Religion news 16 October 2025
Church of England bishops set higher legal bar for same-sex blessing services; Former Hull funeral director admits multiple fraud charges; Oxford student arrested for inciting racial hatred at Palestine demonstration
Church of England bishops set higher legal bar for same-sex blessing services; Former Hull funeral director admits multiple fraud charges; Oxford student arrested for inciting racial hatred at Palestine demonstration
Report suggests a New Towns Faith Taskforce is needed to help faith groups liaise with developers of new towns, contributing to community and cohesion
Increased fear among faith groups after religious hate crimes rise; Pope orders medicines shipment for Gaza children; Archbishop of Wales addresses ‘deep-seated trauma’ in Bangor church; Purification of St Peter’s Basilica altar after man urinated on it
‘Immense relief and profound joy’ at hostages release; ‘Trump should share Nobel peace prize with hostages’ families’; New town planners must consult faith groups to build thriving communities; Christians get ready for Christmas carols campaign
Chief Rabbi speaks of hope for a new era as hostages return; Memorises of starvation and loss in Gaza; Pope urges journalists to resist post truth world; Court overturns conviction for burning the Quran; ‘Sacrilegious’ graffiti exhibition in Canterbury Cathedral
Ceasefire deal in Gaza – agencies stand by to deal with ‘catastrophic humanitarian disaster’; Andy Burnham calls for politics “with trust, community, faith and connection at its heart”; Teacher trainee bursary for RE to be removed from 2026; Pope calls on Christians to take action against poverty
Israel and Hamas sign off first phase of peace plan; Synagogue attacker pledged allegiance to Islamic State; Health Secretary wants antisemitic doctors stripped of licence before tribunal; Police ban street preacher from using a microphone
Bishop accuses Jenrick of stoking division over Handsworth; Heaton Park synagogue hero condemns pro-Palestine protests; Sikhs threaten legal challenge to new Islamophobia definition; Italy restores St Francis feast as national holiday on 4 October
Peace talks for Gaza open on eve of Hamas attack anniversary; Students demonstrate against Israel in London today; US Supreme Court to rule on overturning conversion therapy ban; Scorsese once trained for priesthood but was kicked out of seminary
Sarah Mullaly smashes ‘stained glass ceiling’ as new Archbishop; British Jews mourn 7 October massacre and Manchester synagogue attack; Muslim and Jewish leaders say ‘hatred will not divide us’; Home Secretary calls Sussex mosque attack ‘deeply concerning’
