Catherine Pepinster
Catherine Pepinster is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Catherine Pepinster
John Lennon’s inspiration for ‘Strawberry Fields’ bears new fruit for Salvation Army
By Catherine Pepinster — August 26, 2024
LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (RNS) — The Salvation Army is exploiting a connection to the Beatles to draw more visitors to fund its mission and encourage people who would never consider stepping inside a church to find out about Christianity.
Anti-Muslim riots in UK cause fear, security boosts
By Catherine Pepinster — August 5, 2024
(RNS) — The riots have exposed divisions across the country over immigration and renewed concerns about the ability of far-right groups on social media to stoke unrest through misinformation.
In seaside Southport, a mosque bears the brunt of UK’s immigrant anxiety
By Catherine Pepinster — August 1, 2024
LONDON (RNS) — Misinformation readily spread among groups where Islamophobia has been stoked over immigration fears and amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Labour wins UK elections in landslide, but suffers losses in heavily Muslim areas
By Catherine Pepinster — July 5, 2024
LONDON (RNS) — Labour lost a handful of former strongholds to independent candidates standing on pro-Palestinian tickets.
In UK, Muslims threaten electoral damage on Labour Party over support for Israel
By Catherine Pepinster — July 1, 2024
LONDON (RNS) — A number of parliamentary seats, once considered safe bets for the Labour Party, could be lost as Muslims organize around Gaza.
Bible societies mount effort to revive view of Scripture as source of ancient wisdom
By Catherine Pepinster — June 5, 2024
(RNS) — Bible societies are attempting to understand why, in a time when 90% of the world’s population has access to the Christian sacred text, relatively few consider it a foundation of their lives.
Early Christian Scripture and ancient codices draw collectors’ eyes to Paris
By Catherine Pepinster — April 22, 2024
LONDON (RNS) — The starring role in a June auction at Christie's will be taken by the Crosby-Schoyen Codex, the oldest known book in private hands. Written on papyrus in the Coptic language, it contains the oldest complete version of the First Epistle of Peter and the Book of Jonah.
In Guatemala, public schools turn to Bible study to boost reading and resist gang culture
By Catherine Pepinster — March 4, 2024
MIXCO, Guatemala (RNS) — Some teachers were reluctant to bring a Bible program into classrooms but have come to accept it.
Church of England to introduce same-sex blessing, as it faces ‘disestablishment’ bill in Parliament
By Catherine Pepinster — December 15, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — The prayers may be too little too late on an issue that has long alienated the church from politicians and peers.
Church of England synod moves forward with a test of prayers for same-sex couples
By Catherine Pepinster — November 15, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — The vote follows the House of Bishops’ agreement last month to commend ‘Prayers of Love and Faith,’ a collection of prayers and readings for use in existing services. The bishops also approved the prayers as the basis for stand-alone services for gay couples.
Archbishop Welby, patriarchs of Jerusalem urge ceasefire, condemn church bombing
By Catherine Pepinster — October 23, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — Archbishop Welby spent several days in Jerusalem last week following the attack on Israelis by Hamas on Oct. 7 and the ensuing assaults on Gaza by Israeli forces.
Archbishop of Canterbury, in Jerusalem, to meet with Christians and Jewish leaders
By Catherine Pepinster — October 20, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — Speculation is growing that Welby, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Eastern Orthodox Church might jointly issue a statement calling for a ceasefire.
Global church heads join Canterbury in mourning ‘appalling’ loss after Anglican hospital hit in Gaza
By Catherine Pepinster — October 17, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby spoke as news emerged of a deadly rocket attack on al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Bishop Auckland, a sleepy town undergoing revival, is home to Britain’s first museum of faith
By Catherine Pepinster — October 9, 2023
BISHOP AUCKLAND, England (RNS) — The Museum begins with a gallery tracing the origins of faith in Britain from 6,000 years ago and ends with contemporary artists and their personal responses to faith.
UK report finds Britons’ lack of faith knowledge deeply disturbing
By Catherine Pepinster — May 18, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — More than half of those surveyed for the report said they believe that freedom of religion is under threat in the U.K.
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