World's tallest church is practically complete after 144 years under construction

 

After 144 years, the Basílica de la Sagrada Família will no longer be photobombed by construction cranes as its exterior is now complete 

Almost a century and a half after construction began on La Sagrada Familia, the exterior structure of the tallest church in the world was finally completed last Friday in Barcelona, Spain. 

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, as it's officially named and the only way I refer to it in casual conversation, has now had its tallest tower, the tower of Jesus Christ, reach its maximum height. It's been topped with the upper arm of a three-dimensional four-armed cross that's clad in glass and white enameled ceramic.

Last week saw the upper arm of this roughly 56-ft (17-m) tall cross fitted with the help of a giant crane. That final piece, which is nearly 15 ft (4.5 m) tall, completes the grouping of the six central towers of the church – and brings the basilica's height to a dizzying 566 ft (172.5 m).

 

The upper arm of the 56-ft-tall four-armed cross being lowered to complete the tower of

 Jesus Christ 

Interestingly, the cross was built in Germany using white enameled ceramic tiles, stone interior and glass that were made in the Spanish region of Catalonia. It was then transported in parts back to Barcelona by ferry and trucks, and finally assembled at the church.  

 

Enormous segments of the ceramic and glass cross were made and brought in from Germany 

Those materials were chosen to realize celebrated architect Antoni Gaudí’s idea of having the cross shine day and night. Indeed, the cross, with its double twist geometrical design, is large enough on the inside that it has a spiral staircase running up it, and will have light streaming through its windows. 

 

A rendering of the cross atop the Basílica de la Sagrada Família's central tower of Jesus Christ standing at a height of 566 ft 

That's a monumental milestone for this church, which saw construction originally begin all the way back in 1882. This storied project has taken ages because it's been funded solely by private donations, and has seen numerous architects take the lead in building it over several decades. 

 

The towers have taken decades to complete, as the project has been funded solely by private donations and faced numerous setbacks including the COVID pandemic 

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was consecrated as a basilica – a Catholic church building bearing a specific designation and meant for special ceremonies – by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, with a view to encourage followers to support its completion. 

Gaudí, who applied Gothic and Art Nouveau styles to design this magnificent church, devoted his last 43 years to the project before dying in a tragic accident; by that time in 1926, not even a quarter of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família had been finished. He lies buried in the church's crypt.

 

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família stands head and shoulders above the rest of Barcelona and defines its skyline with its tall towers

While the exterior is technically complete, there's still work to be done over the next eight years in the church, including decorative elements, the cladding on the arms of the cross, and sculptures – including the Agnus Dei, or the Lamb of God. This will be created by Italian artist Andrea Mastrovito, who won a competition last year to design it. Mastrovito's Agnus Dei features the Lamb, made of hollow glass and covered in glass fragments, suspended in the air from the cross' upper arm within a hyperboloid covered in gold leaf. This structure is meant to symbolize the relationship between matter and energy, and between the Son and the Father.

The completion of the cross, the tower of Jesus Christ, and in effect, the exterior of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família coincides with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death. The church notes it'll hold commemorative events all through this year to celebrate the milestone; hopefully, that will drum up enough interest among Catholics and visitors of other faiths to help get the remainder of the project over the finish line by 2034.

 

Former Nickelodeon Animator Launches Faith-Driven Studio to Bring God’s Light to Kids

 

Emmy-nominated former Nickelodeon animator Butch Hartman is launching a new studio dedicated to creating God-glorifying animated content for children, aiming to provide hope in a world he describes as dark.

A former Nickelodeon animator with multiple Emmy nominations has launched a new values-driven studio aimed at creating God-glorifying animated content for children searching for hope in a dark world.

Animator Butch Hartman made a name for himself at Nickelodeon, where he created the hit series The Fairly OddParents and later developed Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy, and Bunsen Is a Beast. During his tenure, he earned nominations for three Daytime Emmys, four Primetime Emmys, and five Annie Awards, and won four BMI Film & TV Awards before departing the network in 2018.

He later created the Bible-infused series The Garden Cartoon before launching his own company in 2025, Butch Hartman Studios, with the goal of producing more content that would – in his words p– bring much-needed light to a dark entertainment landscape.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Garden Cartoon (@thegardencartoon)

 

2,800-Year-Old Seal from Era of Biblical Kings Unearthed in Israel

 

A 2,800-year-old stone seal dating to the era of the biblical kings has been unearthed in Israel during excavations tied to the construction of a modern highway.

The seal, unveiled this month by the Israel Antiquities Authority, dates to the late eighth century B.C. and is carved from a gemstone, featuring four pomegranates engraved across its upper section, with the remainder bearing an ancient Hebrew inscription that reads: “Belonging to Makhach (son of) Amihai.” Although that particular name does not appear in the Old Testament, the seal’s owner would have lived during biblical times under the authority of a king mentioned in Scripture – perhaps Jotham, Ahaz, or Hezekiah, who reigned in succession during that period and governed Judah.

A rare 8th-century BCE stone seal from the biblical Kingdom of Judah was discovered during construction of the Ein Tut Interchange in northern Israel. Four pomegranates are carved into the upper section of the seal, while the other two sections contain an ancient Hebrew… 

It was discovered during the construction of the Ein Tut Interchange in northern Israel.

 

Gunmen abduct six worshippers in Ondo church

 

The Police Command in Ondo State has confirmed the abduction of six worshippers of a celestial church located along Uso/Owo Expressway in Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed this in a statement released on Wednesday, said the incident occurred in the early hours of February 25 at approximately 12:50 am.

Jimoh explained that the victims were reportedly taken to an unknown destination by the attackers.

“Upon receiving the report, the operatives of the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilised to the scene and commenced coordinated rescue operations.

“As a result of sustained joint efforts, one of the kidnapped victims has been successfully rescued.

“Additionally, one suspected informant linked to the incident has been arrested and is currently assisting with ongoing investigations.

“Security operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the apprehension of all perpetrators involved,” he said.

 The spokesperson, therefore, urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that may assist ongoing operations.

US Congress recommends measures to end Christian persecution in Nigeria

 

The US Congress has recommended measures to address the escalating persecution of Christians in Nigeria, calling for strengthening of the country’s institutions, including improving policing, enhanced anti-money laundering methods, and support for legal reforms.

Recall that President Donald Trump had set up a Rep panel to investigate persecution of Christians in Nigeria and submit the report to him. 

The Federal Government in a swift reaction, said Nigeria had no policy on religious persecution, describing the development as an opportunity for deeper engagement and broader cooperation between both countries.

But the US lawmakers, for the umpteenth time, urged the US president to invoke and announce the Country of Particular Concern, CPC, presidential directive to name and shame perpetrators of violence against Christians, implement sanctions against the individuals, and continue its on-going visa restrictions against perpetrators.

The recommendations put forward by the Congress, in conjunction with House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Appropriations Committee, followed months of investigations into alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

Insisting that Nigeria was the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian, the lawmakers called for repeal of sharia codes and blasphemy laws in Nigeria’s northern states, which had been used to silence dissent and target minorities.

They urged the Trump’s administration to leverage its position to compel Fulani herdsmen to disarm, potentially by blocking beef exports to countries such as Ghana, South Africa and Senegal.

To counter the influence of extremist groups, the lawmakers called on the government to allow farmers engage in legitimate self-defence and also implement programmes to disrupt terrorist financing networks.
Additionally, the Congress recommended divesting from Russian military equipment for American military equipment and countering Chinese influence in Nigeria, especially “their destabilising practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.”

They further recommended that the US should require a “GAO audit report” on the effectiveness of aid to Nigeria to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of funds.

The lawmakers urged the US government to withheld certain U.S. funds, pending demonstrable action by the Nigerian government to stop violence against Christians, while working with international partners, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to end the atrocities against Christians.

In an accompanying statement to the recommendations, the lawmakers said: “Findings after decades of persecution, Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian. Christians are subject to ongoing violent attacks from well-armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups, resulting in the death and murder of tens of thousands of Christians, including pastors and priests, the destruction of thousands of churches and schools, as well as kidnappings.

“Blasphemy laws in Nigeria’s northern states are used to silence speech and dissent, target Christians and minorities, and justify so-called ‘convictions’ without due process.

“President Trump’s bold action, and attention from Congress, has created a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real change to address this two-decades-long crisis.”

They tasked the Nigerian government to demonstrate the political will, including by allocating their own financial resources, to immediately reduce and then eliminate the violence.

“The United States and Nigeria should take this moment to redefine a new strategic partnership to make America and Nigeria safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” they added.

The Recommendations

*Strike a bilateral agreement between the United States and the government of Nigeria to protect vulnerable Christian communities from violent persecution, eliminate jihadist terror activity in the region, further economic cooperation, and counter adversaries in the region, including the Chinese Communist Party and Russian Federation. Such an agreement should include: commitments by the government of Nigeria to:

• Co-fund donor-supported humanitarian assistance, including through faith-based organisations, and to prioritise underserved communities of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and their host communities, especially in the predominantly Christian Middle Belt region;
• Support and respond to early-warning mechanisms to prevent attacks and kidnappings, including deploying sufficient and capable security forces to the Middle Belt to enable rapid and effective response, and hold those who ignore the warnings accountable;

*Remove Fulani militias from confiscated, productive farmland and enable the voluntary return of displaced communities to their homes, including ensuring security and infrastructure, thereby reducing the need for humanitarian aid and generating economic development through increased agricultural productivity;

*Continue and expand security cooperation with the United States, including divestment of Russian military equipment for American military equipment through sales and financing.

*Technical support to the government of Nigeria to reduce and then eliminate violence from armed Fulani militias, including developing a demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration programme to address illicit weapons and support safer communities while allowing farmers to engage in legitimate self-defense:

• Supporting the new Ministry of Livestock, ranching plans, and meaningful land reform efforts; and enhancing the recruitment, technical capabilities, and willingness of the security forces and military to prevent and respond to violent attacks.

*Comprehensive counter-terrorism cooperation to rid the region of foreign terrorist organizations that pose a direct threat to the American homeland, including through the provision of excess defence equipment and use of relevant drawdown authorities.

*Counteract the hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations and their destabilising practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.

Speaking on the recommendations in a statement posted on his X handle, Rep Riley M Moore, said: “Following today’s (yesterday) productive meeting at the White House, I want to thank President Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and for his administration’s commitment to protecting our brothers and sisters in Christ from persecution and addressing the broader security challenges plaguing Nigeria.

“Since President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC and tasked me to lead a congressional investigation, I have worked diligently with my colleagues to produce the report we presented today.

‘’I also want to thank House Appropriations Committee Chairman, Tom Cole, Vice Chair, Mario Diaz-Balart, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Brian Mast, and Congressman, Chris Smith, for their leadership on this comprehensive investigation and delivering this report to the White House.

“I travelled on a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria and saw with my own eyes the horrific atrocities Christians face, and the instability the Nigerian government must combat.

‘’Through Congressional hearings, expert testimony, meeting with Internally Displaced Persons, hearing from religious leaders, and engaging with high-level Nigerian government officials, we have provided a clear picture of the threat environment in Nigeria and the horrific persecution Christians face.

“This report outlines concrete steps to impose accountability measures, counter radical Islamic terrorism, and lays out a plan to work in coordination and cooperation with the Nigerian government to bring security to all the people of Nigeria.

“Our brothers and sisters in Christ have suffered in silence for too long. The world is now watching, and I urge the Nigerian government to take the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States.

“Doing so is in the interest of both our great nations. Together, we must address these pressing security challenges and bring an end to violence against Christians.”

No policy on religious persecution, FG replies US Congress

Replying the US Congress yesterday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement that the Federal Government had taken note of the recommendations contained in the report submitted to the White House by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations Committee.

While acknowledging that parts of the country continued to grapple with serious security challenges , including terrorism, banditry and communal clashes , the minister stressed that the violence confronting Nigeria was not rooted in state policy or religious bias.

“Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution,” he said, adding that the ongoing security threats stemmed from complex factors such as terrorism, organised criminality and longstanding communal tensions.

The minister expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and destruction of property caused by criminal elements, extending sympathies to victims and their families “regardless of faith, ethnicity or region.”

Reaffirming Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom, Idris noted that the Constitution guaranteed freedom of religion and worship for all citizens and assured equal protection under the law.
To address the evolving security landscape, he said the government hads strengthened coordinated military and law enforcement operations in affected areas.

According to him, counter-terrorism offensives have significantly degraded the operational capacity of armed groups, disrupted kidnapping networks and led to the arrest and neutralisation of key criminal actors.

He disclosed further that intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration had been enhanced to improve early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms, particularly in vulnerable rural communities.

As part of renewed security strategies, the minister said surveillance and clearance operations had been intensified in forested areas long exploited by criminal groups.

He said specially trained forest guards had also been deployed to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens, bolster territorial control and reinforce community-level security presence.

These efforts, according to him, are being supported by increased investments in modern equipment, mobility assets and technology for the armed forces and other security agencies.

Beyond security operations, Minister Idris highlighted ongoing humanitarian interventions for internally displaced persons, as well as initiatives aimed at facilitating the safe return of affected communities and promoting peacebuilding efforts to ensure sustainable coexistence.

“The Federal Government will continue to engage international partners through appropriate diplomatic channels while remaining focused on its primary duty -the protection of all Nigerians,” he added.

US pressure on Sharia risks tension in Nigeria — CAN

Reacting to the report yesterday, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, warned that calls by a United States congressional panel for Nigeria to repeal Sharia and blasphemy laws could heighten religious tension and destabilise the country.

Instead of scrapping Sharia provisions, the Christian body is advocating a fresh, people-driven constitution, arguing that only a new constitutional framework, not piecemeal amendments, could fairly reflect Nigeria’s complex religious and ethnic realities.

Speaking to Vanguard in confidence because of the sensitivity of the matter, a senior CAN official said international pressure must be handled carefully and responsibly.

“This is a very sensitive issue. If you look at the process required to amend the Constitution, you will see that it could create serious tension.

“At one of the recent meetings of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, some Muslim clerics strongly argued that Sharia was a way of life and part of the culture of certain northern communities, and, therefore, cannot simply be repealed or removed from the Constitution,
“That is why we believe this matter must be handled with a high level of responsibility and wisdom. If it is mishandled, it could destabilise the country.

‘’Religion is extremely sensitive, and there are ignorant and extremist adherents in both the Christian and Muslim communities. So even how this issue is discussed in the media requires great care.
“However, rather than focusing on repealing Sharia law, what we have consistently advocated is the need for a new constitution for Nigeria.

‘’The country needs a truly people-driven constitution that accommodates the interests of every segment of the nation. All religions should be carried along fairly, and ethnic and minority concerns must also be properly addressed.

“We must not also allow anyone to hide under Sharia to perpetrate wrongdoing. At the same time, we are not saying Sharia is unimportant. Our concern is that some people exploit it to justify various abuses.

“Our position is that Nigeria needs a new constitutional framework, one that genuinely reflects the will of the people. We believe the foundation of the 1999 Constitution is flawed, having originated from military rule, and that amendments alone may not fix the deeper problems.

‘’Rather than repealing specific laws, we are calling for a new constitution that accommodates all interests. Where Sharia is recognised, other faith-based legal systems, such as canon law, should also be guaranteed and protected within the constitutional framework,” the CAN official said. 

Reform UK unveils plan to protect churches from being turned into mosques in bid to ‘restore Britain’s Christian heritage’

 

Zia Yusuf has set out Reform's plan for churches, should they win a majority at the general election

 

A Reform government would move to give churches protected status to ensure they are not turned into mosques.

The party’s new home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, plans to “restore Britain’s Christian heritage” by enacting mass deportations of illegal migrants and persuading British expats to return to the country.

He said renewing Britain’s Christian faith was imperative to restoring “cultural meaning” among young people and men in particular.

Mr Yusuf, a practicing Muslim, told The Telegraph his first move would be to grant immediate and automatic listed status to churches across the UK.

This means alterations affecting their historic character would be banned.

Nigel Farage’s party would also establish a new class for churches that would prevent them from being converted into places of worship for other religions.

Places of worship in England do not currently fall under the F1 use class - changes within this class do not require planning permission.

Mr Yusuf fears churches are increasingly being converted into mosques, and says he has been inundated with emails from “anxious residents” across the UK about the trend.

One recent case is the Georgian church of St John’s Hanley in Staffordshire, where a row erupted after Stoke-on-Trent council approved planning permission.

A restrictive covenant was placed on the church when the site was sold in 2009, which meant the Church of England was able to intervene.

Mr Yusuf said: “Regardless of whether somebody is of faith or not, or which faith they follow, I think the Christian heritage of this country is very important and protecting our heritage and our culture is important, otherwise the country is not a country, it’s just an economic zone.

“And so, as one step in pursuit of that, we will end the incendiary practice of converting churches into mosques or any other places of worship by granting listed status automatically to all churches and prohibiting that.”

Since being freed from lockdown, young people have increasingly found faith in both God and the Church.

YouGov’s bi-annual tracking data points to a significant shift in religious belief, particularly among younger adults. In the 18–24 age group, the share who say they believe in God has almost tripled in just over three years, rising from 16 per cent in August 2021 to 45 per cent by January 2025.

Among those aged 25 to 49, the increase has been less dramatic but still substantial, with belief growing from 21 per cent to 33 per cent over the same period.

Signs of renewed engagement can also be seen in church attendance. Two YouGov surveys, conducted in 2018 and 2024, suggest a 56 per cent increase in the proportion of UK adults who attend church at least once a month.

Mr Yusuf told The Telegraph he would like to see the trend go further and encourage even more people to attend church.

He said: “I would argue there is crisis of meaning culturally, particularly among men and young people.

“I do think a sense of belief in God and patriotism, while they’re not necessarily the same thing - I think there is some connection there.”

The number of people who describe themselves as Christian in England and Wales fell below half of the population for the first time in the last census.

There was, however, a rise in the number of people describing themselves as Muslims, by 44 per cent to 3.9 million in the last census.

The number of people identifying as Hindus also rose by 22 per cent to one million.

Mr Yusuf added: “I think if politicians play their part, then I’m optimistic that over time … they will have more things to take pride in as they are made to feel proud of their history again, rather than being taught that they should be ashamed of it.

 

Archbishop of Cape Town becomes new chair of Christian Aid

The Archbishop of Cape Town has been announced as the new chair of Christian Aid.

The UK development and humanitarian agency said Most Rev Dr Thabo Makgoba, has a strong track-record of working on poverty and injustice in South Africa and globally.

Dr Makgoba, who is also the Metropolitan Church of Southern Africa has previously worked with Christian Aid on climate and economic justice.

He takes over from the previous Chair, Dame Sarah Mullally who has just become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dr Makgoba has personally experienced marginalisation, spending his early years in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, before his family was forcibly removed under apartheid laws and settled in Soweto.

In 2009, after receiving the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City, he described it as an award for all South Africans who were denied access to education.

Archbishop Thabo pioneered the concept of "indaba" in the worldwide Anglican Communion as a means of getting to grips with difference, and was decorated by the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Cross of St Augustine for his role in the Communion. 

Christian Aid CEO, Patrick Watt, said: “We are delighted to welcome Archbishop Thabo as the new chair of Christian Aid.

“Throughout his ministry he has walked alongside people who are poor and marginalised, and strived for a just world in which everyone has life before death.

“Archbishop Thabo's leadership will be invaluable as we work with partners across the world to tackle the root causes of poverty, in a fast-changing landscape.”

Since 2012, he has also served as Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape.