Staff writer

Syrian child refugee turns on lights of Durham Cathedral's 25ft Christmas tree
Syrian child refugee turns on lights of Durham Cathedral's 25ft Christmas tree

A Syrian child refugee was the guest of honour at Durham Cathedral on Sunday to turn on the lights of its 25ft Norwegian Spruce Christmas Tree.

Pope ends pontifical secret in sex abuse cases

Members of the clergy who commit sexual violence or abuse minors will no longer be able to hide behind the pontifical secret after it was abolished by Pope Francis.

Former chaplain to the Queen converts to Catholicism
Former chaplain to the Queen converts to Catholicism

Dr Gavin Ashenden, former chaplain to the Queen and an outspoken critic of the Church of England, has joined the Catholic Church.

Stephen Cottrell announced as the new Archbishop of York
Stephen Cottrell announced as the new Archbishop of York

The Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell has been announced today as the next Archbishop of York, succeeding Dr John Sentamu.

Government urged to make good on promise to protect persecuted Christians

Paul Robinson, chief executive of Release International, said he wanted to see religious freedom placed at the "very heart of UK foreign policy".

Archbishop of Canterbury voices fears over direction of UK
Archbishop of Canterbury voices fears over direction of UK

The Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed concern about the "direction of travel" that the UK is headed in.

Parents should encourage their kids to believe in God even if they don't, psychologist recommends
Parents should encourage their kids to believe in God even if they don't, psychologist recommends

A decline in religion is a factor in the prevalence of depression and anxiety among children, believes psychoanalyst and parenting coach Erica Komisar.

Hallmark apologises after withdrawing same-sex couple adverts
Hallmark apologises after withdrawing same-sex couple adverts

Hallmark has backtracked on its withdrawal of same-sex TV adverts after it came under fire from high profile members of the LGBT community, including talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg.

Christian mother's anger after 'Lord' is removed from 'Away in a Manger' lyrics at school nativity
Christian mother's anger after 'Lord' is removed from 'Away in a Manger' lyrics at school nativity

A Christian parent says she fears Christianity is being "silenced" after being told by her children that the word "Lord" had been removed from the lyrics of "Away in a Manger" at their school.

Dozens of academics challenge sex self-identification in next census
Dozens of academics challenge sex self-identification in next census

Dozens of academics have criticised guidance proposing to allow people in the next census to choose whether they are male or female irrespective of their biological sex.

At least 1,000 Christians killed in Nigeria during 2019 - report

At least 1,000 Christians have been killed by Fulani and Boko Haram militants in Nigeria this year, a new NGO report warns.

Christians urged to pray for the nation's leaders after general election
Christians urged to pray for the nation's leaders after general election

Christians are being asked to pray for the nation's leaders following the general election in which the Conservatives claimed a significant majority in the Commons.

New reflection series from Church of England highlights value of every day work
New reflection series from Church of England highlights value of every day work

The Church of England is launching a new campaign to help Christians see the difference that their faith makes in the workplace.

New government called to protect life after election

Christian advocacy group CARE is calling on the new government to introduce "laws that protect the value of life and support the most vulnerable".

Evangelicals call for hope after 'historic' general election hands Boris Johnson a comfortable majority
Evangelicals call for hope after 'historic' general election hands Boris Johnson a comfortable majority

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to "get Brexit done" after the Conservatives secured a comfortable majority in the general election on Thursday.

St Andrews Divinity School awarded £3.4m grant to create free online theology encyclopaedia
St Andrews Divinity School awarded £3.4m grant to create free online theology encyclopaedia

Distinguished theologian and St Andrews New Testament professor NT Wright will serve as Senior Editor for Christianity