(The Christian Institute) — Church leaders in Northern Ireland have described the limited reopening of churches as a “sign of hope.” Church buildings can now open for private prayer, and drive-in services are permitted as long as social distancing is maintained. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland […]

(The Christian Institute) — The French government has been ordered to lift the ban on meetings in churches within eight days by its top administrative court. Although the government recently eased its coronavirus restrictions by allowing private meetings of up to ten people, this did not apply to religious settings, so that all church meetings […]

(The Christian Institute) — A baby expected to die shortly after birth has defied doctors’ expectations and has now been allowed to go home. Lilly Menear was born four months early at 22 weeks and two days and weighing just 1lb. 2oz. The staff at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital told mother Tayla they had […]

(The Christian Institute) — The U.K. government has said that churches will be permitted to reopen “no earlier than July 4.” In its 60-page COVID-19 recovery strategy, which outlines its plan for exiting lockdown, the government said it plans to allow a number of premises and businesses to reopen by July, though this is subject […]

(The Christian Institute) — The Brazilian Supreme Court has rejected an attempt to legalize abortions of unborn children who may have disabilities after their mothers contracted the Zika virus. In Brazil, abortion is currently classed a “non-punishable crime” in the case of a risk to the mother’s life, anencephaly or rape. However, activists were attempting […]

(The Christian Institute) — A new mother who was helped to save her own baby after taking an abortion pill has reversed her pro-abortion stance. After becoming pregnant, Rita and her fiancee decided to have an abortion at eight weeks. But on their way home from the clinic, where she had taken the first of […]

(The Christian Institute) — A woman who lives as if she is a man cannot be recorded as the father on her child’s birth certificate, the U.K. Court of Appeal has ruled. The three judges upheld the high court’s ruling from September, saying that the law requires those who give birth to be listed as […]

(The Christian Institute) — A Christian minister is suing a Belfast hotel after it ordered him to halt a public meeting in support of [biblical] marriage. Hotel staff interrupted the event, attended by more than 50 members of the public, and told Harry Coulter to finish immediately. Coulter told The Christian Institute, who is supporting […]

(The Christian Institute) — A baby in England who underwent pioneering in-womb spina bifida surgery has celebrated her first birthday at home in lockdown. Kieron and Bethan Simpson from Essex refused to have an abortion after their daughter was diagnosed with the condition. Bethan described Elouise as “happy and smiley” and said her future is […]

 SYDNEY (The Christian Institute) — The Australian Prime Minister has committed his country to God in prayer as he seeks to lead the nation through the COVID-19 crisis. Scott Morrison, who attends an evangelical church in Sydney, said his faith gives him “enormous encouragement” when making difficult decisions. … Following a short statement and […]