WILMINGTON, N.C. (RNS) ‘Tis the season for “Bah Humbug” and “God bless us every one,” especially as the world gathers to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. By Amanda Greene.

LONDON (RNS) In a surprise move that shocked both sides of a years-long debate, the Church of England on Tuesday (Nov. 20) rejected an expected move to allow women bishops, preserving the church's status as one of the last bastions of male privilege in the United Kingdom. By Trevor Grundy.

CANTERBURY, England (RNS) Bishop Justin Welby, a former oil executive who's emerged as a critic of corporate excess, was named Friday (Nov. 9) as the 105th archbishop of Canterbury, primate of the Church of England and leader of the worldwide 77 million-member Anglican Communion. By Trevor Grundy.

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Church leaders are pressing the Kenyan government to scientifically test herbal medicines that are growing in popularity, concerned that HIV/AIDS patients are widely using the medicines and potentially putting their lives at risk. By Fredrick Nzwili.

(RNS/ENInews) Leading church historian Diarmaid MacCulloch believes Christianity faces a "bright future" worldwide, but predicts the Roman Catholic church will undergo a major schism over its moral and social teaching. By Jonathan Luxmoore.

(RNS/ENInews) The Church of England voted to postpone draft legislation that would have allowed women to become bishops. By Trevor Grundy.

LONDON (RNS) Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams criticized some Christians for feeling so "embarrassed and ashamed and disgusted" over homosexuality that they send out a message signaling a lack of understanding and patience. By Al Webb.