IT’S one of the most iconic features on the Cork skyline. First established as a monastic site in 606 AD, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral now houses a French neo-gothic cathedral designed in 1862 by William Burges of London.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned against downgrading the status of religious education in UK secondary schools in his last Easter sermon as leader of the Church of England.

Pope Benedict XVI issued pleas for peace to reign across the world during his traditional Christmas address today, a call marred by Muslim extremists who attacked Christian churches in Nigeria, including bombing a Catholic Mass.

Cardinal Seán Brady in his Easter homily today said there was "no hiding place for abusers in the Church in Ireland".

ANGLICAN bishops from around the world were gathering in Canterbury yesterday for the opening of the Lambeth Conference, with the 10-yearly meeting set to be overshadowed by deep splits over the roles of women and homosexuals.

From the Sydney Opera House to Rome’s Colosseum to the Sears Tower’s famous antennas in Chicago, floodlit symbols of civilisation went dark for Earth Hour, a worldwide campaign to highlight the threat of climate change.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone vowed the city will give the 2007 Tour de France its greatest ever send-off as the full route of the race was unveiled in Paris.

Flags across Europe will be lowered to half-staff, stock exchanges will stop trading, and workers, shoppers and businesses across the continent will join a silent tribute tomorrow for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.