Daniel Blake
Dismay as US Evangelical Leader Confesses to Gay Relationship
Further controversy has overwhelmed the American evangelical Church this week as the founding pastor of the 2,100 member Grace Chapel resigns following his confession that he has taken part in homosexual relations.
Islamic Hamas Donates Cash for Bethlehem's Christmas
The Hamas government, often labelled by the international community as Islamic militants, has promised to donate US$50,000 to prepare Bethlehem for the traditional Christmas holidays.
Evidence of Human Rights Atrocities Revealed in Burma
Fresh evidence has emerged this week of gross violations of human rights perpetrated by Burma's military regime against the Karen, Karenni and Shan ethnic groups.
'Don't Let World Bank Off Hook,' say Campaigners as Benn Promises £50m
The Jubilee Debt Campaign has told the UK government not to let the World Bank off the hook. The drive for renewed pressure has come after Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary, announced he would pay the £50 million previously withheld in September in a dispute over strings attached to aid and debt relief.
Bishop Defends 'Christian Christmas' as Society Fears Causing Offence
The Bishop of Lichfield has hit out at the growing tendency of local authorities and businesses to downplay Christmas for fear of offending people of other faiths.
Students Consult Lawyers After Refusal to Reinstate Exeter Christian Union
Christian students at Exeter University are to consult legal experts following the decision by the Student Guild at Exeter University not to reinstate the Christian Union as a student union society with full rights and privileges.
Coalition to Protest Outside Eritrean Embassy on Human Rights Day
A coalition of leading human rights organisations operating in Eritrea has organised a peaceful protest outside the Eritrean Embassy in Islington, London in the lead up to the International Human Rights Day 2006 on 10 December.
Annan: Iraq Worse than Under Saddam
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said that Iraq is in the midst of civil war, and that many people are worse off now than when Saddam Hussein was in power, according to an interview broadcast on Monday.
US Diocese Votes for Historic Move to Split from Pro-Gay Episcopal Leadership
The US Episcopal Church (ECUSA) is being threatened with widening divisions, Saturday 2 December, after a California diocese voted on a measure which could see a break from the leadership of controversial newly-elected Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.
Pope's 'Unforgettable' Turkey Trip Receives Mixed Reception from Muslims
Pope Benedict XVI has said that his recent trip to Turkey was "unforgettable", and expressed hope that it would facilitate a deeper and more understanding relationship between the Catholic and Islamic faiths.
Canterbury Responds to Controversial US Episcopal 'Oversight Proposals'
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said that he is "glad to see" that an Episcopal meeting in New York to consider the questions raised by requests for 'alternative primatial oversight' had produced imaginative proposals which represent, potentially, a very significant development.
World Theologians Set to Debate Theological Basis of Cruelty
Twenty-five theologians from all over the world will gather near Lausanne, Switzerland, on 5 to 8 December, to debate why and to what extent cruelty can be considered as a new theme for theological reflection.
Pope Benedict Makes Historic Visit to Blue Mosque in Turkey
Pope Benedict XVI has become only the second Roman Catholic pontiff to enter a mosque, 30 November 2006. The leader of 1.1 billion Roman Catholic Christians worldwide has visited one of the most famous mosques in the predominantly Muslim country, in efforts to further heal the rift between the Vatican and Islam.
Archbishop Tutu to Lead UN Human Rights Investigation into Gaza Killings
Former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, is set to lead a United Nations Human Rights Council fact-finding mission into Israeli military operations in Gaza. The mission was established following the killings of 19 Palestinian civilians in the town of Beit Hanoun in early November.
Pope Meets Head of Worldwide Orthodox Church
Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics, has met Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in Turkey on the second day of his tour to the predominantly Muslim country.
Pope Benedict to Continue Conciliatory Visit to Turkey
Pope Benedict XVI, spiritual head of the world's 1.1 billion-member Roman Catholic Church, commenced his visit of Turkey on Tuesday, quickly going to work to ease tensions between Islam and the Vatican.