Faith leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Vincent Nichols have welcomed a new report which calls for better support for asylum seekers. It comes from a commission set up to consider how refugees might be helped to integrate into society more easily. It makes a series of recommendations and suggests that the current system creates barriers to asylum seekers who want to quickly make good use of their existing skills and qualifications. The government says it's committed to ensuring refugees can take positive steps towards integration as they rebuild their lives in the UK.
It's 300 years since J S Bach's setting of the Passion narrative from St John's gospel was first performed on Good Friday at the St Nicholas Church in Leipzig. This week many of the UK's cathedrals and churches will be marking the anniversary by performing it. The composer, conductor and singer, Bob Chilcott celebrates the work and reflects on what is one of the most revered of all musical settings of the Passion.
Does religious education at school help young people when they get a job? Lord Karan Bilimoria, a former president of the CBI, thinks it can. He believes RE helps young people to navigate the complexity of modern belief and the diversity of worldviews in the UK today. The businessman, who is from the Zoroastrian tradition, has launched a campaign urging employers to support higher standards in religious education. We hear from Lord Bilimoria, and also from the National Secular Society who feel there are better ways to equip young people for the workforce.
Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Alexa Good Editor: Dan Tierney
Ukrainian refugee visa delays; Eid prayers at Blackburn Rovers; On the frontline of the cost of living crisis.
French election; Ukrainian refugees; Abuse within the church
Sikh scripture rescue, Patriarch Kirill profile, Muslim footballers during Ramadan
Sikh scriptures; The church in wartime; Interfaith dialogue during Ramadan
'Good versus evil' in Ukraine, Taliban U-turn on girls' education, The Merchant of Venice
Religious images in wartime; Inviting a refugee into your home; Russian Orthodox Christians split over war
The Pope's envoy to Ukraine; The Point of Prayer; Shorter organists' battle for adjustable benches
Russian Orthodox response to Putin; Ukraine's Chief Rabbi in exile; The Christian radio station broadcasting defiantly from Kyiv
Special programme on the faith response to Ukraine
Media nuns, Empty churches, Jewish internment
President Putin and the Orthodox Church; Liberated Slaves; Religious Matchmakers
Licoricia Jewish statue unveiled; Hong Kong Christians and Forgiveness
Painting icons, Bloody Sunday, and religion in the Metaverse
Mary Beard's Forbidden Art; The Mormons and Tonga; Gordon Brown
Joe Biden's First Year Report; Chaplaincy; Where Do We Draw Our Moral Compass From?
Faith-inspired public art; 100th online church service; Pagan extremism
Archbishop Desmond Tutu's life and legacy, It's a Wonderful Life, Volunteering
Angels, Churches and Omicron and Dorothy Day
12/12/2021
The Pope in Greece; Columba - a post-Brexit saint; Religious Chart Toppers
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