Everyday Ethics

Епизоди

• 
  The Bible: literal word of God, fact, or myth? 18.10.2026 56мин

  This week is Book Week in Northern Ireland, and we begin the programme by looking at the bestselling and most distributed book the world has ever seen. According to the Guinness Book of Records the Bible has sold between 5 and 7 billion copies and has been translated into thousands of languages. But how do we read the Bible today. As the literal word of God, as fiction or as a myth where the story may not always be true it points to bigger truths about God and humanity. Audrey is joined by writer and teacher Andrew Cunning, theologian Tina Beattie and Anglican Priest Cameron Mack. We also speak to Ronnie Convery from the Archdiocese of Glasgow about plans to halve the number of parishes and close dozens of churches due to declining attendance and falling numbers of clergy. What is a Christian Nationalist? The thinktank Theos tried to answer that question by surveying the UK population and their report came out last week. Audrey talks to Andrew Flanagan the Director of Christians in Politics about how the church is engaging with Christian Nationalism. And finally as part of Book Week, we talk to historians Elaine Farrell and Louise McCormack about their book Bad Bridgets which is now being turned into a movie about Irish Women in America who ended up on the wrong side of the law.
• 
  Jeffrey Archer, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Middle East 11.10.2026 56мин

  Jeffrey Archer was a bestselling author with 300 million copies of his book sold around the world, but he was also a liar and a fraudster. His crimes eventually caught up with him and landed him in prison for two years.Audrey talks to journalist Michael Crick about the many lives that Jeffrey Archer lived and then we discuss the idea of celebrity redemption with commentator Liz Kennedy and Dr Leon Litvack.The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Eamon Martin is in Rome this week as part of a conference on the family with Pope Leo. He will tell us more about that and also his thoughts on how church leaders can help with the situation on the Garvaghy Road.It was three years ago this week that Hamas attacked Southern Israel killing almost 1200 people and unleashing a war in Gaza that killed tens of thousands more. Audrey talks to veteran peace negotiator Gershon Baskin about where things stand ahead of Israeli elections.
• 
  A Different Drumcree, Gandhi’s Legacy, Pádraig Ó Tuama 04.10.2026 56мин

  As the Drumcree standoff continues, we ask how much Northern Ireland has changed since the original confrontation decades ago. Audrey is joined by Professor Peter Shirlow, Director at the University of Liverpool's Institute of Irish Studies, Gladys Ganiel professor of the sociology of religion at Queen's University, author and pastoral worker Jim Deeds and Legal Project manager Tegan Nesbitt.As India celebrates the birth of Gandhi Audrey speaks to writer Mihir Bose about how his legacy has changed and how he is viewed in today’s India.And poet and broadcaster Pádraig Ó Tuama talks to Audrey about his new book Love Between Men.
• 
  AI Apocalypse, Prayer, Season of Creation 27.09.2026 56мин

  If you were to listen to the people responsible for creating and developing Artificial Intelligence, you would conclude that it's the biggest danger to the planet - worse than climate change - when they tell us it might wipe out humanity in a decade and that work on it should stop. The biggest conference on AI on this island has been taking place in Belfast this week. And one of the keynote speakers was Nell Watson - she's an engineer, an independent researcher and one of the world's leading experts on the ethics of AI and she dropped in to chat to Audrey about ethics and machine learning.Does Prayer work? That's the question we're putting to Christian theologian Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick and Sr Geraldine Smyth.When is enough, enough? How about an economy that is designed for the health of people and the planet instead? What part can we all play in making this happen? Kristian Noll is a climate policy and knowledge exchange expert currently working in the London School of Economics. This week he launched a report based on a conference held at Queen's University on Earth Day. It's called 'An Economy of Enough in a time of crisis and opportunity'.
• 
  Reconciling Relationships, Elise Ann Allen 20.09.2026 57мин

  Broken relationships are a fact of life but how should we react? Should we forgive others or does there come a time when you need to draw a line under a relationship and move on. Audrey talks to Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, Jim Deeds and Dr Elaine Storkey about difficult conversations and the difference between reconciliation and forgiveness.We also talk to Vatican Correspondent Elise Ann Allen about her journey with her husband, John, as he faced terminal cancer before dying earlier this year.
• 
  German Elections, Servant Leadership, Diplomacy 13.09.2026 56мин

  As the far-right Alternative for Deutschland party wins 44 percent of the vote in Saxony-Anholt, Audrey talks to Jenny Witt- a journalist based in Hamburg- about what the result means for wider Germany. They also discuss what the Churches in Saxony Anhalt have been doing to help asylum seekers, and how that has brought them into direct confrontation with the AFD.Leadership is something that every organisation and company try to get right. But how different would things be if we all practiced Servant Leadership. We discuss the strengths and limitations with political commentator Alex Kane, theologian Peter McDowell and Professor of inclusive leadership at Birmingham Business School Joanne Murphy.Lord Peter Ricketts was the British government's chief civil servant in the foreign office and was the UK's first national security adviser. He talks to Audrey about his book Peace Makers: Shaping the Modern World, outlining the role played by Diplomats in World War 2 and what we can learn from that in an increasingly unstable world.
• 
  The Impact of 9/11, Remembering Wendell Berry 06.09.2026 59мин

  25 years on we remember the 9/11 attacks. BBC reporter Mark McCleary shares his memories of being in New York and then Audrey discusses the legacy and impact of 9/11 with Historian Dr Catherine Clinton, Human Rights Expert Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin and Commentator Rod Dreher.We also remember the Kentucky farmer, poet and activist Wendell Berry who died this week.
• 
  Dolly Parton’s faith, love and charity; Holy Cross 25 years on 30.08.2026 49мин

  The country star dismissed religiosity but faith shaped her life and legacy. Audrey talks to songwriter and worship leader Philippa Hanna about the country star’s faith. Donegal Singer Margo O’Donnell used to visit Dolly’s homestead and looked out at the landscape that inspired their collaboration ‘God’s Colouring Book’. And Professors Joanne Murphy and Leon Litvack discuss how the singer broke many of the rules of celebrity, unflinchingly supported causes in a way that didn’t stoke division, and ask whether she is a rare example of authentic leadership.25 years ago, Father Aidan Troy walked with the girls of Holy Cross Primary School as they passed protesters to reach the school building. He looks back on those days with Presbyterian colleague Rev Dr Norman Hamilton. What were the worst moments of those months of protest? Do they fear that a similar situation could arise again?
• 
  Speaking Ill of the Dead, Taking Time Out 09.08.2026 56мин

  Journalist Liz Kennedy, Rabbi Jonathan Romain and Rev Chris Hudson join Audrey to discuss whether society now rushes to judge someone’s character when they die.The remarkable story of an Irish nun who joined the French Resistance and survived the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Father Martin Magill is about to take time out from parish ministry for renewal. Methodist minister Rev David Campton is recently back from a period of sabbatical. And author Susan Bennett parked life for a year to travel around Europe with husband Chris and Hans the Van to reassess her priorities. What advice have David and Susan for Fr Martin?
• 
  Church lessons from Covid, modernising Homer’s Odyssey, and remembering Bryan Gallagher. 02.08.2026 56мин

  The Covid 19 pandemic disrupted every aspect of life: education, health, work… and religion. New research collates the experience of faith communities and how they engaged with the state. Have churches learned the lessons from the pandemic? Professor Gladys Ganiel coauthored the reports, and is joined in the studio by Rev John Alderdice (part of the Methodist Church’s response group), Dr Naomi Green (the assistant general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain), and Father Tim Bartlett(who represented northern Bishops on the faith forum).Christopher Nolan’s epic film based on Homer’s epic Odyssey poem is enjoying box office success. The Guardian’s Charlotte Higgins tells why she fell in love with the poem as a teenager and considers how far modern moral sensibilities should influence the adaption of classics.And Sunday Sequence remembers Bryan Gallagher, whose distinctive voice and gifted storytelling delighted radio audiences. Father Brian D’Arcy reflects on the death of his friend and we listen back to Audrey’s conversation with Bryan back in 2020 when he reflected on his life and what he might change if he had the chance to do it again.
• 
  A time to rest and reflect - Bishop Donal McKeown on retirement 26.07.2026 56мин

  He is one of the best known faces of the Catholic Church in Ireland and now Bishop Donal McKeown is preparing to retire. He has been leading the Derry Diocese since 2014, before that he was Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor. He was born in Belfast 76 years ago and as well as his religious vocation, he has been a keen runner of marathons and a former Gaelic footballer too. But he's getting ready for a little bit of quiet and relaxation after decades of being on the front line of the Church's work. In this interview with Audrey Carville, he talks about his relief at the lifting of a burden of responsibility, his love for Derry, whether human connection is in jeopardy and if he can imagine a world without organised religion.
• 
  Catholic Prime Minister, World Cup, Venezuela 19.07.2026 56мин

  Tomorrow Andy Burnham will become Prime Minister but what kind of administration will he run? Growing up as a working-class Catholic in the North of England he says that Catholic Social Teaching had a big impact on his politics. Audrey talks to Professor Anna Rowlands from Durham University. So what is Catholic Social Teaching and how might it be applied to politics by the highest office in the land.Tonight is the World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain but how much of what we've seen over the past five weeks has been down to pure skills and strategy? Or is there a little bit of belief, a little bit of faith among the players too? We've seen many of them making the sign of the cross, raising hands of thanks to the sky, the Morrocco team dropping to the ground to pray after a win - a reminder that sport, glory and faith are inextricably linked in some people's minds. We talk to Rabbi Jonathan Romain and Gerard Gallagher about the links between faith and sport.Last month a series of devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela killing at least 4800 people and making tens of thousands homeless. Regina Lynch from Aid to the Church in Need has just returned and tells Audrey what she saw.And finally, we pay tribute to David Willey who was the BBC’s Rome and Vatican correspondent for 5 decades. He died this week at the age of 93.
• 
  Love 12.07.2026 56мин

  A special programme on the theme of love. How is love defined? Is it a thought? An emotion? A feeling?Our world is awash with explanations of how and why we love yet we still remain reluctant to define it.Are humans expected to love unconditionally, in the way that people of faith believe that God does? How can they when they are not divine? Do faith institutions provide their followers with a path to love or has history shown they don't live up to that ideal?And in a world where so much hate abounds, what purpose is love serving?So many questions. To answer some of them we brought together three people from different faiths: Dr Naomi Green is a Muslim, Dr Elaine Storkey is a Christian and Dr Sarah Shaw is a BuddhistLater in the programme we hear from Colin Doherty who is in charge of medical training at Trinity College Dublin about why he's introducing Love to his curriculum. He wants his students to show more than just compassion and empathy to their patients and thinks that love will make them better doctors. And we finish by speaking with journalist Sally Hayden about her new book, "This is also a love story," highlighting acts of love in war zones across the world.
• 
  Donaldson Fallout, Archbishop of Jerusalem, USA 250 05.07.2026 56мин

  In the wake of Jeffrey Donaldson’s conviction, we look at whether he used his faith as a shield to cover his crimes. Eve Rosato talks to theologians Dr Fainche Ryan and Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick about the issues of forgiveness and whether church processes should be used at all in criminal matters.We also speak to the Archbishop of Jerusalem about the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Belfast and his work in the Middle East.Finally, as the USA celebrates its 250th anniversary, we speak to Presbyterian minister Neil Craigan who is based in Minnesota about how the city has recovered from the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration earlier this year.
• 
  American Revolution, Clonard Novena, Trauma and Healing 28.06.2026 57мин

  What role did Ulster Presbyterians play in the American Revolution? Audrey talks to Professor Richard Bell from the University of Maryland about the influence of emigrants from here like Thomas McKean from Ballymoney who was the last man to sign the Declaration of Independence.As the Clonard Novena ends we talk to Ed Peterson about the peacebuilding role they have played. And Trauma affects us all, including Liz Laird who has written a book about her experience as student nurse in the Royal Victoria Hospital at the height of the troubles and the trauma that hit her years later. Audrey also talks to Elaine Miller-Karas from the Trauma Resource Institute about how we can help heal our body from historical trauma.
• 
  Scapegoating, Peacemaking Reimagined, Sabbatical Reset 21.06.2026 56мин

  In the aftermath of last weeks riots, where are the stories of hope and resilience? Audrey talks to Tim Magowan from the Duncairn Centre and Maureen Hamblin, who has lived here for 26 years, about how she felt being scapegoated for the colour of her skin.Our main discussion asks whether we need a new kind of peace-making process in Northern Ireland – one that moves beyond Protestant/Catholic reconciliation to embrace the new Northern Ireland. Audrey is joined by Michael Gibbs, Father Martin McGill and Dr Gladys Ganiel.And, resetting your body. Husband and wife Susan and Chris Bennet both received a diagnosis of MS in the same week. They tell Audrey how that affected their faith, their marriage and how taking a campervan around Europe for year helped them to reset both physically and spiritually.
• 
  Racism, Misogyny, Violence 14.06.2026 56мин

  Disorder and Racial Attacks - Audrey speaks to journalist Allison Morris and Rev Brian Anderson from East Belfast Mission who was on the streets and whose building was damaged in the rioting.Our main discussion in the light of the recent Katie Simpson and Natalie McNally cases looks at violence against women and girls across the island of Ireland and how can it be prevented. Audrey is joined by Allison Morris, former principal Kathleen O'Hare, writer and teacher Andrew Cunning and Professor Louise Crowley from University College Cork.The PCI General Assembly was meeting this week. Alan Meban reports on a new moderator and developments in the Safeguarding Scandal.
• 
  Nussaibah Younis, Ebola, Civil Rights 07.06.2026 56мин

  Fundamentally is a novel by Nussaibah Younis about a young women who ends up in Iraq designing a deradicalisation programme for ISIS brides. It’s a comedy but it mirrors her own experience of having done exactly that.Ahead of an appearance at the Belfast Book Festival she speaks to Audrey about the novel and also what motivates young people to become radicalized today.We also hear from Sean Farrell, CEO of Trocaire about the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and how cuts in overseas aid meant it was detected a lot later than it should have been.Also part of the Belfast Book Festival American writer Forest Isaac Jones talks about his latest work looking at the links and learning shared by the Civil Rights Movements in the US and Northern Ireland.Finally on the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death we look at the man known as God’s architect and why he is on the road to sainthood.
• 
  William Dalrymple, Pope Leo & AI, Carers 31.05.2026 56мин

  William Dalrymple has won many awards for his writings and is an expert on Indian history - a country he moved to from his native Scotland around 40 years ago.He is also the co-founder of the Jaipur Literary International Festival which is in Ireland this week and among other things, he spoke to Audrey about global empires, Middle East Christians and the links between India and IrelandPope Leo's first Encyclical was published this week and, as expected, it concentrated on Artificial Intelligence.It is called Magnifica Humanitas - Magnificent Humanity. Audrey speaks to Elise Ann Allen from Crux Magazine about how it has been received in Rome and then we discuss the possibility of an Ethical framework around the technology with Dr Lyndon Drake from the Oxford Collaboration of AI and Theology and by Dr Kate Devlin- professor of Artificial Intelligence and Society at Kings College London.Finally to mark the end of BBC Carers Week we learn about the Shared Lives project which provides respite care. Audrey speaks to carer Lorraine Finn and Agnes Lunny from Positive Futures.
• 
  NEETS, Nuns, Hajj Pilgrimage 24.05.2026 56мин

  There are almost one million NEETS in the UK – that’s 16–24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training. But with budget cuts to youth services what chance do young people have of finding a job?Audrey talks to Ciara Fitzpatrick from UIster University and Sara Haller from Include Youth about a research project led by young experts who are themselves former NEETS. Two of the experts Allyshia Kali Campbell and Sé Gormley tell us their story and how Youth Services helped them on their journey.The annual Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca begins this week and Audrey talks to Fermanagh Imam Darragh Monahan about why it is important to his faith and what its like to join millions of other pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.And the untold story of Nuns during the troubles. Audrey talks to author Brigid Rafferty about her new book Catholic Sisters, Conflict and Peace in Northern Ireland 1968-2008.