Church

Pastors plead with UK's leaders not to shut down churches again
"The public worship of the Christian church is particularly essential for our nation's wellbeing," say the pastors, who come from across the UK and represent a number of denominations, including the Church of England, Free Church of England, FIEC and Free Church of Scotland.

Christians with disabilities have been 'overlooked' by Church
The gifts of Christians with disabilities have been "overlooked" in the Church of England, says a vicar who suffers from chronic pain.

New theological college appoints Rev Dr Michael Leyden as Dean
The independent theological college will offer part-time and full-time formational, vocational training for lay and ordained leaders of the Church of the England.

Tough financial forecast for Britain's Baptists
The Baptist Union of Great Britain is facing a challenging decade ahead as it struggles with declining income.

Vatican challenged over secret deal with China
The Vatican has been criticised over plans to extend an agreement with the Chinese government on the appointment of bishops.

Archbishop of Canterbury challenges Government's 'addiction to centralisation' in handling of Covid crisis
The national response to coronavirus should be more localised and less centralised, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Church leaders 'appalled' by racism
Leaders in the Church of Ireland have spoken out against racism and the "shameful" slave trade in the West.

SNP must allow members to disagree on abortion and transgender ideology - Catholic Church
The Catholic Church in Scotland has accused the SNP of discriminating against party members who oppose abortion and gender fluidity.

Meeting of Church in Wales Governing Body postponed over technical issues
The Church in Wales has had to call off the annual meeting of its Governing Body due to technical issues.

Switch to online church hasn't persuaded people to abandon in-person services
Most Catholics in the UK turned to online church during Covid-19, but very few want to make the switch permanent, a study has found.

Oxford college dean cleared of wrongdoing after investigation
The Very Rev Professor Martyn Percy, dean of Christ Church college and its cathedral, had been accused of failing to fulfil his safeguarding responsibilities.

No change to guidance on church services as Government restricts social gatherings
Tough new measures are being introduced by the Government in an effort to limit a second wave of coronavirus but for now at least, they will not affect church services.

'Lack of desire' among black people to join the CofE
Black people are reluctant to join the Church of England because of concerns around racial injustice, an Archdeacon has said.

Many churches have survived Covid only by 'the skin of their teeth'
Many churches have had to make "drastic changes" to their ministry and may not have survived Covid at all if the pandemic had been as bad as originally feared, says Andy Hunter, FIEC's Scotland & North of England Director.

Some churches will not survive Covid, Barna president predicts
As many as one in five churches may shutter completely because of the fallout from Covid-19, the president of prestigious Christian research organization, Barna Group, predicts.

Financial impact of Covid has been 'catastrophic', says Diocese of Sodor and Man
The Diocese of Sodor and Man says it has been pushed to the "brink of financial ruin" by the pandemic and may need to start selling off its buildings to stay afloat.