, mothers, and older women rely on single-sex toilets for safety and privacy, and that the changes could leave them with no real choice but to use all-gender facilities, even if they feel unsafe.
The ACL is currently campaigning to convince the New South Wales (NSW) Government to follow Tasmania’s lead and "opt out" of the new rules before the May deadline. While the NSW Government previously rejected a state parliamentary inquiry that recommended more all-gender toilets, policymakers have not yet committed to rejecting the National Construction Code changes.
“The government cannot say it opposes forced all-gender toilets in one policy and then allow it to happen through the building code,” Pearse said. “If the NSW Government truly cares about the safety of women and children in NSW, it should reject these changes.”
Pearse noted that when the NSW Government previously rejected similar recommendations, it argued that public toilets were primarily the responsibility of local councils and that there was no need for new laws governing their design. However, the ACL argues that failing to opt out of the national code creates a loophole for developers.
The updated code, published Feb. 1, allows developers to replace up to half of male and female toilets with shared facilities. Although optional, the ACL warns the change could reduce the number of dedicated spaces for women and men.
“We’ve raised concerns that reducing the number of single-sex facilities risks compromising privacy and safety for women and girls – and we’ve already been proven right,” said Pearse. “In the ACT [Australian Capital Territory], where these facilities already exist, there are reports of girls dropping out of sport because they don’t want to change clothes in the same changing rooms as men.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Salvation Army warns of 'significant gaps' in protecting exploited children]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/salvation-army-warns-of-significant-gaps-in-protecting-exploited-children</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/salvation-army-warns-of-significant-gaps-in-protecting-exploited-children</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Markus Stefan Hofer]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Markus Stefan Hofer / Facebook ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Markus Stefan Hofer during the 61st session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:09:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Many children remain at risk of sexual exploitation, human trafficking and poverty—particularly migrant children—the Salvation Army warned during the 61st session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on March 9.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Many children remain at risk of sexual exploitation, human trafficking and poverty—particularly migrant children—the Salvation Army warned during the 61st session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on March 9.
Markus Stefan Hofer, UN communications and advocacy officer for the World Evangelical Alliance, delivered an oral statement in his dual role as representative speaker for the Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission.
He spoke during an interactive dialogue with attorney Mama Fatima Singhateh at the council. Singhateh serves as UN Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
The statement follows a UN report by Singhateh published in January 2026 titled Protecting children from sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse: progress, new frontiers and the path forward.
“Over the past six years, the Special Rapporteur has observed persistent and evolving forms of the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children,” Singhateh says in the report.
“Online child exploitation and abuse have surged, driven by misuse of technology and emerging tools.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and other crises have amplified children’s vulnerabilities, increasing their exposure to sexual exploitation and abuse.
“Challenges in child protection continue to increase in industries such as travel and tourism, as well as entertainment. Some children in vulnerable situations, including boys, gender-diverse children and street-connected children, remain largely invisible in protection efforts, reinforcing cycles of exclusion and rights violations.”
Hofer said the Salvation Army welcomed the report and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting every child from sale, sexual exploitation and abuse.
However, many children lack safe reporting mechanisms, Hofer warned, adding that “significant gaps remain.”
“Migrant and displaced children face heightened risks,” he said. “Frontline workers need stronger trauma-informed training and resources.”
Hofer said the Salvation Army’s commission works in more than 130 countries, supporting children and families affected by poverty, displacement, trafficking and online exploitation.
In 2025, more than 25,000 survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking received support, including many children subjected to sexual exploitation.
“Their resilience guides our advocacy,” Hofer added.
Hofer recalled the case of an unnamed girl trafficked across borders under false promises of education and how the Salvation Army assisted her.
“After escaping, she received emergency care, psychosocial support, and safe reunification through cross-border cooperation,” he said.
“She is now back in school and receiving follow-up care—demonstrating the importance of coordinated international protection.”
Hofer outlined three priorities to address the issue: invest in community-based prevention; strengthen cross-border collaboration so protection—not bureaucracy—guides recovery; and ensure child- and survivor-led approaches shape policy and accountability.
“We remain committed to partnering with States to ensure every child is safe, valued and free to flourish,” he added.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Papua New Guinea prime minister visits YWAM medical ship ahead of 2026 outreach]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/papua-new-guinea-prime-minister-visits-ywam-medical-ship-ahead-of-2026-outreach</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/papua-new-guinea-prime-minister-visits-ywam-medical-ship-ahead-of-2026-outreach</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/42/4252.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by YWAM Ships ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, visiting the MV YWAM PNG ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:20:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape visited the MV YWAM PNG ship ahead of its first voyage of 2026 to Western Province, expressing support for its health and education initiatives serving local communities.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape visited the MV YWAM PNG ship ahead of its first voyage of 2026 to Western Province, expressing support for its health and education initiatives serving local communities.
Marape visited at the end of January accompanied by a delegation of government ministers: Miki Kaeok, Minister for Transport; Billy Joseph, Minister for Defence; and Kinoka Feo, Minister for Higher Education.
The ship underwent a refit in the Philippines at the end of 2025.
“The Prime Minister met with volunteers from Papua New Guinea and around the world, including a team from YWAM Norway,” according to YWAM Medical Ships News.
“Conversations during the visit focused not only on the upcoming outreach, but also on the future — particularly the potential for additional ships serving the people of PNG.
“Prime Minister Marape expressed strong enthusiasm for this vision, reaffirming his long-standing support for ship-based services that bring healthcare, training, and development directly to coastal and riverine communities.”
Built in 1999 as a small catamaran cruise liner, the 60-meter vessel—capable of accommodating 130 volunteers—was purchased by YWAM Medical Ships (Australia & PNG) in 2014 and refitted as a specialized medical and training “floating hospital.”
It is officially registered as a health facility in Papua New Guinea and tasked with reaching remote coastal and river communities in notoriously difficult terrain, with more than 5,000 kilometers of coastline and hundreds of inhabited islands.
The prime minister’s wife, Rachael Marape, is the Co-Patron of YWAM Medical Ships PNG and advocates for maternal and child health.
At the time of the visit, about 100 volunteers from 14 nations were on board the MV YWAM PNG. They were preparing to deliver critical health services in partnership with local healthcare workers. Their work includes promoting health and education while strengthening local services and supporting a long-term vision for community wellbeing.
“The Prime Minister’s visit is a powerful affirmation of the partnership between the Government of Papua New Guinea and YWAM Medical Ships – Australia & PNG, united by a shared commitment to improving access to healthcare and investing in the future of PNG’s people, especially in some of the nation’s most hard-to-reach regions,” YWAM Medical Ships News added.
Ken Mulligan, managing director of YWAM Medical Ships, has previously described the story of the MV YWAM PNG as one of “genuine collaboration.”
“Health professionals, leaders, and communities in PNG are driving real change, working alongside Australian and international teams in a spirit of shared learning and respect,” Mulligan said.
“Together, we’re building healthier futures by combining local knowledge, skills, and commitment with broad support, training, and resources.”
YWAM Medical Ships – Australia & PNG has partnered with the National Department of Health and provincial health authorities since 2010. This partnership has resulted in more than 2.3 million healthcare and training services delivered, while also providing hands-on training opportunities for Papua New Guinean health workers.]]></content:encoded>
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