World

Every Catholic bishop should watch 'Spotlight', says former Vatican sex abuse prosecutor
Archbishop of Malta Charles Scicluna said: "All bishops and cardinals must see this film, especially those in charge of souls, because they have to understand that it is the complaint that will save the Church, not the conspiracy of silence."

Euthanasia in Holland: Loneliness cited as key motivator in majority of cases
Loneliness is a key motivation behind the majority of those seeking, and receiving, euthanasia in Holland, a new report has found.

Donald Trump and the Religious Right. Is Jesus really into politics?
We miss out on the Gospel's transforming power if we limit its sphere of influence to merely our 'personal lives.' The radical good news of Jesus isn't just for us personally, it's for the whole of the created order.

Former trainee vicar and youth leader facing jail after multiple rape conviction
A former youth leader and trainee vicar who preached a gospel of abstinence is facing many years in jail after being convicted of the rape of two women. Police are appealing for anyone with more information about the one-time Wycliffe student to come forward.

'One church building is now a centre of ISIS': Syrian Christian speaks out about life in Raqqa
After ISIS took control of the Syrian city of Raqqa in 2014, John â a Christian in his early 20s using a pseudonym â decided to stay in the city and survived living there for eighteen months.

Does the Pope really think Donald Trump isn't a Christian?
The Pope told reporters on the plane back to Rome after his Mexican trip that Trump was "not Christian" for wanting to build a wall between Mexico and the US.

Obama to meet Raul Castro and dissidents on historic trip to Cuba
The visit will be another major step toward ending decades of animosity between former Cold War foes.

Pope Francis: Contraception is 'lesser of two evils' in Zika virus outbreak
Pope Francis said today that contraception could be justified in regions affected by the mosquito-born Zika virus.

Bell ringing is a sport now? Five other church activities that deserve a medal...
In honour of the latest sporting craze, here are five more church based activities that might one day be classified as sports...

Obama axes funding for 'abstinence-only' sex education
Barack Obama has cut all funding for sex education programmes which teach it is best to wait until marriage.

The 13.8 billion year Bible: Scientists create eternal data storage
Scientists at Southampton University have recorded a Bible on a revolutionary new storage device capable of surviving for billions of years.

Turkey removes 'religion' category from ID cards
Turkey has ditched the requirement for citizens to name their religion on identity cards as part of the country's bid to join the European Union.

Egypt orders closure of centre that fights against torture
As well as assisting people who have been victims of torture, the centre also serves women who have been victims of domestic violence and advocates for human rights.

We must get used to being offended. Without free speech democracy crumbles
Offence has become the metric by which some university students define whether a view should be heard or not. This doubtless comes from good intentions but no one has the right to live without being shocked. No one has the right to spend their life without being offended.

World War 3 knocking on Mideast door as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and their allies gird for Syria invasion
World War III could explode at any moment in the Middle East as military forces from Iran and Syria, backed up by Russia, as well as those from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and many of their allies, backed up by the United States, are gearing for a colossal battle.

Already the hungriest country in the world, Burundi faces 'total implosion'
Burundi is on the brink of a "major crisis", Unicef has warned, as political strife continues to dominate the country.