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Chinese Catholics succeed in prayerful protest against demolition of their church - for now
Dozens of Chinese Catholics yesterday tried to stop the demolition of their church in Wangcun, near Changzhi, in the south-eastern Shanxi province of the country, according to Asia News.
'Dance Moms' latest news: What happened to Abby Miller?
It seems that Dance moms is set for a whirlwind of change, following the exit of the show's host Abby Miller, and the taking over of award-winning choreographer Laureanne Gibson.
Parents' dismay as Californian Catholic school removes religious statues on grounds they could 'alienate' people
Parents of pupils at a Catholic school in California have expressed dismay after the institution removed several religious statues because of concerns that they would 'alienate' prospective students and their parents.
Two Jesuit schools in Australia cautiously back same-sex marriage, citing teachings of Pope Francis
Two elite private Jesuit schools in Australia appear cautiously to have endorsed same-sex marriage, citing the teaching of Pope Francis, ahead of a referendum on the issue in that country.
New female Anglican Archbishop of Perth says she favours 'inclusive' approach on same-sex marriage
The Australian newly elected first female Anglican Archbishop, Kay Goldsworthy, has strongly hinted that she personally backs same-sex marriage, saying she has an 'inclusive' approach to the issue but respects the wider position of the church.
Islam and the West: 'Worrying' report reveals Britons' attitudes to Muslims
More than half of Britons say Islam poses a threat to the West, a new study is claiming, as the UK becomes more polarised.
Awaiting the footsteps of the Messiah: How Jews follow the 'twists and turns' of Jerusalem with love
The Isaiah passage we read last Shabbat are verses 51:12-52:12. To many people this passage is famous for the soprano aria from Handel's Messiah, 'How beautiful are the feet...' But Jews tend to translate differently as the 'footsteps' of the herald coming nearer and nearer with the announcement that the Messiah, long-awaited by the Jews, is finally arriving.
Why the Church needs to reclaim Halloween
'As someone who grew up in a Christian home where we weren't allowed to engage in Halloween, my firstborn sharing his special day with one associated with ghosts, ghouls and all sorts of unsavoury characters is not a prospect I'm relishing'.
Australian Anglican church elects Kay Goldsworthy as first female archbishop
Australia's first female Anglican archbishop has been elected to head the church in Western Australia. Kay Goldsworthy will replace Roger Herft, who stepped down a year ahead of schedule after admitting he had let down survivors at the royal commission into child sex abuse.
Conviction costs: Sinister Salome and the brutal beheading of St John the Baptist
Today, across several church traditions, is the feast day of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist. John's bloody demise remains a timeless icon of martyrdom, capricious violence and twisted family drama.
Diana TV drama explores stars' reaction to Princess' death
A new TV drama will explore why Princess Diana's death meant so much to ordinary people with stars revealing how the tragedy affected them.
Trump team and Israeli PM 'revive talks over moving US embassy to Jerusalem'
The senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week discussed reviving the idea of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, according to the Times of Israel.
Suicide bomber kills at least 5 in bank blast near US embassy in Kabul
A suicide bomber this morning blew himself up at a bank close to the heavily protected US embassy in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least five people and wounding eight more, according to the country's interior ministry.
'Racism is America's original sin': 3,000 pastors march in Washington to protest white supremacy
Thousands of pastors and religious leaders marched in Washington, DC yesterday in politically charged protest against white supremacy.
Houston floods: Franklin Graham sends chaplains as Trump visits
The evangelist Franklin Graham has outlined how some 250 rapid response chaplains are ministering to victims of Tropical Storm Harvey which has unleashed more than 30 inches of rain throughout parts of southeast Texas. Meanwhile, Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church has been caught in controversy over its response.
North Korea fires missile over Japan in 'unprecedented' threat
North Korea fired a ballistic missile over northern Japan early on Tuesday, prompting warnings for residents to take cover while Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called it an 'unprecedented' threat to his country.