Donna Birrell

Cornwall, London

Multimedia Journalist at Premier Christian Radio

Multimedia Journalist at Premier

Featured in: Favicon

premier.org.uk Favicon

premierchristianradio.com Favicon

bbc.co.uk

premierchristian.news Favicon

exbulletin.com Favicon

premierchristianity.com Favicon

hcef.org

premiernexgen.com

Articles

Bishops herald Pope Leo's 'commitment to justice' and 'deep spirituality'

1 week ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

Church leaders from across denominations say they are praying for the new Pope, Leo XIV, as he begins his first full day as the 267th pontiff. In the Anglican Church, the Archbishop of York, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, was among the first to send congratulations. In a statement, he said he shares in “the great joy of our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers in welcoming His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the Bishop of Rome".
Church bells to ring out for 80th anniversary of VE Day

2 weeks ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) will be marked by church bells ringing out across the country – and a replica Spitfire outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The Church of England (CofE) has announced that at 6.30pm on VE Day, Thursday 8th May, church and cathedral bells will echo the sounds that swept across the country in 1945, as a collective act of thanksgiving.
Clergy at Winchester Cathedral praise God for rise in Easter attendance

2 weeks ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

Clergy at Winchester Cathedral are “rejoicing” after an increase in the number of people attending services over Holy Week and Easter. Overall, there was a 13 per cent increase in the number of people coming to worship across Good Friday to Easter Day compared with 2024. Some 31 per cent more people went to the cathedral’s Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, and the Diocesan Chrism saw a huge 69 per cent rise in numbers.
FA writes to Cody Gakpo over 'I belong to Jesus' vest

2 weeks ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

The Football Association (FA) has written to the Liverpool footballer Cody Gakpo after he revealed a shirt bearing the words ‘I belong to Jesus’ during a match at the weekend. The letter reminded the 25-year-old that there is an FA ban on religious slogans on items of clothing, boots and equipment. Gakpo lifted his jersey to unveil the slogan on a vest after scoring for Liverpool in their 5-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday at Anfield.
Norwich church teams up with Big Issue to transform communities through growing food

2 weeks ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

A church in Norwich is partnering with The Big Issue for a pilot project to grow food in marginalised communities. Big Grow is an urban gardening initiative aimed at transforming public spaces into edible landscapes through growing food. As part of the project, St George’s Church in Colgate is expanding its existing garden space with four new planters dedicated to food growing.
Son of megachurch founders charged with rape

3 weeks ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

The son of the founders of a United States megachurch has appeared in court charged with rape and other sexual offences. Gary Thomas ‘Tom’ Keesee Jr, 36, pleaded not guilty to 27 counts, 11 each of rape and gross sexual imposition and five of unlawful sexual conduct. He’s accused by multiple women of grooming them when they were minors into trusting him and then of having sex with them. Three of the alleged victims were 6 to 15 years old at the time.
Environmental campaigners call Pope Francis 'beacon of light' over his care for God's creation

3 weeks ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

As hundreds of thousands of people file past the casket of Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome ahead of his funeral, thoughts turn to reflecting on his legacy. Throughout his 12 year papacy Francis showed a commitment to raising awareness around issues of poverty and injustice, but one of the causes closest to his heart was caring for God's creation. In 2015, just two years after becoming pontiff, Francis broke new ground by writing an encyclical on the environment.
Good news as clergy report bumper Easter church attendance

3 weeks ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

The Bishop of Blackburn is among senior clergy reporting bumper attendances at churches for Holy Week and Easter services. According to The Telegraph, Rt Rev Philip North said early indications in his diocese suggested numbers were up by a half, with some parishes almost full.
Pope makes surprise visit to St. Peter's Basilica not dressed in usual white papal attire

1 month ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

The Pope has briefly greeted visitors while being taken on an unannounced visit to St Peter's Basilica. He was seen without his usual papal attire and with a blanket draped around his shoulders. The 88 year old also had an oxygen tube attached to his nose. Bystander Luiz Gill said: "We were visiting St. Peter's Basilica and saw some guards passing by and making way, so we went to see what it was, and it was the Pope.
King Charles makes surprise visit to Pope Francis at Vatican

1 month ago | premierchristian.news | Donna Birrell

Pope Francis had a previously unannounced meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday (April 9) afternoon with Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, during their state visit to Italy, Buckingham Palace and the Vatican announced. Charles and Camilla had been due to make a formal state visit to the Vatican, but postponed their plans after doctors prescribed Francis two months of rest after the pontiff experienced a serious bout of double pneumonia.