Church

Sex is for male-female marriage only, Church of England confirms
Sex only belongs in heterosexual marriage, a new statement from the Church of England's House of Bishops has declared.

Bishop seeks law change to recognise role of gambling in suicide
The Bishop of St Albans is seeking a change to the law on inquests so that gambling addiction is noted as a factor if someone has taken their own life.

Archbishop seeks an end to longstanding divisions over human sexuality ahead of Lambeth Conference
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he hopes that the forthcoming Lambeth Conference will "draw a line under some of the inward-looking approaches of the past" so that the Anglican Communion can move on from a crippling dispute over human sexuality.

Benedict wants name removed from book on priestly celibacy
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI wants his name to be removed from a book on priestly celibacy seen by some Catholics as an attempt to undermine Pope Francis.

The case for priestly celibacy
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has come out in defence of priestly celibacy in a new book out this week.

Archbishop of York awarded honorary Doctorate of Divinity by Durham University
The Archbishop of York has been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity by Durham University.

Messages of hope and love as Orthodox Christians celebrate birth of Jesus
Millions of Orthodox Christians around the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus today.

Tributes paid to pastor who drowned trying to save two children
The Chair of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) UK, Agu Irukwu, has paid tribute to a pastor who drowned with two of his children at a Spanish resort over Christmas.

Gafcon UK leader 'very concerned' by appointment of Stephen Cottrell as Archbishop of York
The President of Gafcon UK, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, has said he is "very concerned" by the appointment of Stephen Cottrell as Archbishop of York.

Archbishop of Canterbury makes healing divisions a priority for 2020
The Archbishop of Canterbury is encouraging people to make a New Year's resolution to reach out to someone they've lost contact with or fallen out with.
Make 2020 a year of hope and peace, says Pope
Addressing the crowds in St Peter's Square on New Year's Day, the Pope said that Jesus was "peace for humanity" as he invited people to mark the start of 2020 with gratitude.

Criminal inquiry a possibility for vicar accused of spiritual abuse
The Rev Jonathan Fletcher has been accused of using ice baths, naked massages and beatings on men as a form of spiritual discipline.

Most Christians misunderstand what Heaven really is, says NT Wright
Prominent theologian NT Wright says the New Testament does not say what most people believe it says about Heaven, which is that it's merely a place one goes after death. In truth, he says, it's about creation being restored through God's ever-advancing Kingdom.

Carinal Vincent Nichols asks the nation to move on from 'bitter' Brexit debate
The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has called on the nation to move on from the "bitter" debate over Brexit and see the good in others.

London Bridge terror attack weighs on Archbishop's mind at Christmas
The terrorist attack on London Bridge last month is a theme of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral.

Alleviating the financial hardship of Christian mission workers this Christmas
Caroline Burns, Christian Worker Lead at Stewardship, and Cally Magalhães, a full-time Christian worker, speak to Christian Today about the struggle to make ends meet and how every little bit really does help.