Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

There are warnings that religious violence in Nigeria is spiralling out of control. The United Nations describes a ‘pressure cooker of injustice’. And a leading US human rights campaigner fears Nigeria could be set to implode, destabilising surrounding countries. UK-based Release International supports Christian victims of violence around the world. Its partners in Nigeria warn...

It was 100 years ago, on 11th November 1919, that the first Armistice Day (now Remembrance Day) was marked in the UK.  King George V had issued a proclamation calling for a two-minute silence at 11:00am to remember the members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. The two-minute...

–  Pope who rescued the doctrine of the Incarnation 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 on 25th November – only to...

The Fall of the Berlin Wall From the Vicar The Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are the persecuted’ The Two Minute Silence A voice in the night In a fog? All you need is love You are loved by God ** Editor:  The Rev Paul Hardingham considers barriers – and breaking them down. The Fall of the Berlin...

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...

This year The Royal British Legion is asking communities to remember the service, sacrifice, and collaboration of the armed forces of Britain, the Commonwealth and Allied nations who fought together 75 years ago. In 1944 this collaboration resulted in victory in three critical battles; Monte Cassino, D-Day, and Kohima and Imphal.  At Monte Cassino, an...

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...

It was 30 years ago this month, on 9th November 1989, that the fall of the Berlin Wall began. Over two million people from East Berlin visited the West in a celebration described as ‘the greatest street party in the history of the world.’ However, we are still living with walls, thinking of those dividing...

The Berlin Wall fell 30 years ago this month, on 9th November 1989.  East Germany reopened its border with West Germany, allowing its citizens to pass freely through the checkpoints. Workers began demolishing the 28-year-old wall the next day. Earlier that year serious unrest in Eastern Bloc countries such as Poland and Hungary had put...

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on America 17 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...

It was 30 years ago this month, on 9th November 1989 that the fall of the Berlin Wall began. Over two million people from East Berlin visited the West in a celebration described as ‘the greatest street party in the history of the world.’ However, we are still living with walls, thinking of those dividing...

Danger of torture, assassination, lootings, floods, famines and epidemics… life in France in the 6th century was as turbulent and violent as many of the world’s hot spots are today.  In the midst of all this Gregory (539 – 94) was born into a senatorial family who lived in the Auvergne.  He grew up seeing...