James Macintyre
The Chutzpah Of Israel's Dealings With Pope Francis
The Vatican has been forced to contradict reports that Pope Francis will attend the funeral of Shimon Peres in Israel tomorrow. Instead, the Pope will carry out a planned visit to Georgia.
Church Building Law Moves Forward In Egypt After String Of Attacks Against Christians
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Sisi yesterday ratified the country's controversial and long-awaited new law regulating the building of churches.
As Peres Dies, What Hopes For Peace In The Middle East?
The death of Shimon Peres is a symbolic reminder of the elusive nature of a peaceful answer to what is probably the world's most intractable conflict.
Shimon Peres, Lifelong Middle East Peace Campaigner, Dies At 93
Shimon Peres, the former Israeli president and elder statesman, died today at 93, prompting US President Barack Obama to say: "A light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever".
Russian Orthodox Church Hardens Stance Against Abortion, Calls For Total Ban
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill yesterday signed a petition to make abortion illegal, hardening the position of the church which previously only called for a ban on state-provided abortions which weren't a medical necessity.
Iraqi Parliament Votes Against New Christian Province In Nineveh Plain
Plans for the creation of a new Christian province in northern Iraq's Nineveh Plain appear to have been scuppered by a vote in the Iraqi Parliament in favour of maintaining the administrative border of the province of Nineveh.
Where Was God In The First Presidential Debate?
In what is perhaps an indication of the secularisation of the US political discourse, God was almost entirely absent from discussion in last night's presidential debate, which covered the economy, foreign policy, Donald Trump's tax returns and Hillary Clinton's emails.
Charleston Church Massacre: Jury Selection Begins For Dylann Roof Trial
Several hundred people yesterday reported for jury selection at the US courthouse in Charleston, South Carolina in the death penalty case against Dylann Roof, who has been charged with shooting dead nine black parishioners in a church in June 2015.
'20 Churches Destroyed' As Airstrikes Continue To Pound Aleppo
Some twenty churches have been destroyed in Aleppo, Syria according to a senior Russian official.
Slain Mexican Priests Victims Of 'Malicious' Smear Campaign, Church Says
The Catholic Church in Mexico has hit out at the government there over an alleged smear campaign against three priests found dead last week.
Trump's Recognition Of Jerusalem As Israel's Capital Dashes Hopes For Peace
Donald Trump's pledge to recognise Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Jerusalem means that a two-state solution is highly unlikely under a Trump presidency.
Justin Welby: Antisemitism 'Entrenched' In UK Culture And Church Is Partly To Blame
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that antisemitism is "entrenched in our thought and culture" and that historically the Church has "compounded the spread of this virus".
Pope Francis Has Made It Harder To Become A Saint
Pope Francis has approved changes to the way in which healings can be approved by medics as miracles from potential saints.
Jeremy Corbyn Re-elected As Labour Leader, Calls For Unity
Jeremy Corbyn has been re-elected as leader of the Labour party, beating his rival Owen Smith and winning a slightly bigger mandate than when he succeeded the former leader Ed Miliband last year.
Justin Welby: Same-Sex Unions A Reality 'Whether We Agree Or Not'
Justin Welby has said that new family structures, including same sex unions, are now a reality "whether we agree or not" in a sermon which dismissed the idea of a Victorian golden age of family values as a "myth".
Mexico: Pope sends condolences as mourners pack church at funeral of murdered priest
Mourners packed into a church in Mexico's troubled Gulf coast state of Veracruz yesterday for the funeral of one of the two priests found to have been killed there on Monday.