Church

Church of England accused of hypocrisy over same-sex blessing plans
Church of England accused of hypocrisy over same-sex blessing plans

Lay General Synod member Luke Appleton challenged the Church of England to be consistent in its position on same-sex relationships.

Disagreements over sexuality 'tarnish' Church of England's reputation - bishop
Disagreements over sexuality 'tarnish' Church of England's reputation - bishop

Long-standing divisions over human sexuality have "cast a shadow" over the Church of England's Christian witness, the Bishop of London told General Synod on Monday.

Criminalisation of homosexuality is 'an injustice', say Church leaders
Criminalisation of homosexuality is 'an injustice', say Church leaders

Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly have condemned the criminalisation of homosexuality at the end of their historic peace pilgrimage to South Sudan.

Church leaders call for peace in South Sudan
Church leaders call for peace in South Sudan

The Pope, Archbishop of Canterbury and Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly have called on the leaders of South Sudan to halt the bloodshed after years of civil war.

Churches with largest under-16 attendance are conservative on sexuality - study
Churches with largest under-16 attendance are conservative on sexuality - study

Church of England congregations with the largest under-16 attendance are conservative on sexuality, a study by Christian Concern has found.

Church leaders embark on historic peace pilgrimage to South Sudan
Church leaders embark on historic peace pilgrimage to South Sudan

The Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland have today embarked on a historic peace pilgrimage to South Sudan.

Most Brits think churches and chapels are important for society
Most Brits think churches and chapels are important for society

The number of Christians may be declining but affection for church buildings remains strong, a new Savanta poll suggests.

Bishops warn against changing doctrine of marriage
Bishops warn against changing doctrine of marriage

The Bible's teaching on marriage "cannot be set aside", bishops have warned ahead of a debate in the Church of England on allowing blessings for same-sex couples.

Stephen Sizer banned from ministry for 12 years
Stephen Sizer banned from ministry for 12 years

The Church of England has banned evangelical priest, Dr Stephen Sizer, from ministry for 12 years after a tribunal ruled that he had engaged in "conduct unbecoming" of an ordained minister.

CofE same-sex blessings will increase risk of schism, evangelicals warn
CofE same-sex blessings will increase risk of schism, evangelicals warn

Plans to allow services of blessing for same-sex couples will only promote disunity and push the Church of England and wider Anglican Communion towards schism, an evangelical body has warned.

CofE same-sex blessing proposals are 'unsustainable', says evangelical leader
CofE same-sex blessing proposals are 'unsustainable', says evangelical leader

Plans in the Church of England to introduce blessings for same-sex couples "dramatically compromise" its historic teaching on relationships and sexual ethics, the head of the Evangelical Alliance UK has said.

Pope Francis says 'being homosexual is not a crime' but still a sin
Pope Francis says 'being homosexual is not a crime' but still a sin

Pope Francis said in an interview this week that while homosexuality is sinful, countries should not criminalize homosexual practices.

'Sorry, Rev...we just don't trust you'
'Sorry, Rev...we just don't trust you'

There's bad news for vicars, priests and other church ministers in the latest results of a long-running research project.

'The Church is not in decline,' says missiologist
'The Church is not in decline,' says missiologist

"We need to remember we are a culture-shaping movement," said Dr Rachel Jordan-Wolf.

CofE same-sex blessings will lead to change in doctrine, say evangelicals
CofE same-sex blessings will lead to change in doctrine, say evangelicals

Evangelicals in the Church of England have expressed concern about the apparent contradiction at the heart of proposals announced this week to allow prayers and blessings for same-sex couples.

Church of England publishes draft prayers for same-sex blessings
Church of England publishes draft prayers for same-sex blessings

The Church of England has today published draft prayers to be used in blessing services for same-sex couples.