Religion
What is St George’s Day?

What is St George’s Day?
Celebrations for England’s legendary dragon slayer are normally a subdued affair
23 Apr 2020
Oxford professor arrested for theft of ancient Bible shards

Oxford professor arrested for theft of ancient Bible shards
Academic has described the allegations as a ‘malicious attempt’ to harm his career
17 Apr 2020
Cardinal George Pell walks free after convictions overturned

Cardinal George Pell walks free after convictions overturned
Former Vatican treasurer was serving a six-year sentence for child sex abuse
7 Apr 2020
When is Passover 2020 and how will it be celebrated?

When is Passover 2020 and how will it be celebrated?
This year’s Jewish holiday looks set to be unique, with millions of people under lockdown measures
7 Apr 2020
What is the Hajj and will it be cancelled?

What is the Hajj and will it be cancelled?
Two million people expected to take part in annual Islamic pilgrimage
1 Apr 2020
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox ‘ignoring coronavirus measures’

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox ‘ignoring coronavirus measures’
Government considers quarantining devout neighbourhoods as infection rate soars
1 Apr 2020
Instant Opinion: ‘The worst thing about having coronavirus’

Instant Opinion: ‘The worst thing about having coronavirus’
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Thursday 19 March
19 Mar 2020
Purim 2020: what is the Jewish holiday?

Purim 2020: what is the Jewish holiday?
Joyous, boozy festival has been dubbed the ‘Jewish Mardi Gras’
9 Mar 2020
Easter: why do we celebrate with eggs and bunnies?

Easter: why do we celebrate with eggs and bunnies?
A look at some of the weird and wonderful Easter traditions past and present
1 Mar 2020
Pope Francis steps back from allowing married priests

Pope Francis steps back from allowing married priests
Progressives hoped the pontiff would make an exception to the 1,000-year-old tradition in the Amazon region
13 Feb 2020
Archbishop labels Church ‘institutionally racist’

Archbishop labels Church ‘institutionally racist’
Justin Welby says he is “ashamed of our history and our failure”
12 Feb 2020
Former Jehovah’s Witnesses sue over historic sex abuse

Former Jehovah’s Witnesses sue over historic sex abuse
Group’s controversial ‘two witnesses’ policy has come under fire
5 Feb 2020
Instant Opinion: Isis is ‘very happy’ amid chaos in Iraq

Instant Opinion: Isis is ‘very happy’ amid chaos in Iraq
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 14 January
14 Jan 2020
Retired Pope Benedict warns against relaxing celibacy rules

Retired Pope Benedict warns against relaxing celibacy rules
Benedict says he ‘cannot keep silent’ on the issue in new book
14 Jan 2020
Why Italians have less sex when the Pope’s in town

Why Italians have less sex when the Pope’s in town
New study reveals drop in unintended pregnancies following papal visits
7 Jan 2020
Instant Opinion: this year’s Golden Globes ‘missed the mark’

Instant Opinion: this year’s Golden Globes ‘missed the mark’
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 7 January
7 Jan 2020
Pope Francis lifts ‘pontifical secret’ rule in abuse cases

Pope Francis lifts ‘pontifical secret’ rule in abuse cases
Sex abuse cases will no longer be held in secret as Church wrestles with the issue
18 Dec 2019
Israel Folau: rugby player condemned for bushfire remarks

Israel Folau: rugby player condemned for bushfire remarks
Former Wallabies player back in the sin-bin over remarks during church sermon
18 Nov 2019
Instant Opinion: ‘I can’t vote for any of them’

Instant Opinion: ‘I can’t vote for any of them’
Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Friday 1 November
1 Nov 2019
What is Beyonce Mass?

What is Beyonce Mass?
Songs ranging from Formation to Flaws and All used to frame religious narratives
22 Oct 2019
Is the Vatican facing a cash crisis?

Is the Vatican facing a cash crisis?
Sex scandals and poor management hit papal coffers, claims new book
21 Oct 2019
The Week Unwrapped: French sperm, reparations and the Arctic

The Week Unwrapped: French sperm, reparations and the Arctic
The Week Unwrapped podcast: French sperm, reparations and the Arctic
27 Sep 2019
The rise of The Satanic Temple

The rise of The Satanic Temple
New documentary Hail Satan? looks at the controversial religious movement
22 Aug 2019
Jesus Army: shocking reports of life inside Christian cult

Jesus Army: shocking reports of life inside Christian cult
Hundreds of ex-members of totalitarian sect seeking damages over alleged historical child sex offences
19 Jul 2019
Inside the Kaaba: centre of Islam’s most important mosque

Inside the Kaaba: centre of Islam’s most important mosque
Muslims are starting the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca and the historic Grand Mosque
8 Jul 2019
How to become a saint

How to become a saint
English Cardinal John Henry Newman to be canonised in October
2 Jul 2019
52 ideas that changed the world - 3. Christianity

52 ideas that changed the world - 3. Christianity
How an ancient Jewish sect laid the foundations of a global faith
28 Jun 2019
Is the Arab world really becoming less religious?

Is the Arab world really becoming less religious?
Biggest regional survey ever shows the number of people who claim no faith has risen by 5% in five years
24 Jun 2019
Catholic Church to consider ordaining married men

Catholic Church to consider ordaining married men
Ending centuries of orthodoxy, radical plan aimed to address clergy shortage could lead to conservative backlash
18 Jun 2019
What does Iran’s morality crackdown mean?

What does Iran’s morality crackdown mean?
Police raid yoga class and hundreds of restaurants amid mounting civil unrest
14 Jun 2019
Five things the Vatican says about gender

Five things the Vatican says about gender
Catholic Church disappoints liberal followers with new ‘Male and Female He Created Them’ treatise
11 Jun 2019
Eid al-Fitr 2019: everything you need to know

Eid al-Fitr 2019: everything you need to know
The end of Ramadan is celebrated with feasts, gifts and a wealth of ancient traditions
4 Jun 2019
What is Ascension Day and how is it marked?

What is Ascension Day and how is it marked?
The little-known Christian festival holds major theological significance
30 May 2019
What is humanism?

What is humanism?
Pakistani humanist is granted asylum in the UK after converting from Islam
15 May 2019
Pope Francis to force clergy to report sex abuse

Pope Francis to force clergy to report sex abuse
New law will make it compulsory for all Catholic priests and nuns to report abuse and cover-ups by superiors
10 May 2019
Good Friday 2019: when is it and why is it celebrated?

Good Friday 2019: when is it and why is it celebrated?
Bank holiday commemorates the trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ
18 Apr 2019