Everyday Ethics

President Trump doesn’t like Pope Leo, accusing him of being weak on crime and bad on foreign policy. The leader of the Catholic Church says he will keep speaking out for peace and the gospel.In a week where Trump also released a picture of himself in a Christ like pose healing the sick, we ask why he continues to be popular with US Christians? Audrey talks to Mark Finlay – a Presbyterian from East Belfast who now works in Washington with US politicians and leaders- about the differences in faith, language and politics on the other side of the pond.As the crew of Artemis II return safely to earth Audrey speaks to Rev Professor David Wilkinson from Durham University about why space travel has a profound spiritual affect on astronauts.This weekend the 1926 Census Records for the Irish Free State are released. Dr Marie Colman from Queens University looks at the first post -partition evidence of population changes and movement across the border.And what does a Theology of Climate Failure look like? Should we acce

On this Easter Sunday morning we ask if there more darkness than light in our lives? More hopelessness than hope? Where can the light and hope be found in a world that's full of pain, conflict, poverty and hate? Journalist Liz Kennedy, Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick from Ulster University and by Dr Naomi Green, assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain join Audrey Carville to share their sources of hope.Fr Carlos Ferrero, parish priest in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza. He tells us how this Easter will differ from the last two years.Later this morning, Pope Leo will deliver his first traditional Easter Urbi et Orbi address from the balcony in St Peter's Square in Rome. Much attention will be on it, particularly following his sermon on Palm Sunday when he spoke out strongly against those leaders who start wars. Journalist and long time observer of the Vatican, Austen Ivereigh, gives us his assessment of Pope Leo's comments.And as the NASA Artemis 2 spaceflight heads towards the far side of th

This week the British government announced its Aid priorities which include reducing the amount spent on aid by £6 billion by 2027. Along with the cuts to USAID by the Trump Administration what will be the impact on programmes around the world. Audrey talks to Rosamond Bennett from Christian Aid Ireland, Sean Farrell from Trocaire and Dominic McSorley from Concern about making the case for aid in turbulent times. Author Freya India talks to Audrey about how the architecture of life has changed for young women and how many are struggling to cope in the online world. At the start of Holy week we hear from Jim Deeds and Liz Hughes about this years Darkness to Dawn meditations and other Easter coverage. And fly to the moon. Science Educator Niamh Shaw tells us why humans are returning to the moon for the first time in decades.

Tech Billionaire Peter Thiel went to Rome this week and gave a closed door lecture about the Antichrist, just a stone's throw from the Vatican. Audrey talks to CNN’s Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb about what happened and also his new book American Hope, what Pope Leo the 14th means for the church and the world.The Living Wage is 25 years old but what role has it had in raising people out of poverty when the wealth inequality gap is bigger than it has ever been?Audrey talks to two people who were there at the start - Bernie Harris who is orginially from Sligo but has worked as a nurse in east London for more than 40 years and Paul Regan is a retired methodist minister and Mary McManus the Living Wage co-ordinator for Northern Ireland.Peterson Toscano is this years Artivist in Residence at the Imagine Festival. He talks to Audrey about his journey from Evangelical to Quaker and the bumps along the way after he spent years in Conversion therapy.A newly composed suite of psalms based on the experiences of

Later tonight Irish actress Jessie Buckley will find out if she has won the Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet.It's a film about family, love, grief, and the aftermath of losing a child. Audrey talks to psychotherapist Julia Samuel about how the film forces you sit with the rawness of grief. Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain whose son Benedict was tragically drowned while on honeymoon tells us what has helped him in the aftermath of such incredible loss.“Blessed be the Lord my rock who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle”- the US government quoting scripture to explain the sacrifice of war in Iran. Theologian Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick tells us what the Book of Revelations says and how it has been interpreted by the Church over the centuries to make claims about the end of the World and the Battle of ArmageddonSilence- it's been used for hundreds of years, in books, plays, poetry...the irony of that is profound. Audrey talks to

The United States and Israel began bombing Iran just over a week ago. Iran responded by bombing their aggressors' allies in the Gulf States. Hundreds are dead and the purpose of the war remains unclear. We discuss the latest developments, examine the theocratic system in Iran and whether Christian nationalism influences the Trump administration. Taking part are Tara Kangarlou journalist, author of The Heartbeat of Iran and adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC and by Oliver McTernan, director of Forward Thinking- a mediation and conflict resolition NGO.The group of Conservative Anglicans, known as Gafcon, met in Nigeria's capital Abuja this week. They are opposed to the appointment of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury - Sarah Mullally. There are 95 million Anglicans around the world with the Archbishop of Canterbury being their spiritual figurehead. It had been thought that Gafcon would elect their own leader and cause a full scale split but instead they elected their own leaders

In his first interview since being elected as Moderator Designate the Rev Richard Kerr talks to Audrey about the PCI safeguarding scandal and the next steps for the church.Agreement is Owen McCafferty's dramatisation of the final four days of talks which led to the Good Friday Agreement. It starred among others Dan Gordon as John Hume and Ruairi Conaghan as David Trimble. Dan and Ruairi chat to Audrey about playing the Nobel Laureates and Brian Rowan gives us the inside story of the human personalities striving for peace.This week we marked the 4th anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Audrey talks to local poet Angela Graham about her new collection which was inspired by photos from the war in Ukraine.

It's a unique moment in the Islamic and Christian calendars as the seasons of Ramadan and Lent coincide.Fasting is central to both, so this morning we are examining the role of fasting in today's world. Whether for spiritual reasons or wellness and lifestyle reasons: Is it a sacred path to renewal and wellness? Audrey speaks to Dr Naomi Green, Dr Tina Beattie and Pastor Andrew Gibson.The Presbyterian Church in Ireland held a second special meeting of its general assembly on Wednesday - in response to the safeguarding scandal which has engulfed the church since its moderator and clerk the Reverend Dr Trevor Gribben resigned in November. Alan Meban reports from the Assembly and former Moderator Rev Dr Norman Hamilton gives his response.And is this the way forward? Jim Deeds joins the drive through queue to get Ashes at a North Belfast Church and finds himself surprisingly moved and blessed by the experience.

US bishops warn that citizens may be called to 'put our bodies on the line' in protests in order 'to stand by their values'. Irish historian Dr Leeann Lane (Dublin City University), journalist and author Mihir Bose, theologian and sociologist Dr Elaine Storkey, and Irish church historian Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick join Audrey Carville to discuss the ethics, history and theology of taking a stand.We hear from Father Simon Sleeman who has been keeping bees for 50 years. He explains the tradition of 'telling the bees' about big life events.And we ask whether romantic love is prized above the love between friends. Liz Kennedy and Rosie Turner's friendship spans many decades. They look back on some of their adventures and talk about what sustains a strong friendship.

On Racial Justice Sunday Mark Devenport talks with New York Times Bestselling author and historian Jemar Tisby about how the church fails to tackle racism. Local woman Maureen Hamblin and Tim Magowan, from the circle of change group, give an account of what is happening here in Northern Ireland.We also investigate the ethics of memory looking at how memory can be manipulated and false memories created. Psychologists Ciara Greene and Gillian Murphy tell us why having a flexible rather than a photographic memory can be a good thing.And Dr James Nelson gives us his best guess as to what the new RE Curriculum in Northern Ireland might like and what it should be called.

This week on Sunday Sequence Mark Devenport is in the Chair kicking off with an interview with Bishop Rose Hudson Wilkins about her remarkable journey from poverty in Jamaica to becoming the first Black female Bishop in the Church of England and Chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II. We also look at a new Interfaith project in Belfast which begins this Sunday with a Jewish/Catholic St Brigid's day event. And we talk to Presbyterian Minister Neil Craigan who now lives and works in Minneapolis about his experience of the violent ICE crackdown in the city and how that impacts his faith.

Holocaust Memorial reflections, future generations politics, and the Kindertransport.

This week marks Donald Trump’s first year as the 47th President of the United States. To discuss his impact domestically and globally Audrey is joined by Catherine Clinton – Professor of American History at the University of Texas, Professor Fionnuala Ni Aolain, expert on international and human rights law and Dublin based Entrepreneur and Commentator Karl Deeter.At least 2,400 protesters are reported to have been killed in Iran during more than two weeks of nationwide unrest which has threatened the rule of the Islamic regime. Tara Kangarlou – journalist and author tells Audrey how the people of Iran are reacting and reflects on whether this may be the start of a new Iranian revolution.Worship leader Andy Flannagan joins Audrey to talk contemporary songwriting and Christian nationalism ahead of a workshop he is running in a local brewery taproom. And we preview this years 4 Corners festival.

Seán Farrell has travelled the world, from Romania to Uganda and to the Phillippines. As the new CEO of the aid agency Trócaire, he is drawing his experiences as a volunteer and a witness to some of the world's most brutal conflicts, famines and poverty. But who would want to be the boss of an aid and development agency in 2026?

Chris Bennett, Dr Naomi Green, Michele Marken and Professor Duncan Morrow join Audrey Carville to reflect on some of the major ethical and faith themes of 2025, and offer their hopes for 2026. The panel discuss the alienation and dehumanisation of young men; changes and challenges in leadership of faith communities; as well as global conflict and politics.We revisit interviews with Niobe Way (professor of behavioural psychology), Father Carlos Ferrero (parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City), Andrey Kurkov (Ukrainian satirist and diarist), Bishop Mariann Budde (National Cathedral in Washington DC), and dip into Sunday Sequence's live broadcast from St Peter's Square after the election of Pope Leo XIV.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland held a special meeting of its general assembly on Thursday- five weeks after its moderator and clerk, the Reverend Dr Trevor Gribben, resigned over what he called serious and significant failings in its safeguarding process. Alan Meban reports from the Assembly and then Audrey talks to former PCI Moderator Norman Hamilton and Belfast Telegraph journalist Angela Davison about what it achieved.Its 75 years since The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was published. We step into Narnia with writers Tony Macaulay and Shirley Ann McMillan and Theologian Elaine Storkey. And we also hear about the enduring popularity of the book with some kids from a local school putting on a stage version of the book this Christmas.

We are approaching the shortest day of the year- it's next Sunday when the Winter Solstice will happen at three minutes past three on December 21st. So that, plus the fact that today is the start of the Festival of Hannukah- the Jewish festival of Lights, got us thinking about the part light plays in all our lives, and especially for those of faith. Audrey is joined by Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick, Dr Tina Beattie and Dr Leon Litvak. We also talk to Father Carlos Ferrero from the Holy Family Church in Gaza City about how they are planning to celebrate Christmas this year and also whether things have improved since the Ceasefire. And finally we talk to Paul Davies, a renowned physicist and professor at Arizona State University. His new book Quantum 2.0 finishes with the words 'to be aware of the quantum world is to glimpse something of the majesty and elegance of the physical universe and our place within it.'

As more cases emerge, safeguarding expert Ian Elliot calls for a public enquiry into PCI. Audrey talks to journalist Angela Davison about the latest developments and also to retired Presbyterian minister Rev Tony Davidson about what needs to happen at the special general assembly.Pope Leo’s first overseas trip takes him to Lebanon where he met some of the victims of the Beirut port explosion and celebrated a mass for 150,000 Christians. Audrey speaks to Najat Aoun Saliba, a Maronite Christian and an MP in Lebanon.Homelessness figures in Northern Ireland have increased exponentially over the last decade. Mark Baillie from Homelessness Connect tells Audrey why.And could a row over military service for Ultra-Orthodox Jews bring down Benjamin Netanyahu’s government?

As we digest this week’s budget, we discuss the ethics of what and who governments choose to spend our money on. Audrey talks to journalist Anne McElvoy, Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick from Ulster University and Agnes Lunny the CEO of Positive Futures.The uncertainty around what the Supreme Court decision on Religious Education will mean continues. Audrey talks to Naomi Green and Edwin Graham about their perspectives as Muslim and Bahai parents of children in the NI education system.And we talk to Brother Guy Consalmagno about his ten years as Director of the Vatican Observatory.

Christian religious education (RE) taught in schools in Northern Ireland is unlawful, the UK Supreme Court has ruled. Audrey is joined by Dr James Nelson from Queens University, Bishop Donal McKeown and Boyd Sleator from the Northern Ireland Humanists to discuss the implications for schools.As the Presbyterian Church safeguarding scandal continues, we talk to church members about their reaction to the news and what they want to see happen.And as the COP 30 meeting in Brazil ends, we look at steps we can all take locally towards sustainability.