News

Californian diocese invited to break with Episcopal Church

The Diocese of San Joaquin in California has received a formal invitation to break with the national Episcopal Church of the USA over the issue of the ordination of homosexuals and women.

US envoy warns Pakistan emergency undermines poll

U.S. envoy John Negroponte said on Sunday he had urged Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to end emergency rule, warning it was "not compatible" with free and fair elections due by early January and would undermine them.

UK police resume house search after finding bodies

British police resumed their search on Saturday at a house where they have already found the bodies of two teenage girls who went missing 16 years ago.

Tutu hits out at Church on attitude to gays

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has strongly criticised the Anglican Church for its stance on homosexuals.

Vatican hails 'step' to healing Orthodox rift

The Vatican has praised an agreement between Roman Catholic and Orthodox theologians as a first step towards a possible reconciliation.

Church of Norway votes in favour of homosexuals in ordained ministry

The Lutheran Church of Norway voted last Friday to allow members in same-sex partnerships to serve in ordained ministry.

Archbishop of Wales recognises church musicians

Christians from across the denominations who have kept music alive in the church have received awards from the Archbishop of Wales.

China bishop to be ordained with Vatican blessing-paper

The delayed ordination of a new Catholic bishop in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou is expected to take place in December with the approval of both the Vatican and Beijing, a Hong Kong newspaper reported on Friday.

Hundreds at prayer breakfast determined to transform Hollywood

Hundreds hoping to redeem Hollywood asked God to change the hearts of entertainment leaders and celebrities like Britney Spears during a media prayer breakfast Friday morning.

Banishing alcoholism from the land of blue sky

From alcoholism to recovery: how the International Substance Abuse and Addiction Coalition of Christians is helping former addicts in Mongolia leave alcohol in the past and start their lives anew.

Azerbaijan: Police threaten second pastor with jail

The family and friends of imprisoned Baptist pastor Zaur Balaev say they are shocked by the high level of payments demanded by officials at the prison in the capital Baku where he is now being held. They complain that payment is demanded before they will give him food or allow him meetings with relatives, his friends have told Forum 18 News Service.

JustShare to debate childhood inequality

Childhood inequality: does it really matter? This and many other questions will be up for exploration at the next churches' JustShare debate in London's financial district next month.

Archbishop becomes first overseas President of Church Army

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was announced on Friday as the new President of Church Army in the society's 125th anniversary year. The Archbishop is the first overseas based President of the society and will be succeeding former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey.

'Bunnygirls' and 'cowboys' to demonstrate against Government Bill

A group of 'cowboys' and 'bunnygirls' will be holding a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament next Monday to remind members of the House of Lords of passing the Government's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Churches, Charity Commission complete model governing documents

Independent churches and the Charity Commission tackle transparency and accountability in new legal reforms.

YouTube Islamist arrested for threats to Christian political leader

A man who placed an "obituary" on YouTube of one of the leading opponents of plans to build Europe's biggest mosque near the London Olympics site has been arrested by police. The video, "In memory of Councillor Alan Craig", features the Leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance party, his wife and two daughters.