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A Puritan's Christmas, Tension in Burundi, Fake apostolic blessings

How Christmas went 'underground' during the British Civil War, fears that Burundi is on the cusp of a civil war, and the Vatican clamps down on fake Apostolic Blessings.

Should the Archbishop of Canterbury 'apologise for the Church's mistake in its response to homosexuality around the world'? That's the call by the Very Revd Prof Martyn Percy, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford who has written an essay on the topic ahead of the next month's meeting of Primates. He debates with Canon Dr Chris Sugden from Anglican Mainstream.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said Burundi is on the cusp of a civil war. Dr Phil Clark from SOAS looks at the tensions in the country and Tearfund's Country Director Emmanuel Murangira explains how they are responding.

This week police in Rome seized 3,500 fake "Apostolic Blessings." Catholic writer Michael Walsh explains what they are and why they are so coveted.

Bob Walker reports from the National Civil War Centre where they are marking Yuletide by, 'sitting on the fence'. Christmas was a big point of division amongst the sides fighting the British Civil War in the 17th century; mince pies were banned and churches raided to ensure they were not holding services.

On the day of the Spanish General Election we ask if there is a religious vote in this campaign? Alistair Dawber, The Independent's correspondent in Madrid talks to Edward.

Jane Little reports from Charleston, South Carolina where she meets some of the families who publicly forgave the man who shot their loved ones as at a bible study class in June. Has enough been done in the city to tackle racism since the killings?

What was it like to experience Christmas in 1945? 70 years after the end of the Second World War, Henry Muchamore tells us his story of spending Christmas Day with three German Prisoners of War when he was 7 years old.

Producers:
David Cook
Carmel Lonergan

Series Producer:
Amanda Hancox.

Available now

45 minutes

Chapters

  • Syria Report

    Report on Islamist extremists from the Centre on Religion and Geopolitic

    Duration: 03:54

  • Apostolic Blessings

    This week Police in Rome have seized 3,500 fake "Apostolic Blessings"

    Duration: 03:56

  • National Civil War Centre

    The National Civil War Centre are marking Yuletide by 'sitting on the fence'

    Duration: 06:56

  • Burundi

    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said Burundi is on the cusp of a civil war

    Duration: 05:40

  • Charleston

    Jane Little meets some of the families who forgave the man who shot their loved ones

    Duration: 07:36

  • Spanish Election

    On the day of the Spanish General Election we ask if there is a religious vote?

    Duration: 02:07

  • Church Of England And Sexuality

    Should Justin Welby 'apologise for the Church's mistake in its response to homosexuality'?

    Duration: 07:02

Broadcast

  • Sun 20 Dec 2015 07:10

All the colours of the rainbow

All the colours of the rainbow

The Covid-19 rainbows painted by children today are part of a rich and ancient symbolism.

Podcast