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The Church of England’s General Synod has committed to “stand in solidarity” with Palestinian Christians and “hear” their experiences while opposing antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred. In a long debate, Synod discussed a wide-ranging motion brought by the Diocese of Carlisle which laments the loss of Palestinian and Israeli lives and seeks peace and security for...

The Church of England will have an annual commemoration for a group of Christians murdered by Daesh terrorists as a vivid reminder of the persecution of the worldwide Christian Church. General Synod has approved plans to introduce an annual commemoration for the ‘21 Martyrs of Libya’ – a group of Christian men martyred in 2015...

The General Synod has called for the appointment of a network of diocesan ‘champions’ to help ensure that neurodivergent clergy and lay people feel welcome and able to flourish in the Church of England. Members approved a proposal for more training at every level of the church on neurodiversity and a new network of neurodiversity...

 The Church of England has welcomed a recent announcement from the Government that they will consult this Autumn on the potential of RE becoming part of the National Curriculum, for the first time ever. This is part of the implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Review as outlined in the Schools White Paper – Every Child...

More countries are persecuting people for their faith. So reports the Pew Research Center in the USA. Its most recent annual study of religious freedom shows that the number of countries with high or very high levels of social hostilities involving religion rose sharply in 2023 (the latest year for which data is available). Among the reasons are increases...

Christian Aid launches Ebola Emergency Appeal WCC refuses to expel Russian Orthodox Church C of E apologises for historical adoption practices 150 years on, Mothers’ Union is a “powerhouse” – Archbishop of Canterbury New more generous support for ordinands as the numbers in training rise Record number of grants awarded for conservation in parish churches Church...

Christian Aid has launched an Ebola Emergency Appeal, as the deadly disease continues its spread. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has a fatality rate of up to 50%. Christian Aid...

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Revd Professor Jerry Pillay, has rejected recent calls from Ukraine, and even some WCC member churches, for the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) to be stripped of its membership of the WCC. He said: “There remains, however, a clear need for active and ongoing dialogue...

The Church of England has recently apologised for its role in historical adoption practices, particularly in mother and baby homes. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said: “We are profoundly sorry for the pain, trauma and stigma experienced – and still carried – by many people because of historical adoption practices in homes affiliated to...

 The Mother’s Union is celebrating its 150th anniversary. At a recent service in St Paul’s Cathedral, the Archbishop of Canterbury said she had seen first-hand the profound impact” of its work in communities around the world, “in family life, healthcare, education, social projects — challenging poverty, injustice and violence. . . In fact, I often...

The Church of England has recently announced a multi-million-pound overhaul of the maintenance grant system for people training for ordained ministry, aimed at ensuring that ordinands get the support that they need. Around £2 million extra per year is to be invested in a redesigned and more generous grant scheme for people training for ordained ministry in the...

Grants for conservation of historic items and works of art in parish churches more than doubled in 2025 to nearly £600,000, with a record number of grants awarded by the Church of England. Books from a library where Isaac Newton is thought to have studied, one of the oldest clocks in the country, medieval wall...