Essay: War at Lent – how Ukraine could reshape how we think about Christian unity
JACOB LUPFER, in an article published on Religion News Service, says the message of Lent, no matter how or where it is celebrated, remains the same…
Venice’s ‘Carnival of hope’ kicks off as COVID worries ease
Venice, ItalyReuters Thousands of people revelled in the start of the annual Carnival celebrations in Venice on Saturday, marking a slow return to normality after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the two previous editions. The 2020 Venice Carnival, which usually draws tourists from around the world, was curtailed when the pandemic broke out in Italy in […]
Greeks fly kites for ‘Clean Monday’ holiday despite pandemic
Athens, GreeceAP Colourful kites danced in the skies above the hilltops and seafront promenades of Athens on Clean Monday as Greeks turned out to celebrate the Eastern Christian holiday in their traditional fashion after being hit hard by the pandemic during the winter. The country is still in lockdown, with most retail businesses shut and […]
Origins: Lent
In an article first published on The Conversation, JOANNE M PIERCE, professor of religious studies at College of the Holy Cross, looks at the Christian tradition of Lent…
Non-Christian perceptions of UK church improved during COVID pandemic – poll
People who do not identity as Christian were more likely since the COVID-19 pandemic to agree with the statement that the church in the UK is making a positive difference in the world, according to a new poll. The Savanta ComRes poll found that 25 per cent of people agreed with the statement now compared with 19 […]
Brazil churches spark controversy with LGBT+ support in Lent campaign
Sao Paolo, BrazilThomson Reuters Foundation A group of major Brazilian churches came under fire for supporting LGBT+ people for the first time in an annual Lent fundraising campaign that launched on Wednesday, in which they said homophobia leads to murder. Every year the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference (CNBB) kicks off a Fraternity Campaign on Ash Wednesday, […]
On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis says Lent is an “exodus from slavery to freedom”
Vatican CityRNS Pope Francis celebrated Ash Wednesday in St Peter’s Basilica, reminding faithful the Lenten period leading to Easter celebrations is a journey and “an exodus from slavery to freedom”. “Lent is a journey of return to God,” the Pope said during his homily on 17th February, to the socially distanced faithful attending the Mass. […]
Sight-Seeing: It’s time for evangelicalism to embrace the act of confession
SKYE JETHANI, in an article first published on Religion News Service, looks at the importance of the practice of confession…
No touching! US churches get ready for Ash Wednesday in a pandemic
RNS Ash Wednesday is one of the touchiest observances on the liturgical calendar – literally. Many churches mark the beginning of the penitential season of Lent with the imposition of ashes. Clergy smear ashes, usually those left after burning palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations, onto congregants’ foreheads, often in the shape of […]
“SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY”: STEWARDSHIP MARKS 10 YEARS OF LENTEN CAMPAIGN 40ACTS
DAVID ADAMS reports on 40acts 10th anniversary and how the campaign helped to encourage one UK man to donate his kidney…