Church

Twitter's World Cup of Cathedrals: Titanic church clash sees dramatic finale
Last month marked a momentous anniversary â 500 years since the beginning (ish) of the Protestant Reformation, the decisive split that forever changed the Church. But this week, another climactic Christian clash awaits, albeit a little more light-hearted but no less energetic: the final of Twitter's World Cup of Cathedrals.

Gay sex and dodgy banking in the Vatican: Latest book exposes Catholic corruption
The Italian journalist who was on trial for publishing confidential Vatican documents has released another book documenting gay sex in the Vatican's youth seminary and the vast amounts in Mother Theresa's bank account.

A new reformation? How the Internet is challenging traditional sources of authority
An edited version of The Ebor Lecture delivered in York last month where Ruth Gledhill reflects on the power of the internet to challenge and change.

God in monochrome: Is Christianity a black and white faith?
A brand-new exhibition at London's National Gallery titled Monochrome: Painting in Black and White showcases 700 years of human art completed in the monochrome â using black and white, or a gradient of just one colour. The already-acclaimed exhibit includes deeply religious works and prompts a question for contemporary believers: is Christianity a black-and-white faith?

Tennessee Southern Baptist church could lose convention voting rights for having female pastor
A Southern Baptist church that hired a woman as its lead pastor â breaking with the denomination's traditional doctrine â may lose its voting rights at the Tennessee Baptist Convention meetings next week.

Cathedral at Christmas? Record high as more people flock to festive services
Cathedrals are becoming the ray of hope in the gloomy picture of church decline in the UK as figures today reveal more people than ever attended their local cathedral at Christmas last year.
Vice President Mike Pence tells Sutherland Springs: 'Faith is stronger than evil'
Vice President Mike Pence met with the families of those who died in the Texas church shooting on Wednesday, promising the 'full resources' of government is behind them.

Phones during Mass make me sad, says Pope Francis
Pope Francis has chastised Catholics for using their phones during Mass, saying it makes him sad to see hundreds of phones held up.

Southern Baptists will meet funeral expenses of Sutherland Springs victims
Southern Baptists are responding to the tragedy in Sutherland Springs with offers of financial help as well as pastoral support.

Egypt's Grand Imam: Religious terrorism is a 'cancer'
Egypt's top Muslim leader has met Pope Francis at the Vatican during a during a conference organised by the St Egidio community there.

'New deal' between clergy and wider CofE follows calls for Military Covenant style pact to tackle burnout
Plans for a 'new deal' between clergy and the wider Church of England have taken a step forward after a panel was established to begin drafting the agreement aimed at helping with clergy stress and well-being.

Texas church gunman 'had row with mother-in-law' before shooting
The Texas gunman Devin Patrick Kelley had argued with his mother-in-law who attended the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs before the rampage, officials said on Monday.

Fake News and the Texas church shooting: 3 false stories to watch out for
Devin Patrick Kelley is widely being named as the shooter in the attack on First Baptist Church Sutherland Springs, although authorities have yet to officially announce this.

Archbishops urged to host debate on sexual harassment after rape claims against priest
The Church of England's ruling general synod is being urged to publicly debate sexual harassment at its next meeting after allegations of abuse and assault were levelled at clergy members.

Are American churches under attack?
Since 1980 there have more than 145 attacks on churches in the US, killing more than 200 people.

Sutherland Springs church shooting: Americans should be armed when they pray, warns Texas Attorney General
American Christians should be armed when they go to church, according to Texas Attorney General following the worst mass shooting in the state's history.