Medieval monuments have been stolen from four churches in the south Midlands this year. This has led to the suggestion that an organised gang may be stealing items to order. One of six reredos panels was stolen during a break-in at St Peter’s, Drayford, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in March. In April, the head-section of a […]
Category: Religious News
‘Bigot’ slip coincides with further same-sex rows
Teachers could face disciplinary action, including dismissal, if they fail to endorse same-sex marriage, suggests legal advice published by the pressure group Coalition for Marriage. The warning came in the week when the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, briefly labelled opponents of the Government’s same-sex marriage consultation “bigots”, and the Green Party expelled a Brighton […]
Strasbourg to hear religious-discrimination cases
The European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, will next week hear the cases of four British people who claim that they lost their jobs as a result of discrimination against their Christian beliefs. Two of the cases concern the right to manifest religious belief, and whether this extends to wearing a cross or crucifix […]
Archbishop’s child abuse inquiry finds diocese “Dysfunctional”
An investigation set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury following persistent allegations of child abuse by priests has concluded that the Diocese of Chichester is “dysfunctional” and this “continues to impinge upon the adequacy of safeguarding in the diocese.” Dr Rowan Williams established a rare Archbishop’s Commission – the first in over 100 years – […]
Frank Skinner’s Greenbelt debut delayed by fear and “storms of biblical proportions”
Comedian and radio presenter Frank Skinner’s set at the Greenbelt Christian arts festival this weekend was delayed by what one festival-goer described as “storms of biblical proportions.” But the practising Catholic admitted he had turned down numerous requests to appear because he was “frightened” by the Christian nature of the festival, which is now in […]
Chancel-repair liability: PCC given dispensation
A church in Worcestershire has been told by the Charity Commissioners that it would be “reasonable” for it to decide not to register chancel-repair liability (CRL) against 30 households in its parish. The PCC of St Eadburgha’s, Broadway began the process of registering liability during an interregnum, after advice from the legal advisory commission of the […]
MP gives warning on Chancel Repair Liability
Chancel Repair liability (CRL) is an issue “on the verge of explosion”, a junior government minister, Peter Luff, has said. Mr Luff, the MP for Mid Worcestershire, is helping the PCC of Broadway with Wickhamford to find a way to avoid registering CRL against 30 households in its parish. “My strong sense is that this […]
Archbishops of York and Wales call for fairtrade for British farmers
The Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu, and the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, have urged that Fairtrade principles should be extended to British farmers; and the Farm Crisis Network has asked churches to designate this Sunday as a day of prayer for farmers in the UK. The moves are made against a background of […]
Anglican mission agency USPG defends name-change
The chief executive of the Anglican mission agency USPG, the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, has issued a strong response to claims that its recent name-change means that it is embarrassed by the gospel. The society announced last month that it would become known as “Us” from November, saying: “The original title […]
PM backs right to wear cross at work
The Prime Minister has pledged to change the law to ensure that Christians can wear crosses at work. Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, David Cameron said that he fully supported the right of people to wear religious symbols at work. He described it as “a vital religious […]