Maria Mackay
Archbishop Speaks Out on Supercasinos
The Archbishop of Canterbury has voiced concerns over the potential for long-term deprivation in the area of Beswick in Manchester, soon to host Britain's first and only Las Vegas-style supercasino.
China Aid Association Releases 2006 Annual Persecution Report
China Aid Association (CAA), one of the leading Chinese persecution watchdogs, has released its first annual persecution report on the oppression experienced by Christians in China in 2006.
Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Announces Next Moderator
The Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) has announced the Moderator-Designate of its next general assembly. The Rev Maurice Roberts, who is currently serving as a minister in Inverness, is expected to take up his position next May.
Cameron Opposes Opt-Out for Church on Gay Adoption
The leader of the Conservatives has come out in support of new laws that will force Catholic adoption agencies to consider placing children with gay couples. David Cameron expressed his personal support for the new regulations Monday but promised fellow Tory MPs a free vote on this issue, which he said was a matter of conscience, The Guardian reports
No Exemption for Catholic Adoption Agencies, says Blair
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor triggered a row over gay adoption last week when he said that the Catholic Church's adoption agencies would close rather than be forced to place children with gay couples
Salvation Army, Methodists Challenge Gambling Industry
The Salvation Army and Methodist Church have spoken out against the new super casino. Numerous local councils, including Glasgow, Newcastle and Blackpool, have bid for the licence to host the country's only Las Vegas-style super casino and the panel set up by the Government to advise on casino locations is due to publish the successful bid tomorrow.
Davis Supports Catholic Church in Gay Adoption Row
David Davis, the shadow home secretary, has come out in support of the Roman Catholic Church in the gay adoption row, after Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said last week that it would be unjust if new sexual orientation laws forced the Catholic Church's adoption agencies to place children with gay couples.
Church of England Launches New Book on Church and Rural Children
Nearly one in five of the rural population are children - and a new book from the Church of England shows how to involve them in the life of the Church. The book's launch will take place Friday 26 January at the South West Christian Resources Exhibition, Westpoint.
Christians Visit Nigeria to Explore Faith and Citizenship
A group of Anglicans will leave for Nigeria next month to learn more about how Christians can live out their faith alongside Muslims. NIFCON, the Network for Interfaith Concerns, will head for Nigeria on Thursday 1 February at the invitation of Archbishop Josiah Idowu Fear,
Church of Ireland Appoints New Head of Christian Unity Group
The Church of Ireland's new head of Christian Unity has started his new role with a call to greater urgency in the leadership levels of the Church. The Bishop of Meath and Kildare, the Most Rev Richard Clarke, will chair the Church's Committee for Christian Unity.
Prominent Iraqi Peace Advocate Killed
Church World Service has expressed its regret after receiving news that a prominent Iraqi peace and reconciliation advocate and trauma-healing specialist was killed in December. The Christian humanitarian agency described the death of Dr Alharith Abdulhameed Hassan , a 56-year-old Iraqi Muslim and professor of psychiatry at the University of Baghdad, as "a tragic loss".
Holocaust Needs to be Remembered as 'Real Event', says Archbishop
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said that the Holocaust needs to be remembered as a real, historical and well-documented event. In a statement to mark the UK's Holocaust Memorial day, he said that the day should be marked for future generations.
World Vision and Gospel Light Worldwide Celebrate 10 Years of Partnership
World Vision and Gospel Light Worldwide are celebrating 10 years of working together with resident churches to bring age appropriate, culturally relevant youth Bible curriculum to the children in the Former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Church of Scotland Moderator to Highlight Plight of Homeless People
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Alan McDonald, will deliver a challenging address on the plight of homeless people when he preaches on Homelessness Sunday.
Church of Scotland Welcomes Government Decision on Human Trafficking
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Alan McDonald, has welcomed the announcement from the Government that it will sign up to the European Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings.
Churches say Government Policy Must Support Public Service Broadcasting
The Church of England and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales have said that news, religion, science, children's television, programmes reflecting community and culture as well as other 'public service' content should be freely available on television, radio, internet and mobile phones.