News

Retreat Association hopes more people will go on retreat in 2009

The Retreat Association has launched its 2009 journal this month with an invitation to people in the church and beyond to discover the spiritual benefits of going on retreat.

Cizik resigns from US evangelical body over same-sex differences

Prominent US evangelical Richard Cizik has stepped down as Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals after admitting in a recent interview that he had shifted his views on same-sex unions.

Pope hits out at pursuit of wealth and profit behind poverty

Pope Benedict XVI has lashed out at the “unbridled pursuit of wealth and short term profit” he says is behind global poverty and the present food crisis.

Breakaway Anglicans prepare ground for new province

Though it may take years to gain official recognition from the entire Anglican Communion, conservatives disaffected from The Episcopal Church have voted to begin transitioning as they create their own branch in North America.

Mother's alarm over Christian words omitted from Oxford Junior Dictionary

A mother-of-four from Northern Ireland expressed her horror this week over the number of words associated with Christianity that have been removed from the latest edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary.

Portsmouth churches pull out all the stops for Christmas

Churches will be packed again this Christmas as parishes host a variety of festive activities.

Mumbai terrorism overshadows anti-Christian violence

For weeks the world’s attention has been focused on Mumbai, India, where coordinated terrorist attacks left nearly 200 people dead, including many foreign visitors. But some are hoping that the world will not forget to look at another terrorist attack occurring in India that has been less reported.

YMCA leader challenges Christians to live up to their values

The Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs is calling on Christians to re-engage with the social challenges Jesus Christ calls them to confront.

Switchfoot's Jon Foreman and Nickel Creek team up for new album

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek have joined forces on an exciting new collaboration called Fiction Family.

New UK Christian chart show hits UCB

A brand new programme devoted to UK Christian music and the latest chart hits has started airing on United Christian Broadcasters.

Barnabas Fund appeals to Christians to help suffering brothers and sisters

The head of Barnabas Fund has appealed to Christians to help believers who are suffering this Christmas.

Reformed churches in Africa intensify commitment to justice

Reformed churches from across Africa have intensified their commitment to resist the evils of neoliberal economic globalisation and empire, which continue to ravage the continent.

Maradona visits home of Mother Teresa

Argentine footballing legend Diego Maradona fulfilled a lifelong ambition on Sunday when he visited the home of the late Mother Teresa.

Russian Orthodox Church to elect new patriarch in January

The Russian Orthodox Church is to elect a successor to the late Alexy II in January, interim leader Metropolitan Kirill announced on Wednesday.

New quest for historical Jesus draws skeptics and scholars

A new group of historians, biblical scholars, and theologians has embarked on the quest for the historical Jesus to objectively determine what can be “reliably recovered” about him, his life, his teachings, and his activities.

Cardinal: Religion treated as 'private eccentricity' in Britain

The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has expressed frustration this week that religion is seen as a “private eccentricity” in Britain.