We don't need a census to tell us that society is changing rapidly. But perhaps we do to quantify just how rapidly.

Three priests and a former priest in Scotland have reported the most senior Catholic clergyman in Britain, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, to the Vatican over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The Salvation Army has bought the Destiny Church complex in the Auckland suburb of Mt Wellington and has its 12-storey building in Queen St up for sale.

Jenna Miscavige Hill was a third-generation Church of Scientologist. She escaped the secretive society and told her story to Nicky Park.

Whoever takes the helm of the Vatican after the shock resignation of Benedict XVI will inherit a problem on his own doorstep.

Ex-Scientologist Jenna Miscavige Hill has revealed the harsh reality of growing up in the Church. Read her story here.

The news of the Pope's decision to resign was received by Auckland Catholics with sadness.

Editorial: The papacy is one of precious few institutions in the modern world that does not change very much.

Pope Benedict’s resignation has been greeted with surprise, admiration and disappointment from around the world.

John Key is shocked about the Pope's resignation, describing the move by the 85-year-old as a "brave call".

helps-Roper, the granddaughter of founder Reverend Fred Phelps, was once described as the "future leader" of the church. But she and her 19-year-old sister, Grace, confirmed this week that they had departed the Kansas-based congregation in November.

Scientology has no official doctrine that we are descended from aliens but members of its order do sign billion-year contracts "to symbolise their eternal commitment".

The streets of Port Said were convulsed by gun battles as groups of civilians, some using Kalashnikov machineguns, launched attacks on police stations and an army club.

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says homosexuality is a choice and society is right to discriminate against gay relationships.

Your formative years were spent at St Patrick's College in Silverstream. What has Catholicism ingrained in you?

A Christmas story from an associate, who was in a Salvation Army op shop when a family - mum, dad, and three children - stopped by to drop off a new bike.

Theists, and perhaps some atheists too, might thank God for Dr Zain Ali's gracious and insightful comments about God and religion.

I never believed the world would suddenly end, but I liked the idea that it was possible.

Egypt's Islamist-backed constitution received a "yes" majority in a final round of voting on a referendum that saw a low voter turnout.

A Christmas card from the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran wishes us a Merry Christmas. There is nothing unusual about that.

When a mynah bird fell from the sky in front of a startled Katja Wernicke, she wondered if the doomsday predictions might be right.