Human rights and gay campaigner Peter Tatchell, an atheist, has praised Catholic bishops for rejecting baseless claims that being gay is linked to abusing children.

Following recent brutal attacks on women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Christian Aid is calling for more to be done over the voluntary demobilisation of armed groups there.

Dr Rowan Williams has expressed his "deep sorrow" over mistakes made by the Church of England in the Peter Halliday child abuse case, affirming its tough policy and calling for vigilance.

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.