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Catholic worship returns to Hampton Court, Womens' prayers at the Western Wall, the Pope and the Patriarch

Catholic worship returns to Hampton Court, women's prayers at the Western Wall and all aboard the Mercy Bus. Presented by Edward Stourton.

The Israeli government has announced plans to build a mixed gender prayer section at the Western wall. Campaigners are celebrating a groundbreaking decision, but Palestinians, the ultra Orthodox and archaeologists are not happy. We hear from Anat Hoffman from "Women of the Western Wall". Journalist Judy Maltz gives us the background.

Next Tuesday Hampton court chapel will host what is believed to be the first Catholic service since the Reformation. Trevor Barnes charts the chapel's religious and musical history during the Tudor era, as the country switched back and forth between the Catholic and Protestant faiths.

The victim of alleged assault by the former Bishop of Chichester George Bell, who was awarded compensation by the Church of England last year, has broken her silence to speak about her experience. Edward speaks to Joel Adams from the Brighton Argus.

The Catholic diocese of Salford is touring shopping centres through Lent on its "Mercy Bus" - Rosie Dawson gets on board.

A report released by Cambridge University has compiled the experiences of 50 male converts to Islam. Kevin Boquet speaks to the author of the report and hears from some of the participants.

Pope Francis is heading off on his travels again. Next week he lands in Mexico. He's expected to speak about against the drug cartels responsible for the murders of 11 Catholic priests in the last 3 years. Will he also address the challenge of the Zika virus? Edward speaks to the 大象传媒's correspondent in Mexico before hosting a live discussion about whether the Catholic church needs to re-think its position on contraception and abortion in the light of the crisis?

Producers: Rosie Dawson
Peter Everett

Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Available now

44 minutes

Chapters

  • Western Wall

    Israeli government says women and men will pray together at Jerusalem鈥檚 Western Wall

    Duration: 05:28

  • Bishop Bell

    Woman speaks out about childhood abuse by Bishop George Bell

    Duration: 05:37

  • Muslim Converts

    Muslim convert; I felt like an outsider in my own country

    Duration: 06:13

  • Peter Saunders

    Peter Saunders removed from Vatican commission on sex abuse

    Duration: 04:07

  • Pope and Patriarch

    Historic meeting between Pope and Russian Patriarch to take place in Cuba

    Duration: 08:13

  • Zika Virus

    Should the Zika virus prompt changes in Catholic teaching on abortion and birth control?

    Duration: 05:34

  • Hampton Court

    First Roman Catholic service in Hampton Court palace for 500 years

    Duration: 06:29

Broadcast

  • Sun 7 Feb 2016 07:10

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