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History of Father Christmas; Winter Solstice; Tackling Islamic extremism

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme, presented by Edward Stourton. What kind of bishop is a 'Pope Francis bishop'?

What kind of Bishop is a 'Pope Francis Bishop'? Following the Pope's first swathe of appointments Catholic Commentator John Allen talks to Edward Stourton about what it all means.

From Travelodge to Prof Brian Cox, Edward hears how 1000 people interpreted the nativity for 21st century Britain.

As the conflict continues in Syria, Dorian Jones reports from Turkey on the Syrian Christians seeking refuge with the country's small Christian community.

As Christmas approaches, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, Patriarch Sako, describes the desperate situation facing the countries dwindling Christian minority.

Edward visits the spot where a Salford cleric born 250 years ago preached the virtues of vegetarianism, laying the foundations for the Vegetarian Society.

Trevor Barnes sees the sun rise over Stonehenge and its new visitor centre for the Winter Solstice and finds out why not everyone is happy with what's on display.

Two European countries have staked claim to the original Father Christmas this week - so who was he really? Rev Canon Jim Rosenthal Founder of the St Nicholas Society joins the programme.

And what next in the battle against Islamic extremism post the murder of Lee Rigby: Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra of the MCB and Dr Brooke Rogers, lecturer in Risk and Terror from Kings College London, discuss.

Producers: Catherine Earlam and Rosie Dawson.

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45 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sun 22 Dec 2013 07:10

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