This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35177547

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Archbishop gives warning over IS threat to Christianity Archbishop gives warning over IS threat to Christianity
(about 2 hours later)
Christianity faces "elimination" in the Middle East, the region where it began, the Archbishop of Canterbury will warn in his Christmas Day sermon.Christianity faces "elimination" in the Middle East, the region where it began, the Archbishop of Canterbury will warn in his Christmas Day sermon.
The Most Reverend Justin Welby will say so-called Islamic State is "igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression".The Most Reverend Justin Welby will say so-called Islamic State is "igniting a trail of fear, violence, hatred and determined oppression".
He will also brand IS as "a Herod of today" - a reference to the Biblical king at the time of Jesus's birth.He will also brand IS as "a Herod of today" - a reference to the Biblical king at the time of Jesus's birth.
The archbishop will deliver his sermon at Canterbury Cathedral.The archbishop will deliver his sermon at Canterbury Cathedral.
He will say: "Confident that these are the last days, using force and indescribable cruelty, they [IS] seem to welcome all opposition, certain that the warfare unleashed confirms that these are indeed the end times.He will say: "Confident that these are the last days, using force and indescribable cruelty, they [IS] seem to welcome all opposition, certain that the warfare unleashed confirms that these are indeed the end times.
"They hate difference, whether it is Muslims who think differently, Yazidis or Christians, and because of them the Christians face elimination in the very region in which Christian faith began."They hate difference, whether it is Muslims who think differently, Yazidis or Christians, and because of them the Christians face elimination in the very region in which Christian faith began.
"This apocalypse is defined by themselves and heralded only by the angel of death.""This apocalypse is defined by themselves and heralded only by the angel of death."
The archbishop - spiritual leader of the world's 85 million Anglicans - will also say that to those who have been, or are being, "dehumanised by the tyranny and cruelty" of Islamic State, then "God's judgment comes as good news, because it promises justice".The archbishop - spiritual leader of the world's 85 million Anglicans - will also say that to those who have been, or are being, "dehumanised by the tyranny and cruelty" of Islamic State, then "God's judgment comes as good news, because it promises justice".
And Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, used his homily at midnight mass to say in a life shaped by faith in God, there is "absolutely no room at all for gratuitous violence".And Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, used his homily at midnight mass to say in a life shaped by faith in God, there is "absolutely no room at all for gratuitous violence".
He said: "No to all violence against the innocent. Yes to mercy. If we learn those lessons, then our world and our families will be more graceful places... and then, you and I can be protagonists of unarmed goodness."He said: "No to all violence against the innocent. Yes to mercy. If we learn those lessons, then our world and our families will be more graceful places... and then, you and I can be protagonists of unarmed goodness."
The archbishop added that he hoped Christians who had been forced to leave their homes in northern Iraq, would find some comfort from the Christmas story. The archbishop added that he hoped Christians who had been forced to leave their homes in northern Iraq would find some comfort from the Christmas story.
"I think many a Christian who's been driven from their home, who's seen family members killed, who knows of relatives who are in great distress will draw great comfort from this feast and from the knowledge that their plight is being talked about throughout the world," he said. "I think many a Christian who's been driven from their home, who's seen family members killed, who knows of relatives who are in great distress, will draw great comfort from this feast and from the knowledge that their plight is being talked about throughout the world," he said.
Elsewhere, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, in his own message for the festive season, will condemn "aggressive secularism that threatens to relegate spirituality and sanctity within our society" as well as the "shameful scourge of hatred and oppression, which remains the most pressing global challenge of our time".Elsewhere, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, in his own message for the festive season, will condemn "aggressive secularism that threatens to relegate spirituality and sanctity within our society" as well as the "shameful scourge of hatred and oppression, which remains the most pressing global challenge of our time".
The Anglican Archbishop of York will visit an open prison in North Yorkshire on Christmas Day to lead morning services.The Anglican Archbishop of York will visit an open prison in North Yorkshire on Christmas Day to lead morning services.
Dr John Sentamu will attend Kirklevington Grange Prison and expected to tell inmates that it's never too late for a fresh start. Dr John Sentamu will attend Kirklevington Grange Prison and is expected to tell inmates that it is never too late for a fresh start.