# Christianity
This year
2023
Last year
2022
Christmas explained: How and why did the festival begin and when did it become so secular?
It’s an important Christian holiday, but why do we celebrate it tomorrow.
All time
'I have heard voices of sorrow and loss': Pope Francis leaves Iraq after historic trip
During the first ever papal trip to Iraq, the Pope called for an end to violence and extremism.
'We didn't want to shout it from the rooftops' - Folau's unveiling at French club reportedly cancelled
The controversial ex-Wallabies star has linked up with rugby league outfit, the Catalans Dragons.
Fr Richard Gibbons: 'When was the last time you did something truly selfless for someone else, even if they didn’t deserve it?'
Fr Gibbons – of Knock – writes about finding the true meaning of Christmas even when things feel hard.
Calls for churches to turn 'blood red' to highlight Christian bloodshed and persecution
On 28 November, some major landmarks around the world will light up “blood red” to raise awareness of the persecution of Christians.
Church urges followers to drop the Mormon name
Nelson, 93, said the decision on the proper terminology was revealed to him by God.
Tributes paid to influential US preacher Billy Graham who has died at age 99
He was the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history.
Leader of Liberal Democrats won't say if he thinks being gay is a sin
Tim Farron’s comments have been criticised by some, but others have defended him.
Tomb of Jesus Christ completes €3.7 million renovation
The church contains the area where Jesus is believed to have been crucified.
16 things that would happen if the Nativity was set in modern-day Dublin
What happened after Mary and Joseph locked eyes over a curry chip in Supermacs?
Vatican tells Catholics not to scatter ashes of the dead
German cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller advised people today to store them in places approved by the Church.
Jewish extremists vandalise church where Virgin Mary is said to have died
The graffiti included threats of violence, messages degrading Jesus and a call for Christians to “go to hell”.
This guy is trolling Christmas itself with his controversial zombie nativity scene
Step away from the manger.
Seven charged with murdering teenager in secretive church "confession" beating
19-year-old Lucas Leonard was trying to leave the “Word of Life” church in New York, when he was beaten to death over six hours.
WATCH: Obama sings 'Amazing Grace' at funeral for Charleston church leader
He said the Charleston shooter was “blinded by hatred.”
We asked these people what they want from a revamped Angelus
TheJournal.ie finds out what people really think of the daily prayer.
Christians are leaving the faith in droves and the trend isn't slowing down
If the current trends continue beyond 2050 then by the year 2070 the world’s population of Muslims would roughly equal that of Christians.
Parents sue over school yoga classes that 'promoted Hinduism over Christianity'
But a Californian court wasn’t having a bar of it.
Poll: Should companies be allowed to refuse service on religious grounds?
An incident with a printers in Drogheda has everyone talking today.
Christian woman sentenced to death in Sudan arrives safely in the US
Who doesn’t love a happy ending?
US Supreme Court divided but the right to pray at Government meetings stays
At issue were town meetings in Greece, New York, where clergy had been invited to offer a prayer, which in the last eight years had been exclusively Christian.
"Others cannot dictate to us": Uganda signs controversial anti-gay bill into law
The news has been condemned by Amnesty International, which described it as a “step backwards”.
Column: What was the Christmas Star?
According to the Bible story, the Star of Bethlehem – or the Christmas Star – led the Three Wise men to the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago. But was it an actual astronomic event?
Video blog: A brief history – Christmas, cheer, and commercialisation
What’s the true meaning of this holiday, again?
4 Irish sites to visit to get close to St Patrick mythology
Follow in the footsteps of St Patrick this weekend… or at least to the places he’s reputed to have visited for special events.
Google launches Dead Sea Scrolls online library
Only five conservators worldwide are authorized to handle the Dead Sea Scrolls, but now, everyone can view them.
Christians most populous of world's religions: report
Christians are the world’s biggest religious group, numbering some 2.2 billion people.
Protests as Egyptian panel adopts draft constitution
Concerns have been raised about the content of the constitution and its potential restriction on freedom of expression.
Bishop criticises opening of Marie Stopes clinic offering abortion
Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor said the clinic undermines the dignity of human life in society.
British Christians take religious dismissal cases to Strasbourg
The four Christians all believe they were sacked because of their religious beliefs, but lost employment tribunals.
Eucharistic Congress will offer 'crash course in Christianity'
‘Alpha’ – described as a “parish tool for evangelisation” – will offer pilgrims and the public a chance to explore basic questions.
In full: Pope Benedict's Easter urbi et orbi address
The full text of Pope Benedict’s Easter morning address the world’s Catholics, as delivered in Rome this morning.
Archbishop says Catholics should not fear 'bringing Jesus's message into the world'
In his Easter homily, the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin says the Church in Ireland is enduring a process of “purification”.
In pictures: Easter ceremonies begin around the world
Masks, processions, and real-life crucifixions…
Column: If you're not religious, why observe a Lenten sacrifice?
As children, we used to try to get out of Lenten obligations – now we use them as if they are a second chance at New Year’s resolutions.
Column: Cardinal Rules - What NOT to do on your Lenten fast
This week, the (not) Primate of All Ireland tracks his colleague’s ‘progress’ with his sponsored fast – including an awkward incident with a chocolate Swiss roll…
Europe is threatened by 'militant secularism' - British Cabinet minister
A Conservative minister said that some athiests have the same intolerant instincts as authoritarian regimes.
'Campaign for Conscience' lodges Supreme Court challenge to same-sex partnerships
The Mayo-based group believes major parts of the Civil Partnership Act are in conflict with the Constitution and therefore illegal.
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