The proposed Anglican covenant and global issues such as Zimbabwe and the world financial crisis are being addressed by the 38 Anglican primates meeting from 1-5 February 2009 in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Christmas message is one of deliveerance from fear, says Giles Fraser. But the approach the Pope has taken to 'human ecology' heads perilously in the other direction.

Activists disappointed by a measure to ban same-sex marriage in California that has deeply divided religious groups, say nationwide protests against the prohibition are a milestone in civil rights for gays and lesbians.

The director of a leading nonviolent US task force for lesbian and gay people, which includes many religious believers, has said that the election of Barack Obama is “a day of blessing seasoned by loss,” given the bigotry of some local issue votes.