World
Church of England attacks government plans to liberalise Sunday trading
The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith says, "changing the law would have a negative effect on community and family life, whilst delivering few, if any, additional benefits for the economy".
Turkish envoy back at Vatican after withdrawal over Pope's 'genocide' comment
Turkey's ambassador has returned to the Vatican nearly 10 months after he was withdrawn in protest against Pope Francis's characterisation of the Armenian massacres as genocide.
When people can't admit their faith is complicit in violence
Some religious people do not find it easy to acknowledge that their faith could be complicit in violence, according to a leading expert in the field of interfaith dialogue.
European aid luring middle class Christians away from Syria, says Archbishop of Aleppo
European aid to Christians in Syria targets middle class Christians and is equivalent to deportation, according to the Archbishop of Aleppo.
Islamic State atrocities are 'genocide' says European Parliament
The European Parliament has recognised as genocide the mass slaughter and persecution of Christians and others in the Middle East.
Pope's commission on sex abuse sits down to watch Spotlight
Members of the Pope's commission on child sex abuse began their latest meeting by sitting down to watch Spotlight, the story of the journalists at the Boston Globe who investigated and exposed Catholic child abuse.
Protestant Church in Turkey faces cyber threats and physical abuse, says new report
Cyber threats, physical attacks against people and churches are among the hate crimes suffered by the Protestant church in Turkey.
New Moderator of Presbyterian Church condemns homophobia
The new leader of Ireland's influential Presbyterian Church has criticised homophobia and spoken of his admiration for ministers he knows who are attracted to people of the same-sex.
FGM: At least 200 million cases worldwide, new report finds
The number of victims of Female Genital Mutilation is 70 million higher than previously thought, according to a new Unicef report.
The EU referendum explained: what's happening and how did we get here?
The UK might be about to leave the European Union. Why is this happening now? How did we get to this point? When will the vote happen? All these and more questions are answered in our brief guide to this year's major British political story.
Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox patriarch to hold historic meeting in Cuba
The meeting could be a historic step toward healing the 1,000-year-old rift between the Western and Eastern branches of Christianity.
Church stance on contraception under pressure in face of Zika virus
The Catholic church in Latin America is under growing pressure to relax its ban on artificial contraception as concerns grow over the impact of the Zika virus.
Chinese officials banned from religion even after retirement
Chinese officials are banned from religious activities even after they retire from service, state media said on Friday.
Dracula inspired by Anglican priest from Devon
The original Count Dracula was inspired by a hymn-writing Church of England clergyman from Devon, according to new material unearthed by one of the world's leading Dracula scholars.
Rebel forces struggle as Russia and Turkey trade accusations
A Syrian army source said Aleppo would soon be encircled by government forces with Russian air support.
1,700-year-old Orthodox church damaged in Turkey fighting; priest escapes with his family
The intensified fighting between the Turkish government and Kurdish separatist resulted in damage to one of the ancient churches in the world founded around 1, 700 years in Turkey.