To be a preacher requires two apparently contradictory qualities: confidence and humility.

Any deep-rooted prejudice against others, such as homophobia or misogyny, would be grounds for rejecting a candidate for the priesthood, but not their sexual orientation.

Clearly a big challenge for Christianity is how to remain in contact with the millions of people who look for God but do not come to Church.

Celibacy is not just a matter of not having sex. It is a way of admiring a person for their humanity, maybe even for their beauty.

Thinking that morality is all about commandments is a relatively new way of thinking, since the Reformation.

Claiming that you have got the truth wrapped up does breed violence and intolerance.

The key question for the future of Europe is whether these faiths will live together in peace or whether they will tear Europe apart.