The Church Commissioners previously banned investment in companies that profit from recreational drugs.

However, the investment arm of the Church has now revealed its changed its stance on medicinal cannabis since it was legalised.

A spokesperson told Premier: “There has been no change to our overall position on medicines.

“We will hold medicinal cannabis to the same standards as we hold other pharmaceuticals, and invest only if properly licensed and regulated for medicinal use.”

Medicinal marijuana was legalised in the UK from November although no patient has been issued a prescription on the NHS, which has strict guidelines.

Dr Mark Pickering, chief executive of Christian Medical Fellowship told Premier that the Church’s U-turn was a “very positive development overall”.

When asked about what he would say to Christians weary of cannabis, he said: “When they’re used within an appropriate medical context, in certain prescribed conditions they can be very useful and I think the purified medicinal cannabis should be seen in this light.”

Dr Pickering, who also works with drug users in prisons, highlighted the importance of Christians differentiating between the recreational and medicinal use of the drug.

“Recreational cannabis is a mixture of probably over 100 different cannabinoid compounds – some of which are very harmful,” he said.

“There are lots of medications which…

Bishop Wilson has been the Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster since 2015 and was previously a priest in the Diocese of Leeds.

He will succeed Most Rev Peter Smith, who has been Archbishop of Southwark since 2010.

Speaking of his appointment, the Archbishop-elect said: “Someone once said if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.

“In whatever way I might have imagined God’s plan for my life to unfold, the news of my appointment by Pope Francis as the new Archbishop of Southwark came as a complete surprise.

“I am grateful to His Excellency Archbishop Edward J Adams, the Apostolic Nuncio, for his encouragement, and for reminding me of C S Lewis’ invitation to be ‘surprised by joy.’

“It is the joy of the Gospel, the Good News of God’s love for the world in His Son Jesus Christ that sustains and animates the Church’s mission in which I am to share in a new way.”

Archbishop Smith said he was “pleased to pass on my responsibilities to such a capable successor”.

His words were echoed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster who said: “On behalf of the people, priests and religious of Westminster I assure Archbishop-elect Wilson of our whole-hearted support and prayers as he moves to take up his role as Archbishop of Southwark.

“We thank him most warmly for his service in Westminster both as an area bishop and a dedicated part of episcopal oversight of the…

Benjamin Field, 28, was giving evidence for the first time in his trial where he is accused of killing former school English teacher Peter Farquhar, 69, and retired headmistress Ann Moore-Martin, 83, after a sustained campaign of “gaslighting”.

Mr Farquhar, a novelist, died in October 2015, while Miss Moore-Martin, who lived a few doors away in the village of Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire died in May 2017.

Field is on trial at Oxford Crown Court alongside magician Martyn Smith, 32, accused of murdering Mr Farquhar and planning to kill Miss Moore-Martin.

David Jeremy QC, defending Field, asked his client: “Did you suffocate him, Peter Farquhar? Administering drugs and gaslighting him? Did you intend to kill him?”

Field replied: “I did not.”

Mr Jeremy went on: “Did you conspire to murder Ann Moore-Martin? Did you attempt to murder Ann Moore-Martin? Give her drugs or tried to poison her? Encouraged or assisted her to commit suicide?”

Field replied: “I did not. Never.”

Mr Jeremy asked: “Did you talk to her about suicide?”

The bespectacled and bearded defendant replied: “Yes, I spoke to her about it on several occasions. I thought it seemed very unlikely that she would.”

The defendant, the son of a baptist minister, told the jury he had pleaded guilty to fraudulently pretending to be in a relationship with Mr Farquhar and Miss Moore-Martin.

Field was asked what was the…

The document issued on Monday, during LGBT pride month, is the Vatican’s first on gender theory.

In it, the Vatican also insists on the sexual complementarity of men and women.

LGBT Catholics immediately denounced it as harmful and contributing to hatred, bigotry and violence against gay and transgender people.

Advocacy group New Ways Ministry said it will confuse people who are struggling with questions about gender identity and sexual orientation.

The text, Male And Female He Created Them, was issued by the Congregation for Catholic Education, which said it was intended to help Catholic teachers, parents, students and clergy address the “educational crisis” in the field of teaching sexuality.

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It references the Paston family, a well-known family in Medieval England, who lived in Norfolk.

A brass plaque, in memory of Anna Paston was discovered in Oxnead church in Norfolk last month, by archaeologist, Matt Champion.

Anna Paston’s brass was tucked away between two large tombs, obscured by the communion rail.

Mr Champion said the greatest surprise was that she was a member of the “most researched family” of medieval England, yet was unknown to historians.

The Paston family are infamous for their rise from peasantry to aristocracy in just two generations.

Many of the properties they lived in still survive, as do the institutions of which they became benefactors.

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The Hollywood star and author Schwarzenegger, the daughter of politician and actor Arnold, got married at the weekend.

Sharing the first image from their nuptials on Instagram, Pratt wrote: “Yesterday was the best day of our lives!

“We became husband and wife in front of God, our families and those we love.

“It was intimate, moving and emotional.”

He continued: “We feel so blessed to begin this new chapter of our lives.

“We are so thankful to our families and our friends who stood with us and grateful to Mr Giorgio Armani who created a once in a lifetime dress for Katherine to wear and for me, the perfect suit.

“This morning we feel nothing but blessed.”

 

The couple – who are both Christians, announced their engagement in January.

Guardians Of The Galaxy star Pratt was previously married to actress Anna Faris. They have a six-year-old son, Jack.

Pratt has regularly shared his faith on social media and in interviews.

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