The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

A group linked to the Al Qaeda Islamist network is closing in on the capital of Mali, in north-west Africa. This group, known as JNIM, now controls swathes of territory in the Sahel, a region that stretches across several countries in the Sahara. If JNIM takes the capital, Bamako, it would be the first time an Al Qaeda affiliate has seized power in a country. What would that mean for Africa and the Islamic world? GUEST:Dr Tessa Deveraux- Assistant Professor in Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London

One of the geopolitical tactics Russia has used in its war with Ukraine has been to divide opinion among the world’s Orthodox Christians. Vladimir Putin is not the first Russian leader to style himself as a champion of Orthodox communities but in Greece and the Middle East, he’s tried to marshal sympathy among Christians.Dr MANOS KARAGIANNIS specialises in international security at Kings College, London. He was in Australia recently with the Affinity Intercultural Foundation.

A group linked to the Al Qaeda Islamist network is closing in on the capital of Mali, in north-west Africa. This group, known as JNIM, now controls swathes of territory in the Sahel, a region that stretches across several countries in the Sahara. If JNIM takes the capital, Bamako, it would be the first time an Al Qaeda affiliate has seized power in a country. What would that mean for Africa and the Islamic world? Dr TESSA DEVEREAUX has been analysing the situation.On the fiftieth anniversary of the dismissal of the Whitlam government, you’ll hear many theories about Gough Whitlam’s downfall. But ROY WILLIAMS has explored one reason that by no means caused but may have contributed to the events of November 11, 1975. Williams is the author of In God They Trust: The Religious Beliefs of Australia’s Prime Ministers. He also has a very personal connection. His late father, Evan Williams, was a speechwriter and long-time confidante of Whitlam. Roy wonders if a throwaway insult about the faith of then Queensland premier Joh Bjelke Petersen hardened the resolve of Whitlam’s opponents.One of the geopolitical tactics Russia has used in its war with Ukraine has been to divide opinion among the world’s Orthodox Christians. Vladimir Putin is not the first Russian leader to style himself as a champion of Orthodox communities but in Greece and the Middle East, he’s tried to marshal sympathy among Christians. Dr MANOS KARAGIANNIS aas in Australia recently with the Affinity Intercultural Foundation.GUESTS:Dr Tessa Deveraux- Assistant Professor in Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies in LondonProfessor Roy Williams - legal academic and authorDr Manos Karagiannis specialises in international security at Kings College, London.This program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

While the tragedy of Gaza never seems to leave the headlines, the war in Ukraine dips in and out of the news. That’s despite the past six months seeing the most intensive fighting of the conflict. Tetiana Stawnychy heads the Ukraine operation of the aid agency Caritas. She’s in Australia meeting supporters and explains what day to day life is like in the capital Kiev, and the complexities of the agency's work across war-torn Ukraine.GUEST:Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine, based in Kyiv, Ukraine

The early 1990s was, for Catholics, a time of political ascendancy – a Catholic prime minister, governor-general, and five of the seven high court justices. One of them was Sir Gerard Brennan, whose most famous judgement was the Mabo decision granting native title to indigenous Australians. How did his religion influence his decisions as a judge? His son, Jesuit priest Frank Brennan, has released a two volume-collection of his father’s articles and speeches, giving an extraordinary insight into the thinking of a jurist who helped shape Australian law.GUEST: Father Frank Brennan Jesuit priest, human rights lawyer and academic

While the tragedy of Gaza never seems to leave the headlines, the war in Ukraine dips in and out of the news. That’s despite the past six months seeing the most intensive fighting of the conflict. Tetiana Stawnychy heads the Ukraine operation of the aid agency Caritas. She’s in Australia meeting supporters.The early 1990s was, for Catholics, a time of political ascendancy – a Catholic prime minister, governor-general, and five of the seven high court justices. One of them was Sir Gerard Brennan, whose most famous judgement was the Mabo decision granting native title to indigenous Australians. How did his religion influence his decisions as a judge? His son, Jesuit priest Frank Brennan, has released a two volume-collection of his father’s articles and speeches, giving an extraordinary insight into the thinking of a jurist who helped shape Australian law.GUESTS:Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine, based in Kyiv, UkraineFather Frank Brennan Jesuit priest, human rights lawyer and academicDuring the COVID pandemic emergency physician Stephen Parnis from St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne was a prominent medical voice. Dr Parnis will be giving the 2025 lecture to the Plunkett Centre for Ethics on Wednesday November 5 in Sydney at the Australian Catholic University.This program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People

King Charles and Pope Leo will have their first meeting this week at the Vatican. But it will be much more than a meeting of two heads of state.For the first time in 500 years, the leader of the Catholic church and the supreme governor of the Church of England, which broke away from Rome in the 1530s, will pray together publicly in the Sistine Chapel. They’ll devote their prayers to their shared concerns about the environment, religious harmony and global peace. GUEST:Luke Coppen is UK editor of The Pillar, a website that covers the Catholic world

How can Christians and other religious believers live out their faith when many of its principles conflict, not only with new social norms but the laws of the land? Patrick Parkinson is the former dean of the Queensland University law school and an internationally recognised expert on child protection. He tries to chart a course in his new book, Unshaken Allegiance: Living wisely as Christians with Diminishing Religious Freedoms.GUEST:Patrick Parkinson is Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Queensland

Fiji is facing an HIV crisis, with one of the fastest growing rates of infection in the Asia-Pacific. The number of people with HIV has more than tripled in the past six years. It now stands at just over 6,000. The Uniting Church’s overseas agency is working with local health authorities. GUEST:Alice Salomon is the head of United advocacy and she’s just back from the capital, Suva

King Charles and Pope Leo will have their first meeting this week at the Vatican. But it will be much more than a meeting of two heads of state. For the first time in 500 years, the leader of the Catholic church and the supreme governor of the Church of England, which broke away from Rome in the 1530s, will pray together publicly in the Sistine Chapel. They’ll devote their prayers to their shared concerns about the environment, religious harmony and global peace. Fiji is facing an HIV crisis, with one of the fastest growing rates of infection in the Asia-Pacific. The number of people with HIV has more than tripled in the past six years. It now stands at just over 6,000. The Uniting Church’s overseas agency is working with local health authorities. How can Christians and other religious believers live out their faith when many of its principles conflict, not only with new social norms but the laws of the land? Patrick Parkinson is the former dean of the Queensland University law school and an internationally recognised expert on child protection. He tries to chart a course in his new book, Unshaken Allegiance: Living wisely as Christians with Diminishing Religious Freedoms.GUESTS:Luke Coppen is UK editor of The Pillar, a website that covers the Catholic worldAlice Salomon is the head of United advocacy and she’s just back from the capital, SuvaPatrick Parkinson is Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of QueenslandThis program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People