Maria Mackay

Downgrading marriage has failed, says Bishop

"The great experiment to downplay marriage" has "clearly failed", the Bishop of Lichfield has said in a pastoral letter published in the March editions of parish magazines in the Diocese of Lichfield.

Reformed leaders demand end to Cuba economic embargo

Reformed Church leaders from the Caribbean and North America have called on the US to lift its economic embargo against Cuba in the name of justice and 'right relationships'.

Kenya tragedy a warning to churches - world Reformed head

The crisis in Kenya should serve as a warning to churches to be prophetic leaders in their communities, says the head of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

Church calls for Government warning to gambling industry

The Church of England has encouraged Culture Secretary Andy Burnham to issue a warning to the gambling industry that he will enforce a statutory levy that will go towards the care of problem gamblers.

Christians celebrate after Government axes supercasino plans

Christians have welcomed the Government's announcement on Tuesday that it is scrapping plans to build a supercasino in Manchester.

Bishop stands firm on 'no-go' areas claims

The Bishop of Rochester has defended his claims over "no-go" areas in Britain and says he will not be silenced in spite of fierce criticism and death threats.

UN appoints Steve Chalke as special advisor on trafficking

The Chair of Stop the Traffik, Steve Chalke, has been appointed as a special advisor to the UN's Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (GIFT).

Kobia to step down as World Council of Churches head

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, has announced he will not seek another term as head of the 349-member ecumenical body.

Christian groups told to anchor political statements in faith

Former Norwegian prime minister tells Christian NGOs to anchor their political statements in the Christian faith.

Synod rejects Government proposals to extend detention without charge

Church of England General Synod rejects Government proposals to extend detention without charge of terrorist suspects from 28 to 42 days.

Anglican Covenant will unite, not divide - Sentamu

The Anglican Covenant is "not erecting a great Anglican wall of exclusion", the Archbishop of York tells the Church of England General Synod.

Archbishop of Canterbury slams casinos in Synod debate

The Archbishop of Canterbury has hit out at Government plans to build large casinos across the country, branding them "human pollution" during a debate on gambling at the Church of England General Synod on Tuesday.

URC comes out in support of Williams over Sharia comments

The United Reformed Church has expressed its support for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, over his comments on Sharia law.

'Lambeth can't be the end of the story,' Archbishop tells Synod

The Church of England General Synod opened in central London yesterday with a wide-ranging address from the Archbishop of Canterbury on his recent Sharia law comments, the forthcoming Lambeth Conference and the situation in Zimbabwe.

Archbishop of Canterbury defends Sharia law comments to Synod

The Archbishop of Canterbury opened the Church of England General Synod to rapturous applause on Monday as he attempted to clarify his comments on Islamic law.

Williams expected to clarify Sharia comments

Archbishop of Canterbury expected to clarify Sharia law comments at Church of England General Synod.