Church

Seven church leaders in Sudan fined for resisting government
Seven church leaders in Sudan were fined this week charged with 'objection to the authorities', as Christian protest over state confiscation of churches continues.

Church of England facing more than 3,000 abuse cases
The Church of England is facing more than 3,000 abuse complaints, the vast majority of which relate to children.

GAFCON head urges evangelical Anglicans to act on 'visible differentiation' warning
The chair of the GAFCON conservative Anglican grouping has urged evangelicals in the Church of England to act on a warning that they may distance themselves from the Church if it liberalises its doctrine of marriage and sexuality.

The 'bonfire of the vanities': One Christian reformer's passionate purge of sinful distraction
On this day in 1497 occurred a dramatic public display of zealous, religiously-minded arson. The great 'bonfire of the vanities' targeted numerous objects deemed dangerous temptations to sin by the passionate instigator of the purge, Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola.

Church of England panel to promote 'mutual flourishing' over women bishops
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are calling on parishes to recommit to a 2014 agreement that allowed for women bishops but also promised to allow traditionalists who oppose female ordination to 'flourish'.

Rachael Denhollander reignites Sovereign Grace Church controversy
Rachael Denhollander, the former US gymnast who was the first to bring accusations of abuse against the disgraced Larry Nassar, has hit back at Sovereign Grace Church (SGC) after the evangelical outfit denied allegations of abuse cover-up.

Archbishop of Canterbury says George Bell's accuser is as important as late bishop's reputation
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has said that the woman who alleged that Bishop George Bell abused her should be 'treated equally importantly' as the reputation of the late bishop, and that she is 'not an inconvenience to be overlooked'.

Irish Bishops hit out at 'unrestricted access to abortion' ahead of referendum on law change in May
Irish bishops have reiterated that they are opposed to 'unrestricted access to abortion' ahead of the forthcoming referendum on the controversial area in May this year.

Why Anglicans who object to reconciliation with Methodists should read more history
Friends of mine, Catholic-minded Anglicans, are at the moment getting very exercised about current proposals for Anglican-Methodist reconciliation in England.

Some serving bishops have been abused, says campaigner in victims booklet sent to CofE synod members
A number of bishops and senior church leaders are themselves survivors of sex abuse but a sense of shame prevents them from speaking out, a campaigner is claiming.

Evangelical Alliance rubbishes 'spiritual abuse' language: It could 'criminalise' conservative teaching on sexuality
An influential evangelical body in the UK is rubbishing the term 'spiritual abuse', warning it could 'enshrine religious discrimination on the statute book'.

Welby under pressure as General Synod members asked to back motion of 'regret' over Bishop George Bell case
The Archbishop of Canterbury will be under renewed pressure at the Church of England's ruling general synod this week to renounce his claim that a 'significant cloud' remains over George Bell, a highly-respected bishop accused of sex abuse.

Church of England clergy say mental health of parishioners 'major' concern
Mental health among parishioners is now a primary concern for Church of England clergy, a new survey suggests.

Majority of Anglicans want immigration levels 'reduced'
New research on attitudes to immigration reported on BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme, found that nearly nine in ten people, 87 per cent, who describe themselves as Anglicans believe immigration to the UK should be reduced.

Ruined Albanian churches could be tourist magnet if repaired
Many old Albanian Orthodox churches and the art they contain lie in ruins due to decades of neglect but they could attract tourists if they are repaired, according to experts.

Bishops under pressure to explain 'dismissive' rejection of transgender services
Church of England bishops are under pressure to explain their 'dismissive' consideration of transgender liturgies.