Skip to content

Archive site notice

You are viewing an archived copy of Christian Concern's website. Some features are disabled and pages may not display properly.

To view our current site, please visit christianconcern.com

In the News

  • Anglican News: Agenda published for C of E General Synod meeting
    January 23rd, 2017

    Ecumenism, the Anglican Communion, and legislation will dominate next month's meeting of the Church of England's general synod; but it is a "take-note" debate on human sexuality that is likely to dominate the headlines. On ecumenism, the Synod will consider the first draft of new legislation designed to simplify the way the C of E relates to other churches; and will also debate a motion on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The secretary general of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon will address the Synod. And the House of Bishops will report back on their deliberations on human sexuality.

    The Bishops of Norwich and Willesden, Graham James and Pete Broadbent, will report to the Synod on the work of the Bishops' Reflection Group on Sexuality – that group was established last year following the completion of a process of shared conversations throughout the C of E. Synod members will then take part in group discussions before a debate on a motion that "the Synod do take note of [a] Report" from the House of Bishops. That report has not yet been published.

    Read more. 

  • Mail: Roman Catholic School sparks row after telling parents of four-year-old Muslim girl she cannot wear a headscarf in lessons
    January 23rd, 2017

    A Roman Catholic School has found itself at the centre of a social media storm after telling parents of a four-year-old Muslim girl she should not wear the hijab to school.

    St Clare's School in Handsworth, has a strict uniform policy, including no headwear or scarf and asked parents of the girl to respect it.

    The row has now divided senior councillors and women's rights activists who have been locked in a row over Facebook and Twitter.

    Read more.

  • Premier Christianity: Allowing the Koran to be read in church is wrong. It's why I've resigned as Chaplain to the Queen
    January 23rd, 2017

    Gavin Ashenden was one of many who criticised the decision of St. Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow to invite a Muslim to read from the Koran during an Epiphany service. Now, having resigned as a chaplain to the Queen over the issue, Gavin explains why he believes a three-cornered struggle for the public space is taking place between Christianity, secularism and Islam.

    Nine years ago I was appointed as a Chaplain to the Queen. Last week I resigned.

    I had expected to enjoy the honour of the office for another eight years – until I was 70. I was sorry to give it up.

    I resigned in order to be able to speak more freely about the struggle that Christianity is facing in our culture. 

    Read more. 

  • World Watch Monitor: Christians in Nigeria's Jigawa State cry out as authorities begin church demolition
    January 23rd, 2017

    Anxiety is high among Christian communities in Nigeria’s northern state of Jigawa after authorities began demolishing church buildings in Dutse, the state capital.

    On 11 January, bulldozers, escorted by security forces, reduced to rubble the Redeem Christian Church of God and the Lord Chosen Church.

    They arrived at the Redeem Church at about 10am, according to Rev. Yakubu Musa, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for Jigawa.

    Read more. 

  • Crux: Poll finds even pro-choice Americans back abortion limits
    January 23rd, 2017

    According to a new Marist College/Knights of Columbus poll, a strong majority of Americans and even a narrow majority of Americans who identify as "pro-choice" support substantial restrictions on abortion, including limiting abortion to the first trimester or not using taxpayer money to fund abortions.

    Overall, the poll found that 74 percent of Americans support one or more such restriction, including 54 percent of those who call themselves "pro-choice." 

    Read more. 

  • The Journal IE: Activists threaten strike action if there's no abortion referendum by 8 March
    January 23rd, 2017

    VARIOUS GROUPS REPRESENTING feminist and pro-choice activists are supporting a threat to strike unless a referendum on the Eighth Amendment is called by the government by the 8 March.

    'Strike 4 Repeal' describe themselves as an "ad-hoc, non-affiliated group of activists, academics, artists and trade unionists"; the groups supporting the strike include the Abortion Rights Campaign, Outhouse, the Anti-Racism Network and Sex Workers Alliance Ireland. 

    Read more. 
     

  • Times (£): Drop laws on family size or face catastrophe, Beijing told
    January 23rd, 2017

    Chinese parents welcomed almost 18 million babies last year; a rise of 1.3 million on 2015, but still far short of the population boost hoped for after a dramatic reversal in the nation's family-planning laws.

    Demographics experts called on Beijing to drop all remaining restrictions on family size but some believe that it is already too late to slow China's transformation into an ageing society with a shrinking workforce. Since last January couples have been permitted to have a second child after the hated one-child policy, in place for more than three decades, was finally abandoned. 

    Read more. 

  • BBC: Isle of Man 'must update abortion law'
    January 22nd, 2017

    Women in the Isle of Man should have the same abortion rights as those in England, Scotland and Wales, a Member of the House of Keys (MHK) says.

    Fewer than 10 terminations happen each year on the island because, in most circumstances, its laws prohibit them.

    As a result, an estimated 100 women a year seek private abortions in the UK.

    Read more. 

  • Telegraph: Struck-off psychiatrist helped six Britons to die in Swiss suicide clinics
    January 22nd, 2017

    Six British dementia sufferers have ended their lives in Swiss suicide clinics with the help of a struck-off British psychiatrist.

    Colin Brewer wrote reports stating the patients were mentally capable of choosing to die.

    All six, including an eminent physicist, had been diagnosed with dementia by their doctors before going to Brewer. 

    Read more. 

  • Archbishop Cranmer: Rev'd Dr Gavin Ashenden resigns as Chaplain to the Queen
    January 22nd, 2017

    After a conversation instigated by officials at Buckingham Palace, it is with regret that the Rev'd Dr Gavin Ashenden – theologian, academic, columnist and occasional contributor to this blog – has decided to resign his position as Chaplain to the Queen. It was, he says, "the most honourable course of action" following "attempts to silence or defenestrate" him.

    Read more.