I’ve been working on the news team at Church Times since 2012. I write about current affairs, here and abroad, developments in the Church of England, and brilliant people like the guy who licked every Cathedral in the UK.
Examples
Struggling to blot out our transgressions
My interview with Eric Fair, who has written a confessional book, about his time as an interrogator in Iraq
How churches and charities are riding to the rescue
I spent a day in Coventry, with the energetic founder of the city’s foodbank
Crisis cash goes to church projects
After the abolition of the Social Fund, local authorities had discretion about how to support those in crisis. Many decided to give funding to church groups. I surveyed every local authority under the Freedom of Information Act to find out where the cash was going, and spoke to church groups about how they were spending it. This story was picked up in the Guardian’s Cuts blog.
A grander music, but she was still ‘one of us’
I attended the funeral of Lady Thatcher at St Paul’s Cathedral – my report from the press gallery
Clergy flock to fill posts in ‘wealth’ south-east
My investigation into claims that clergy are reluctant to take jobs in the North. It was picked up in the Guardian, Times, Independent, Evening Standard and on Radio Four
Feeling the rough edge of his tongue
Interview with Lawrence Edmonds, who, for a bet, licked every Cathedral in the UK
My encounters with street evangelists staking out Stratford Bus Station during the 2012 Olympics
Off to ‘church’ with the godless
Report from the inaugural meeting of the Sunday Assembly – billed as church without God
Fracking dispute lands Church in hot water
I interviewed the Priest in a small West Sussex village that was suddenly home to a hoard of anti-fracking protesters
Tony Benn leaves life to spend less time on politics
Looking back on the life of Tony Benn, with help from the Church Times archives
The Dr, the TARDIS and the Trinity
I watched a LOT of Dr Who episodes to find out about how Christianity has influenced the programme…
Writer recommends ‘happy pills’
I interviewed Dr Mark Walker, a philosopher, who believes that pills should be prescribed to make people happier. I don’t agree. But a great chat.
Four million in four years: reflections from the region
I wrote a piece about the Syrian refugees struggling in neighbouring countries, after visiting Jordan
The grey ghost town and the camp in search of a soul
My report from Jordan and Lebanon based on interviews with Syrian refugees
Bethlehem wall is erected in Piccadilly
In the run-up to Christmas in 2013 I saw a replica of the Separation Wall in Bethlehem unveiled at St James’s, Piccadilly
Organists confess to tune-smuggling
How church organists sneak power balls and kids’ TV themes into their performances
Muslims put on the spot over marriage
I attended a fascinating roundtable on the challenges of interfaith marriage, at Westminster Abbey
Megachurches: ‘Upbeat, but untaxing’
I explored new research into the phenomenon of ‘megachurches’ in the United States, entitled ‘God is like a drug…’
Intersex bodies brought into the ordination debate
Interview with Dr Susannah Cornwall of the University of Manchester, on her research into intersex conditions and what it means for theology
Interviews
Recriminations for St Paul’s after City clears Occupy tents
The morning after police cleared the Occupy protest camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral, I went to interview those still present
Bishops’ same-sex marriage statement provokes anger and defiance
Interview with a gay priest who has vowed to defy official guidance and marry his partner of 14 years
Religion does cause violence, but also heals, argues Sacks
I spoke to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks about his new book: “Not in God’s Name”
My interview with the Revd Joanna Jepson, about surgery for her cleft palate, her campaign to change abortion policy, and leaving behind a fundamentalist faith
A valedictory interview with the Bishop of London
Bishops start quizzing their clergy
Interviews with gay clergy on the impact of the House of Bishops’ ban on same-sex marriage for priests
Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman
I spoke to Rachel Held Evans about the year she spent trying to follow the Bible’s instructions for women
‘We face attacks if CofE marriage policy changes’
In April 2014, the Archbishop of Canterbury claimed that changing the Church’s policy on same-sex marriage could put African Christians at risk of violence. I asked bishops in South Sudan if he was right.
Leaving the Qur’an for the Gospels
I interviewed Dr David Garrison, a missionary pioneer with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, who wrote a book documenting a global Muslim “movement to Christ”
Faith panel discusses mental health
I spoke to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, about Christianity and depression
I interviewed Hasan Nuhanović on the anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica, in which he lost his parents and brother
Farmer defends private property rights
Interview with Ben Freeth, who has challenged the Zimbabwean Government’s attempts to seize his land. He had just released a book entitled When Governments Stumble and had an interesting take on the Biblical account of private property
I spoke to Jonny Walker, founder of the Church of the Holy Kazoo, about his campaign to challenge Camden Council’s restrictions on busking
Interview with Dr Elizabeth Henry, the national adviser for the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, on the Church’s failure to embrace immigrants
Nigerian violence is chiefly about religion, says Kwashi
Interview with the Bishop of Jos, a state in Nigeria plagued by violent attacks on churches
Israel has image problem, says tourism minister
I spoke to the Israeli Minister of Tourism, Stas Misezhnikov, who suggested that tourism provided an opportunity to build the peace process. And to a Bethlehem resident who painted a different picture
Reports from abroad
Snowed in, under canvas in Lebanon
My report from the Bekaa Valley, home to 400,000 Syrian refugees, looking at the lives of children
From an olive farm to a metal shed
I travelled to Jordan with World Vision. In this piece I describe my visits to two refugee camps and share interviews with several Syrian refugee families
Syrian refugees find compassion in Jordan
My report on life for Syrian refugees living in Jordan’s towns and the impact on the indigenous communities
I met Maasai women in Kenya and asked them about attitudes to child birth and attempts to encourage more pregnant women to go to hospital
The Maasai – a tradition in transition
Christian influence and changes in Kenyan law are challenging long-held tribal traditions such as female genital mutilation
Colombian journalist refuses to be silenced by rape
I travelled to Colombia with Christian Aid, and met Jineth Bedoya Lima, a journalist who uses her own experience to challenge the silence around sexual violence in her country
In Colombia, I travelled to three humanitarian zones where families displaced by the civil conflict have gathered. I spoke to them, and to the human rights defenders working with them, about the fight to return to their land
Christians facing uncertain future
My report from visits to Christians in Egypt, shortly before a deadly bomb in Cairo
Film reviews
When the Dragon Swallowed the Sun: documentary about the fight for autonomy in Tibet
The King and the People: documentary screened shortly before elections in the last remaining absolute monarchy in Africa
The Long Walk to Freedom: a biopic of Nelson Mandela, whose death was announced during the London premiere
Church and Society
Synod delivers a confident vote for women bishops
I report from York on a historic vote opening up the episcopate to women
Westminster Abbey remembers the start of the Battle of the Somme with poetry and prayer
A moving service at the Abbey
Tottenham forges friendships, five years on from the riots
I spoke to people in Tottenham about how the area had changed since the riots of 2011
‘C of E’ gives an opinion on same-sex marriage
I attended a briefing by senior Church officials on the highly contentious response to the Government’s consultation on same-sex marriage. The response provoked strong feeling within theh Church and was front-page news in the national press
Safeguards only work if used, say vulnerable adults
This news feature took months of research and interviews. I wanted to explore whether the Church is a safe place for vulnerable adults and what could be done to protect those at risk of abuse or exploitation
UK should resettle more Syrian refugees, bishops argue
I contacted the Church of England’s bishops to record their stance on the resettlement of Syrian refugees, during the build-up to a UN conference seeking to gather pledges
MPs ‘take up the fight’ over women bishops
I listened to a Parliamentary debate in the wake of the fall of the Church’s attempt to enable women to become bishops
Church investments undermine Welby’s tilt at Wonga
In July 2013 the Archbishop said he wanted to compete Wonga out of business. A few days later it was pointed out to him that the Church had investments in Wonga…
Welby optimistic about Church: ‘The tide of events is turning’
Justin Welby was named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury in 2012 – I attended the press conference where he was “unveiled”
Banks ‘need fear of hell and hope of heaven’, says Welby
I went to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury talk on what makes a good bank, the day that the CEO of RBS stepped down…
Report on a debate on welfare reform, featuring Hazel Blears MP & the Bishop of Ripon & Leeds, the Rt Revd John Packer
Same-sex therapist loses appeal against ruling
Report on decision by British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy to uphold disciplinary action against a Christian psychotherapist who counsels people with “unwanted same-sex attraction”
Criminalise witch label, says activist
I interviewed a children’s rights campaigner, a criminologist and a safeguarding expert on the best way to protect children accused of witchcraft
‘Great issues of the day’ debated under dome of St Paul’s
I went to watch Question Time being filmed at St Paul’s Cathedral
Safeguarding reforms need to go further, says critic
I’ve followed closely developments in the Church’s safeguarding law and policy. I’ve been helped by Anne Lawrence, a barrister who represents survivors
Black churches’ rapid growth is causing ‘growing pains’
There are 25 black majority churches on the Old Kent Road alone. My look at a new report into the challenges of explosive growth
Parliament
Party leaders vie for black votes
I followed Cameron and Miliband on church stops during the May 2015 campaign
Message from on high: bishops favour staying in UK
I spoke to bishops and Christian MPs after the announcement of an EU referendum date
Bishops win Lords victory on benefit for ‘voteless’ children
Report on a successful attempt by bishops to thwart the Government’s welfare reforms…
Commons overturns Lords’ amendments on welfare
…Until the Government overturned it
Ministers back asylum-seeker policy
I listened to a hearing of the Parliamentary Education Committee exploring the experiences of young people in the asylum system
Doctors criticise religious parents for prolonging treatment
Report on a paper published in the Journal of Medical Ethics which suggested that religious parents of seriously ill children who expect miraculous intervention are challenging the withdrawal of therapies that medical professionals consider to be “aggressive”, “futile and burdensome”
Christians not being persecuted in the UK, report concludes
Analysis of report from MPs which countered headlines in the press about persecution of Christians
I attended a hearing of evidence to an inquiry into the persecuted Church in Iran
International reports
Bishops hang on to hope in ‘shameful’ South Sudan
I heard back from many of South Sudan’s Anglican Bishops when I asked about their take on the crisis pulling the country apart
Church sources fear Burundi genocide
Clergy in Burundi spoke to me, anonymously, amid political turmoil and a brutal crackdown
Syrian refugees pour into Kurdistan
Interviews with aid workers supporting Syrian refugees in Iraq and Lebanon
Bishops call for action to protect India’s Christians
I investigated whether the security of India’s religious minorities had declined under the leadership of Modi
Afghan women fear losing rights
Interview with Zahra Hasanpur, an activist from Afghanistan, about the future of women’s rights after NATO’s withdrawal from her country
Western air strikes not the answer, say Syrian clerics
In the wake of the Parliamentary vote against military intervention in Syria, I analysed the response from Syrian priests
Death toll rises after attack on Pakistan church
Report on a suicide bombing in Peshawar, believed to be the deadliest such attack in Pakistan’s history
Nigeria’s anti-gay law spreads fear
I interviewed a gay Nigerian Anglican about the impact of “draconian” legislation passed in his home country
Christians in north of Mali flee Tuareg rebels’ control
Report on the start of civil conflict in Mali
Back Syrian peace-plan, not military force, say bishops
Report on reaction to the massacre of 108 people in Houla, Syria
Typewriters and latch-keys 