The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

ABC Australia
  • 4.3 (109)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Weekly

The Religion and Ethics Report, where religion and ethics meet news and current affairs in Australia and around the world.

  1. 2 days ago

    Can the US Dems capture the pro-life vote?

    A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion.  At the moment, it’s popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans.  But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics?  A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent.  GUEST: TIMOTHY KIRCHOFF is a contributing writer to the liberal Catholic magazine, Commonweal.

    9 min

  2. 2 days ago

    Christian Brothers closed down. What now for their sex abuse victims?

    The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million.  The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers.  Those with claims against the brothers won’t receive all they’re seeking but the Brothers have revealed they’ve already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980.  GUEST: Professor DARRYL HIGGINS is director of the Institute for Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University.

    10 min

  3. 2 days ago

    Who controls the Al Aqsa mosque complex in Jerusalem?

    If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn’t hot enough, there’s now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem.  For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray.  But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council.  GUEST: WYRE DAVIES is the BBC’s Middle East correspondent. He's been covering this story.

    10 min

  4. 2 days ago

    With Christian Brothers dissolved, what now for the sex abuse victims?

    After 180 years in Australia, the Catholic order of Christian Brothers is closing down – bankrupt and shamed by the child sexual abuse scandal. The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million. The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers. Those with claims against the brothers won’t receive all they’re seeking but the Brothers have revealed they’ve already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980.  If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn’t hot enough, there’s now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem. For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray. But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council.  A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion. At the moment, it’s popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans. But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics? A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent.  GUESTS Professor DARRYL HIGGINS is director of the Institute for Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University.WYRE DAVIES is the BBC’s Middle East correspondent.TIMOTHY KIRCHOFF is a contributing writer to the liberal Catholic magazine, Commonweal.

    29 min

  5. 17 June

    Is Pauline Hanson courting the religious right?

    As Pauline Hanson’s appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament? Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.   India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji. The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire. But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji’s legacy?   We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures. But Ethiopia’s a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling. That’s the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING. She’s been living in Ethiopia’s Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary organisation that’s helped half a million women. She’s back in Australia to visit family and publicise the work of the Barbara May Foundation that helps fund her work.  Guests: Dr Benjamin Moffitt is a political scientist at Monash University and has been charting the progress of One Nation. Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspondent for The New York Times who has been following the Shivaji trend. She's author of Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, KingValerie Browning is a nurse and author of "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads in Africa”. She founded the the Afar Pastoral Development Association and the Barbara May Hospital.

    29 min

  6. 17 June

    Pauline Hanson and the Australian religious right

    As Pauline Hanson’s appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament?  Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.   The Australian religious right. GUEST: Dr Benjamin Moffitt is a political scientist at Monash University and has been charting the progress of One Nation.

    8 min

  7. 17 June

    Valerie Browning on the beautiful potential of Ethiopia

    We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures. But Ethiopia’s a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling.  That’s the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING.  She’s been living in Ethiopia’s Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary organisation that’s helped half a million women.  Valerie’s back in Australia to visit family and publicise the work of the Barbara May Foundation that helps fund her work.  Guest: Valerie Browning is a nurse and author of "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads in Africa”. She founded the Afar Pastoral Development Association and the Barbara May Maternity Hospital.

    13 min

  8. 17 June

    Why are statues of a 17thC warrior King causing riots in India?

    India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji.  The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire.  But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji’s legacy?   GUEST: Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspondent for The New York Times who has been following the Shivaji trend. She's also author of Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, King

    9 min
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The Religion and Ethics Report, where religion and ethics meet news and current affairs in Australia and around the world.

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