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Thirty-five years ago, when many priests were in prison and atheism a mandatory subject in schools, a single page petition was circulated among the Catholic parishes of Lithuania appealing for the Communist party to stop its interference in church affairs.

The KGB seized many copies, but over a hundred survived, containing more than 17,000 signatures. Thanks to the courage of one woman, they reached Moscow, but in a remarkable sequence of events, they found their way not to the Kremlin, but to Keston College, a small research organisation in Kent.

At a ceremony in Lithuania this week those historic documents are being returned to the care of the Catholic Church by Dr Michael Bourdeaux, the Anglican priest who has spent his whole ministry chronicling the life of the Christian churches under communism. He's the founder and president of what is now Keston Institute and he joins Roy Jenkins to explain the background and significance of the petition.

What have a circus tent, a Franciscan Friary and a shoe shine stall got in common? Well the answer is all to do with a Prayer Festival taking place at the National Shrine of St. Pio at Pantasaph in Flintshire next weekend, 13-15 July. The Friars are hoping that Christians, young and old, including those who've lapsed from their faith, will be joining them for a few days of fun, music and spiritual reflection. Organiser Br. Loarne joins Roy to explain the aims and what festival goers can expect.

For further information about the Prayer Festival at the National Shine of St. Pio, Franciscan Friary, Pantasaph, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 8PE; call Brother Loarne on 01352 717075.