Teenage boy faces bedside hearing on terrorism charge
Police have charged a 16-year-old boy with a terrorism offence over the stabbing of a bishop at a western Sydney church.
religion and belief
Church leader, churchgoers stabbed during service
Police have pushed back an angry mob outside a church in Sydney's west after a bishop and three parishioners were stabbed during a service.
Cult leader granted bail on child grooming charges
A self-professed prophet accused of grooming a young girl for years will face constant supervision including wearing an ankle bracelet once released on bail.
Easter is reminder of importance of forgiveness: PM
In his 2024 Easter message, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has underlined the importance of forgiveness, grace and kindness to those in need.
Pope Francis presides over Easter Vigil at Vatican
Pope Francis has presided over the Vatican's sombre Easter Vigil service, a day after he decided to skip a Good Friday procession as a health precaution.
Messages of forgiveness as Australia marks Easter
Messages of forgiveness and renewal featured throughout Easter messages and religious services, as volunteers served feasts to those who are doing it tough.
Ballarat prays for missing mother’s safe return
The Ballarat community is praying for Samantha Murphy's safe return seven days into the search for the missing 51-year-old mother.
Indian PM Modi leads consecration of temple in Ayodhya
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for the consecration of a Hindu temple in the city of Ayodhya to be marked as another Diwali.
Church leaders call for hope and love at Christmas
Australians have been urged to look at Christmas as a time for hope in the midst of natural disasters, international conflicts and economic challenges.
King urges compassion, care for the environment
The King has praised the "selfless army" of volunteers serving others, describing them as the "essential backbone of our society," in his Christmas address.
Pope has scan due to flu, lung complications ruled out
Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican after hospital tests ruled out lung complications resulting from a case of flu.
Responsibility not to ‘politicise’ conflict: Albanese
The federal government is facing questions over its approach to the Hamas-Israel conflict and calls for a ceasefire.
Bullied Jewish students win apology, $400k from state
Victoria must apologise and pay more than $400,000 to students who experienced anti-Semitic bullying and harassment at a state school, a judge has ordered.
Chief monk faces court over child sex abuse at temples
A chief incumbent monk has been charged with 13 sex offences allegedly perpetrated against three children he met at two Melbourne temples almost 30 years ago.
Chief monk faces court over child sex abuse at temple
A chief incumbent monk has been charged with 13 sex offences allegedly perpetrated against three children he met at a Melbourne temple more than 20 years ago.
Mountain to reopen after ‘Jesus saves’ vandalism attack
Queensland's culturally significant Mt Beerwah will reopen to visitors despite further public meddling following a "callous" vandalism attack.
Sisters fight darkness after Orthodox principal’s abuse
Melbourne sisters Elly Sapper and Dassi Erlich have spoken of overcoming darkness after sexual abuse by former ultra-Orthodox Jewish principal Malka Leifer.
Rising religious vilification draws move to toughen law
Anti-discrimination laws are being amended in NSW to stem the rising tide of religious vilification being reported by faith groups.
Zelenskiy promises ‘irreversible’ Russian defeat
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy used his address in Germany to promise an "irreversible" defeat against Russia with the help of Western allies.
Zelenskiy asks Pope to back Kyiv peace plan
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy presented Pope Francis with a used bulletproof vest that had been painted with an image of the Madonna.
Peter Hollingworth to no longer officiate as a priest
Former governor-general Peter Hollingworth says he will no longer officiate as an Anglican priest despite a church board deeming him fit for ministry.
Hollingworth ‘fit for ministry’ despite abuse findings
Former governor-general Peter Hollingworth concedes he failed to appropriately respond to child sex abuse complaints while archbishop of Brisbane.
‘Easter treat’ as chill brings snow to ski resorts
As Christians gathered to mark the resurrection on Easter Sunday, cooler temperatures swept across the nation with some ski resorts reporting snow.
Easter a celebration of faith, hope and renewal: PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led Easter well-wishes, marking Easter Sunday as a celebration of faith, hope and renewal.
Two killed in West Bank shooting attack: Israeli army
Israeli medics say an alleged Palestinian shooting attack in the northern occupied West Bank killed two women and seriously wounded another.
Cost-of-living concerns leave their mark on Easter
Sydney's Royal Easter Show hosted the prime minister, while others marked Good Friday with religious services, long weekend feasting or the start of trips away.
Malka Leifer awaits sentence on sex abuse charges
Ex-Orthodox Jewish principal Malka Leifer is waiting to hear how long she will spend in prison after a jury found her guilty of sexually abusing two sisters.
Leifer sexual abuse verdicts bittersweet for sisters
A jury has found former ultra-Orthodox Jewish principal Malka Leifer guilty of 18 sexual abuse charges against two former students at the Adass Israel School.
Ukraine Orthodox leader under house arrest
A Ukrainian cleric accused of supporting Russia's war efforts has been put under house arrest and forced to wear an ankle bracelet.
Former Hillsong leader Houston’s drink-driving charge
The controversial former leader of global Pentecostal mega-church Hillsong has admitted he was charged with driving under the influence in the US.
Malka Leifer abuse jury push on for verdicts
Jurors considering the sexual abuse case against Jewish ultra-Orthodox former school principal Malka Leifer have been urged to push following a deadlock.