News

Advent reflection: Santa doesn't do suffering

The cosy myths of Christmas - whether Santa or baby Jesus in a chalet - don't do justice to the fact that Jesus came to meet us in our pain, writes Clare Nonhebel.

Public should be 'skeptical' about advice given by TV doctors, research study says

Half of the advice given out by TV doctors has no scientific basis, research study says

Arrests made in Pakistani school massacre

Muslim woman forced to go to church while in jail sues state of Ohio

Pope says he will not be around in 10 years

Indian MPs protest forced conversions of Muslims and Christians

Opposition MPs accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to stop a campaign to convert Muslims and Christians to Hinduism.

Priests encourage Cuban-Americans to trust God despite their suffering: 'We have confidence because God has His plan'

Cuban-Americans react to Pope's role in Cuba deal: 'I am a Catholic without a pope'

13-yr-old called a hero after saving toddler sister from kidnapping

13-yr-old saves toddler sister from kidnapping

Women captured by Islamic State commit suicide to escape sexual violence

Women and girls captured by Islamic State in Iraq are committing suicide to avoid sexual violence and slavery, according to a report from Amnesty.

Great Grinches through the ages - five people who've always hated Christmas

There are plenty of real-life models for Dr Seuss' famous Christmas-hating character, writes Mark Woods.

Reflection: An inconvenient birth

The Virgin Birth of Christ is part of an interwoven picture encompassing the whole of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, writes David Baker.

Thousands join #ChristmasMeans Twitter campaign

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York joined with thousands of other bishops, clergy and laity today to promote the "real meaning" of Christmas with #christmasmeans on Twitter.

Five bombs explode in Yemeni capital, killing one

Five bombs exploded in Sanaa's old quarter, where many supporters of the Shi'ite Muslim Houthi movement live, killing a member of the group.

Sydney mourns cafe siege victims

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Tuesday security officials had intercepted a heightened level of "terrorist chatter" in the aftermath of the Sydney cafe siege.

Pastor says it was prayer that healed him of cancer and took away all anxiety

Pastor Julius R. Malone said it was God who told him he had cancer, and it was prayer that helped heal him.

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.