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        <title>Christian Daily International | Europe</title>
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            <title>Christian Daily International | Europe</title>
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        <copyright>Christian Daily International © 2026</copyright>
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        <lastBuildDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:02:31 -0400</lastBuildDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Businessman and peer Lord Edmiston reflects on faith, stewardship and global mission]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/businessman-and-peer-lord-edmiston-reflects-on-faith-stewardship-and-global-mission</link>
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                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Today]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Lord Robert Edmiston]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Lord Robert Edmiston ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:07:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[British businessman and peer Lord Robert Edmiston has spoken about using wealth, influence and new technology in the service of Christian mission, saying evangelism has remained the central focus of his public and private life.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
British businessman and peer Lord Robert Edmiston has spoken about using wealth, influence and new technology in the service of Christian mission, saying evangelism has remained the central focus of his public and private life.
In a recent episode of Evangelical 360, hosted by Brian Stiller, Lord Edmiston and his wife, Lady Tracie Edmiston, discussed how their faith has shaped their involvement in business, politics, charitable giving and global outreach.
Lord Edmiston, who is known in the UK for his work as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and member of the House of Lords, said his Christian faith began in his teenage years after receiving an invitation to church through his letterbox.
He described that moment as life-changing and said it redirected the course of his life after what he characterised as a troubled and rebellious youth.
Although Edmiston said he believed, after receiving what he understood as a word from God in his youth, that he was being called to serve as a missionary in Africa, his life unfolded differently.
Rather than going overseas in that role, he went into business and later came to see that his success had enabled him to advance the work of mission in another way - by funding, supporting and sending others to share the gospel on a large scale around the world.
During the interview, he reflected on the early struggles of his working life, including balancing family responsibilities, night study and multiple jobs while training as an accountant.
“But even in that crisis, God had a plan,” he remarked.
He later rose through the motor industry and went on to build a business that, he said, enabled him to support missionary activity on a much wider scale than he had first imagined.
Lady Edmiston said that sense of purpose gradually shaped the couple’s vision for ministry.
She recalled helping to establish Christian Vision, the organisation they founded, after sensing through the guidance of the Holy Spirit a need to support evangelism at scale, particularly in places and contexts where churches or other ministries could not easily operate alone.
She said the ministry aimed not to duplicate existing efforts, but to discern where God was leading them to serve in ways that could strengthen Christian witness through innovative methods and media.
Over time, that strategy developed from shortwave radio into digital outreach, social media and emerging technologies.
Lord Edmiston said one of the guiding principles behind their giving has been obedience to the gospel mandate to preach Christ, rather than attachment to wealth itself.
On wealth, he said: “I never made it my god … and I think that's a test God gives you … we should all honour God with our wealth, whether it be big or small … and it's God that gives us the power to create wealth anyhow.”
He continued: “If we're following Jesus, that's His command, so we cannot be wrong saying we're going to focus on evangelism ... And I knew that that was what God wanted us to do. So as soon as I got control of the business, I knew to whom much is given, much is expected.”
He argued that generosity should flow from love and gratitude to God rather than mere duty and said this conviction has shaped how he thinks about philanthropy.
“He loves a cheerful giver and if our heart is full of gratitude to Him, then it's a blessing when you can give that way,” he highlighted.
He added: “I think we're faced with the choices in life, what we do with our life. At the end of the day, we all stand before God and have to answer for what we've done with the things He's given us, like the servants, you know, who were given the talents.
“And I'm very aware of my own mortality, particularly as I get older. And the things that I presently possess have little meaning to me because we're all after what we haven't got. But still, there's something missing if you don't have God.
“Billy Graham, I think, put it this way, ‘Within every person there's ... a god-shaped void inside of us and only God can fulfil that.’ So, when you think no one can look into the face of Jesus and say the price is too high because He paid the ultimate price. So, it's just a pleasure for us to be able to give to Him.”
The couple explained that their organisation has increasingly focused on reaching people in places where access to churches or Christian teaching is limited.
This includes work in countries with restricted religious freedom, as well as online communities where traditional forms of outreach may be less effective.
They said digital media has created new opportunities to engage people with Christian content, measure response and develop long-term “faith journeys” rather than simply counting one-time interactions.
Lady Edmiston noted that this has also opened up new forms of collaboration with other ministries seeking to understand how people move towards faith in different cultural settings.
Lord Edmiston said the aim is not to build a private empire or create dependency, but to serve the wider Church and strengthen the kingdom of God.
Where possible, he said, people responding to Christian outreach should be connected to local churches, though in some settings digital communities may be the only realistic option.
Reflecting on the state of the world, Lord Edmiston acknowledged the discouragement many Christians feel in the face of political upheaval, conflict and cultural change.
Even so, he said he remains hopeful, pointing to signs of renewed spiritual interest among younger generations and to the unprecedented reach offered by digital communication.
He said Christians should remain attentive to how God may be working even in periods of instability, adding that modern communications technology now offers possibilities for global evangelism that previous generations could scarcely have imagined.
He explained: “Jesus has the clue; the Holy Spirit has the clue to how we should do things. We can just follow him. We can't push it ahead at a rate beyond which he's working … unless the Lord build the house we labour in vain. So, we need to work with him … We have to look beyond the situation to God who's above and beyond all those situations … There's so many issues and we're only a little part of the cog. God's using the church.”
Lord Edmiston has also been involved in the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer project.
Construction on the landmark was scheduled to begin in November 2025 after its initial £40 million fundraising target was met.
The land was given by IM Properties, the Midlands-based company owned by Lord Edmiston, which also made a significant financial contribution towards the build.
Explaining the vision behind the project, he shared: “It is a testament to present and future generations of the creator of the universe who has answered numerous prayers over centuries past and still is answering them today. If we don’t remember the God who stood by us in our darkest hours as a nation, then we are condemned to have a future absent of his divine guidance and protection.”
The monument is expected to open to the public in 2028.
Lord Edmiston concluded in the Evangelical 360 episode: “Everything we have, we give away. And if we've got a project, we'll give it away to someone who can do it better than us. There's no tribalism here. I'm not trying to build a local church. What we're doing is trying to build the kingdom of God.”
Originally published by Christian Today ]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Swiss government report highlights positive impact of church-backed refugee hosting on integration]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/swiss-report-highlights-positive-impact-of-church-backed-refugee-hosting-on-integration</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/swiss-report-highlights-positive-impact-of-church-backed-refugee-hosting-on-integration</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Private households and community networks across Switzerland have played a key role in hosting refugees from Ukraine, with new government findings highlighting the positive impact of such arrangements on integration and social cohesion.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ SEA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Private households and community networks across Switzerland have played a key role in hosting refugees from Ukraine, with new government findings highlighting the positive impact of such arrangements on integration and social cohesion. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Churches across Switzerland were among the first to mobilize support for Ukrainians displaced by the war, providing shelter, community and practical assistance in the early months following the full-scale invasion.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ SEA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Churches across Switzerland were among the first to mobilize support for Ukrainians displaced by the war, providing shelter, community and practical assistance in the early months following the full-scale invasion. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:10:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A new report by the Swiss Federal Council has found that privately hosting Ukrainian refugees has had a generally positive effect on their integration, affirming the role played by churches and faith-based networks in supporting displaced people since the start of the war in Ukraine.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A new report by the Swiss Federal Council has found that privately hosting Ukrainian refugees has had a generally positive effect on their integration, affirming the role played by churches and faith-based networks in supporting displaced people since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The report, adopted April 1, concludes that refugees who stayed with host families were better able to navigate daily life in Switzerland and showed positive trends in social, linguistic, cultural and professional integration. While these outcomes are not considered conclusively proven, the findings point to the value of close personal contact between refugees and local communities.
The Swiss Evangelical Alliance (SEA) welcomed the report, noting that many of the early efforts to house and support Ukrainian refugees were led or supported by churches within its network.
In a statement released April 7, the SEA highlighted that private accommodation initiatives—such as the kirchen-helfen.ch platform—enabled more than 1,000 Ukrainian refugees to find housing with individuals and families across Switzerland. The network, which collaborates with around 100 local churches, also reported additional capacity for further placements during the early phase of the crisis.
“When many people opened their doors and offered private accommodation, this has now proven to be valuable,” the SEA said, referencing the Federal Council’s findings. It added that such efforts helped refugees manage everyday life and contributed to integration across multiple areas.
The government report also suggests that private hosting arrangements may strengthen public acceptance of refugees and contribute to social cohesion. However, it notes that the financial impact remains unclear, as potential savings from faster workforce integration may be offset by the costs of recruiting and supporting host families.
The Federal Council has invited Switzerland’s cantonal authorities to consider expanding private accommodation as a complementary approach in future crises and encouraged further measures to strengthen civil society engagement in refugee integration.
The findings build on extensive grassroots efforts that began shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the time, the SEA’s humanitarian task force coordinated support for refugees both within Switzerland and in neighboring countries.

According to earlier reporting by the alliance, around 30,000 Ukrainian refugees were registered in Switzerland in the early months of the war. In addition to private hosting initiatives, Christian organizations—including partners working through SEA-RES—delivered approximately 100 truckloads of humanitarian aid, totaling an estimated 700 tons, into Ukraine.
Church networks also mobilized training and support for volunteers and host families, including guidance on assisting individuals affected by trauma. Resources were developed in cooperation with partners such as the European Evangelical Alliance, which provided expertise on refugee care and protection, particularly for women and children vulnerable to exploitation.
Humanitarian groups such as World Vision also contributed by establishing child-friendly spaces in refugee reception centers, offering safe environments for children affected by displacement.
The SEA said the Federal Council’s report represents recognition of the “selfless” efforts of church members and volunteers who responded rapidly to the crisis and continue to accompany refugees in Switzerland.
The State Secretariat for Migration is expected to work with civil society partners to explore how such engagement can be further strengthened, as Switzerland considers longer-term approaches to refugee integration.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['They Stole Our Home': First episode of Faith Without Frontiers podcast explores faith, loss and resilience amid Ukraine war]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/they-stole-our-home-first-episode-of-faith-without-frontiers-podcast-explores-faith-loss-and-resilience-amid-ukraine-war</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/they-stole-our-home-first-episode-of-faith-without-frontiers-podcast-explores-faith-loss-and-resilience-amid-ukraine-war</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Faith Without Frontiers Episode 1]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:24:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The first episode of Faith Without Frontiers, a newly launched global podcast by Christian Daily International, brings listeners into a deeply personal account of war, displacement and faith through the voices of Ukrainian theologian Valentyn Syniy and his wife, Luba.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The first episode of Faith Without Frontiers, a newly launched global podcast by Christian Daily International, brings listeners into a deeply personal account of war, displacement and faith through the voices of Ukrainian theologian Valentyn Syniy and his wife, Luba.
Hosted by Gordon Showell-Rogers, the weekly podcast series aims to highlight how Christian faith intersects with real-world challenges across cultures and regions. The opening episode, titled “They Stole Our Home: Transformed by War,” sets the tone with a conversation shaped by lived experience rather than abstract analysis.
Syniy, president of the Tavriysky Christian Institute in Ukraine, recounts the upheaval of leaving his hometown of Kherson following Russia’s occupation, describing not only the loss of physical structures but the deeper rupture of identity and belonging. The couple reflects on the meaning of “home” as more than a place—encompassing family, church, city and nation—and how that understanding is reshaped under the pressures of war.
Without detailing every moment of their story, the episode touches on the forced relocation of an entire seminary community, the destruction and repurposing of its campus, and the personal cost of conflict, including the loss of colleagues and students. At the same time, it hints at unexpected developments, such as new churches emerging among Ukrainian refugees across Europe and ongoing efforts to train chaplains and peacebuilders amid the crisis.
Throughout the conversation, the Syniys also grapple with difficult theological and moral questions, including the nature of reconciliation and the challenges of maintaining faith when suffering is inflicted not only by enemies but, at times, by fellow Christians.
As Christian Daily International expands its multimedia storytelling, Faith Without Frontiers seeks to offer listeners a window into global Christian experiences that are often underreported or misunderstood. The debut episode provides only a glimpse into the Syniys’ story, inviting audiences to hear the full conversation and engage more deeply with the human realities behind headlines.
Listen to the podcast.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[UK MPs demand Nigeria-Britain renewed ties should be pegged on the freedom and safety of Christians]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/uk-mps-demand-nigeria-britain-renewed-ties-should-be-pegged-on-the-freedom-and-safety-of-christians</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/uk-mps-demand-nigeria-britain-renewed-ties-should-be-pegged-on-the-freedom-and-safety-of-christians</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vincent Matinde]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Bola Tinubu in UK]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Bola Tinubu/Facebook ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ President Bola Tinubu with UK PM Keir Starmer. This is the first state visit by a Nigerian president to Britain in nearly 40 years framed by Nigerian officials as a turning point in bilateral relations. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:34:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Nigeria and the United Kingdom have moved to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties following President Bola Tinubu’s state visit on March 18 - 19. But UK lawmakers and Christian groups warn that future cooperation should depend on ending violence against Christians.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have moved to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties following President Bola Tinubu’s state visit on March 18 - 19. But UK lawmakers and Christian groups warn that future cooperation should depend on ending violence against Christians.
Tinubu’s official state visit, which is the first by a Nigerian president to Britain in nearly 40 years, was framed by Nigerian officials as a turning point in bilateral relations, focused on trade, investment and global partnership.
In an official statement, the Nigerian presidency described the trip as “the beginning of a renewed phase in diplomatic, economic and cultural relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom,” highlighting efforts to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
Presidential spokesman Tunde Rahman called the visit a “historic and glorious moment for Nigeria,” emphasizing its symbolic importance and the country’s re-emergence on the global stage.
Meetings during the visit included engagements at Windsor Castle and Downing Street, alongside discussions on expanding trade and investment. Reports also pointed to major economic interests, including infrastructure and port development projects, as central to the talks.
Commentary by The Guardian noted that the visit reflects Nigeria’s broader ambition to position itself as a regional power and attract foreign investment, signaling what it described as a return to the global stage.
But even as both governments emphasized renewed partnership, UK lawmakers and Christian advocacy groups cautioned that the issue of violence against Christians in Nigeria cannot be ignored.
Conditional cooperation
More than 200 members of Parliament and peers called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to raise the matter directly with Tinubu, urging that human rights, particularly religious freedom, be made a condition of future cooperation.
In a joint letter, lawmakers from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief warned that Nigeria must take urgent steps to address attacks on Christian communities.
The group’s chairman, Jim Shannon, said Nigeria must take “concrete steps to prevent the harassment, persecution and killing of Christians, while ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted.”
The letter also called for human rights obligations to become “fundamental to all future diplomatic, security and trade discussions” between the two countries.
Christian campaigners have echoed those demands, arguing that Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians. They cite ongoing attacks on churches, kidnappings and killings in rural communities, often linked to extremist groups and armed militias.
Advocates say economic leverage may be one of the few tools capable of driving meaningful change, and have urged the UK government to tie trade deals and diplomatic engagement to measurable improvements in security and accountability.
Some lawmakers had gone further, calling on Starmer to confront Tinubu directly over the issue during the visit, describing the situation as urgent and long overdue for action.
Despite the pressure, Nigerian officials have not publicly responded to calls for conditional trade or acknowledged the issue in the same terms as UK critics.
Instead, the Nigerian government has consistently framed the violence as part of a broader security crisis affecting multiple communities, including both Christians and Muslims, driven by terrorism, banditry and communal conflict.
Nigeria has faced years of instability involving insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, alongside criminal gangs responsible for kidnappings and attacks on villages, according to international media reports.
While Christians are among those affected, experts say the wider conflict is fueled by a complex mix of factors, including economic hardship, land disputes and weak security infrastructure.
The differing narratives have created a delicate diplomatic balancing act for the UK government.
On one hand, Britain maintains strong historical and economic ties with Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies and a key regional partner. On the other, domestic political pressure is mounting for a more values-driven foreign policy that prioritizes human rights.
Lawmakers warn that failing to act risks undermining the UK’s global commitment to freedom of religion. For Nigerian officials, however, the focus remains firmly on strengthening ties and projecting stability.
The visit was presented as an opportunity to deepen cooperation, attract investment and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a significant global player.
The contrast in priorities underscores a broader tension between economic diplomacy and human rights advocacy - one that remains unresolved.
As both countries move forward with plans to expand cooperation, the question of whether human rights concerns will shape future agreements continues to hang over the relationship.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Faith Without Frontiers: Christian Daily International launches global podcast series]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/faith-without-frontiers-christian-daily-international-launches-global-podcast-series</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/faith-without-frontiers-christian-daily-international-launches-global-podcast-series</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Faith Without Frontiers CDI Podcast Cover]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:57:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Christian Daily International is launching an international podcast series, Faith Without Frontiers, on March 31, 2026, marking a new chapter in its mission to share stories of faith, resilience and leadership from across the global Church.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christian Daily International is launching an international podcast series, Faith Without Frontiers, on March 31, 2026, marking a new chapter in its mission to share stories of faith, resilience and leadership from across the global Church.
Hosted by Gordon Showell-Rogers, International Director of Christian Daily International, the podcast will release 10 episodes in its first season, with new installments published every Tuesday.
The series is made up of heart-to-heart conversations with Christian believers, many in leadership roles, from a wide range of nations and professional backgrounds. From Europe to the Middle East, Africa to North America and Asia, guests include legal professionals, humanitarian workers, entrepreneurs, academics, public servants and survivors of profound hardship. Their stories touch on justice issues, displacement, war, human trafficking, ethical leadership, youth ministry and public life.
“The podcasts are simply conversations with extraordinary friends about their amazing and challenging faith journeys, and what has shaped their lives,” Showell-Rogers said. “I’m deeply grateful for friends’ willingness to speak very openly, often sharing deeply personal realities.”
He said what has struck him most is the goodness of God in very diverse circumstances and contexts.
“What this very international series of conversations has in common is a sense of the presence of God, the work of God in often dark, sometimes funny situations all over the world,” he said. “I hope that others will enjoy the first series as much as I have enjoyed recording them.”
The title Faith Without Frontiers reflects both the geographical breadth of the guests and the spiritual theme that unites them — stories of faith stepping beyond boundaries, both personal and international.
It was not the only title under consideration. Showell-Rogers’ teenage grandson suggested the more playful: “Gordon’s Gospel Gossip.” “In many ways, that title captures the authentic, unscripted nature of these conversations between friends. My guests have all loved it,” he said. “But we decided that a slightly more serious title might be good - at least for now.”
While the contexts differ — from courtrooms to classrooms, from refugee ministries to national institutions — a common thread runs through each episode: perseverance and hope rooted in Christ.
“I am struck by the resilience of the human spirit and the resilience of the human spirit in Christ,” he said. “Some of the stories are deeply painful. But each person is continuing to trust God, walking forward with Christ and serving Him in remarkable ways.”
The podcast aligns closely with Christian Daily International’s broader mission to strengthen global Christian unity and understanding.
“Our overall aim is to help believers around the world hear one another’s stories and understand that we are all part of one body in Christ globally,” Showell-Rogers said. “I hope that as you listen, you will find yourself thinking, ‘That person’s God is my God.’”
He added that the stories may encourage listeners — perhaps particularly younger believers — to consider how their own professions and life paths can become avenues of service.
“I hope that something of that will come across when people listen,” he said, “and that people will feel inspired to walk with Christ, serving him in their own area, in the place to which the Lord has called them.”
Season 1 of Faith Without Frontiers begins March 31, 2026, with new episodes released every Tuesday.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christians Against Poverty and Community Money Advice unite to tackle U.K. debt crisis]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christians-against-poverty-and-community-money-advice-unite-to-tackle-uk-debt-crisis</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christians-against-poverty-and-community-money-advice-unite-to-tackle-uk-debt-crisis</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[debt]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Vitaly Gariev / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:18:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has announced a merger with Community Money Advice (CMA), aiming to create the U.K.’s largest specialist community-based debt advice charity.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has announced a merger with Community Money Advice (CMA), aiming to create the U.K.’s largest specialist community-based debt advice charity.
In an announcement released ahead of Debt Awareness Week, CAP said that while the identities of both organisations will be maintained, the merger creates a stronger, unified front against the national debt crisis.
The charity said the combined organisation will support a national network of nearly 400 centres based in local churches and community groups.
“As we see poverty deepening across the U.K., we believe this partnership is an important one, ensuring that the Church remains at the very heart of professional, compassionate debt advice,” a CAP spokesperson said.
Stewart McCulloch, Chief Executive Officer of CAP, will serve as CAP Group Chief Executive, leading the combined organisation.
“Together we have a powerful and united front against debt,” said McCulloch.
“We now have over a thousand highly trained debt advisors, mentors and coaches based in communities across the UK, dedicated to bringing hope where there was fear, support where there was isolation, and the warmth of community into cold homes. We are also supported by a similar number of amazing people delivering money coaching, life skills, and job clubs.”
Over the past 30 years, at least a quarter of a million people have benefited from CAP’s work, McCulloch said.
“Our unified vision is clear: that anyone in financial crisis and emotional distress will be able to get the support they need in their community, ensuring no one has to face the devastating impact of debt alone,” he added.
Julian Mander, Chair of CMA, said the merger would strengthen the work of both charities.
“In coming together, we will enhance all of the support models we currently offer to our partner churches and community organisations,” said Mander.
“The shared expertise and resources will ensure our local partners are better equipped than ever to meet the complex needs of their communities.”
The announcement comes as the BBC reports that 13.4 million people, including four million children and 1.69 million pensioners, are living in relative poverty in the U.K.—an increase of half a million in the year to March 2025, according to the latest government figures.
CAP said poverty in the country has “deepened” in recent years, negatively affecting both children and working adults.
The charity added that the incomes of the lowest 20% of earners have flatlined, while essential costs for food, heating, housing, and clothing have risen sharply.
Millions of people are being forced to face “impossible choices,” such as choosing between heating their homes or eating, undermining their financial resilience.
This has pushed many into a downward spiral toward financial crisis.
Both CAP and CMA report a rise in chronic physical and mental health issues among clients struggling with debt.
Consumer specialist Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, praised both the practical and emotional support provided by CAP and expressed support for the merger with CMA.
“Christians Against Poverty has long been a force for good in debt counselling — I get great feedback from people who’ve used it,” said Lewis.
“It tends to spend far longer with its clients than many other similar agencies, enabling it to help with the emotional fallout as well as the financial practicalities.
“I hope the scale and community reach of this combined charity will be a lifeline for many more people struggling with debt.”
Government data shows that about eight million adults are trapped in “crisis levels of debt,” with up to a third actively seeking community-based debt advice.
David Nussbaum, Chair of CAP, highlighted the vision behind the move.
“Coming alongside CMA allows us to ensure continued access to the expert help people need. We can now reach thousands more people trapped in deep financial crises, extreme anxiety, and isolation that leaves them feeling crushed,” said Nussbaum.
“This partnership is a big boost for hope and practical assistance.”
The combined charities will continue in close partnership with local churches, while CMA’s additional support for community organisations will also continue.
The collaborative model aims to equip local partners to provide comprehensive, face-to-face financial assistance across three core areas: financial education, enabling individuals to better manage their money and increase their income; expert debt advice, delivered through regulated partners supported by specialist advice hubs; and targeted charity support, strengthening organizations that are themselves regulated debt advice providers.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Bible Society withdraws ‘Quiet Revival’ data after survey found faulty]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/bible-society-withdraws-quiet-revival-data-after-survey-found-faulty</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/bible-society-withdraws-quiet-revival-data-after-survey-found-faulty</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[people at church]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Abby Stevens / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:23:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Bible Society has acknowledged that data underpinning its widely cited “Quiet Revival” report is flawed, reversing its earlier confidence in the findings after errors were identified in the underlying survey.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Bible Society has acknowledged that data underpinning its widely cited “Quiet Revival” report is flawed, reversing its earlier confidence in the findings after errors were identified in the underlying survey.
The organization had previously defended the report—published in April 2025 by the Bible Society of England and Wales—which suggested a sharp rise in church attendance among young adults, with monthly participation among 18- to 24-year-olds increasing from 4% in 2018 to 16% in 2024. As recently as February, a senior research leader told Christian Daily International the methodology was sound and the data “robust,” citing assurances from research partner YouGov.
In a statement released March 26, however, Chief Executive Paul Williams said the data can no longer be considered reliable after YouGov acknowledged faults in the 2024 survey sample.
“Earlier this month, YouGov informed the Bible Society that the 2024 survey sample on which our report The Quiet Revival was based was faulty, and it can no longer be regarded as a reliable source of information about the spiritual landscape in Britain,” Williams said.
“We recognize that this news may feel discouraging, and we share that sense of disappointment.”
Williams said the Bible Society had repeatedly sought and received assurances from YouGov regarding both the robustness of the methodology and the reliability of the report’s conclusions over a 15-month period.
YouGov said in early March that it had failed to activate key quality control technologies designed to protect the sample from a wide range of errors, undermining the reliability of the results, Williams said.
“We are therefore deeply disappointed that YouGov not only made an error but also discovered it only recently. We are grateful that YouGov’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephan Shakespeare, has personally apologized.”
Shakespeare’s apology was included in the Bible Society’s statement.
“YouGov takes full responsibility for the outputs of the original 2024 research, and we apologize for what has happened,” Shakespeare said. “We would like to stress that the Bible Society has at all times accurately and responsibly reported the data we supplied to them.”
The Bible Society said it originally commissioned the research to better understand “what is truly happening on the ground,” Williams said.
“We would also stress that YouGov’s error does not mean that all of the findings were wrong—it means that we cannot reliably support those findings on the basis of this survey,” he added.
Despite the setback, Williams said there is still “a very positive story to tell.”
“Over the past year, we have seen an unprecedented public conversation about Christianity, with countless stories of a spiritual awakening among Gen Z, alongside greatly increased Bible sales in the UK, growing numbers of adult baptisms and confirmations, and increased attendance at evangelism courses,” he said.
“This wider picture is also supported by a number of other surveys, based on probability sampling, which point to increased engagement in faith among young adults compared to older generations.”
Both the Ipsos Mori 2023 Global Religion Survey and the Bible Society’s analysis of recent Pew Research Center data on spirituality around the world suggest that young adults in the UK are more likely to pray and attend worship services than older generations.
“While religious identity overall is shifting from ‘Christian’ to ‘no religion,’ Christianity in Britain appears to be moving from a declining nominal faith to a more committed and active one, as cultural shifts—especially among younger people—encourage a more proactive search for identity, meaning, and purpose,” Williams said.
The Bible Society has compiled this “intriguing evidence” in a new report, The Quiet Revival One Year On: What’s the Story?
“To better understand this changing landscape, we are committed to a broad program of research exploring attitudes toward the Bible and faith using a range of methodologies,” Williams said.
Meanwhile, the Bible Society plans to repeat the YouGov survey later in 2026, nearly two years after the original, “having ensured the appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure reliable results.”
“We don’t yet know what these findings will reveal, but we remain committed to rigorously reporting on the state of spirituality in England and Wales today,” Williams said.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Ex-government minister in Finland found guilty of ‘hate speech’]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ex-government-minister-in-finland-found-guilty-of-hate-speech</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ex-government-minister-in-finland-found-guilty-of-hate-speech</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Päivi Räsänen says she stands by the teachings of her Christian faith despite her conviction for “hate speech.”]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ ADF International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Päivi Räsänen says she stands by the teachings of her Christian faith despite her conviction for “hate speech.” ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:03:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Finland on Thursday (March 26) found a former government minister guilty of “hate speech” for her biblical views on marriage following two prior acquittals by lower courts.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Supreme Court of Finland on Thursday (March 26) found a former government minister guilty of “hate speech” for her biblical views on marriage following two prior acquittals by lower courts.
In a 3-2 decision, the court ruled against Päivi Räsänen for expressing her beliefs on marriage and sexual ethics in a 20-year-old church pamphlet. The court also criminally convicted Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola for publishing the 2004 pamphlet, according to legal rights group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International.
The court levied fines of several thousand euros on both Räsänen and Pohjola and ordered the removal and destruction of the impugned statements. Räsänen has been sentenced to a fine equivalent to 20 days’ wages (in her case, 1,800 euros) and she will also have to pay her own legal costs, according to Evangelical Focus. Pohjola was also given a 20-day fine, and his publishing house, Finnish Lutheran Foundation, must pay a fine of 5,000 euros.
The convictions were based on “making and keeping available to the public a text that insults a group,” the court ruled.
“I am shocked and profoundly disappointed that the court has failed to recognize my basic human right to freedom of expression,” Räsänen said in a press statement. “I stand by the teachings of my Christian faith, and will continue to defend my and every person’s right to share their convictions in the public square.”
Räsänen, a former minister of the interior, originally faced criminal charges for sharing her views on marriage in a 2019 tweet on X, formerly Twitter. In its ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court on unanimously acquitted her for that specific post.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in April 2024 after the state prosecutor appealed two previous acquittals from the Helsinki District Court and the Court of Appeal. The high court heard arguments in October before issuing Thursday’s ruling.
The court applied a section of the Finnish criminal code titled “war crimes and crimes against humanity” to secure the convictions. While the court ruled on the 2019 tweet and the 2004 pamphlet, it did not address a third charge regarding a radio debate because the prosecution did not appeal that specific acquittal.
Räsänen, a grandmother of 12, now plans to seek legal advice regarding a possible appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
“This is not about my free speech alone, but that of every person in Finland,” she said. “A positive ruling would help to prevent other innocent people from experiencing the same ordeal for simply sharing their beliefs.”
The court held that Räsänen and the bishop “made available to the public and kept available to the public opinions that insult homosexuals as a group on the basis of their sexual orientation.”
While the court noted the text did not incite violence or “threat-like fomenting of hatred,” judges convicted Räsänen because she continued to share the 2004 article on her social media pages in 2019 and 2020 after police launched an investigation.
Regarding the 2019 tweet questioning her church’s sponsorship of a Pride event, the court found the post did not meet the criteria for incitement because she “justified her opinion by citing a biblical text.”
ADF International quoted Finnish State Prosecutor Anu Mantila, who argued that the law allows Bible citations but criminalizes Räsänen’s specific interpretations.
“Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democracy,” said Paul Coleman, executive director of ADF International. “However, the conviction for a simple church pamphlet published decades ago – before the law under which she has been convicted was even passed – is an outrageous example of state censorship.”
The ruling is a stark reminder that no democracy is immune from the erosion of fundamental freedoms, said Kristen Waggoner, chief executive officer, president and chief counsel of ADF International.
“Punishing peaceful expression, especially when it is based on deeply held religious convictions, undermines the very foundation of free societies,” Waggoner said.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Thousands gather for installation of Sarah Mullally as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/thousands-gather-for-installation-of-sarah-mullally-as-106th-archbishop-of-canterbury</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/thousands-gather-for-installation-of-sarah-mullally-as-106th-archbishop-of-canterbury</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Today]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, during her installation at Canterbury Cathedral.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, during her installation at Canterbury Cathedral. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:30:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Dame Sarah Mullally has been formally installed today as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to hold the role in the Church of England’s 1,400-year history.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Dame Sarah Mullally has been formally installed today as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to hold the role in the Church of England’s 1,400-year history.
The installation ceremony took place at Canterbury Cathedral on the Feast of the Annunciation and marks the official beginning of her public ministry as the head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, which includes around 85 million members worldwide.
The congregation of around 2,000 guests included the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Christian leaders from within the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and other denominations and traditions.
Reflecting her past career in the NHS prior to becoming ordained, Dame Sarah also invited NHS nurses and carers working in hospitals and hospices to her installation. 
In another nod to her personal connection with the NHS, the clasp for the cope and mitre worn during the ceremony was made from the belt buckle she wore while serving as a nurse in the NHS.
The installation service took the theme of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and combined centuries-old tradition with modern symbolism, with Dame Sarah seated in the historic Chair of St Augustine during the ceremony and presented with her pastoral staff, symbolic of her role as a shepherd.
From the Chair of St Augustine, she opened her sermon with the words, "For nothing will be impossible with God" - the words spoken by the Angel Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:37.
She said this assurance from the angel "resonates with me" because her teenage self who made a commitment to follow Jesus "could never have imagined" her future ministry as the Archbishop of Canterbury. 
She went on to remember her Anglican brothers and sisters unable to attend her installation in person due to the war in the Middle East and Gulf. 
"We pray for them without ceasing and for all those in war-torn areas of the world - in Ukraine, in Sudan, and Myanmar - that they would know God's presence with them, just as we pray for peace to prevail," she said. 
During her sermon, the Archbishop acknowledged hurt stemming from safeguarding failures within the Church of England - it was such failures that brought down her predecessor, Justin Welby.
"And in a world already torn by conflict, suffering and division, we must also acknowledge the hurt that exists much closer to home," she continued.
"We must not overlook or minimise the pain experienced by those who have been harmed through the actions, inactions and failures of those in our own Christian churches and communities.
"Today and every day, we hold victims and survivors in our hearts and in our prayers, and we must remain committed to truth, compassion, justice and action." 
The Archbishop went on to speak of "hope" grounded in the trust that God walks with His people and "that God will do a new thing". 
"The moment of encounter between Mary and the Angel Gabriel announces the mystery of the Incarnation - the definitive moment that reveals God with us, Immanuel.
"In the Incarnation, we see God becoming one of us, and this gives me such hope for the Church," she said as she praised the impact of "ordinary people who, like Mary, have the audacity to believe that with God, we can do extraordinary things". 
The Archbishop was installed after walking from St Paul's Cathedral in London to Canterbury Cathedral on a six-day pilgrimage. She touched on this journey several times during her sermon and how she saw it mirrored in her life and ministry. 
"For me, this hope and trust in God began as I committed my life to Jesus and God has been with me each and every step of my pilgrim path, and I trust He walks with me now," she said. 
She concluded her sermon, "May we have the audacity to believe in the promises of God. For with Him, nothing will be impossible."
For the first time since 1945, a modern Bible was used to swear the oath. For nearly 60 years, Archbishops of Canterbury have been sworn in using the 6th-century Augustine Gospels, believed to be a relic of the first Archbishop of Canterbury, St Augustine. However, the gospels, which reside at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge, are fragile and not easily moved so the cathedral chose to use the Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition instead. 
Reflecting the diversity of the global Anglican Communion, a prayer was given in the Bemba language of Zambia by the Primate of Central Africa, Most Rev Albert Chama, while the Gospel reading was delivered in Spanish by the acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Mexico, Bishop Alba Sally Sue Hernández García.
The hymns chosen by Archbishop Mullally were Tell Out My Soul and Praise my Soul the King of Heaven. 
Speaking ahead of the service, she had said: “As I prepare to begin my ministry as Archbishop of Canterbury, I am grateful for the prayers and support I have received from people here and around the world.
"To be welcomed into the city and diocese of Canterbury is an immense privilege – and I am grateful to be sharing in this moment with people of all ages and backgrounds from across the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, our nation and the world.
"Our world today needs the love, healing and hope that we find in Jesus Christ. I continue to pray that we renew our confidence in this good news, and recommit ourselves to sharing the joy of the Gospel."
Mullally's installation follows her formal confirmation in January, when she legally became Archbishop.
She succeeds Justin Welby at a time of considerable challenge for the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. Some of this is owing to ongoing divisions around issues like sexuality - the Gafcon movement has refused to recognise her authority and is pursuing a path of “principled disengagement” from Canterbury. 
Her supporters, however, see her as a conciliatory and experienced leader who they hope will bring a steady hand to the Church. 
Dr David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, said: “Each new Archbishop brings their own particular gifts and experiences to the role with a sense of renewed hope. 
"Installing Sarah as our first female Archbishop would have almost been unimaginable even 50 years ago. Today matters.
"As we combine centuries of tradition in this ancient service with those elements unique to Sarah's ministry, we welcome her to our Cathedral and diocese, and pray for her as she takes on the role of Archbishop of Canterbury.”
Originally published by Christian Today]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[UK House of Lords passes abortion measure; evangelical leader calls it 'a tragic failure']]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/uk-house-of-lords-passes-abortion-measure-evangelical-leader-calls-it-a-tragic-failure</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/uk-house-of-lords-passes-abortion-measure-evangelical-leader-calls-it-a-tragic-failure</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[pregnant woman]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ freestocks | Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:50:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Mothers in England and Wales may be less likely to face criminal charges for ending their own pregnancies up to birth after the House of Lords approved a controversial legal measure on Wednesday (March 18), prompting strong concern from evangelical leaders who say the change weakens protections for women and unborn children.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Mothers in England and Wales may be less likely to face criminal charges for ending their own pregnancies up to birth after the House of Lords approved a controversial legal measure on Wednesday (March 18), prompting strong concern from evangelical leaders who say the change weakens protections for women and unborn children.
The upper chamber of the U.K. Parliament voted 185–148 to retain Clause 208 of the Crime and Policing Bill, which would decriminalize women who end or attempt to end their pregnancies at any stage. The provision had previously been approved by the House of Commons in June 2025.
Peers rejected all proposed amendments except one, introduced by Baroness Glenys Thornton, which would pardon women previously convicted or cautioned under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 for ending their own pregnancies. Because of that amendment, the bill will return to the House of Commons for further consideration.
Speaking during the debate, Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, outlined the Church of England’s position, describing it as one of principled opposition to abortion while acknowledging “limited conditions under which abortion may be preferable to any available alternatives.”
“This is based on the belief in the infinite value of every human life, however old or young, including life not yet born,” she said.“The infinite value of human life underpins much of our legal system and has shaped existing laws on abortion. All life is precious. Women facing the complex decision to terminate a pregnancy deserve our utmost understanding, care, and practical support as they navigate what is often a heart-wrenching choice.”
Mullally opposed Clause 208, warning it could weaken existing legal safeguards.
“I am reminded of the call of the prophet Micah to do justice and to love mercy,” she added. “Balancing justice and mercy is the challenge we are debating today. I do not think women should be prosecuted for actions relating to their own pregnancies, but I also do not wish to see any increase in late-term abortions.”
Baroness Kishwer Falkner of Margravine also opposed full decriminalization, arguing for a system in which the law remains but prosecutions are tightly controlled.
“The question for society is whether policy and law resolve both sides of a problem,” Falkner said. “Do we pass a law that entirely removes criminal sanctions for rare but potentially criminal acts?”
She noted that police may still need to investigate cases in which a lifeless infant or late-stage fetus is found, even if women themselves are no longer criminally liable.
Douglas Hogg, 3rd Viscount Hailsham, questioned how the law could distinguish between a child just born and one about to be born, saying the ending of near-term life could only be justified “in the most compelling circumstances.”
“This is not merely personal morality,” Hogg said. “It reflects the value society and Parliament place on human life.”
He also criticized the clause as a departure from existing law passed without full scrutiny.
Baroness Rosa Monckton of Dallington Forest similarly argued the measure lacked adequate evidence, consultation and impact assessment.
“It is a radical proposal with implications for women’s mental and physical health and lethal consequences for viable unborn children,” she said.
Supporters of the clause emphasized access to care and medical safety.
Baroness Tessa Blackstone, chair of the Board of Trustees for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said telemedical abortion — “pills by post” — has proven safe and effective.
“Waiting times fell, gestational age at treatment declined, and 98.8% of abortions were successfully completed with medication,” she said. “Safety is not just clinical outcomes. Women accessing early medical abortion through licensed providers receive consultations that follow established safeguarding protocols.”
About half of patients still receive in-person care, she said, arguing that telemedicine expands choice without removing clinic access.
Baroness Frances D’Souza expressed support for abortion access but raised concerns about late-term cases, emphasizing the importance of in-person consultations to maintain safeguards.
Baroness Sheila Lawlor warned the measure could increase risks for both mothers and babies, particularly in cases involving home-administered abortions.
Outside Parliament, evangelical leaders voiced strong opposition.
Dawn McAvoy, advocate with the Evangelical Alliance UK and head of the Both Lives initiative, said the vote weakens protections for women and unborn children.
“By approving this measure, parliamentarians are allowing women to self-administer abortions at home at any stage of pregnancy,” she said. “This is not a victory for women — it is a tragic failure. Parliament has voted to facilitate dangerous, backstreet-style abortions.”
McAvoy compared the move to Northern Ireland’s 2019 decriminalization, noting that abortion rates there have tripled in six years. She also cited a case of a teenage girl who traveled to England for an abortion, which her mother described as traumatic.
“We do not know the full circumstances leading her to end her pregnancy at around five months,” McAvoy said.“However, it appears she may have been inadequately informed about the physical and psychological implications of a second-trimester abortion.”
She warned that combining decriminalization with telemedicine could further increase access to late-term abortions. “The lack of clinical oversight leaves women more vulnerable than ever. This is not healthcare — this is abandonment.”
Calling for renewed safeguards, McAvoy urged lawmakers to restore in-person consultations and expand support for women facing crisis pregnancies.
“As Christians, we are called to uphold the dignity of every human life and care for those in need,” she said. “Parliament must now provide life-affirming support for women in crisis pregnancies, ensuring both mother and child are treated with dignity before and after birth.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Evangelical leaders welcome Scotland’s rejection of assisted dying bill]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evangelical-leaders-welcome-scotlands-rejection-of-assisted-dying-bill</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evangelical-leaders-welcome-scotlands-rejection-of-assisted-dying-bill</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Members of the Scottish Family Party demonstrate against the assisted dying bill, as Scottish Parliament holds the final vote on the Assisted Dying Bill on March 17, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MARCH 17: Members of the Scottish Family Party demonstrate against the assisted dying bill, as Scottish Parliament holds the final vote on the Assisted Dying Bill on March 17, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Scottish Parliament holds its final Stage 3 vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, targeting mentally competent adults aged 18 and over with a prognosis of six months or less. The legislation is on a "knife edge" after passing its first stage in 2025, with several MSPs withdrawing support over concerns about safeguards and medical professional neutrality. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:03:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Scotland’s Parliament voted on March 17 to reject a bill that would have legalized assisted dying for terminally ill adults, prompting a strong response from leaders of the UK Evangelical Alliance, who said the outcome protects vulnerable people and upholds the value of life.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Scotland’s Parliament voted on March 17 to reject a bill that would have legalized assisted dying for terminally ill adults, prompting a strong response from leaders of the UK Evangelical Alliance, who said the outcome protects vulnerable people and upholds the value of life.
Lawmakers voted 69 against the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill and 57 in favor. One member abstained, while two did not vote. The result reversed earlier support for the measure at its first stage in May 2025, when it passed by 70 votes to 56.
The proposed legislation would have allowed terminally ill adults aged 16 and over, with a prognosis of six months or less and deemed to have decision-making capacity, to request medical assistance to end their lives. Under the bill, two doctors would have been required to approve the request, and a health professional would have provided a substance that the patient could choose to self-administer.
Evangelical Alliance leaders welcomed the outcome, emphasizing concerns about coercion, safeguarding and the broader societal impact of assisted dying laws.
Danny Webster, director of advocacy for the UK Evangelical Alliance, said the proposed law “did little” to ensure that vulnerable individuals would not be pressured into ending their lives and failed to fully protect medical professionals unwilling to participate.
“While pressure groups advocating for a change in the law bought adverts on the front of all major Scottish newspapers, the campaign resisting the change spanned every sector of society,” Webster said. “From medical groups to disability campaigners, from legal experts to Christian leaders, the coalition of opposition urging caution and eventually successfully persuading politicians to reject the change was powerful and diverse.”
Peter Lynas, the Evangelical Alliance’s UK director, described the decision as a reaffirmation of the need to prioritize care and protection for those nearing the end of life.
“The proposed legislation was unsafe, unworkable, and risked undermining the value of those who are elderly, disabled or nearing the end of life,” Lynas said. “Scotland must be a place where everyone can live with dignity and thrive.”
He added that the vote should prompt renewed investment in palliative and end-of-life care across health and social services.
The Scottish government maintained a neutral stance on the legislation throughout the debate, allowing members of Parliament to vote according to their conscience.
The bill was introduced by Liam McArthur, a member of the Scottish Parliament representing Orkney. Following the vote, he said he was “devastated” by the outcome and argued that the decision would delay what he described as an inevitable legal change.
The rejection marks the third time since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 that lawmakers have voted down proposals to legalize assisted dying.
The decision also highlights ongoing divisions across the United Kingdom on the issue. In England and Wales, the House of Commons approved similar legislation in December 2024, though it remains under consideration in the House of Lords and has not yet become law.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Confusion over abortion rights in Northern Ireland highlighted by reported case]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/confusion-over-abortion-rights-in-northern-ireland-highlighted-by-reported-case</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/confusion-over-abortion-rights-in-northern-ireland-highlighted-by-reported-case</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:54:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The case of a schoolgirl reportedly sent from Northern Ireland to England for an abortion, and reportedly left traumatized by the experience, shows how confusion remains about abortion rights, an evangelical advocate for mothers and children has told Christian Daily International.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[The case of a schoolgirl reportedly sent from Northern Ireland to England for an abortion, and reportedly left traumatized by the experience, shows how confusion remains about abortion rights, an evangelical advocate for mothers and children has told Christian Daily International.
The BBC reported (March 16) that the 18-year-old had been &ldquo;forced to wait for a flight home&rdquo; after the abortion last year (2025), at the same time as suffering bleeding and cramping.
The college student had been 18 weeks pregnant and could have accessed an abortion in Northern Ireland but was redirected to London due to confusion by the booking provider over the services available, the BBC reported. Abortion is allowed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy in Northern Ireland.
Pro-abortion charity Alliance for Choice was quoted by the BBC as warning that other women and girls in Northern Ireland may have traveled unnecessarily to obtain abortions.
Dawn McAvoy, an advocate with the Evangelical Alliance UK, also leads Both Lives, a UK-wide initiative advocating for both lives in every pregnancy.
McAvoy told Christian Daily International that the story showed an element of confusion about abortion rights.
&ldquo;I was reflecting on the story from yesterday and, in conversation with family, realized many people remain confused as to what the system is and how we got here,&rdquo; said McAvoy.
&ldquo;There was also ignorance as to how the current system is working, and news reports did not help.
&ldquo;I reminded those I spoke with that in 2019, Westminster [in London] voted to decriminalize abortion in Northern Ireland and introduce a new, regulated system of care. However, the abortion delivery framework was left insufficiently defined.&rdquo;
Since then, providers in Great Britain have been funded to offer telephone advice and information to women in Northern Ireland considering their options, said McAvoy.
By one measure, the system is functioning, she added, referencing the fact that more than 11,000 abortions have taken place in the past five years.
However, this case raised &ldquo;serious concerns,&rdquo; according to McAvoy.
&ldquo;A young woman reportedly received inaccurate information that led to unnecessary travel,&rdquo; she said.
&ldquo;While questions about these failures must be addressed, the deeper issue is the decision-making process itself, the quality of information provided and the support pathways available to women considering their pregnancy choices.
&ldquo;We do not know the full circumstances that led her to feel unable to continue her pregnancy and decide to have an abortion at around five months&rsquo; gestation. However, it appears she may also have been inadequately informed by the abortion advice service about the physical and psychological implications of a second-trimester abortion.&rdquo;
The lasting impact on the young woman, her partner and their family underscores the need for greater scrutiny, said McAvoy.
&ldquo;This case highlights the importance of ensuring that women receive accurate, comprehensive information and also truly informed, life-affirming support within a taxpayer-funded system,&rdquo; she added.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Paul's letter to the Romans should be read as a charter for world mission, German theologian says]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/paul-s-letter-to-the-romans-should-be-read-as-a-charter-for-world-mission-german-theologian-says</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/paul-s-letter-to-the-romans-should-be-read-as-a-charter-for-world-mission-german-theologian-says</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Thomas Schirrmacher Romans Book Cover]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:29:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[rman theologian and missiologist Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher is calling for a renewed understanding of the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Romans as a foundational text for global mission rather than a purely doctrinal treatise. In a recent interview with Christian Daily International, Schirrmacher reflects on insights from his latest book, The Letter to the Romans – a Charter for World Mission, arguing that Western theology has long overlooked the epistle’s missionary purpose.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
German theologian and missiologist Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, former secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, is calling for a renewed understanding of the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Romans as a foundational text for global mission rather than a purely doctrinal treatise. In a recent interview with Christian Daily International, Schirrmacher reflects on insights from his latest book, The Letter to the Romans – a Charter for World Mission, arguing that Western theology has long overlooked the epistle’s missionary purpose and that recovering this perspective is essential for shaping theological education, strengthening the global church and aligning doctrine more closely with the church’s calling to participate in God’s mission.
CDI: In your latest book, you argue that the Epistle to the Romans has been historically misread as a purely doctrinal text. Why do you believe its missionary character has been mostly overlooked, and why is recovering that emphasis important today?
Schirrmacher: Even though the first and last chapters of Romans make it clear that Paul wrote this letter from the midst of his missionary endeavors to gain the support of the church in Rome for his plans for world missions, Romans has largely been read as though Paul were primarily an important thinker with a professorship in Antioch. I believe the reason for this is that Romans was at the heart of dogmatic battles in church history several times when world missions were out of sight and reach of the Western church, especially during the Reformation in the 16th century. For the Western world, Romans is the Bible book that most closely aligns with its largely systematic and philosophical mindset, presenting arguments with a clear structure. Romans seems to have fallen prey to the idea that the church lost sight of God as a missionary who created the Church to fulfill His mission.
You have been exploring the themes of Romans since the late 1980s, what is it that personally fascinates you so much with this book?
Paul's primary profession was that of a missionary and apostle. He traveled the world, establishing churches wherever he went. Once a church became somewhat self-sufficient, Paul moved on to the next place. This raises the question of how the fascinating, dogmatic explanation in Romans relates to Paul’s profession. Why did Paul write such a lengthy letter amidst his stress and personal struggles? The answer can be found in the letter itself.
Paul’s strategy was to plant churches in strategic locations, appoint elders as their leaders, and have these churches perform further tasks in their regions. Once a church was established, Paul said, "I have nothing more to do in these countries" (Rom. 15:19–23). Passing through on his way to Spain, Paul now desires to be strengthened by the congregation in Rome. Paul and his team made the mission plans. However, he seeks the church's support, beginning with evangelism in Rome and extending to further missions in new areas. He knows he has something to offer the church as a missionary. To this day, churches have never been harmed by missionaries bringing "spiritual gifts."
I find this fascinating!
You write that “dogmatics and mission are two sides of the same coin.” Can you elaborate on what it means for systematic theology to be “healthy only as a doctrine of mission”? How should this shape theological education and church practice today?
God sent his Son, who sent the Holy Spirit, who sent the Church. Therefore, missions are part of God's essence. Any systematic view of our faith that bypasses this and does not see it as the unifying theme throughout history is flawed. I tried to prove this especially in my book “Missio Dei”.
For me, the book of Romans is evidence that the most brilliant intellectual defense of the Gospel only made and makes sense if the Gospel is spread beyond a small circle of theological experts into all the world.
Many believers have a gut feeling that something is going wrong with theological education and that it is in danger of becoming self-entertaining. The most detailed and well-thought-out defense of the Gospel emerged from the Pauline call to world mission. At the same time, world mission deserves the most brilliant minds and thoughts for its defense.
Who is this book written for primarily? Are you speaking mainly to theologians and pastors, or is your hope that everyday Christians will reframe how they understand Romans—and their role in the Great Commission?
I am 65 years old, and I first of all wanted to document my four-decade study of Romans before I am too old to take part in this global discussion any longer. I also wanted to encourage leaders in the Global South that their intuition that Romans is more than just dogmatic treaties is supported by the work of many renowned New Testament scholars and missiologists over time.
You provide a historical overview of the so-called “mission thesis” on Romans going back to 1863. How does your own approach build on or differ from earlier interpretations? What makes your contribution unique at this moment in church history?
Romans has been extensively used in systematic theology, primarily by individuals with no expertise or interest in world missions. Those teaching, researching, and strategizing missions have quoted Romans selectively, but did not publish commentaries. Having worked and taught in both areas, I want to merge the viewpoint of exegesis and systematic theology with mission researchers and practitioners, as I did in my German commentary on Romans.
Additionally, I want to return Romans to its original form as a letter about God's mission to the local church. In essence, I want the local church to reclaim the letter.
Finally, in a time when global mission is shifting dramatically—especially with the growth of the Church in the Global South—how do you hope this book will serve the global evangelical movement?
Western theology is characterized by the division of academic theology into specialized subjects. Western evangelicalism has often inherited this approach from Western liberal theology. For too long, this originally has also shaped theological education in the rapidly growing Church in the Global South. However, the Global South has since overcome the divide between personal piety versus public Christianity, between teaching in academia versus vibrant preaching in local churches, and between an easy to understand summary of the gospel versus offering detailed, even academic reflections on it inspired by thousands of pages of Scripture.
The Church in the Global South increasingly takes Scripture at face value and recognizes Romans as a letter to a local church, encouraging them to fulfill the one Great Commission God has given us: to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, to every corner of the world.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Incoming Archbishop of Canterbury Mullally walks historic pilgrimage before installation]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/incoming-archbishop-of-canterbury-mullally-walks-historic-pilgrimage-before-installation</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/incoming-archbishop-of-canterbury-mullally-walks-historic-pilgrimage-before-installation</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Dame Sarah Mullally becomes first female Archbishop of Canterbury after decision-making process criticized by evangelical council figure]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Lambeth Palace Press Office ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The Most Rev. Sarah Mullally, the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, is undertaking a six-day pilgrimage from London to Canterbury ahead of her installation at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:25:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The new Archbishop of Canterbury will take part in a six-day, 140-kilometer (87-mile) walking pilgrimage beginning Tuesday (March 17) from London to Canterbury in England to spiritually prepare for her official installation service at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The new Archbishop of Canterbury will take part in a six-day, 140-kilometer (87-mile) walking pilgrimage beginning Tuesday (March 17) from London to Canterbury in England to spiritually prepare for her official installation service at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25.
The Most Rev. Sarah Mullally will walk the historic “Becket Camino” pilgrimage route from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral with her husband, Eamon. The journey echoes the centuries-old tradition of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury and reflects her own path in ministry from bishop of London to archbishop of Canterbury.
“As I prepare for my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following in the footsteps of those who have walked this ancient route,” Mullally said.
“For centuries, faithful pilgrims have flocked to Canterbury, and I will be reflecting on this tradition as we make our way through the Kent countryside and its towns and cities.”
Along the route, Mullally plans to visit churches, cathedrals and other Christian sites, joining prayer services and meeting local congregations. Stops include Southwark Cathedral, Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St. Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey and Rochester Cathedral.
The final stage of the walk will see David Monteith, dean of Canterbury, and members of the cathedral chapter join the pilgrims from the village of Chartham to Canterbury, arriving in time for Evensong on March 22.
The pilgrimage will also include engagement with schools and local Christian groups. A pilgrim’s passport for the route was designed by pupils from Ospringe Church of England Primary School in Faversham, and prayer cards will be distributed featuring a prayer written by students from The Archbishop’s School in Canterbury.
“As people from around the wider Anglican Communion prepare to come to Canterbury for the Archbishop’s Installation, it will be a joy to approach this occasion on foot and rooted in prayer,” said the Rev. Richard Braddy, chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Historic appointment and ongoing debate
Mullally’s installation follows her appointment last year as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to lead the worldwide Anglican Communion of about 85 million members in 165 countries, as previously reported by Christian Daily International.
Her nomination was welcomed by some within the Church of England but also sparked debate across the global Communion, particularly over her support for allowing prayers of blessing for same-sex couples.
Leaders of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a movement representing conservative Anglican provinces primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America, said her stance makes it difficult for the Archbishop of Canterbury to serve as a unifying figure for the Communion.
The issue remains contested within the Church of England itself. In February, the church’s General Synod voted against formally introducing blessings for same-sex marriages after extensive debate.]]></content:encoded>
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