God's message arrived in an unusual form for new Cardinal-elect John Dew. He was sleeping when he was woken by several beeps from his cellphone about 3am.

The Pope has named 15 new cardinals from Africa, Latin America and Asia to reflect a change in church demographics - and among them is NZ's John Dew.

Pope Francis has put a spring in the step of the Catholic Church since his election nearly two years ago. But now the backlash has begun.

In 2013 Pope Francis had a lot to celebrate. Not only was he named Time magazine person of the year, but was also awarded the title of Esquire's best-dressed man.

The dangers of working too hard and succumbing to gossip can be found in every office - including the administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church.

Captured Yazidi girls in Iraq are killing themselves to escape rape and torture at the hands of Isis (Islamic State) militants holding them prisoner.

The Marsden Cross is known to most of us only as a photograph. It is on a remote northern shore in the Bay of Islands, not as accessible as Waitangi or Russell.

French police have shot dead a man who attacked them with a knife in a police station while shouting "Allahu Akbar", a source says.

New Zealand Muslims were brought to tears by a social media display of solidarity in Sydney during the Lindt cafe siege.

Destiny Church has amassed a $20 million empire in cash, property investments and other assets as a result of its tax exempt status, accounts show.

A Wellington man facing up to two years in a Burmese prison after he allegedly insulted Buddhism only moved back to the area in October with his partner and baby daughter.

Employers are changing the way they run Xmas parties to cater for more diverse workplaces, including an increase in Muslims who don't eat ham or drink alcohol.

Parliament's Speaker David Carter today announced that the traditional prayer he uses to open daily sittings of Parliament will remain as is, with its Christian references.

For Hannah Tamaki it must have been the week from - you'll pardon the expression - hell.

Destiny Church-affiliated charities received nearly $6million in donations in the last year after self-appointed Bishop Brian Tamaki demanded churchgoers give generously.

Self-appointed bishop Brian Tamaki was immensely proud of the money raised by his self-created Destiny Church this week. He asked parishioners to put their tithings on stage.

A kayaking Anglican bishop is about halfway through a 250km water pilgrimage from Auckland to the Bay of Islands.

It looked as if it was raining money at Auckland's Destiny Church on Sunday, in photos tweeted by church leader Bishop Brian Tamaki.

Bicentenaries are still rare in New Zealand, where reliably recorded history has a frustratingly short reach.

Actor Christian Bale plays Moses in Ridley Scott's upcoming film Exodus: Gods and Kings. What light does it cast on the historical figure of Moses?

Michael Adebowale made no attempt to hide his rage or his thirst for revenge in his online conversation with a jihadi leader in Yemen.

There are many things in life that involve winners and losers, such as the All Blacks versus Wales this weekend.

We've had reports of abuse by Kiwis who think all Muslims are terrorists. I say to those responsible: when you scream at them as you drive by, you are terrifying them.

The site in Mecca where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have been born is about to be "buried under marble" and replaced by a huge royal palace.

Pope Francis faces a diplomatic quandary when he visits Turkey, after Turkish architects urged him not to set foot in a 1000-room palace built by the President.