麻豆约拍

Edward Stourton with the religious and ethical news of the week. Moral arguments and perspectives on stories familiar and unfamiliar.

Metal theft has been halting trains and disconnecting telephones across the country. Churches have been suffering from this kind of stealing for years but it has got so bad that some have been forced to close. Edward speaks to Monsignor John Nelson from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.

The Turkish government have announced it will be returning hundreds of properties seized from its non-Muslim minorities. The seizures, some of which date back decades, have been a point of tension in the country and a poignant symbol of the difficulties faced by the country's religious minorities. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.

Church leaders in earthquake-hit Christchurch are planning to build a cardboard cathedral to replace the original 150-year old building that was badly damaged earlier this year in one of New Zealand's worst natural disasters. The structure would be temporary but senior Anglicans believe it would provide an important psychological boost to a city still mourning the loss of 181 lives. Edward speaks to correspondent Phil Mercer.

In the third of our think pieces looking at the underlying cause behind last months riots we hear from Muslim thinker Fiyaz Mughal.

The Archbishop of Canterbury visits Zimbabwe next week and he may meet up with President Robert Mugabe. Trevor Barnes looks at the complex situation facing Anglicans in Zimbabwe and the diplomatic tightrope the Archbishop will have to walk.

Next week marks the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan. We hear from women MP's in Afghanistan who are worried that they will be marginalised by efforts to placate the Taliban. Edward discusses the prospects for peace with Serena de Matteo from Christian Aid and author and broadcaster Zari Kargar.