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
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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