Pope Francis has called for a global ban on surrogacy, saying it is the commercialisation of pregnancy and a threat to human dignity. Edward Stourton hears the experiences of a couple and their surrogate and explores the ethics of surrogacy with Christian ethicist Dr Helen Watt and fertility lawyer Natalie Gamble.
The Houthis in Yemen have been carrying out a campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, prompting US and UK air strikes this week. But who are the Houthis? What do they believe? International relations professor Simon Mabon explains the theology and ideology behind this Shia Islamist group.
In recent decades, Ireland has seen the most extraordinary decline in Catholicism, with far fewer people regularly attending Mass. There's also a crisis within the clergy as the supply of vocations has dwindled. The average age of Catholic priests in Ireland is 70, for nuns it's over 80. Two new documentaries from the Irish broadcaster, RTE examine the possibility that both professions could be in terminal decline.
This year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian composer, Anton Bruckner. He became a prominent figure in 19th century music, famous for his sacred works and his symphonies. The writer and composer, Stephen Johnson reflects on how Bruckner's Christian faith inspired his work and how writing music to the glory of God helped Bruckner to manage his mental health problems.
Presenter: Edward Stourton Producer: Jonathan Hallewell and Alexa Good Editor: Tim Pemberton
Turkey and Syria Earthquake; Patriarch Kirill & KGB claims; C of E Synod; Prevent review
The 'living saint' and the sex cult; Frank Field's belief; chant music at the Grammys
Spiritual Bear; Better Sermons
Same Sex Marriage and the Church of England
Catholicism after Benedict. Faith in Prison, Shamanism
Repairing Relationships; Faith in Prisons; Embracing Failure.
Remembering Pope Benedict XVI
Jesus Rock; The Morality of Striking; Clemency for Prisoners
Warm spaces; Iranian protest; Christians in Qatar; Lords reform.
The future for Christianity, Benin Bronzes, Otis Williams and Silent Night
Islamic Art; Faith & Politics; Favourite Carols
Courtney Pine, Qatar and Fifa, New Anglican Denominations
Wayside Pulpits, Leicester Inquiry, Women in Qatar
Same-Sex Marriage and the Church of England; Meat-Free Fridays; Bellringing for the King
Hindu PM; Brazil elections; Religious relics; Nasheed choir
Politics and Trust; Sikh Community Kitchens; Poetry and Faith
British embassy in Israel; Diwali; Iranian hijab protests.
Themed weddings; Muslims and mental health; Jake Thackray
Iran and the Hijab; Faith in the reign of King Charles; Rural Church Monuments
Elvis's Faith; Black British Muslims; Cathedral Music
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