The Christian Century

LONDON (RNS) The Church of England has issued a set of "legal guidelines" that pave the way for openly gay clergy to become bishops -- so long as they are and promise to remain celibate.

Details of the internal report, entitled "Choosing Bishops," were carried by Christian Today, an independent London-based publication, on its website on Monday (June 20).

LONDON (RNS) A top British scientist claims his biblical, historical and astronomical research shows Christians have been observing Jesus' Last Supper on the wrong day of the week.

LONDON (RNS) Couples suspected of using their wedding vows as a ruse to skirt immigration laws will be required to meet strict identity checks and face greater scrutiny under new Church of England guidelines to stop sham marriages.

LONDON (RNS) Two senior judges have banned a Christian couple from any further foster care because they oppose homosexuality, a stance that the judges said has no place in the laws of a "largely secular" Britain.

LONDON (RNS) A Florida pastor who sparked fury when he threatened to burn a pile of Qurans on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has been officially banned from Britain for preaching religious extremism.

LONDON (RNS) The British branch of the YWCA has dropped "Christian" from its official name because it "no longer stood for what we are or what we do," the women's charity has announced.

After 155 years, the Young Women's Christian Association will now be known as Platform 51, the charity says in an announcement carried on its website.

The Church of England, defying opposition from its traditionalist wing, has given its support to a global covenant aimed at keeping the Anglican Com­munion intact in the face of disputes over homosexuality and female bishops.

LONDON (RNS) Five bishops have decided to leave the Church of England and join the Roman Catholic Church under the Vatican's new program to welcome disaffected Anglicans.

The decision by three active and two retired bishops was reported Monday (Nov. 8) by the British Press Association (PA) and confirmed by the Vatican's top spokesman in Rome.