Church

Christmas traditions 'create a sense of stability', says Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is encouraging people to escape the Brexit chaos by indulging in a panto, nativity play or other time-honoured Christmas traditions.

No need to edit 'Virgin's womb' out of 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing', say CofE bishops
The Bishop of Crediton said there was no need to be 'squeamish' about references to the Virgin Mary's womb.

Archbishop of Canterbury pays tribute to Paddy Ashdown
Former leader of the Liberal Democrats Paddy Ashdown died on Saturday at the age of 77 after being treated for bladder cancer.
Pope urges predator priests to turn themselves in
Vatican sources believed it was the first time the pope had made such a direct appeal.

O come, all ye faithful: 5 reasons to sing Christmas carols
From Australia to Argentina to Anchorage, the message of Jesus will resonate from the mouths of his people in the same melodies and lyrics that his people have been singing for centuries.

John's Gospel: Christmas on a cosmic scale
It's all too easy over the Christmas season to swap the important stuff for the big, shiny festive stuff and end up disappointed.

After church split, Ukraine may force Moscow loyalists to badge themselves 'Russian'
Ukraine on Saturday created a new Orthodox church independent from Moscow, which leaders have lobbied for since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Fresh arrests see more Early Rain church members held, US watchdogs denounce crackdown
The move against the Early Rain church follows the arrest of 100 church members and leaders last week including its pastor Wang Yi and his wife Jiang Rong.

Vandalism forces cathedral to install security cameras
The dean of Peel Cathedral in the Isle of Man said it had no other option after vandals sprayed grafitti and damaged furniture.

Living Advent Calendar is a hit with Hertfordshire village
The village of Redbourn in Hertfordshire has taken the idea of marking each day of Advent by opening a new door to a new level.

Christmas comes early for church with links to Shakespeare after £20,000 grant
A church where many actors from Shakespeare's acting company are believed to be buried is just one of the recipients of Christmas grants from the National Churches Trust.

Libby Lane is the new Bishop of Derby
The Church of England's first woman bishop has been elected as the next Bishop of Derby, Downing Street announced today.

No room at the inn? Why Jesus was really laid in a manger
Imagine a girl about to give birth, turning up at a hotel. Who wouldn't give up their room for her?

Pastor with disabled child has seven pleas for his fellow pastors
Including people with disabilities means more than having wider bathroom stalls, says Pastor Anthony Kidd.

Coptic Christians mourn father and son killed by police officer
Coptic Christians Imad Kamal Sadeq, 49, and his son David, 21, were shot by Robi Mustapha Khalifa, who was stationed as a security guard at the Nahded-al-Qadasa church in Minya, Upper Egypt.

Ukraine church council names new leader in decisive split from Moscow
Ukraine chose the head of a new national Orthodox church on Saturday, marking an historic split from Russia which its leaders see as vital to the country's security and independence.