News

ISIS 'sows death' with mines on the Nineveh Plain as it runs from government forces

The Iraqi government is taking back increasing amounts of land from Islamic State, but schools and cities cannot be rebuilt without a massive programme to remove the mines, according to the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

Human rights watchdog warns of worsening climate of Christian persecution in Egypt

The government in Egypt is signalling that Christians can be attacked "with impunity" because of a new law that discriminates against the religious minority, human rights advocates are warning.

Britain must be confident in Christian identity says top Muslim peer

Baroness Warsi said people in government still see religious belief as little more than belief in "fairies, goblins and imaginary friends."

Church attendance has risen since Fr Jacques Hamel's murder, says Archbishop

The number of people attending mass in the area where Father Jacques Hamel was murdered has increased since his death, said the Archbishop of Rouen.

Church becomes first Birmingham organisation to sponsor family of Syrian refugees

Birmingham's Methodist Church has become the first organisation in the city to take advantage of the government's community sponsorship scheme for Syrian refugees, by sponsoring a family of four as they settle into the city.

Rare gold coin with Nero's face found in Jerusalem

An exceptionally rare gold coin emblazoned with the face of the Roman Emperor Nero dating back to around A.D. 60 has been discovered by archaeologists working on excavations on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

Pete Greig: Three books that have changed my life

Pete Greig on the importance of reading, and the three books that have most impacted his spiritual life

Pope Francis: Church pastors must spend time with the poor

Pope Francis has spoken out against pastors who self-indulge and distance themselves from the sufferings of the poor, in his traditional midweek address in St Peter's square.

MPs condemn 'scandal' of UK failure over FGM

The failure of British authorities to bring one successful prosecution for female genital mutilation in more than 30 years is a "national scandal", MPs said today.

Kenya pressuring refugees to leave against their will, claims human rights group

Kenya is coercing Somalian refugees out of the Dadaab refugee camp and back to their own country against their will, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.

Trump interrupted by pastor as he uses church address to attack Clinton

The pastor of a black church in Michigan has interrupted Donald Trump as he railed against Hillary Clinton during an address to the church's faithful.

Merkel wants Germany to get refugees into workforce faster

Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that Germany needed "viable solutions" to integrate refugees into the workforce faster after she met with blue-chip companies, which have hired just over 100 refugees since around a million arrived in the country last year.

Philly Jesus found guilty of trespassing at an Apple Store, sentenced to three months\' probation