Christian Today staff writer

• Russian Orthodox Church insists it is not backing Putin in election

  The Russian Orthodox Church has insisted it will not back Vladimir Putin in upcoming presidential elections on Sunday.

• US pastor Andrew Brunson faces 35 years in jail, says he's in prison for his faith

  Turkish prosecutors have asked for sentences totalling 35 years for US pastor Andrew Brunson, held in prison in Izmir on what are widely regarded as trumped-up espionage charges.

• Catholic hospital and nuns attacked in India amid growing violence against Christians

  Suspected Hindu extremists used a bulldozer to demolish the wall of a Catholic mission hospital and attacked staff, including nuns, in the latest incident in Madhya Pradesh state in central India which has seen growing violence against Christians.

• Blasphemy laws against Christians in Pakistan highlighted at UN

  The abuse of Christians in Pakistan was highlighted at the United Nations with a warning religious minorities are 'systematically persecuted'.

• Controversial crucified Stormtrooper art relocated at London church

  A controversial art display of a Star Wars Stormtrooper being crucified like Christ has been relocated from its place in a central London church.

• Mike Pence: We will see end of legal abortion in our lifetime

  Mike Pence has predicted the end of legal abortion in the US 'in our lifetime'.

• 'Punish a Muslim': Fourth Muslim Labour MP sent suspicious package with letter advocating violence

  Four Muslim Labour MPs have been sent suspicious packages over the last 48 hours with copies of a 'Punish a Muslim' letter that advocates violence against Muslims.

• British mosques overlooked in conservation efforts, Historic England warns

  British mosques have been overlooked in conservation efforts, the heritage body Historic England said, as it announced that two mosques would be granted official status as listed buildings.

• Meghan Markle joins Queen for Westminster Abbey Commonwealth service

  Meghan Markle joined the Queen at Westminster Abbey for a church service to mark Commonwealth Day on Monday.

• On Pope Francis's 5th anniversary in the role, Benedict XVI lavishes praise on his successor

  The former Pope Benedict XVI has said there is an 'inner continuity' between his pontificate and that of Pope Francis, and praised his successor as a 'man of profound philosophical and theological formation'.

• Pupils should be taught value of abstinence and celibacy, says Church of England

  The value of abstinence and celibacy should be taught to pupils in sex education as part of an approach that helps them turn away from a 'distorted' view of sex and develop 'dignity and respect,' the Church of England has said.

• Church of England priest guilty of 'spiritual abuse' against teenage boy is banned from ministry

  A Church of England priest has been banned from ministry after being found guilty of 'spiritual abuse' against a teenager.