The landmark Christchurch Cathedral, badly damaged in an earthquake on 22 February, will be deconsecrated, partially demolished and made safe.

People of faith in Japan have marked the six-month anniversary of the 11 March 2011 earthquake and tsunami with prayer services across the country.

A Japanese church leader has said that he wants to avoid a huge number of well-intentioned volunteers visiting, and overwhelming, the 'quake area.

Residents of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince marked Easter 2011 by looking past the rubble of the recent quake and placing hopes on a better future.