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Child abuse, Ron DeSantis, Celebration Day

What are the implications for churches of new plans to tackle child sex abuse?
As Ron DeSantis bids to become US President, how important will religion be to his campaign?

The government has announced plans to deal with the problem of child sex abuse, but what are the implications for religious organisations? Almost every week, there are news stories about churches or religious groups facing allegations of the abuse of children or vulnerable adults. While the issue exists across society, its prevalence in religious settings has been striking. We explore why this is the case and what churches need to do if they are to tackle it effectively.

The Florida Governor Ron DeSantis threw his hat into the US presidential ring this week. He's taking on Donald Trump for the Republican nomination and hopes to capture much of Donald Trump's religious base. DeSantis is a Catholic and often talks about the importance of faith. His policies in Florida have galvanised the Christian Right. We examine the likely importance of religion in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination.

How do you remember loved ones who have died? In Mexico, there is a celebratory "Day of the Dead". In Japan, a centuries old festival, called Obon. In Britain, there is a new invitation for us to reflect on our memories of friends and family who have died. It's called Celebration Day, and it falls today, May 28th. The idea is that on this day in particular we pause to cherish our memories and keep the lives of those who have died, more present in our minds.

Producer: Amanda Hancox
Presenter: William Crawley
Editor: Jonathan Hallewell

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44 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sun 28 May 2023 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