Journalism

British doctors move to end their opposition to assisted dying
Arguments erupt over voting procedures as Royal College of Physicians changes stance on euthanasia

Britain’s Ahmadis under fire in battle for the soul of Islam
Followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad preach peace and tolerance, but many mainstream Muslims regard them as heretics

Vicars who bless gay couples in church could be sued, say lawyers
Synod due to discuss controversial plans by bishops to allow services of blessing after same-sex weddings

Jesus would like to connect with you on LinkedIn! Inside the Church of England’s digital conversion
From Instagram to Alexa, the new digital evangelists are using technology to spread the word of God. But is anyone listening?

Bill to give medical staff right to refuse role in abortions condemned
The bill would expand rights of conscientious objection for healthcare professionals

‘Do you want a badge for doing your laundry?’
Man with Down’s Syndrome experiences highs and lows of social media after chronicling life on popular Twitter page

Justin Welby accused of bowing to homophobia after banning gay bishop’s husband from church summit
Canadian bishop unable to bring husband to once-a-decade gathering after ferocious backlash from conservative African Anglicans

Archbishop of Canterbury’s envoy who disputes the resurrection of Christ urged to quit Vatican post
Senior Anglicans express indignation over controversial views of ambassador personally appointed by Justin Welby

British Jews trace Iberian heritage EU citizenship
Who might help Remainers keep EU passports? Nobody expected the Spanish Inquisition

Why won’t the Archbishop of Canterbury bless gay couples?
TV discussion with Peter Cardwell and Mathew Hulbert

Twelve months that changed the church
A global pandemic, which no one was expecting, has had drastic and far-reaching spiritual implications

‘Chiune Sugihara saved 10 times more people than Oskar Schindler’
The daughter of a man saved by the ‘Japanese Schindler’ is making a film about both men

Archbishop of York demands Government reopens refugee resettlement schemes
A letter by senior faith leaders calls for two refugee resettlement programmes, which have been paused because of the pandemic, to reopen

Soul Survivor: Festival that gave the church more oomph takes down its big top
A crucible for some of today’s most dynamic faith leaders, has played its final praise song. It leaves a strong legacy

Alexa, who is God? A new app aims to win over agnostics
The Church of England hopes to get more people hearing voices

‘He was a hero’: Family of man drowned saving son from lake pay tribute
Asim Riaz was ‘the brother that every sister would wish to have’, says heartbroken sister

How Number 10 opened its door to evangelicals
Government attitudes towards Christians have shifted dramatically over the past decade

Easter in Britain is a sorry affair, when compared to carnivalesque Quito
Men in horned masks and winged Virgin Marys: Tim Wyatt revels in Easter in Ecuador

What might Michael Curry’s barnstorming Royal Wedding sermon mean for religion in Britain?
Radio discussion with Dan Wootton and Dr Linda Papadopoulos

Alternative Anglican church looms large in the shadows
Arch-traditionalists are preparing to break away if the Church of England goes ‘too far’ down the road of modernisation

Conversion therapy ban ‘would criminalise Christian parents stopping children seeking transgender treatment’
Leading QC and Church of England minister say proposed ban would ‘close down freedom of speech, conscience and religion’

Charlie Gard’s parents say their ‘beautiful boy’ has died
The baby whose fate was the subject of a protracted court battle and made headlines around the world died shortly after his parents abandoned their legal action

The Church Times - News, comment, features, book reviews and more

Chaplains speak of privilege of serving on hospital front line
Clergy who worked in hospitals throughout the coronavirus peak spy a new beginning in their decades-old ministry

You can read more of my writing by clicking here.