Absolution for abortion: the Pope's offer is overdue but doesn't feel like a step forward

The church is modernising, but not nearly fast enough. Why do faith and feminism still feel so hopelessly at odds? Six months ago, I walked out of church in the middle of a service. I had recently married, but the swift exit had nothing to do with leaving anyone at the altar. The service had started out uneventfully: the vicar gave his Sunday sermon, about the importance of solidarity and compassion in the face of adversity. He emphasised how much the followers of different faiths have in common...