Christian Today staff writer

Bishops attacks 'illusion' of seeking happiness in materialism
Bishops attacks 'illusion' of seeking happiness in materialism

In a keynote address to school leaders in London, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, described schools as places where children learn to seek 'fullness of life' rather than the 'illusion' that happiness can be found in possessions or outward appearances.

The lasting legacy of the extraordinary rule of the Tudors in Britain
The lasting legacy of the extraordinary rule of the Tudors in Britain

A new exhibition, the Tudors: the family and faith in Durham, will highlighting the profound impact of the royal family on the Durham Cathedral and changes in worship wrought by the Reformation

Catholic bishops defend their involvement in Congo's troubled politics: 'The Church acts as arbitrator'
Catholic bishops defend their involvement in Congo's troubled politics: 'The Church acts as arbitrator'

Catholic bishops in the Congo have defended their involvement in politics after criticism from the president at their presence at recent demonstrations.

How Tearfund homes are changing lives three years after Nepal's devastating earthquake
How Tearfund homes are changing lives three years after Nepal's devastating earthquake

Tearfund is celebrating the completion of 108 earthquake-resistant houses in Nepal.

Ancient pool discovered near Jerusalem could be site where Ethiopian eunuch was baptised
Ancient pool discovered near Jerusalem could be site where Ethiopian eunuch was baptised

An ancient pool near Jerusalem has been unearthed by archaeologists is being linked to where Philip may have baptised the Ethiopian eunuch.

Now Forward in Faith Anglo-Catholics blast CofE-Methodist unity plans
Now Forward in Faith Anglo-Catholics blast CofE-Methodist unity plans

Another group of Anglo-Catholics has strongly opposed proposals to end 200 years of schism between the Church of England and the Methodist Church, saying they represent 'a fundamental breach'.

Kidnapped nun asks for help from Pope Francis in jihadist video
Kidnapped nun asks for help from Pope Francis in jihadist video

A nun who was kidnapped nearly a year ago in Mali has appeared in a video in which she asks for Pope Francis to intervene, according to reports from the Mauritanian agency Al-Akhbar and the American centre of surveillance of jihadist movements, SITE.

The 21 Day Challenge: How 3 weeks could revolutionise your spiritual life
The 21 Day Challenge: How 3 weeks could revolutionise your spiritual life

Christian commitment to a year of spiritual resolve can be a daunting prospect, but three weeks may be all it takes to revolutionise your life. YouVersion, the team behind the popular Bible App, are once again inviting users to undertake the '21 Day Challenge', starting today.

Egyptian court hands down suspended sentences to 15 Muslim attackers after Coptic church violence

An Egyptian court yesterday sentenced 15 Muslim defendants to a year in jail, charged with attacking an unlicensed Coptic Church in a village south of Cairo.

Stop competing! Christian charities told to end rivalries and unite
Stop competing! Christian charities told to end rivalries and unite

Christian charities are being urged to set aside internal competition and rivalries in pursuit of fighting global poverty.

Church of England's 'culture of secrecy' under the spotlight in abuse inquiry
Church of England's 'culture of secrecy' under the spotlight in abuse inquiry

A public inquiry into sex abuse in the Church of England will focus on the institution's culture of secrecy.

Don Bosco: 7 quotes from the saint who taught by kindness
Don Bosco: 7 quotes from the saint who taught by kindness

St John Bosco or 'Don Bosco' (1815-1888), whose feast day is today, was an Italian Catholic priest who worked in Turin.

Salvation Army launches group singing initiative for dementia sufferers
Salvation Army launches group singing initiative for dementia sufferers

The Salvation Army has launched an innovative, spiritually-minded new programme to help those suffering from dementia, using singing to connect dementia victims and their carers, and to prompt memory recollection.

Kazakhstan targets home groups, private prayer in new religious freedom crackdown
Kazakhstan targets home groups, private prayer in new religious freedom crackdown

Christians, Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses have been subject to increasingly punitive restrictions on religious freedom in Kazakhstan. New amendments to law would expand limitations - including an effective ban on private home groups.

'We are followers of Jesus Christ, not foreign agents': Australian bishops hit out at proposed new law
'We are followers of Jesus Christ, not foreign agents': Australian bishops hit out at proposed new law

Proposed new legislation in Australia could force priests, and potentially any Catholic involved in advocacy, to register as a 'foreign agent' of the Vatican, bishops have warned.

Parents want control over sex and relationships education, polling from Evangelical Alliance shows
Parents want control over sex and relationships education, polling from Evangelical Alliance shows

The public wants parents at the heart of new 'relationships education' proposals, with a large majority wanting parents informed of the curriculum content ahead of time and to know who is delivering classes, new polling has found.