Religion

Benedict says he ‘cannot keep silent’ on the issue in new book

New study reveals drop in unintended pregnancies following papal visits

Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 7 January

One of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar began on Sunday

Sex abuse cases will no longer be held in secret as Church wrestles with the issue

Former Wallabies player back in the sin-bin over remarks during church sermon

Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Friday 1 November

Songs ranging from Formation to Flaws and All used to frame religious narratives

Sex scandals and poor management hit papal coffers, claims new book

The Week Unwrapped podcast: French sperm, reparations and the Arctic

Drone footage shows police leading hundreds of blindfolded and shackled men from a train

New documentary Hail Satan? looks at the controversial religious movement

Hundreds of ex-members of totalitarian sect seeking damages over alleged historical child sex offences

Muslims are starting the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca and the historic Grand Mosque

English Cardinal John Henry Newman to be canonised in October

How an ancient Jewish sect laid the foundations of a global faith

Biggest regional survey ever shows the number of people who claim no faith has risen by 5% in five years

Ending centuries of orthodoxy, radical plan aimed to address clergy shortage could lead to conservative backlash

Police raid yoga class and hundreds of restaurants amid mounting civil unrest

Catholic Church disappoints liberal followers with new ‘Male and Female He Created Them’ treatise

The end of Ramadan is celebrated with feasts, gifts and a wealth of ancient traditions

The little-known Christian festival holds major theological significance

Pakistani humanist is granted asylum in the UK after converting from Islam

New law will make it compulsory for all Catholic priests and nuns to report abuse and cover-ups by superiors

Bank holiday commemorates the trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ

Islamic ritual slaughter has been attacked as cruel, but Muslim authorities say the method is humane

New Ofsted report says thousands of pupils are enrolled in ‘appalling’ rogue institutions

Should cars stop drivers speeding? What is ASMR? And why does Pope Francis not want people to kiss his ring?

Counter-terrorism police investigating five incidents which the Muslim community claim are related to last week’s massacre in New Zealand

Church Investors Group pushes for greater gender equality, tax transparency and divestment from fossil fuels

New documentary sheds light on contentious novel and its continuing impact today

Defence attorney Robert Richter’s remarks draw gasps from Melbourne courtroom

Synod amends 17th century canon law due to decline in clergy numbers

100 senior bishops meet this week to address clerical sexual abuse, ‘the most serious crisis since the Reformation’

Twerk singer has scaled new heights of fame after feuding with conservative commentators

Report finds threat levels rising in China and India amid government crackdown and rise of religious nationalism