World

In this square where heretics were sentenced to death by fire, the Bible is read out loud to mark the Reformation
In this square where heretics were sentenced to death by fire, the Bible is read out loud to mark the Reformation

Two hundred people met in Spain in a public reading of the Bible to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Saudi Arabia sentences man to death for atheism and blasphemy
Saudi Arabia sentences man to death for atheism and blasphemy

A man has been sentenced to death on charges of apostasy in Saudi Arabia after losing two appeals, according to reports.

How Russia is increasingly violating minority religious rights while its Orthodox Church increases its power
How Russia is increasingly violating minority religious rights while its Orthodox Church increases its power

For the first time, Russia has been officially included among the worst countries in the world for religious freedom because of its ongoing crackdown against religious minorities, foreign missionaries and evangelists and last week's ban on Jehovah's Witnesses.

Pope Francis: Lust for power is \'like drinking gin on an empty stomach\'
Pope Francis: Lust for power is 'like drinking gin on an empty stomach'

Pope Francis' TED Talk has some important lessons for politicians on the dangers of power

ISIS militants killed by stampeding wild boars in Iraq
ISIS militants killed by stampeding wild boars in Iraq

In an ironic twist of fate, at least three Islamic State (ISIS) militants were killed by a herd of stampeding boars while the militants were setting up an ambush in northern Iraq.

IRS agents visit Texas office of TV evangelist Benny Hinn
IRS agents visit Texas office of TV evangelist Benny Hinn

The offices of televangelist Benny Hinn have been visited by agents from the US Inland Revenue Service and the Postal Service.

Egyptian church bombings targeted Christian-Muslim unity, says Coptic Patriarch ahead of Pope Francis visit

The two church bombings that killed dozens in Egypt on Palm Sunday were aimed at targeting unity among Muslims and Christians in the most populous Arab nation, the Coptic Patriarch, Tawadros II said yesterday.

China in grip of \'one of the world\'s great spiritual revivals\'
China in grip of 'one of the world's great spiritual revivals'

China is in the grip of 'one of the world's great spiritual revivals', Pulitzer-prize winning author Ian Johnson is claiming.

World-changing faith: Seven leaders who won the prestigious Templeton Prize
World-changing faith: Seven leaders who won the prestigious Templeton Prize

Yesterday saw the announcement of the latest winner of the prestigious Templeton Prize, a £1.1m award that celebrates what its founder called 'marvellous new things going on in religion'. Here are seven of the faith-icons who have received the honour since 1972.

Israel revives controversial plan for 10,000 new settlement homes in West Bank
Israel revives controversial plan for 10,000 new settlement homes in West Bank

Israel's Housing Ministry is reviving controversial plans for a new neighbourhood in Jerusalem that falls outside of the 1967 borders and inside the West Bank, according to the Israeli TV Channel 10.

Asperging the asparagus: Why the Church of England is being mercilessly mocked for its latest service of blessing
Asperging the asparagus: Why the Church of England is being mercilessly mocked for its latest service of blessing

As part of the British Asparagus Festival Worcester Cathedral has held a service of blessing for asparagus. And it has been the butt of asparagus jokes ever since.

Two Aleppo Bishops abducted in 2013 'are still alive,' says Beirut Bishop

Two bishops of Aleppo abducted in 2013 in Syria are still alive, according to the Syriac Orthodox Bishop of Beirut, Daniel Kourie.

Massive investment will fund excavation of site where Peter baptised Cornelius
Massive investment will fund excavation of site where Peter baptised Cornelius

Ancient Caesarea is being excavated and made accessible to visitors in a major new project.

Catholic bishop retires early – at 71 – so he can go out and evangelise the world
Catholic bishop retires early – at 71 – so he can go out and evangelise the world

An elderly Italian bishop has retired early in order to become an evangelist.

German evangelical church apologises for role in Namibian genocide
German evangelical church apologises for role in Namibian genocide

The German evangelical church has issued an apology for its role in Namibian genocide at the start of the 20th century.

Pope Francis gives TED talk calling for for \'tenderness\' revolution
Pope Francis gives TED talk calling for for 'tenderness' revolution

Pope Francis called on people to be humble and show 'tenderness' towards one another in yet another ground-breaking communications move, this time delivering the first ever papal 'TED' talk.