Roundup: Climate change, free speech, census in England

Gluten free Holy Sacrament anyone?

How are churches coping and what are they doing to adapt to their changing environment? The ABC’s Fi Poole spoke to Dr Ruth Powell from the National Church Life Survey, Jason John, who is involved in the ecoministry for the Mid North Coast Presbytery of the Uniting Church, and the Rev. Dr John Squires from Wauchope Uniting Church, who has been getting his church heavily involved in free trade and the abolition of slavery.

Faith leaders cite ethics and prayer in struggle against climate change

Ethical behaviour and prayer are vital tools in the struggle against climate change, according to an interfaith panel at the COP18/CMP8 Doha meeting.

Census confirms England and Wales as mixed-belief societies

England and Wales are becoming ever more mixed in belief, identity and culture, the 2011 census data released today December 11 reveals. The proportion of those broadly identifying as Christian has fallen from 72 per cent to 59 per cent.

Is Christianity shrinking or just changing?

The response from some Church leaders to the latest census figures has been to describe them as “challenging”.

Church needs to be creative in a changing society, say Methodists

The census figures on religion for England and Wales have been described as “challenging but not discouraging,” by the Methodist General Secretary.

Are reports of the death of religion just being exaggerated?

You can be religious in the traditional sense, but not follow conventional traditions. The census should have asked about community.

Archbishop of Canterbury urges commitment to ‘the freedom of speech that matters’

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, on December 12 spoke about the importance of free speech at a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate 80 Years of the BBC World Service.

Holy alliance on climate change

The Anglican and Uniting churches in Western Australia have banded together to call for urgent action on climate change.