Christian Today staff writer

• Indian bishops condemn rise in religion-based hate crime

  The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has spoken out against the dangers of a Hindu-nationalist agenda and 'monoculturalism'. It comes alongside a recognition by the Indian government of a spike in religiously-motivated hate crime.

• Mexico diocese evacuates nuns from ultra-violent city after multiple killings

  A Catholic diocese in southern Mexico has withdrawn all of its nuns from the violence-ridden city of Chilapa, following the killing of two of its priests earlier this month.

• Now Desmond Tutu has resigned as Oxfam ambassador

  He resigned yesterday as an ambassador for the aid agency saying he was 'deeply disappointed' about the charity's handling of a sex scandal.

• Vatican denies ex-Pope Benedict suffering 'paralysis'

  The Vatican today denied a magazine report suggesting former Pope Benedict was suffering a debilitating 'paralysis' that threatened to end his life imminently.

• 21 Christian martyrs beheaded by ISIS honoured at Egyptian church inauguration

  Today will see the inauguration of an Egyptian church dedicated to the 21 Christians beheaded by ISIS on the Libyan coast in 2015.

• Young people left 'deeply unhappy' by social media pressure for perfect body

  The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, is to host a national conference next week aimed at tackling body image anxiety in young people.

• Don't just give up, give to: How 40 acts of kindness can transform your Lent

  What if Lent weren't focused on negatives – giving things up – but on positively affecting the world for good?

• Sovereign Grace Church hits back at 'irresponsible' Rachael Denhollander allegations

  Sovereign Grace Church has hit back at allegations of abuse and cover-up by former US gymnast Rachael Denhollander, branding her accusations as 'irresponsible'.

• Site of Jesus' baptism to be cleared of mines after half a century

  An ancient site revered as the location where Jesus was baptised may be reopened to the public as a massive de-mining programme gets under way.

• Muslim teens sentenced to studying Qur'an references to Virgin Mary after mocking Christianity

  In a refreshing twist on blasphemy sentences from the Middle East, three Lebanese teenagers who were charged with insulting Christianity have been given the unusual sentence of studying the references to the Virgin Mary found in the Quran.

• Vice President Mike Pence 'thinks Jesus tells him to say things' says former Trump staffer

  The US Vice president Mike Pence 'thinks Jesus tells him to say things', according to a former official in the Donald Trump administration.

• Vatican deal with China would undermine Catholic Church's 'moral power' say influential Catholics

  A group of influential Catholics, most based in Hong Kong, have warned that if the Vatican presses ahead with an imminent agreement with the Chinese regime it risks plunging the Catholic Church into confusion and losing its moral high ground.