News feeds

Guardian readers respond to our editorial on the decline of organised mainstream Christianity

Guardian. 17 July 2019

Researchers have discovered what they believe to be the oldest ever Christian letter - outside of the Bible.

Eno Adeogun. Premier. 16 July 2019

Support for Trump comes at a high cost for Christian witness.

Peter Wehner. The Atlantic. 5 July 2019

Two billion more people live in countries with high restrictions on religious freedom than did so just a decade ago.

Religion News Service.  16 July 2019

The Government has published its “next steps” policy paper on implementing equal civil partnership. In a guest post, Russell Sandberg looks at some of its implications. 

Russell Sandberg, “Religion and Civil Partnerships: The Next Steps in a Turbulent Saga” in Law & Religion UK, 16 July 2019

It is "high time" that the denial of freedom of religion and belief is given the same attention as climate change, says the bishop behind a major government review into persecution.

Christian Today 15 July 2019

The government's special envoy for freedom of religion and belief, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, has said both Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt have shown evidence of personal action on the subject of persecuted Christians.

Cara Bentley. Premier. 15 July 2019

15 July 2019 – the Queen has approved the appointment of the Venerable Olivia Graham, the Archdeacon of Berkshire, as the next Bishop of Reading.

Oxford Diocesan website. 15 July 2019

The Church of Canada has elected the Bishop of Huron, Linda Nicholls, to succeed Archbishop Fred Hiltz as its next primate and archbishop.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he does not give bishops involved in child sexual abuse "an easy ride".

Press Association. Premier. 12 July 2019

An evangelical minister has admitted subjecting a prayer group to naked beatings as “light-hearted forfeits” if they failed to maintain “healthy and holy living”.

Gabriella Swerling. Daily Telegraph. 11 July 2019

The Church of England’s new digital charter is “an opportunity to lead the way and work with others globally”, the House of Lords has heard.

Church of England website. 12 July 2019

Justin Welby said he felt ‘shame and horror’ about way C o E handled child abuse cases

Harriet Sherwood. Guardian. 11 July 2019

Remember those 10 crises and trends to watch in 2019 we presented back in January? The issues are rapidly evolving, but we’ve been keeping watch. 

The New Humanitarian. 10 July 2019

Bishop Nick has given a high profile lecture on how the numbers add up regarding Brexit. Addressing the question “the will of the people?” he has given the annual Harold Wilson Lecture at Huddersfield University.

“When Jesus of Nazareth stood before Pontius Pilate, he didn’t offer a referendum on what to do with him, but Pilate was moved by the will of the people in front of him to … wash his hands,” said The Rt Revd Nick Baines at the start of the prestigious annual lecture commemorating one of Britain’s best-remembered politicians.

The Bishop (pictured) went on to explore the origins behind the term “the will of the people” before discussing its use and meaning in the current political climate of Brexit. He stressed the need for it to be deconstructed and “ask what is meant by it, leaving to one side … its utilisation as an emotive slogan aimed at shutting down argument.”

Diocese of Leeds website. 10 July 2019

Church of England’s General Synod has agreed a series of motions to take forward its Covenant with the Methodist Church in Britain.

An inter-church youth project engaged in climate change initiatives has won an international award for tackling climate change.

Zimbabwean choir director Chipo Madondo loves music. She has become the smiling face of the new Anglican Communion map poster.

New Zealand's Anglican Social Justice Network is encouraging churches to join in a “plastic free month” challenge during July 2019.

The church of Uganda’s first female provost was installed this week on Wednesday 10th of July at All Saints’ Cathedral in Kampala.