The church looking for ‘God slots’ in relation to culture is like religion seeking a ‘God of the gaps’ in relation to science: a huge mistake. The Gospel points us elsewhere.

After the jailing of a choirmaster for sexual abuse against children in the 1980s, the Church of England says that the mistake of failing to report an abuser to the police would not happen now. But the case highlights the need for extra vigilance and robust child protection policies.

Amid accusations that it has failed to act properly in abuse cases stemming from the past, the Church of England has made child safety a priority. Its current policies and procedures are demonstrably rigorous and caring, it says.

The Dutch and Italian governments have come out against the wearing of some religious clothing in public.