Bishop Philip Mounstephen is currently conducting a review into the experiences of Christians in dangerous situations, commissioned by the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cardinal Vincent Nicholls, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, said in a letter which accompanied their submission: “Christians form an important part of the social fabric in almost every country of the world. Yet in many places, our Christian sisters and brothers face persecution of an intensity and extent unprecedented in many centuries.

“Throughout recent years we have often travelled to the Middle East, the birthplace of our religion and one of those focal points of this persecution. There we have met with those who are suffering because of their faith. They have told us of having to flee their homes, beingstripped of all they own and seeing family members killed.”

They said their submission to the Foreign and Commonwealth’s inquiry was influenced by the people they have met and a commitment to making their voices heard.

The two heads of church denominations recommended that government focuses on making freedom of religion and belief a human right and have more joined-up thinking between religious freedom and the UK’s trade policies and aid decisions – and therefore not treat freedom of religion as an ‘isolated diplomatic…

The award is given annually in recognition of a commitment to the development of peace and will come from the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, a Filipino Roman Catholic and President of the Path to Peace Foundation, who support the Vatican’s diplomatic work at the UN and fund humanitarian projects.

Previous winners of the award include former Secretary Generals of the UN, Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Kofi Annan, former President of Poland Lech Walesa and other heads of state.

ACN were said to be chosen for their emergency and pastoral aid for Christians suffering oppression and discrimination.

The national director of Aid to the Church in Need in the UK, Neville Kyrke-Smith, said: “Such a recognition is both a compliment and a challenge to Aid to the Church in Need. The compliment is to the individual faithful benefactors of ACN who have sustained the Easter hope of the resurrection during the long Good Friday of appalling suffering, in particular in the Middle East.

“The challenge is now for ACN and other charities to empower the local Christian communities to renew their presence and bring a true pathway to peace.”

Dr Thomas Heine-Geldern, the executive president of ACN International, will be presented with the award in New York on 22nd May.

ACN work with Syrian refugees, Christians persecuted in Pakistan and Iraq and…

Folau, 30, has requested a Code of Conduct hearing after his contract was terminated by Rugby Australia, the country’s governing body for the sport.

Chief executive Raelene Castle said the move was “not an unexpected outcome…under the circumstances”. A date for the hearing is yet to be confirmed.

Castle added: “After the date for the hearing is confirmed Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will make no further comment on the matter until the Code of Conduct process has concluded.”

The Wallabies and New South Wales Waratahs fullback had been given 24 hours on Monday to accept his dismissal or request a hearing.

He was sanctioned over a post he published on social media which said homosexuals – among others – were going to hell.

It read: “Warning. Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters. Hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves.”

Announcing Folou’s dismissal on Monday, Rugby Australia said he had previously been warned “repeatedly” about his activity on social media.

A statement said: “It was made clear to him that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.”

Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle says #Folau was…

Mr Macron outlined his hopes for the restoration in an address to the nation on Tuesday night, little more than 24 hours after the fire.

He said France “will rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral even more beautifully” and pledged to “mobilise” as he thanked emergency services and donors who pledged money for the work.

In a series of tweets after the address, Mr Macron said: “We will rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral, even more beautiful, and I hope that it will be completed within five years.”

“In our history, we have built cities, harbours, churches. Many have burned or been destroyed, by wars, revolutions, men’s faults. Every time we rebuilt them,” he added.

“The fire of Notre-Dame reminds us that our history never stops, never, and that we will always have trials to overcome.”

Nearly 400 firefighters battled through the night before the blaze was declared fully extinguished at about 10am local time (8am GMT).

Two police officers and one firefighter were injured, and at one point it was feared the 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece would be completely destroyed in the blaze, which lasted more than 12 hours.

The bells at Westminster Abbey tolled at 5.43pm on Tuesday afternoon – 24 hours after the fire started – and Prime Minister Theresa May announced bells at churches and cathedrals across England would ring in a further show of solidarity on Maundy Thursday.

Heroin, crack cocaine and five blades were surrendered at SPAC Nation by a “newcomer” following an altar call on Sunday, leaders said.

Senior pastor, Tobi Adegboyega said: “Our determination to clean the streets is stronger than ever before and the items handed in are a testament to that.”

The knives and illicit substances are being passed on to police, according to SPAC Nation – which holds a weapon and drug amnesty every week.

Some 113 people gave their lives to Jesus when the altar call was made. SPAC Nation says 1,000 people regularly attend its weekly service.

Knives, Drugs and a phone that’s used to supply drugs were all freely given up in today’s service.

This is what we witness in SPAC Nation when the call for change is made!#SPACNation pic.twitter.com/AMg565rMUL

— SPAC Nation (@SPACnation) April 14, 2019

Mr Adegboyega continued: “Each time we take in such items, it means one less person who will go to jail or end up dead.
 
“It is up to us as a community to do what we can to save these young people.

“SPAC Nation as a church and a force in the community has a dogged determination and a passion for young people to clean up the streets and give young people hope for their future.

“We will keep on doing this one knife pickup at a time.”

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