Staff writer

Hong Kong is the 'new frontline in the battle against tyranny', says Christian human rights campaigner
Christian human rights campaigner Benedict Rogers has condemned the Hong Kong police's increasing heavy handedness after a 12-year-old was reportedly among the dozens of protesters detained during a day of violent clashes on Sunday.

Mark Oakley wins Michael Ramsay Prize with poetry book
The 2019 Michael Ramsay Prize for Theological Writing has been awarded to the Rev Canon Mark Oakley for his book, The Splash of Words: Believing in Poetry.

Amazon fires reflect global 'climate emergency', says Church leader
The fires raging in parts of the Amazon rainforest are symptomatic of a "climate emergency which does not know international boundaries", the Church of England's environmental official has said.

Pastor's moving request after #MeToo founder Alyssa Milano reveals she doesn't regret two abortions
Actress and #MeToo founder Alyssa Milano was unashamed about having two abortions when she was in her twenties.

Doctors are 'confident' as Hillsong worship leader Chelsea Taylor recovers from brain aneurysm
"Her results are incredible!" said Hillsong Creative pastor Cass Langton in an Instagram stories update.

'It was amazing being one of you, but I'm not any more,' says Hillsong's Marty Sampson
After weeks of wrestling publicly with his faith, long-time Hillsong worship leader Marty Sampson appears to have said goodbye to Christianity once and for all in an emotional Instagram update posted on Friday.

Carbon offsetting: does it work?
Carbon offsetting received plenty of attention this week thanks to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's private jetsetting during their summer break, but what is it exactly and is it something that all of us should be doing when we travel? Two Christian environmentalists weigh in.
Radio host compares Donald Trump to Jesus - and the US President likes it
While many Christians have made no secret of their support for Donald Trump, comparisons to the Messiah proved a step too far for several leaders this week.

Churches deliver emergency food to families caught up in Bangladesh floods
Over 200 families are being helped through some of the worst flooding to hit Bangladesh in years through the support of BMS World Mission.

Falling numbers of religious studies students as hundreds of schools drop it all together
Religious studies is at risk of becoming an "endangered" subject, academics have warned, after research found that it has disappeared off the curriculum in hundreds of non-faith schools.

Court upholds abortion clinic censorship zone that criminalises pro-life vigils
The Court of Appeal has upheld a censorship zone imposed around an abortion clinic in Ealing, London, that stops pro-lifers from being able to offer help to women within 100m of the building.

People suffering for their faith remembered on UN's first day for religious victims of violence
Christians around the world are remembering the many believers persecuted for their faith on the first ever UN International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

Calls for urgent action as hundreds of places of worship are targeted in Northern Ireland
A Christian advocacy group is calling for urgent action after 445 incidents of criminal damage were recorded against religious buildings, churchyards and cemeteries across Northern Ireland in the last three years.

Student chapel numbers beat regular Sunday worship figures
University students are attending chapel services at a higher rate than the rest of the population, challenging the notion that young people aren't interested in church.

Cardinal George Pell loses appeal against child sexual abuse conviction
Cardinal George Pell has lost his appeal against a child sexual abuse conviction at the Australian Supreme Court in Victoria on Wednesday.

Christian Blind Mission raises over £1.8m towards sight-saving work in impoverished communities
Over £1.8m has been raised towards helping recover the sight of people living in impoverished communities around the world who are unnecessarily living with blindness.