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There is less television being devoted to religion and ethics than there used to be. A lot less. The latest statistics from Ofcom, the industry regulator reveal a dramatic reduction in television programmes about ‘religion and ethics’ broadcast by the public-service broadcasting networks (PSBs): BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Comparing 2022 with 2011,...

More than 365 million Christians worldwide now face persecution and discrimination for their faith. Entire Christian communities face extinction in some parts of the world. Those in sub-Saharan Africa are especially at risk, because of increasingly authoritarian regimes and violence. So warns the latest global study of persecution. The World Watch List 2024 is compiled...

 CAP (Christians Against Poverty) has written a letter responding to Ofgem’s call for input on standing charges. For people on prepayment meters especially, standing charges can be problematic. Over summer, when people may not be using their gas for heating yet, they are still required to pay a daily standing charge. This can mean that...

Church of England Cathedrals and churches were among nearly 5,000 religious buildings to recently receive a share of up to £42 million in Government funding aimed at helping with the conservation of listed places of worship. The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme gives grants covering the VAT on repairs to listed buildings used...

The Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) could play a key role in helping the Church of England achieve its goals of recruiting more people to work in ministry to children, youth and families by 2030, a conference has heard. The Revd Helen Fraser, Head of Vocations for the Church of England, spoke of her hope that...

The Church Commissioners for England has explained how it is holding company management accountable to its investor expectations on human rights in a new Human Rights report. “Social inequality presents a systemic risk to economies and diversified portfolios. Companies can best understand and address their links to inequalities by meeting their responsibility to respect human...

Statement from the House of Bishops on the ongoing War in Gaza Prayers of Love and Faith made available for use Faith leaders call for change to asylum-claim system Archbishop urges Government to scrap two-child benefit cap Hundreds of Christians arrested under India’s anti-conversion laws ** Editor: We have run this story long, but of...

The following are extracts from the Statement. “We are dismayed that the place of our Saviour’s birth is once again wracked by violence, death and destruction. “We grieve that innocent children have been disproportionately affected by this conflict. “Of the 1,300 people killed in the abhorrent terrorist attacks of Hamas on 7th October, 33 were...

A selection of readings and prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and asking for God’s blessing for same-sex couples can be used in Church of England services, following recent approval by the House of Bishops. The final texts of Prayers of Love and Faith, commended for use in regular public worship or private prayer, can be used in...

Bishops and other faith leaders have joined forces with the Bishop of London to call on the Government to make a change in the leave-to-remain status situation for asylum seekers. They say they want practice to match policy, for there to be better communication with asylum seekers, and for the timeframe to be extended. While...

The Archbishop of Canterbury used his recent House of Lords debate on families and households to urge the Government to scrap the two-child benefit cap. The two-child benefit cap means that parents can only get child tax credit or universal credit for their first two children. The cap is for the third child and subsequent...

The recent anti-conversion laws in India have led to the arrests of hundreds of Christians, according to church sources. UK-based Release International, which raises the voice of persecuted Christians worldwide, warns: “The persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in India increases dramatically with each passing month.” Twelve of India’s 28 states have now passed...