Archbishop appeals for the vulnerable in Burundi

THE Archbishop of Canterbury has called on the leaders of Burundi to seek peace and reconciliation, as the political crisis in the country deepens. In a joint statement with the chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council, the Rt Revd James Tengatenga, he urged warring politicians to put aside their own interests for the sake of the poor and vulnerable. Burundi has been wracked by protest and violence since the President Pierre Nkurunziza was re-elected in July in controversial circumstances (News, 24 July).

Chinese protester about crosses ‘could be tortured’

A LAWYER who has been arrested by the Chinese authorities for helping churches oppose attempts to tear down the crosses from their buildings could be tortured into confessing to espionage charges, a campaigning group has said (News, 14 August). Release International, which reported the arrest of the lawyer Zhang Kai last week (News, 4 September), said that he had been charged with spying and “gathering a mob”. Chinese partners of Release International believe that Mr Zhang is being held incommunicado at an undisclosed prison. Other human-rights lawyers held at similar “black sites” have said that they were tortured while in detention.

Hermit sought for hill-top chapel

AN ISOLATED hill-top chapel in Spain is advertising through Facebook for “a hermit” to take care of the building. The board of the Mare de Deu de la Roca want someone to look after the centuries-old chapel in Catalonia, and to give tours to visitors. The job comes with free lodging with a local family and a stipend of €1000 a year.