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Radiocarbon dating relics, Rural churches, Faith in the World Week

William Crawley presents this edition looking at radiocarbon dating relics, rural churches and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Faith in the World Week.

The Church of England has published a letter to the Prime Minister signed by 84 of its bishops calling for the Government to increase the number of Syrian refugees being resettled in the UK "to a minimum of 50,000" over the next five years. William Crawley speaks to the Anglcan Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler and to the Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Jean-ClΓ©ment Jeanbart.

Rosie Dawson reports on a poll commissioned by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Local Radio for Radio 2's Faith In The World Week which suggests that people think British society is more religiously tolerant but less moral than it used to be. We also hear the experiences of families of minority faith traditions living in the UK.

In a frank assessment of the future of Church of England buildings, a panel led by the Bishop of Worcester, the Right Reverend John Inge, recommends the closure of rural churches where there is low attendance and a much more imaginative use of existing church buildings. He discusses the finding with William Crawley.

One of the measures the government of Sierra Leone took at the height of the Ebola crisis was temporarily to ban large gatherings. Kati Whitaker reports on the impact on religious practice in churches and mosques.

For the first time, theologians and scientists at Oxford University have joined forces to carry out a wide-ranging investigation into the authenticity of ancient religious relics. Professor Thomas Higham explains what he hopes the project will achieve.

Producers:
Dan Tierney
Carmel Lonergan

Series Producer:
Amanda Hancox.

Available now

45 minutes

Chapters

  • Arch Bishop of Aleppo

    Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, talks to William Crawley

    Duration: 05:29

  • Faith Poll

    Rosie Dawson on a poll commissioned by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for Radio 2's Faith in the World Week

    Duration: 08:05

  • Rural Churches

    Bishop of Worcester and a more imaginative use of church buildings with low attendance

    Duration: 05:16

  • Ebola

    Kati Whitaker reports on the impact on religious practice in churches and mosques

    Duration: 06:29

  • Relics

    Theologians and scientists investigate the authenticity of religious relics

    Duration: 04:43

  • Bishops letter

    Bishops letter calling for an increase in the number of refugees being resettled in the UK

    Duration: 07:05

Broadcast

  • Sun 18 Oct 2015 07:10

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