Church
Vatican releases Femen activist who stole Baby Jesus while topless on Christmas Day
The Vatican has released Iana Zhdanova after arresting her for stealing a replica of the Baby Jesus from the St. Peter's Square nativity scene while topless on Christmas day.
Year in review: The biggest church stories of 2014
Mark Woods offers his take on some of the notable events of the last 12 months.
Mark Driscoll launches new website
The former lead pastor of soon-to-be-defunct Mars Hill Church, has launched a new website, MarkDriscoll.org.
Rick Warren to deliver final sermon at Mars Hill Church
Rick Warren will preach the last sermon for Mars Hill Church via video on Sunday before the church officially dissolves at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Rick Warren to preach at Mars Hill's final service
Rick Warren, a former mentor to Mark Driscoll, will preach at the final service in Mars Hill Church before its dissolution.
Prayers for Iranian pastor on fourth anniversary of his arrest and detention; says he is 'free in Christ'
Supporters of Farshid Fathi, who was jailed for being a Christian, set up a day of prayer for the pastor on his fourth anniversary in prison.
Pope Francis: 'Violence is overcome by love, death by life'
"Following the Gospel is certainly a demanding path," but Christians are given peace by God in all circumstances, the Pope said today during his annual St Stephen's Day address.
Manchester schoolgirl is the UK's first female bishop
The Church of England can relax at last, and be confident that it has made the right decision to consecrate women bishops. Because the UK's first female bishop has declared that women are "just as good as boys."
Pope condemns Islamic State, decries suffering of children
Pope Francis on Thursday condemned the "brutal persecution" of minorities by Islamic State insurgents and said the joy of Christmas was marred by the suffering of children.
Pope Francis urges world to be open to God
Pope Francis's Christmas Eve mass urged people to allow God to enter their lives to help combat darkness and corruption.
Church of England suffers from 'serious institutional homophobia', says bishop
The Bishop of Buckingham has predicted that gay marriage among the clergy will become the norm.
Churches in Egypt on their guard against terrorist attacks over Christmas
With the holiday celebrations just a few days away, Egyptian Christian churches are on high alert against possible attacks from Islamic extremist groups.
Church staffer gets a shock when anonymous giver leaves $52,000 check in Christmas card
An anonymous donor wrote a $52,000 check for the Africa Lighthouse Baptist Temple, a gift that enabled the congregation to pay off the mortgage on the property.
Pope says the Vatican is infested with 'spiritual Alzheimer's'
Pope Francis' Christmas message to the Curia included a list of 15 'diseases' that are weakening the Church and its mission.
Pope Francis faces increasing criticism from conservative Catholics
Senior conservatives have stepped up their criticisms in preparation for key events such as next October's Synod on the Family.
Justin Welby: 'The only certainty in life is Christ'
The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke about his difficult childhood and the death of his daughter on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.