Russia bites back

Moscow has acted brutally in Georgia. But when the United States and Britain backed the independence of Kosovo without UN approval, they paved the way for Russia’s ‘defence’ of South Ossetia, and for the current Western humiliation...

Turning swords into crosses

Caught in history between two oppressive empires, one atheist and one Muslim, Christian Georgia can lay claim to a tradition of religious tolerance – despite important exceptions – right up to the present day, writes Daryl Ann Hardman...

When treasures become a burden

A much-loved church on the Wirral peninsula is due to close this weekend amid protests from parishioners. It is one of nearly 200 listed Catholic churches in the north-west where bishops faced with falling congregations and fewer priests are making difficult choices...

How faith got it right about Aids

After many years of secular scepticism about the role of faith groups in combating HIV/Aids, governments and non-religious NGOs are coming round to their ideas and understanding their vital importance in motivating local communities at ground level...

Northern lights

The Churches of St Joachim in Wick and St Anne in Thurso together make up the most northerly parish on the British mainland. Although located in a staunchly Protestant area they have succeeded in maintaining a Catholic presence for nearly 200 years...

Glorious exchanges

We may offer the sacrifice of our service and ourselves to God, says Daniel McCarthy, but as this week’s prayer makes clear, he was the initiator of the exchange, and he receives our offering with the intention of making us worthy to receive the supreme gift, that of himself...

Spread the green Word

It is not enough for Christians to say that the environment is a problem for governments to solve – Creation is God’s gift and the faithful have a duty to look after it. Here, a vicar explains how much can be done at parish level to encourage its stewardship...

Dough, dash, dosh

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