Church

• Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of meddling in Orthodox faith, warns Russia will 'protect freedom of religion'

  Putin said that Russia reserved the right to defend people's rights to worship.

• In packed churches and secret masses, papal visit brings Gulf Catholics hope

  In Dubai's overflowing churches and Riyadh's secretive masses, Catholics across the Gulf are eagerly awaiting Pope Francis' historic visit to the United Arab Emirates next week.

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  Church Mission Society announces new chief executive

  Strategist Alastair Bateman has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the Church Mission Society.

• How African churches are booming in London's backstreets

  Around 250 black majority churches are believed to operate in the borough of Southwark, where 16 per cent of the population identifies as having African ethnicity.

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  Bishop gets behind campaign to clean up Britain

  The Bishop of Dudley is encouraging churchgoers to get involved in a major month-long campaign to clear Britain of litter this spring.

• Asia Bibi wins Supreme Court appeal and will be freed

  Her original death sentence was overturned last October but the court allowed an appeal by religious hardliners.

• Pope Francis says he won't change Church rules on priestly celibacy

  Pope Francis on Sunday definitively ruled out any chance that he would change the Roman Catholic rule requiring priests to be celibate.

• Philippines bishops seek forgiveness for silence on Duterte drug killings

  The church is highly influential and an important source of moral guidance in the Philippines, where about 80 per cent of a population of 105 million are Roman Catholic.

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  Catholic Church says no to excommunicating Andrew Cuomo over New York state abortion law

  The Catholic Church has rejected calls to excommunicate New York Governor Andrew Cuomo after he pushed through a radical abortion bill legalising terminations up to birth.

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  'Time to restore order' in Zimbabwe, says Church leader

  The Church of Scotland has said it is 'deeply disturbed' by a brutal crackdown being waged against protesters opposed to fuel price rises in Zimbabwe.

• Student cracks code of shorthand manuscripts left by Baptist 'patron saint'

  Coded documents left by one of the founders of the modern missionary movement have been deciphered by a student at the University of St Andrews.

• Explainer: Who is behind the Philippines church bombings?

  Philippines security forces investigating a deadly twin bombing at a church on a predominantly Muslim southern island are zeroing in on what they say is an affiliate of the militant Abu Sayyaf Group.

• Pope winds up Panama global youth gathering with huge outdoor mass

  Organisers said about 700,000 people attended the closing mass of World Youth Day.

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  Church of England says it will give 'serious consideration' to letter opposing transgender services

  The Church of England has said it will give 'serious consideration' to a letter signed by over 1,600 clergy and church wardens in opposition to its latest guidance on transgenderism.

• Philippines vows to crush 'terrorists' after church bombs kill 20

  The Philippines vowed to destroy those behind twin bombings that killed 20 people during a Sunday church service in the country's restive south.