‘The news sphere and the heavenly sphere’ – how the media reflects the Christian perspective
The Religion Media Centre’s annual lecture is this year given by Sarah Sands, formerly the editor of The Sunday Telegraph, The Standard and BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, and now CEO of Hymns Ancient and Modern, a Christian publishing company which produces the Church Times. She will reflect on the changing context of her journalism, from reporting wars and political ructions in the UK over the past 30 years, to a fascination with monasticism and the publication of her book exploring silence, prayer, solitude and work. She has previously spoken of how Christianity has been unfairly marginalised in British public life with a tension between secular liberalism and religious belief. In this lecture, she will discuss how the media understands and reports the Christian perspective. And she is dedicating this to Ed Stourton, a former presenter of the Today programme and the Sunday programme on Radio 4, who died this year aged 68. She said: “He was the best kind of news journalist and, unusually, theologically literate”. Story here >>
Religion Media Centre annual lecture ‘The News Sphere and the Heavenly Sphere’,
St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8AU,
Tuesday 29 September 2026 6.30pm.
Book your ticket here >>
Pope Leo says AI must serve human dignity and strengthen peace
Pope Leo XIV told a conference about AI held in Rome, that the development of artificial intelligence must be guided by wisdom and charity so that technological progress may serve the dignity of every person and strengthen the bonds that unite the human family. It was the first meeting of AI4Peace, an international symposium on How AI can be used to resolve conflict, protect human rights and assist global governance. The Pope’s message was read to the meeting, where he re-iterated that he hoped AI would contribute “to a renewed and widespread commitment to placing technological innovation at the service of the common good.” In a world of conflict, he encouraged the participants to examine ways in which artificial intelligence can contribute to peace, fostering dialogue, reconciliation and solidarity among peoples..”
There will be a RMC media briefing on Thursday 24 September at 3.30pm, on AI and ethics, with guests including Bishop Steven Croft and Prof Beth Singler.
Get the zoom link from [email protected]
Bishop of Lincoln resigns after suspension over safeguarding complaint
The Rt Rev Stephen Conway has resigned as Bishop of Lincoln. He was suspended from ministry in February 2026, arrested by police on suspicion of sexual assault, and given conditional bail. At the time, Lincolnshire Police said an arrest of a 68-year-old man was part of an “ongoing investigation following an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025”. The Church of England has been investigating a complaint made to the National Safeguarding Team and says the complaint process is ongoing as clergy remain subject to church disciplinary procedures following resignation or retirement. The Bishop of Grantham, Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, will continue to step up as diocesan bishop. He and the Bishop of Grimsby, Jean Burgess, sent a pastoral letter to the diocese yesterday urging people to support one another, recognising the news may cause distress, and vowing to rebuild together. The See will become vacant on 1 October, and the Crown Nominations Commission will be convened to select his successor.
Rev Nicky Gumbel standing for election to the General Synod
The Rev Nicky Gumbel, pioneer of the Alpha Course and former vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, who is now Chair of Alpha International, is standing for election to the General Synod of the Church of England. In his election statement, published by the Diocese of London, he argues that evangelism should now be the “focus of the episcopacy and the governance of the Church of England”. He is one of 37 clergy candidates competing for 14 places. There are also 37 lay people standing for election to 14 places. The results will be known on 19 October.
Catholics call on Andy Burnham to uphold the dignity of asylum seekers
Catholic charities have handed in a petition from parishes and individuals across the UK, calling on Andy Burnham to defend the right to asylum and uphold the dignity of people seeking refuge. The petition was organised by the Caritas Social Action Network, St Vincent de Paul Society and Jesuit Refugee Service UK. It says the right to seek asylum is being eroded through restrictive policy and legislation, and it criticises “increasingly harsh and dehumanising rhetoric in political debate”. Sophie Cartwright from JRS UK, said Christians are called to welcome refugees and they want to see a different approach rooted in humanity and dignity. The petition has been published as Catholics prepare for the “Welcome the Stranger: Defend Asylum” campaign on Sunday.
Muslim Women’s Network UK urges action on violence against women
The Muslim Women’s Network UK says the government’s new taskforce on violence against women and girls must focus on solutions and action rather than asking women’s organisations to explain problems they have highlighted for years. CEO Baroness Shaista Gohir welcomed the emphasis on prevention, saying misogyny must be challenged before it escalates into abuse. She called for stronger action on sexual harassment in education, misogyny amplified by algorithms, swifter consequences for perpetrators and changing attitudes among men and boys. The organisation also warned against viewing violence affecting minority ethnic women primarily through a “cultural” lens, saying intimate partner and sexual violence receive too little attention compared with forced marriage, honour-based abuse and FGM.
Former Open Doors CEO, Eddie Lyle, has died aged 73
Eddie Lyle, the former chief executive and president of the Christian charity Open Doors UK & Ireland, has died aged 73 after complications from heart surgery. Paying tribute, Open Doors, which highlights persecution of Christians worldwide, said he had often travelled to the countries where there was persecution and returned to tell the story at church meetings. Tribute here.
First non-Anglican head of army chaplains, James Harkness, has died aged 90
The Very Rev James Harkness, aminister of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland who became the first non-Anglican head of army chaplains, has died aged 90. His appointment caused a lively debate as it raised issues of licensing and episcopal accountability. He took up the role in 1987 and on his retirement became moderator of the Church of Scotland and then chaplain to the Queen in Scotland and dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland.
Baptism pool refused for Anglican church as ‘unjustified waste’ of water
St Mary’s Church in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, has been refused permission for a portable pool for baptism by full immersion. The church has a font, but the vicar and churchwardens said the pool was for an increasing number of adults becoming Christians through Alpha courses, or for those not baptised as infants. Christopher Ockelton, chancellor of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham, ruled that the use of up to 940 litres of water for a baptism “is unjustified waste not conforming to Christian duties of stewardship of resources”. There were other reasons stated clearly: “The doctrine and practice of the Church from ancient times and today is that aspersion or affusion (sprinkling or pouring water) is effective for baptism; immersion is therefore never needed where the one of the other modes is available… The doctrine and practice of the Church is not determined by those about to join it…For that reason, and in accordance with the Guidance of the House of Bishops, there should not be a second means of baptism in a church, as that might encourage thoughts of a variety of effect of baptism. The receipt of grace is not a subject of consumer choice as to its means. Faculty refused.” Ruling is here.
