Life in the European Union is one of continuing political negotiation. No political realist is surprised that national leaders constantly seek to protect and advance the interests of their country, says social theologian Dr Graeme Smith. The European Union is the place of permanent dialogue between different interests, and more substantially different political cultures, interestingly mirroring some different Protestant and Catholic instincts. Meanwhile, ecumenical lessons can help us to see why it's negotiation all the way, in a positive sense.

Church leaders in Brazil have been debating the latest census data that show decline in numbers of Roman Catholics and an increase in evangelicals.

The Church of Scotland has joined leading charities, faith groups and trade unions in urging Scottish MPs to uphold the Lords amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill.

The University of Notre Dame in the USA is inaugurating a major cross-cultural research project on 'contending modernities', religious and secular.