Roundup: Pokies, sex abuse, death penalty, sci-fi, Sudanese pastor, suicide

Poll revives Andrew Wilkie pokie push

Independent Andrew Wilkie is set to renew his push for poker machine reform in the wake of Peter Slipper’s decision to stand aside as Speaker.

A chance to heal unholy wounds

For many years, religious organisations have grappled with the need to improve the ways they deal with abusive behaviour by their own clergy.

Push to widen sex abuse inquiry

The Victorian state government has been urged to widen the inquiry into sex abuse by priests to consider how to make it easier for victims to sue the Catholic Church.

Study: No evidence that death penalty deters crime

In the more than three decades since the national moratorium on the death penalty was lifted, there is no reliable research to determine whether capital punishment has served as a deterrent, according to a review by the National Research Council.

Sci-fi brings Bible stories to life at Romsey church

A Uniting Church minister has resurrected a popular, but controversial, idea she hit on a year ago – basing a sermon on the Bible and its similarities to popular sci-fi and fantasy novels, films and television series.

Sudanese pastor a first for Uniting Church

Sudanese refugee Amel Manyon says being involved with churches has helped her family settle into life in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

Church has key role in preventing suicide

Churches have an important role to play in assisting those affected by suicide and depression, Australian religious leaders say.

Child sex abuse in the Church: alliance demands full inquiry

Anglican and Catholic churches have lost the right to police themselves, say victims.