The acclaimed Fourth Choir, an LGBTQ choir, are to perform at Southwark Cathedral tmw in a Pride concert that will commemorate ppl executed for "sodomy". Dean Mark Oakley said he wants the LGBT community to know the cathedral journeys alongside them. churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2…

There's been a shift in thinking about how or where people might encounter God. Forget the quiet armchair-based retreat. Bring on the active retreat, which sees the body as an instrument of worship and thanksgiving. My piece in the @ChurchTimes churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2…

Tomorrow marks 135 years since Pope Leo XIII brought out his landmark encyclical on workers' rights, amid rapid social change that threatened to overlook those rights. Will tomorrow be the day Pope Leo XIV issues his encyclical on an ethical approach to AI?

About two months after Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, he put in a call to his bank back home, a close friend, the Rev. Tom McCarthy, told a gathering of Catholics last week. The new pope identified himself as Robert Prevost, saying that he wished to change the phone number and address that the bank had on file. The pope answered the security questions correctly. Then, the woman on the line for the bank told him that it wasn’t enough — he would have to come to the branch in person. “He said, ‘Well, I’m not going to be able to do that,’” Father McCarthy said in a video clip shared on social media. The pope tried a different tack. “Would it matter to you if I told you I’m Pope Leo?” he asked, according to Father McCarthy. She hung up.

'He’s been described as having Jimmy Carter’s faith and Barack Obama’s spirit.' Interesting profile of devout Democratic James Talarico, who is standing for the Senate in Texas. thetimes.com/us/american-pol…

The church next to Kew Gardens, led by Canon Dr @giles_fraser, is helping Christians deepen their theological understanding of the climate crisis.Lectures bring together scientists and theologians;retreats incl Stations of the Trees for use in the Gardens tinyurl.com/2svcw3me

Popes are successors of Peter, part of a continuity. But it’s amazing the difference nationality makes. As an American with English as his mother tongue, Leo's comments about Trump are not delivered thru an interpreter or in hesitant translation. Result? Extra directness impact

In the Kingdom of God, ‘there is no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialisation of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness’, Pope Leo said in an appeal to ‘the leaders of nations’ at a prayer vigil for peace in St Peter’s on Saturday. Patrick Hudson reports for @The_Tablet thetablet.co.uk/news/pope-le…

ICYMI: For the various Middle Eastern Churches in London, the Iran crisis has ignited old fears. But there's a noticeable relief and joy at the new communities emerging in the UK. My piece for @The_Tablet @acn_uk thetablet.co.uk/features/the… (£)

Great to see the Assyrian cathedral in Ealing that I’ve written about for @The_Tablet and @commonwealmag being celebrated. It has transformed a redundant Anglican church into a vibrant community hub and a symbol of hope for Middle Eastern Christians.

In this week’s @The_Tablet Easter reflections from #ErikVarden in Trondheim @LizDodd in Nottingham & David Neuhaus in Jerusalem @Austeni interviews @SohrabAhmari @JoannaMoorhead on Rubens, Mark Lawson on David Hare & Ian Thomson on Putin; Patrick Hudson’s View from Rome & Guy Consolmagno’s View from Space; Timothy Radcliffe embraces mortality @TimShriver predicts the future of religion @judeokane’s poem; @LucyLethbridge on the telly & @djtaylorwriter on the wireless @abigailfrymann Rachel Mann @iainoverton @Bridgeanne @JonathanTulloch arts books news letters puzzles the rest email.digitalvirtue.net/t/r-…

History was made yesterday – my piece for @Christianitymag premierchristianity.com/opin…

Whatever happens under the leadership of Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, it is a huge step forward for equality in the workplace and wider society, says Abigail Frymann Rouch premierchristianity.com/opin… @abigailfrymann

The first female Archbishop of Canterbury is here. It’s a historic moment for Church and country premierchristianity.com/opin… @abigailfrymann

Today is a big day for the nation and its long journey towards recognising women as equally capable to men, says Abigail Frymann Rouch premierchristianity.com/opin… @abigailfrymann

“The idea of #nuns” is having a moment, says Sr @liz_dodd : "an independent woman, an independent, troublemaking, anti-authoritarian, woman … women living outside social and church expectations.” My piece on the religious life: churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2…

Amid the noise around Archbishop Mullally, it's worth remembering she rejects the simplistic 'pro-choice' label. @MLJHaynes @Adrian_Hilton @Graham_Mark_E @phillipsc

As Archbishop Sarah begins her pilgrimage to Canterbury ahead of her installation:

Anglican Futures has been informed by @lambethpalace that the Archbishop of Canterbury @ArchbishopSarah will be present in the Lords to vote on Wednesday.

Great line from AN Wilson at the weekend: "Other churches might have been founded on rock. The Church of England was founded on fudge." thetimes.com/comment/registe…