Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”   The early Church Father Tertullian wrote that in the second century, but he could have been writing about Vietnam from 1745 onwards.  For, during the first 200 years of Christianity in Vietnam/Indo-China, a staggering 100,000 Christians are believed to have been martyred for their...

Did you know that the Netherlands first learned Christianity from a Yorkshireman?  Willibrord (658 – 739) was born to devout parents, and joined the Benedictines.  In 678 he went Ireland to study at the Abbey of Rathmelsigi (a centre of European learning in the 7th century).  12 years later, in 690, Willibrord felt God had...

Has your boss ever tried to get you to do something that is against your Christian faith?  If so, here are some saints for you.   They chose to make a Christian ‘stand’ at work, even though it really irritated their boss. Claudius, Nicostratus, Simpronian and Castorius were simple stonemasons in early 4th century Rome.  They...

In late 1914, WW1 erupted across Northern France and Flanders. Great swathes of previously green fields and forests were blasted and bombed, leaving them bleak and barren, with seemingly every living thing destroyed. But then in the Spring of 1915, something beautiful began to come out of all the destruction. Tens of thousands of bright...

Here is a saint for any out-spoken, emotional person who also struggles with depression and human failings in the quest to live their best life. Margery Kempe was born in 1373, the daughter of a wealthy businessman in King’s Lynn. She married John Kempe and had 14 children. She described herself as “not lettrid”, for...

How do you think of Jesus? As the Lord of lords in glory? Or as a human baby soon to be born in Bethlehem? November brings the glorious climax of the church year with the Sunday of Christ the King at the end of November – only to begin a new ‘year’ a week later,...

Does this sound familiar?  An Archbishop of Canterbury tries to bring unity and calm to a Church split down the middle over seemingly irreconcilable differences, and all the while to promote the Gospel to the wider non-Christian society, in the face of widespread ignorance and even hostility towards Christianity. This isn’t Justin Welby, though. It...

Assisted suicide law would make this a country that says ‘some lives are not worth living’ Churches unite in prayer for peace in the Middle East Bishops welcome recognition of Palestinian state Conservation project launched to preserve ‘table top’ tombs New Westminster Declaration on Christianity in public life Online gaming initiative to receive grants from £4.8-million...

This winter, when you next see someone who looks both poor and cold, think of Martin of Tours.  This monk bishop, born in Pannonia (now Hungary) became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. Martin’s father was a pagan officer in the Roman Army, and Martin was intended for the army as...

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on America 20 years ago this autumn, many Americans were seen to be ‘saintly’ in their brave attempts to help save lives.  But Frances (1850 – 1917) was the first citizen of the United States to be officially canonised as a saint – by Pope Pius XII in...

Time to remember the Persecuted Church – 2nd November Violence towards Christians increases around the world Persecuted Christians – the story of what one woman in Nigerian faced Tearfund’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal Keen to be Green? Exorcists’ work is “liberation and consolation”, says Pope ‘All are welcome’ Mid Wales church offers unique autumn stay...

Bonfire Night – some simple rules for staying safe The best time to plan your funeral is … NOW! Does a dog cut the risk of childhood asthma? For how many minutes can you concentrate? Leaf some green stuff in the garden Help our woodlands Put together a Memory Book ** Editor: Though the dangers...