Church

Fraud scandal leaves Franciscan order in 'grave financial difficulty'

A branch of the Franciscan religious order says the discovery of financial fraud has left it burdened with debt.

Priest installs cellphone jammer in his church to stop phones ringing during service

Fed up with mobiles ringing and beeping during Mass, Father Michele Madonna has had a jamming device installed in his church in Naples, Italy.

Mark Driscoll 'believed his own hype, ran church like a business'

Mars Hill church lost sight of people it was ministering to, says Warren Throckmorton in a major interview.

Christmas midnight mass in decline with drunks and streakers interrupting prayer

The tradition of attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve, common among Roman Catholics, is under threat as churches report security problems and a lack of priests.

Women bishops to be fast-tracked into Lords

A bill to fast-track women bishops into the House of Lords was introduced in Parliament yesterday.

Pastor Gordon A. Humphrey Jr. drops dead singing Pharrell's 'Happy' from the pulpit

The 60-year-old pastor was preaching at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago and singing Pharrell Williams' hit song "Happy" when he suddenly collapsed at the pulpit.

Church under Pope Francis is building bridges with women, says senior nun

One of Britain's most senior Catholic Church women has welcomed the report of a Vatican inquiry into nuns in the United States as a "conscious attempt to build bridges and repair trust," Ruth Gledhill reports.

Church uses Harry Potter tech to bring prayer to life

A London church is speaking to a new generation through a digital installation.

Prince Charles says he is 'praying fervently' for persecuted Christians

Charles attacks 'diabolical' attacks on people of different faiths.

Mars Hill Church is still seeking donations two weeks before closure

Church appeals for help launching 11 independent congregations.

Vandals target atheist displays in Christmas fightback

Banners and billboards have been destroyed by protesters against atheist incursions into Christmas scenes.

Selfie with Jesus: Catholic Church's novel Christmas drive to attract the under-30s

Gay ordination supported by majority of Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland has moved towards the ordination of ministers in civil partnerships, with the majority of Presbyteries voting in favour of the change.

New EA director Gavin Calver: 'Challenge the Church on style, but hold fast to gospel essentials'

The Church faces hard questions about how it relates to culture but the message shouldn't change, says Gavin Calver.

Franklin Graham: Christians should choose martyrdom rather than deny faith

Denial of Christ is a betrayal of other Christians who have stood firm, evangelist says.

Rev Libby Lane will be first woman bishop for Church of England

A saxophone-playing Oxford graduate who lives a "Christ-centred life" has been appointed the first woman bishop in the Church of England.