Policy Areas - People and Power

Church leader calls for humanitarian hostage releases in Colombia

agency reporter — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:52:29 +0100

World Council of Churches general secretary the Rev Dr Sam Kobia has expressed "joy" at the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages in Colombia - and has called for more humanitarian releases.

Outrage at free speech clamp on Pope's Australia visit

staff writers — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:33:53 +0100

Civil libertarians are infuriated at special regulations coming into force for the upcoming Catholic World Youth Day event in Sydney, Australia, where Pope Benedict XVI will be the guest of honour.

South African churches denounce Zimbabwe poll farce

staff writers — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:42:21 +0100

While some African national leaders continued to court Robert Mugabe at an African Union meeting in Egypt, despite their own observers saying that the presidential election was unacceptable, South African churches have spoken candidly.

Seoul urged not to put pre-conditions to North Korea

agency reporter — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:40:52 +0100

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia has urged South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to "take urgent measures to strengthen inter-Korean relationships without any pre-conditions".

Church children to keep adults on track

agency reporter — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:06:25 +0100

When adults bend their minds to weighty issues at the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church in Edinburgh in two weeks time, they’ll have the help of children to keep them to task.

Christian Aid partners report Harare 'tense but quiet'

agency reporter — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:00:06 +0100

Latest reports say the capital of Zimbabwe, Harare, is tense but quiet. According to Christian Aid partner the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) most humanitarian agencies are taking a wait and see attitude.

Tutu calls on African Union not to recognise Mugabe

staff writers — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:03:10 +0100

Robert Mugabe waved a Bible and made an oath of allegiance before God to Zimbabwe as he was sworn in as president following an election widely dismissed as meaningless. But anti-apartheid hero Archbishop Tutu says he must go.

Mugabe condemns Williams and sides with anti-gay Anglicans

staff writers — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:03:17 +0100

In a campaign comment ahead of today's election in Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe has condemned Archbishop Rowan Williams as lacking a "moral compass" and said that gays in the church are a sign of "moral degeneracy".

Humanists welcome equalities moves but warn on religious discrimination

staff writers — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:00:18 +0100

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed the moves towards greater equality set out in the government’s Equality Bill White Paper - and has called for more action against discrimination by religious groups.

Zimbabwe crisis echoes down the years

Simon Barrow — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:21:54 +0100

The tragic situation in Zimbabwe was being foretold as long as fifty years ago by the writer Frantz Fanon, whose theories about the end of colonialism have proved remarkably prophetic.

It's community that counters terror

Simon Barrow — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:16:58 +0100

Many, including the Church of England, have argued that the government's 42 days detention without charge strategy is wrong - but what's the alternative?

US religious right goes on the attack against Barack Obama

staff writers — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:14:59 +0100

A key figure on the US religious right, which is anxious that its political grip on the large evangelical constituency in America is waning, has launched an attack on Senator Barack Obama and his Christian credentials.

Parliamentarians to hear Amazon forest plea from Brazilian tribes

agency reporter — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:57:03 +0100

Backed by Catholic aid agency CAFOD, two indigenous indians from Brazil have arrived in London this week to make an urgent plea to members of parliament for help to save their Amazon forest home.

Unfairly dismissed employee says bishop should consider resigning

staff writers — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:48:32 +0100

The Anglican Bishop of Liverpool has faced a call to consider resigning after his former communications officer was awarded over £14,500 for unfair dismissal by the diocese at a recent employment tribunal.

Gordon Brown given copy of Poverty and Justice Bible

staff writers — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:39:43 +0100

Gordon Brown has been presented with a copy of the Bible which highlights passages which refer to social justice. Chief Executive of Bible Society, James Catford, presented a copy of during a visit to Downing Street.