Despite India remaining the world's most populous and vibrant democracy, freedom of religion is in decline and plural secularism threatened, says a journalist-turned-Christian activist who is now secretary general of the All India Christian Council.

A Canadian Catholic priest is urging Quebec to move towards a model of "open secularism" that respects both religious and non-religious contributions to society without imposing the beliefs of any one group.

Blaming religion alone for the world's troubles is factually wrong, says the head of the World Council of Churches. Both religious and non-religious roots of conflict must be faced, and Christians have a vocation as peacemakers.

French religious leaders are calling on newly-elected President Sarkosy to pursue a dialogue on national hramony with those who voted against him and who believe he is bad news for the marginalised.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has praised retiring Prime Minister Tony Blair for recognising religion is public life and aiding peace in Northern Ireland. But his criticism of the Iraq war policy will be seen as very mild.

Simon Barrow gives an overview of three scholarly contributions by Kenneth Cragg, perhaps the world's leading interpreter of the relations between the Semitic faiths and their encounters with Western culture.