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with Cathy MacDonald

The personal impact of wrongful convictions as part of the Post Office scandal, plus the Book of Kells.

With the recent opening of a new immersive installation dedicated to the Book of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin, Cathy chats to the Professor of Medieval Art Heather Pulliam about the manuscript’s survival throughout the centuries, its connections to the island of Iona and the allure of its rich illustrations.

What does it mean to renew your faith as an adult? As a host of American celebrities hit the headlines for doing just that, Cathy is joined by charity worker Fiona Stewart and activist Lorna Farrell to discuss their personal experiences of cementing their faith with a baptism in later life.

As congregation sizes shrink and the cost of living rises, faith organisations are increasingly having to put their places of worship on the housing market. But what impact does this have on congregations and how are the big decisions made? Former Church of Scotland minister Rev Ian Galloway explores the dilemmas and the details.

Inspiring countless poems, films, songs and books, the moon is an ever-present source of wonder. Journalist Rebecca Boyle chats to Cathy about her debut publication Our Moon: A Human History and the extraordinary hold the moon has on humankind, from religion, climate, evolution and more.

A new World Service podcast series World of Secrets - The Disciples details a shocking investigation in to one of the world's biggest Christian evangelical churches, the Synagogue Church of all Nations in Lagos. Former members allege torture, rape and forced abortions spanning almost two decades by the late TB Joshua. Investigative journalist Charlie Northcott shares all.

Despite stretching over 20 years, the devastating consequences of a faulty computer system used by the Post Office has only recently come to mass public attention. Cathy speaks to Anne Quarm, whose sub-postmaster husband Bill had his conviction for embezzlement quashed last year; 11 years after his death. Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology Dr Faye Skelton also discusses her research into miscarriages of justice in the Scottish Justice system.

There’s never a better time than January to plan a wee getaway for the lighter months, so how about a weekend at a faith-based retreat? Tourism and Events lecturer Dr Jaeyeon Choe and author Donald Smith discuss the benefits of a spiritual staycation.

1 hour, 55 minutes

Last on

Sun 14 Jan 2024 08:00

Music Played

  • Jackie Wilson

    (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher

    • Midnight Soul (Various Artists).
    • Music Club.
  • Roachford

    All The Love We Need

    • Now & Then.
    • Tag8.
  • Karine Polwart

    The Whole Of The Moon

    • Karine Polwart's Scottish Songbook.
    • Hegri Music.
  • Van Morrison

    Days Like This

    • Van Morrison - Days Like This.
    • Exil.
  • Travis

    Flowers In The Window

    • (CD Single).
    • Independiente.
  • Alicia Keys

    Lifeline

    • The Color Purple (Music From & Inspired By).
    • Alicia Keys Records.
  • Pharrell Williams

    Happy

    • (CD Single).
    • RCA.

Broadcast

  • Sun 14 Jan 2024 08:00