The true size and importance of a medieval church has been revealed following an archaeological survey by Historic England.

Dunstable Priory in Bedfordshire was founded by Henry I in 1132 for the Augustinian Canons.

It was the location of the court which annulled Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

The church survived his dissolution of the monasteries, but was once “grander and more elaborate”, the survey shows

Read it all.

Archaeological surveys at Dunstable Priory @diostalbans reveal larger church. https://t.co/IPZsNku1Fq

— Janet Gough (@Gough_Janet) April 8, 2022

The scheduled April 29 execution of South Carolina death row inmate Richard Moore is simply “modern-day barbarism,” the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston said Friday.

“Respect for life is, and must remain, unconditional. This principle applies to all, even the perpetrators of terrible acts,” the diocese, which covers the entire state, said in a statement.

Read it all.

“Justice is not restored when another person is killed,” the South Carolina Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston said Friday of Richard Moore’s scheduled April 29 execution. https://t.co/g1ce1eIqFq

— The State Newspaper (@thestate) April 8, 2022

Churches across the UK are continuing their efforts to assist refugees from the war in Ukraine.

The latest figures from the United Nations show that almost 4.3 million people have left Ukraine since the outbreak of war. The International Organization for Migration says that 7.1 million are displaced within the country.

In rural North Yorkshire, the Rector of the Whorlton Benefice, the Revd Dr Robert Opala, has been involved in helping several Ukrainian families find sanctuary.

Dr Opala, who is originally from Poland, has been working with the Middlesbrough-based charity Investing in People and Culture, which has facilitated the connections needed for refugees to apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The application process, Dr Opala said, has proved “difficult and complicated”, and has created “a lot of frustration and even anger”.

Read it all.

Parishes navigate obstacles to help refugees arriving in UK https://t.co/0KDIXArKRA

— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) April 8, 2022

Theologians and political scientists have issued a declaration condemning the identification of Christianity with political causes.

Attendees at a conference in Oxford signed a statement on 4 April in support of Orthodox theologians who reject the “Russian world” teaching of the Moscow patriarchate, and called on Christians “to reject unholy alliances between Christian identity and political power”.

The 83 signatories include the Czech priest and theologian Tomáš Halík, the German Reformed theologian Jürgen Moltmann, and the Italian Church historian Massimo Faggioli.

They affirm that Christian identity “is not singularly, exclusively, or supremely held by a nation or a race or a civilisation” and that “the Christian witness is distorted where it is used to create separation”.

Read it all.

Theologians condemn Christian nationalism and 'Russian world'. Theologians and political scientists have issued a declaration condemning the identification of Christianity with political causes.https://t.co/iEfmvtGTi5 #CatholicTwitter

— The Tablet (@The_Tablet) April 8, 2022

God of justice and truth, let not thy Church close its eyes to the plight of the poor and neglected, the homeless and destitute, the old and the sick, the lonely and those who have none to care for them. Give us that vision and compassion with which thou didst so richly endow William Augustus Muhlenberg and Anne Ayers, that we may labor tirelessly to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ, who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today the Episcopal Church commemorates William Augustus Muhlenberg, Priest, 1877 https://t.co/1cLqDpfPEU

From a distinguished German Lutheran family, he was an Episcopal priest and early Social Gospel exponent, and is considered the father of church schools in America. pic.twitter.com/Ku8oFUx3sB

— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) April 8, 2022

Almighty and most merciful God, who hast given thy Son to die for our sins and to obtain eternal redemption for us through his own blood: Let the merit of his spotless sacrifice, we beseech thee, purge our consciences from dead works to serve thee, the living God, that we may receive the promise of eternal inheritance in Christ Jesus our Lord; to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, world without end.

Glamorgan Heritage Coast #Wales #ThePhotoHour #StormHour #seascape @ItsYourWales #picoftheday #moody @visitthevale @southern_wales pic.twitter.com/PYip9uKgnC

— Itay Kaplan (@Itkap1308) April 8, 2022

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

–2 Corinthians 4:1-2

8 April 1093: Winchester Cathedral in Winchester, England is dedicated. It has the longest nave and greatest overall length of any #Gothic cathedral in #Europe. The original #cathedral was founded in 642 just north of the current site. #history #church #ad https://t.co/vFHucQ0pJ6 pic.twitter.com/77l0gAgaUk

— Today In History (@URDailyHistory) April 8, 2022