Dr Gavin Ashenden, a former chaplain to the Queen and Anglican priest has decided to join the Catholic Church after re-assessing church history and viewing how the two denominations respond to cultural changes.

Speaking to Premier, Gavin Ashenden said: “I began to gain a strong sense that Christianity was under very serious assault and that we had to find a new way of understanding the task in front of us.

“As I looked to Anglicanism – I’m really sorry to say this because one hates to be critical – but in every single generation the Church either converts its surrounding society or it gets converted itself. There’s no ‘steady state theory’ I don’t think in relationship between church and society.

“It seemed to me that Anglicanism was trying to placate secular society and progressive values and I thought that was where spiritual death lay.

“Although I’d spent some time over the last 20 years acting and writing and speaking and saying, ‘look, I really think this is the wrong direction’ – I’ve lost the argument wholesale and the Church of England is continuing to pursue a progressive agenda which I think it will sincerely regret, but the Catholic Church, although it shares the same struggles because we all live in the same culture, has the integrity and the roots to win the struggle and I felt the Anglican Church was determined to lose it.”

Explaining his theological…

Almost 2 million people have signed a petition calling for The First Temptation of Christ to be taken down because of the offence caused to Christians.

The 46-minute Christmas special was made by YouTube comedy group Porta dos Fundo.

In a statement to Premier defending the show, a spokesman for Netflix said: “Porta dos Fundos is an award-winning comedy group known for their satirical and irreverent views about everyday situations. They have been producing religious specials for a decade; and last year’s comedy special won the International Emmy for Best Comedy.

“We strongly support the creative freedom of the artists we work with. Porta dos Fundos is known for their irreverent and satirical Christmas specials – using their own unique blend of humour to take on cultural and social issues.

“We understand that not everyone agrees with their content – and on Netflix our members choose what they watch.”

Porta dos Fundos has also defended the show stating “freedom of expression is an essential construction for a democratic country”.

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In a new document issued on Tuesday, Francis decreed that information in abuse cases must be protected by church leaders to ensure its “security, integrity and confidentiality”.

But he also said the “pontifical secret” code no longer applies to abuse-related accusations, trials and decisions under the Catholic Church’s canon law.

Francis also raised from 14 to 18 the cut-off age below which the Vatican considers pornographic images to be child pornography.

The new laws were issued on Tuesday – Francis’ 83rd birthday – as he struggles to respond to the global explosion of the abuse scandal, his own missteps in dealing with the issue, and demands for greater transparency and accountability from victims, law enforcement and ordinary Catholics alike.

The new norms are the latest amendment to the Catholic Church’s in-house canon law – a parallel legal code that metes out ecclesial justice for crimes against the faith – in this case relating to the sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable people by priests, bishops or cardinals.

In this legal system, the worst punishment a priest can incur is being defrocked, or dismissed from the clerical state.

Pope Benedict XVI had decreed in 2001 that these cases must be dealt with under “pontifical secret”, the highest form of secrecy in the church. The Vatican had long insisted that such confidentiality was necessary to protect the…

The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant said Rev David Coles, his civil partner who was also a priest, had been unwell for some time.

The 57-year-old ex-Communards star wrote on Twitter: “I’m very sorry to say that Rev David Coles has died.

“He had been ill for a while.”

“Thanks to the brilliant teams who looked after him at Kettering General,” the co-presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live said.

“‘The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended’.”

Dianne Buswell, his professional partner on Strictly Come Dancing, wrote: “I am so sorry to hear this. Sending all my love to you Rev! My prayers and thoughts are with you x”

Fellow Strictly contestant Susan Calman wrote: “Oh darling, I’m so sorry. Sending all my love xx”

I’m very sorry to say that @RevDavidColes has died. He had been ill for a while. Thanks to the brilliant teams who looked after him at @KettGeneral. Funeral details to follow. “The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended”. pic.twitter.com/usvLDIBDv7

— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) December 17, 2019

Author Philip Pullman wrote: “Richard, I’m so sorry to hear that. You have all my sympathy.”

According to Rev Coles’ official website, the couple lived together in their vicarage, “which is gradually being destroyed by … dachshunds Daisy, Pongo, Audrey and…

There had been speculation that the second most senior job in the Church of England would go to a woman bishop.

But it was announced on Tuesday that Bishop Cottrell, who is married with three children, will take up the role when Dr John Sentamu stands down in June next year.

Bishop Cottrell, who in the past has called on the CofE to shed its middle class “Marks & Spencer” image, said he was “humbled and excited at the prospect of becoming the 98th Archbishop of York.

“I will receive the baton from Archbishop Sentamu. These aren’t just big shoes to fill, but a big heart and a big vision.

“However, I am not daunted.

“Archbishop Sentamu and I have worked together in mission on many occasions and I hope to build on the work he has pioneered.

“Working alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, I hope to help the church be more joyful and more effective in sharing the gospel and bringing hope and unity to our nation.

“Although I was born and grew up in Essex, I lived and served in Huddersfield for nine years. I know and love the north of England. Two of our children were born there.

“I now look forward to returning and being a voice for the North, sharing the liberating good news of the gospel and helping to address the discrepancies of wealth and opportunity that too often favour the South.”

Bishop Cottrell was ordained as a deacon in 1984 and as a priest in 1985.