The youngsters have gilded ornamental features on gates at St Pancras Old Church in Camden Town.

They were taught the art of gilding, applying a thin coat of gold to a solid surface, at a workshop run by the Creative Dimension Trust.

Charity founder Penny Bendall said the teenagers were from London schools and had been taught by an expert gilder.

The trust offers youngsters with artistic skills the chance to learn traditional crafts.

Last year, teenagers who took part in a stone-carving workshop created a tryptic in tribute to soldiers who fell in the First World War.

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Addressing the United Nations Security Council on Friday, The Holy See’s Permanent Observer, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, said many boys and girls are denied the right to a childhood and the exploitation of their vulnerabilities for war and profit must stop.

Archbishop Auza said: “It is the sad reality for so many boys and girls in our world whose young lives are interrupted tragically by violent conflict.

“Children who should be free to learn and to play, as they grow in knowledge of themselves and of the world around them, are instead the victims of grave violations that not only rob them of the unique and irreplaceable joys of childhood, but also run the risk of causing long-term physical, emotional, psychological and social damage, with its obvious impacts on their family and wider community.

“It is worse still when children are forced to fight in wars not of their making, or recruited under the guise of being able to provide for their impoverished families. There is a need to examine the root causes of this situation; particularly how socio-economic disadvantages and lack of prospects too often make armed conflict an alternative for our young people.”

Archbishop Auza explained that many disadvantaged children are forced to give up their education or fight in wars to provide for their families and a lack of prospects leaves them vulnerable to radicalisation. He…

Former Prime Minister, David Cameron announced the plans to be led by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation in 2016, but the proposals have received criticism from conservation groups that argue the centre would harm the area’s parliamentary heritage.

The application by Adjaye Associates and Ron Arad Architects, proposes a series of bronze structures to be built on Victoria Gardens, together with an underground learning centre to commemorate the six million Jews murdered during the Second World War.

In a letter to the Westminster Council, Mr Welby highlighted the importance of preserving the “memory of the thin line which distinguishes us from the atrocities of the past.”

“Memory comes from experience and education. Experience is deepened by symbolism. The symbolism of this centre, right next to the home of our democracy is profound and hugely powerful.”

He added: “I believe it will add significantly to the status of the City of Westminster as a place of government that is a world model. I do hope that these factors will be taken into account.”

This comes after the application prompted a number of anti-Semitic comments online, with some members of the public claiming Jews are given “special privileges” and that the project was “discriminatory and racist” to white British war victims.

Together with Mr Welby, national faith leaders of the Jewish, Catholic and Muslim…

Christian charity Allchurches Trust have launched a new £1million grant programme, to help churches in England and Wales invest in the next generation after research revealed 96 per cent wanted to provide better youth-based activities and support.

A poll of 800 churches, conducted by the trust, showed 82 per cent ran activities for children aged 0 to 10, but only 58 per cent offered provision for teenagers.

The Growing Lives initiative has already awarded £276,487 in funding to transform spaces, and provide resources, training and care to 21 different projects.

Hemsworth Methodist Church in West Yorkshire will use its grant to convert the nave of the chapel into a soft play area and café for children and young families as a social enterprise.

Another organisation to benefit is the Transform North West Network, to create ‘Amazing Space’ – providing employment training and mental health support to disadvantaged teenagers across Merseyside.

Sir Philip Mawer, chairman of Allchurches Trust, said: “We are delighted with the response to Growing Lives so far, with applications from churches and charities representing many denominations continuing to flow in.
“It is clear the new programme is fulfilling a very real need in enabling churches to enhance their work with families and we’re delighted to be funding a wide range of projects that will change lives and…

Revd Simon Sayers, 55, began the secret relationship with the woman nine years ago, after she approached him for pastoral support.

Mr Sayers, formerly of the Warblington with Emsworth parish in Hampshire, sent her “many sexually explicit texts,” a Church of England tribunal heard.

“You too are the most passionate, sexy, skilled and sensuous lover and my body is yours, my heart and soul are yours forever,” the priest wrote in one message.

Mr Sayers admitted to the affair in a letter to the panel hearing, which he did not attend.

The Church of England found him guilty of “conduct unbecoming or inappropriate to the office and work of a clergy person in that he had an intimate sexual relationship with a married woman to whom he was giving pastoral support and failed to observe and maintain appropriate pastoral boundaries”.

Mr Sayers expressed his regret at “betraying his calling” and apologised to his wife for breaking her trust for a second time: “I can offer no excuse, only my profound sorrow for betraying my wife and my calling once more after that terrible incident in 1995,” he said.

In 2016, the Church of England suspended Mr Sayers from ministry for five years, following an investigation into inappropriate behaviour with a 16-year-old girl while serving as a vicar in Islington, north London in 1995.

The Metropolitan Police also investigated the allegations, but no…

The youngsters have gilded ornamental features on gates at St Pancras Old Church in Camden Town.

They were taught the art of gilding, applying a thin coat of gold to a solid surface, at a workshop run by the Creative Dimension Trust.

Charity founder Penny Bendall said the teenagers were from London schools and had been taught by an expert gilder.

The trust offers youngsters with artistic skills the chance to learn traditional crafts.

Last year, teenagers who took part in a stone-carving workshop created a tryptic in tribute to soldiers who fell in the First World War.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.