Maria Mackay
National Council of Churches USA Tells Bush Match Words with Actions
The National Council of Churches in the USA has welcomed the speech by US President George Bush this week in which he apologised for the mistakes made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina...
Christian Aid: Poor have been left Behind as World Leaders Posture
Christian Aid has issued a damning statement on the UN World Summit in which it accuses world leaders of failing the poor and missing out on an 'historic opportunity' to make a real impact...
US Church Leaders Call for Discussion on Race Issues Post-Katrina
US Churches a have called on political leaders this week to take a deeper look at the racial and economic disparities made apparent by Hurricane Katrina. The accusation of government racism has been a hot topic since the storm two weeks ago...
Akinola Denies Anglican Split on Agenda at Forthcoming Meeting
The outspoken Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, has denied reports that the purpose of next month's meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, is to create a formal split into a new African-based Anglican community...
American Jewish & Christian Leaders to Visit Israel over Conflict with Palestine
A Christian-Jewish delegation will travel to Israel and Palestinian territories this month to explore possible ways out of the conflict, particularly disagreements over Israel's security barrier and divestment by U.S. Protestant groups...
New Church Advert Shows Baby Jesus As Che Guevera
A striking new advertising campaign by the Church Action Network depicts the baby Jesus in the pose of the infamous revolutionary Che Guevara. The campaign is an effort to overcome an "outdated image"...
Scottish Church and Top Museum in Christian Calendar Spat
A popular Scottish museum has come under fire from the Catholic Church in Scotland for replacing the Christian calendar with the secular BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) dating system. The BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) labels have been replaced with BCE (Before Common Era)...
Methodist Church Responds to Ofcom Decision to Ban Make Poverty History Ads
A statement has been issued by the Methodist Church on the decision by telecom watchdog Ofcom to ban Make Poverty History campaign ads. The campaign featured high profile celebrities including Brad Pitt, Kylie Minogue and Cameron Diaz but Ofcom banned the adverts...
Ecumenical Student Leaders Get Preparations Underway for WCC Assembly
Preparations are underway for the WCC's 9th Assembly to be attended by 26 World Student Christian Federation leaders in February...
Philippines: Catholic Archbishop Denies Church Split over Arroyo Crisis
A Filipino Archbishop has denied rumours that the Catholic Church has split over the crisis facing Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Ricardo Cardinal Vidal instead accused the Philippine media of causing dissension...
Tribal Crisis Discussed at Africa’s Anglican Church Synod
The Anglican Church of Nigeria has called upon delegates to tackle the splintering of the Church along tribal lines at its triennial Synod in Onitsha this week...
Coca-Cola Gives $1million to Salvation Army for Katrina Relief Efforts
Coca-Cola has donated US$1million to The Salvation Army for its disaster relief efforts in hurricane affected regions. The donation was welcomed...
Church World Service Brings Laughter Back to Katrina Children
Thousands of children have benefitted from the delivery of UNICEF aid by the Church World Service, including school materials and recreational aid. Some 3,000 children relocated from New Orleans to temporary shelters...
Christian Leaders Affirm Poverty Alleviation Efforts Ahead of UN World Summit
Christian leaders from around the world gathered in Washington D.C. on Sunday for the "Consultation of Religious Leaders on Global Poverty" to reaffirm the UN Millennium Goals...
European Parliament Calls on China to Protect Religious Freedom
A motion calling on China to end years of religious repression of religion has been adopted by the European Parliament. The motion highlighted particularly the "long-time persecution"...
Church World Service Steps Up Urgent Katrina Aid Appeal
The Church World Service has upped its aid appeal for Katrina survivors to US$9.5million. The CWS has also announced that its recovery response has been expanded to cope...