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Women deacons, Faith and comedy, Friends Ambulance Unit at the Somme

Pope Francis appoints a commission to consider women deacons, Ali Hassan makes fun of his Muslim culture at Edinburgh, and how the Friends Ambulance Unit saved lives at the Somme.

Pope Francis has set up a panel to study whether women can serve as deacons. We debate if this is a move that will lead to changes in the role of women in the Catholic Church with Professor Tina Beattie and Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith.

In the first 6 months of the year there was a large increase in anti-Semitic incidents. Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum tells us it's time for a zero tolerance policy on hate crime.

Reporter Bob Walker has walked the world's most northerly pilgrimage route across Sweden. Along the way he met refugees from around the world who are now living in remote villages and towns there.

Canadian comic Ali Hassan is in Edinburgh with his show 'Man Interrupted'. He explains how he gets gags from his Muslim culture without causing offence.

During WW1, many Quakers joined the Friends Ambulance Unit as an alternative to fighting. Hazel Southam hears how they worked on ambulance trains ferrying the injured from the front to hospital.

The National Council of Churches in India will hold a day of protest next week against the country's discriminatory caste system. It follows a number of attacks against Dalits in various parts of the country. Rahul Tandon reports.

Julia Wilkinson is the only Sports Chaplain from the UK at the Olympics. She tells Trevor about her role in Rio and how she helps support those who missed out on a gold medal.

Producers:
David Cook
Peter Everett

Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

Photo: (c)Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain.

Available now

44 minutes

Chapters

  • Anti-Semitic Attacks

    Anti-semitic attacks are on the increase across the country according to a report.

    Duration: 04:04

  • Sweden Refugees

    Bob Walker meets refugees who are now living in remote villages in Sweden.

    Duration: 06:43

  • Olympic Chaplain

    Trevor speaks to Julia Wilkinson, the only Sports Chaplain from the UK at the Olympics.

    Duration: 05:20

  • Edinburgh Fringe

    Ali Hassan explains how he gets gags from his Muslim culture without causing offence.

    Duration: 05:53

  • Dalits

    Churches throughout India will protest against the country's 'discriminatory caste system'

    Duration: 04:31

  • Somme Quakers

    During WW1, many Quakers joined the Friends Ambulance Unit as an alternative to fighting.

    Duration: 07:20

  • Women Deacons

    Pope Francis has set up a panel to study whether women can serve as deacons.

    Duration: 08:06

Broadcast

  • Sun 7 Aug 2016 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