There are 900 churches registered on Historic England’s “at risk” list.

Conservationists say they need support to prevent and repair damage caused by rain, wind, snow and ice, with heritage experts warning many are being ravaged especially severely because of climate change.

Mr Bryson, vice-president of the National Churches Trust (NCT) has told The Times newspaper it was England’s “national responsibility” to protect England’s historic places of worship.

The NCT received a record 593 applications from churches for maintenance and repair grants last year.

This year, the figure has leapt by another 37 per cent,  the paper said.

“Nothing embodies a quintessential Christmas like a historic church in the snow,” Bryson said.

“But winter is when these ancient and often fragile buildings are most at risk of serious damage from snow, ice, wind and rain.

“Historic churches are Britain’s wonders of the world, yet they are more at risk from winter weather than people realise.

“I urge the British public to help protect historic churches … The winter would be bleak indeed without them.”

Richard Carr-Archer, surveyor emeritus of York Minster and a trustee of the NCT, said: “The impact of climate change is seeing wetter and windier winter weather. Higher levels of rainfall, with more cycles of wetting and drying, cause damage to timber and stonework [and] stronger winds and more…

Churches have seen a 75 per cent increase in heritage crime attacks with theft and vandalism offences nearly doubling in the past year, according to figures from the Church Conservation Trust (CCT).

Data from the trust revealed last year saw the highest number of recorded incidents since records began in 1999.

CCT, who care for 350 historic churches across England, recorded 35 thefts of bespoke church window panels thought to be ‘stolen to order’ for underground traders in 2018.
 
In 2016 a panel of the prophet Ezekial from the 16th century Withcote Chapel in Leicestershire was stolen. It is suspected to be in response to an order from antiques dealers.

Stained glass windows are also vulnerable to smashing by thieves wishing to gain access to church buildings.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph CCT detailed one “particularly devastating attack” at St Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury, which saw vandals smash a panel of its world famous medieval glass to steal money from inside the church.

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The body of Annie Hall, chair of Derby Cathedral Council, was found in the River Derwent on Friday morning two miles after she was engulfed by rising water in Darley Dale, near Matlock.

Widespread flooding hit towns across the Midlands and northern England on Thursday and Friday and several areas were deluged with one month’s worth of rain in a day.

According to Derbyshire police, the River Derwent burst its banks and caused huge problems along the length of the county.

Rt Rev Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, commended Hall for her service to the community and offered her condolences to her family, saying: “I am shocked and saddened by this tragic news.

“The pain and grief of Annie’s death is felt by the whole community at Derby Cathedral and throughout the Diocese of Derby.

“My prayers are with her family at this very sad time.

“Annie’s faithful professionalism, supportive nature and wonderful sense of humour meant she was much appreciated as chair of Derby Cathedral Council.

“Throughout Derbyshire, Annie was known for her personable and caring character, and for bringing laughter wherever she went. She will be much missed.

“Derby Cathedral, and the Diocese of Derby, will continue to pray for Annie’s family, and for all those affected by the flooding, offering support and help where we can.”

Rev Canon Dr Elizabeth Thomson, Acting Dean of Derby, said: “This is very sad and shocking news. Annie was a great friend to…

Christian legal group ADF International intervened in the case in support of the man known as A.A. (anonymised for security reasons) saying the asylum seeker could face severe social and formal persecution if sent home.

The Strasbourg Court Judges held that the Muslim who became a Christian would have been compelled to conceal their faith or face persecution if deported by the Swiss authorities.

Conversion from Islam to another religion is illegal in the Middle Eastern country and punishable by “anything from lengthy imprisonment to death”, the human rights firm said.

Robert Clarke, Director of European Advocacy for ADF International insisted: “Nobody should be persecuted because of their faith. Our society has a responsibility to protect those who are facing torture, imprisonment, or death due to their religious beliefs. Afghanistan counts as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians and, in particular, for converts.

“ADF International’s intervention sought to highlight the severe breaches of human rights in Afghanistan against religious minorities and especially the widespread persecution of Christians. We welcome this important judgement from the European Court of Human Rights, affirming that Christians should not have to hide their faith to avoid persecution.”

While the Afghan Constitution protects religious freedom in general, it also…

“Remember Together”, coordinated by the Royal British Legion and integration thinktank British Future encourages people from different backgrounds to learn about and commemorate their shared history.

Servicemen and women from Allied nations such as Poland and the Czech Republic fought for Britain in the Second World War, alongside millions from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Caribbean, Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Events held in Leicester and in Boston, Lincolnshire honour the contributions and sacrifices of people from all ethnic backgrounds to the war effort.

In a joint letter published in the Observer Bishop James Newcome and Bishop Martyn Snow, Imam Qari Asim and Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner have urged the public to remember “how soldiers from Britain and its allies from across the Commonwealth nations, the US and the free armies of Europe fought side-by-side to overcome adversity,” and to “reflect on the things that we share.”

Former Chief of Defence Staff Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, as well as representatives from Britain’s Sikh and Hindu communities, Polish veterans and Pakistan’s High Commission to the UK also joined them in reminding people that Remembrance is for all of us.

Head of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion, Catherine Davies said: “Today’s Britain is made up of so many communities whose ancestors stood together in our…

Interfaith Week will see thousands of people take part in activities across England, Northern Ireland and Wales from 10th – 17th November, to highlight the positive impact of faith groups on local communities and strengthen relationships between people of religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Co-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK, Rt Rev Jonathan Clark, Area Bishop of Croydon and Jatinder Singh Birdi said: “Inter Faith Week is a great opportunity for people to come together, learn about people in their communities, and make common cause together. Such actions are a powerful antidote to language of division and to prejudice.”

 
The launch of the Interfaith Network initiative coincided with Remembrance Sunday to encourage different faith groups to join in paying tribute to soldiers and civilians who served in the two World Wars and later conflicts.

Hastings and District Interfaith Forum and the Council of Christians and Jews Bexhill Branch held a ‘Remembering Together’ event while The City of London Corporation Multi-Faith Staff Network hosted a multi-faith remembrance service.

Activities will take place in sports venues, schools, community centres and places of worship ranging from community projects and debates to art exhibitions and faith walks.

Initiatives include a celebration of Multi Faith Britain by the London District of the Methodist Church at…

West has become the first artist ever to monopolise the entire top 10 spots on both Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs and Hot Gospel Songs charts.

On Hot Gospel Songs chart, the rapper dominates the top 11, which is every song on the album.

Billboard News said: “West surpasses other accomplished acts with his honours. On Hot Christian Songs, Chris Tomlin, Jordan Smith (both in 2016), Casting Crowns (2009) and Mercy Me (2006) each infused the top three in a week. On Hot Gospel Songs, Lecrae swept the top five for three weeks in 2014.”

On top of this major achievement, songs from “Jesus is King” are at the top of all-genre Billboard 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts. Together with Top Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums success, West is the first artist ever to reign on all five rankings.

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According to The Times, the girl, who cannot be named, resorted to recording the incident after adults in the church refused to believe her reports of being abused by Fr Michele Mottola in Trentola Ducenta, near Naples.

In one recording, the man is heard saying “Do you want a kiss?”

After the girl refuses, he apparently says: “There is no one here. Are you afraid? Kiss me, hug me.”

The Times reports in a second recording, after the sound of heavy breathing and the girl rejecting the priest, he says: “Take this to dry yourself.”

It’s been reported the girl was too afraid to tell her mother about the incident because she was friends with Fr Michele and he would give her and her daughter gifts.

Instead, she played the recording for two parishioners who didn’t do anything about it, and then begged the priest to stop the abuse.

Fr Michele asked if she had told anyone and when she said she did, he reportedly told her mother that she was a liar and told the girl: “You are like an Islamist bomber. You kill people and move on.”

Eventually the girl’s mother believed her daughter’s claims and confronted the priest who reportedly confessed.

The Catholic Church suspended Fr Michele in May but he was only arrested when the girl’s recordings were aired on a current affairs show called Le Iene.

The girl has been hailed a hero.

Her older sister said: “She was…