News

Free Church minister wins national award for prison work
A minister in the Free Church of Scotland has won a national award in recognition of his pastoral care work at a prison in Edinburgh.

Virginia lawmaker apologises for supporting controversial late-term abortion bill
A Virginia lawmaker has apologised for being co-patron to a radical late-term abortion bill she says she never would have backed if she had read it properly.

Peer withdraws attempt to smooth CofE path to same-sex marriage
The amendment to the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Bill sought to end the exemption that means the Church of England and Church in Wales cannot opt in without a change in the law.

Kim Davis may be forced to pay $225,000 over gay marriage licence battle
Kim Davis, the Christian clerk jailed after refusing to issue same-sex marriage licences, may be forced to pay $225,000 in legal and court fees incurred by gay couples suing her.

100-day campaign launches to save iconic Scottish Baptist church building
The former Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley closed as a church last October following years of declining attendance and rising costs.

Religious people are happier than others, according to research
The study also found that religious participation, as opposed to simply being affiliated with a religion, made a difference to levels of happiness.

Assisted dying poll sparks row in Royal College of Physicians
The college plans to poll its members over whether they support helping patients end their lives.

Home, leadership and loneliness: How 'conditional belonging' can ruin a ministry
It is increasingly difficult to talk about 'home' in a manner that resonates positively with most people.

Bishop calls for fines on social media platforms that harm young people
A Church of England bishop has called for social media companies to be regulated to protect children from online abuse and bullying.

Evangelism tops agenda for CofE synod meetings
According to the Church, papers published today set out how 'small behavioural changes' by the around one million people who regularly attend Church of England churches could make a 'huge difference'.

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.

'LGBT agenda' could be putting churches at financial risk, says Francis Chan
The Crazy Love author suggested that the 'LGBT agenda' may jeopardise the tax breaks that so many churches in the West rely on to stay afloat.

Persecution spreading at a 'rapid rate' across India
Persecution in India is at its highest level in 70 years, a new report has warned.

Government's tax policy is discouraging lower income families from marrying, says Marriage Foundation
Britain's tax system is acting as a barrier to marriage for lower income parents, the Marriage Foundation has said.

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