A church advertising campaign for Christmas, which depicts the baby Jesus in his mother Mary's womb, has been defended by its creators against charges of naivete and political meddling.

The role of religion in the general election is far from straightforward. Politicians and the media need to recognise the diversity of religious engagement with politics on a much wider range of issues than they sometimes seem to notice.

After hardline Catholics had sought to prevent Notre Dame University from inviting President Barack Obama to give a commencement address, his call for people of divergent convictions to find common ground in reason and faith was warmly received.