Religion
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
Halal meat: what is it and why is it so controversial?

Halal meat: what is it and why is it so controversial?
Islamic ritual slaughter has been attacked as cruel, but Muslim authorities say the method is humane
16 Apr 2019
Unregistered schools: how many are there?

Unregistered schools: how many are there?
New Ofsted report says thousands of pupils are enrolled in ‘appalling’ rogue institutions
12 Apr 2019
The Week Unwrapped: Speed-limiters, ASMR and the Pope

The Week Unwrapped: Speed-limiters, ASMR and the Pope
Should cars stop drivers speeding? What is ASMR? And why does Pope Francis not want people to kiss his ring?
29 Mar 2019
Are Birmingham mosque attacks linked to Christchurch?

Are Birmingham mosque attacks linked to Christchurch?
Counter-terrorism police investigating five incidents which the Muslim community claim are related to last week’s massacre in New Zealand
22 Mar 2019
Church groups get tough on executive pay and climate change

Church groups get tough on executive pay and climate change
Church Investors Group pushes for greater gender equality, tax transparency and divestment from fossil fuels
5 Mar 2019
Why was The Satanic Verses so controversial?

Why was The Satanic Verses so controversial?
New documentary sheds light on contentious novel and its continuing impact today
28 Feb 2019
Cardinal Pell lawyer says child abuse was ‘vanilla’

Cardinal Pell lawyer says child abuse was ‘vanilla’
Defence attorney Robert Richter’s remarks draw gasps from Melbourne courtroom
27 Feb 2019
Churches no longer required to hold service every Sunday

Churches no longer required to hold service every Sunday
Synod amends 17th century canon law due to decline in clergy numbers
22 Feb 2019
Can the Catholic Church find redemption?

Can the Catholic Church find redemption?
100 senior bishops meet this week to address clerical sexual abuse, ‘the most serious crisis since the Reformation’
19 Feb 2019
Cardi B’s political views and why they’re important

Cardi B’s political views and why they’re important
Twerk singer has scaled new heights of fame after feuding with conservative commentators
23 Jan 2019
Asia the ‘new hotbed of Christian persecution’

Asia the ‘new hotbed of Christian persecution’
Report finds threat levels rising in China and India amid government crackdown and rise of religious nationalism
17 Jan 2019
Fatal stabbing at Sydney Scientology church

Fatal stabbing at Sydney Scientology church
Teenage knifeman reportedly tried to enter while mother was undergoing ‘purification ceremony’
4 Jan 2019
Protests erupt in India after women enter Hindu temple 

Protests erupt in India after women enter Hindu temple
Hindu traditionalists believe women of menstruating age should not be allowed in the Sabarimala temple
3 Jan 2019
What is Advent and what are the dates for 2018?

What is Advent and what are the dates for 2018?
How Christians around the world mark the run-up to the nativity
7 Dec 2018
Anti-Semitic stereotypes ‘alive and well’ in Europe

Anti-Semitic stereotypes ‘alive and well’ in Europe
CNN poll reveals quarter of European think Jews have too much influence in business and politics and one fifth blame them for anti-Semitism
28 Nov 2018
Audi A1 Sportback 2018 review: is it as sporty as it looks?

Audi A1 Sportback 2018 review: is it as sporty as it looks?
The German firm’s smallest hatch has been given a hi-tech upgrade
26 Nov 2018
Asia Bibi: how blasphemy case divided Pakistan

Asia Bibi: how blasphemy case divided Pakistan
Christian farm worker acquitted after eight years on death row for allegedly insulting Islam
31 Oct 2018
Five celebrities who converted to Islam 

Five celebrities who converted to Islam
Sinead O’Connor is the latest high-profile figure to become a Muslim
26 Oct 2018
What are the blasphemy laws around the world?

What are the blasphemy laws around the world?
As Ireland votes on whether to remove blasphemy from the constitution, The Week looks at where it is still an offence
25 Oct 2018
UN rules that Muslim veil ban ‘violates human rights’

UN rules that Muslim veil ban ‘violates human rights’
Human Rights Council rejects France’s niqab ban and calls for review of controversial legislation
24 Oct 2018
Vatican says Pope considering visit to North Korea

Vatican says Pope considering visit to North Korea
Accepting Kim Jong Un’s invitation would ‘legitimise’ oppressive regime, warn analysts
19 Oct 2018
Eat the Art: Theo Randall and Amber Locke get creative

Eat the Art: Theo Randall and Amber Locke get creative
Food that’s good enough to frame and art that’s good enough to eat at the InterContinental Park Lane
19 Oct 2018
Christianity faces biggest schism in a millennium

Christianity faces biggest schism in a millennium
Ukraine granted own independent Orthodox Church despite threats from Moscow
12 Oct 2018
Is Religious Education on its way out?

Is Religious Education on its way out?
New report suggests replacing RE classes with ‘Religion and Worldviews’
10 Sep 2018
Malaysian women caned for ‘attempting lesbian sex’

Malaysian women caned for ‘attempting lesbian sex’
LGBT groups express dismay as pair given six strokes for violating sharia law
3 Sep 2018
When can a priest reveal a confession?

When can a priest reveal a confession?
Catholic Church forbids breaking seal of secrecy but there may be ways to bypass decree
31 Aug 2018
Plot to oust Pope Francis exposes rifts within the Church

Plot to oust Pope Francis exposes rifts within the Church
Archbishop breaks cover and calls for pontiff to resign as ideological battle lines are drawn
29 Aug 2018
Pope Francis set for hostile reception in Ireland 

Pope Francis set for hostile reception in Ireland
Pontiff to touch down in radically changed Catholic country amid sexual abuse ‘perfect storm’
24 Aug 2018
Indonesian woman jailed over mosque noise complaint

Indonesian woman jailed over mosque noise complaint
Noise complaint over call to prayer sparked anti-Buddhist riots in 2016
23 Aug 2018
Catholic abuse scandal threatens Pope Francis’ legacy

Catholic abuse scandal threatens Pope Francis’ legacy
Clerical cover-up presents ‘crucial test’ for papacy following earlier failures
21 Aug 2018
Did Manchester mosque imam really call for armed jihad?

Did Manchester mosque imam really call for armed jihad?
Police open probe into Mustafa Graf’s sermon at mosque attended by the Manchester Arena bomber
17 Aug 2018
Is Pastafarianism a real religion?

Is Pastafarianism a real religion?
Dutch court rules followers cannot wear colander on her head for official photos
17 Aug 2018
Why astronauts have spiritual experiences in space

Why astronauts have spiritual experiences in space
The British astronaut is not the first to question whether the universe was created by a higher power
13 Aug 2018
Christian extremists ‘let their baby starve to death’

Christian extremists ‘let their baby starve to death’
Infant’s father claimed medicine was a ‘cult’ and ‘God is sovereign over disease’
8 Aug 2018