Home ›

News Briefing and Comment

Ekklesia runs a syndicated news and events listings service for churches, journalists, organisations and charities. Hundreds of churches and organisations now carry Ekklesia's news on their web sites. You can get Ekklesia's news on your web site in seconds, or by signing up for our daily email bulletin.

  • 25 May 2013
    More media Big Questions post-Woolwich

    On BBC1's important, topical television 'morality and beliefs' show, The Big Questions, next due to air at 12.05pm on Sunday 26 May 2013, a major focus of discussion will be the horrific Woolwich killing and its aftermath.

  • 25 May 2013
    AU urged not to back shielding of Kenyan leaders from justice

    The African Union must reject the Kenyan government calls for the International Criminal Court's case to be tried in Kenya, Amnesty International says.

  • 25 May 2013
    Kirk hears reaffirmed opposition to 'immoral' Trident

    The Kirk Church and Society Council convenor has renewed her opposition to the 'immoral' Trident nuclear weapons system, currently based in Scotland.

  • 25 May 2013
    The Kirk: ecclesiastical coalition politics?

    The Church of Scotland has agreed to maintain a status quo precluding further ordinations of gay and lesbian clergy, while permitting local congregations to do exactly the opposite – if a suitably crafted church law can be agreed next year. That’s a big ‘if’, says Simon Barrow. As a statement of theological principle, this settlement risks looking a mess. In worldly terms it is classic coalition government. But it raises the key question as to whether the coalition can hold.

  • 24 May 2013
    Iona Community tackles stigma and injustice of poverty

    The Iona Community is continuing its work in tackling poverty as it enters its 75th anniversary and the 1450th anniversary of Columba’s landing on the island.

  • 24 May 2013
    Church to investigate the rising cost of dying in Scotland

    The Church of Scotland has agreed to investigate the increasing costs of holding funerals, following an intervention at its annual gathering.

  • 24 May 2013
    Arab Christians build hope in seemingly hopeless situations

    Palestinian Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan says that the process of reform continues to be at the heart of every Arab and Middle Eastern Christian.

  • 24 May 2013
    Interfaith Network issues statement following Woolwich murder

    Following the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, the Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK issued a statement today (24 May).

  • 24 May 2013
    Church speaks out against bedroom tax evictions

    The Church of Scotland says people should not be evicted from their homes because of the new changes to housing dubbed the ‘bedroom tax’.

  • 24 May 2013
    Appeal to Kirk for urgent climate change action

    The convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland has emphasised the urgent need to tackle climate change.

  • 24 May 2013
    Assessing the Kirk's report on theologies of land in the context of Israel/Palestine

    At a meeting of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, on 23 May 2013, a report from the Church and Society Council on theology of land in the context of Israel/Palestine was discussed. Called The inheritance of Abraham? A report on the ‘promised land’, it has the potential to raise considerable awareness of these issues in congregations and groups, says regional analyst Dr Michael Marten. He examines the background, context, issues and controversies surrounding the report, adopted by the Kirk on 23 May 2013.

  • 23 May 2013
    Does the Kirk need to be constitutionally enshrined?

    The 2013 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has voted for what is effectively “establishment by the back door” in any new constitutional arrangements for an independent Scotland, says lawyer and commentator Carla J Roth. She questions whether this is helpful or appropriate either for the church or for the nation.

  • 23 May 2013
    Fraternity, propaganda and transformation: thinking about 'welfare'

    The government is using many of the classic tools of propaganda to influence our thinking about 'welfare' and those who receive it, says Jill Segger. She argues that we need to turn again to the real meaning of Jesus' transformative relationships with the despised.

  • 23 May 2013
    Welfare and benefit reform justice forum held in Oxford

    A Justice Forum on welfare and benefit reform, the first of a series organised by the Diocese of Oxford,took place today (23 May) at the Wesley Memorial Church in Oxford.

  • 23 May 2013
    Responding rationally to the Woolwich murder

    In the streets of Woolwich, south-east London, a brutal murder took place yesterday (22 May). Pictures and eyewitness accounts suggest that a man was hacked to death in broad daylight and those responsible for this horrific crime were arrested shortly afterwards. While this was a tragedy for the victim, his family and friends and a shock to the local community, the reaction by some in government risks spreading unnecessary panic.