News

Pope names five new saints

Pope Benedict XVI has named five new saints. Among those newly canonised were the Rev Arcangelo Tadini, who set up an order of nuns to take care of factory workers in the early 1900s. At the time his actions were seen as a scandal as factories were considered immoral and dangerous places. He also founded an association to give emergency loans to workers suffering from financial difficulties.

Faith leaders unite for a strong Scottish climate change bill

Scotland’s faith leaders joined hundreds of campaigners for a rally outside the Scottish Parliament last week calling for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill.

MP under investigation for threats to 'homophobic' Miss California

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Alan Duncan is under police investigation after saying he would kill US model and Miss California, Carrie Prejean, for being homophobic.

Lutherans to distribute food near Sri Lanka war zone

Hundreds of thousands of civilians caught in Sri Lanka’s escalated civil war will soon receive food from a church-based relief group that, like many other charities and governments, is alarmed at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the north.

Gospel spreading in Somalia despite persecution

Somalia, whose pirates who have been grabbing headlines over several ship hijackings, is also a place where Christians can face severe persecution.

US Presbyterians vote to keep fidelity and chastity clause

Efforts to allow sexually active gays and lesbians to serve as clergy in the Presbyterian Church (USA) have once again been defeated, according to votes received so far from 155 of the denomination’s 173 presbyteries.

Christians pledge to live simply

More than a hundred Christians have pledged to live simply, generously and thankfully over the next 12 months.

Pakistan: Persecution watchdog fears ‘Talibanisation’ of Karachi

Observers in Pakistan are warning that the ‘Talibanisation’ of the nation’s largest city, Karachi, has begun.

Christian teacher suspended for opposing pro-gay training

A Christian teacher has been suspended from his job after complaining that a staff training session was used to promote homosexuality.

Atheists on the offensive against Christianity in schools

The National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies (AHS) is planning an offensive against Christianity in schools this summer.

Adviser quits Blair's Faith Foundation over gay comments

Tony Blair’s Faith Foundation has suffered a setback following Blair’s comments that the Catholic Church should “modernise” its views on homosexuality.

Christians alarmed by morning after pill ad

Christian Concern For Our Nation has spoken out against the UK’s first TV advert for the morning after pill.

Orissa Christians wary as final phase of elections begins

The second and final phase of elections in Orissa, India, began on Thursday amid tight security.

Faith leaders help launch global campaign against malaria

The fight against malaria picked up momentum and excitement Friday as global and faith leaders set aside their differences and acknowledged that they can bring an end to the scourge together.

Cardinal Newman moves closer to sainthood

Cardinal John Henry Newman, a protestant who converted to Roman Catholicism in the 19th century is closer to becoming the next English person to be made a saint by the Vatican.

Bishop says Somali piracy is 'fight back' against globalisation

The Anglican Bishop in the Horn of Africa has said that piracy in the region is “almost an industry” and is a way for Somalis to “fight back” against injustices caused by globalisation.