Everyday Ethics

In the wake of Jeffrey Donaldson’s conviction, we look at whether he used his faith as a shield to cover his crimes. Eve Rosato talks to theologians Dr Fainche Ryan and Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick about the issues of forgiveness and whether church processes should be used at all in criminal matters. We also speak to the Archbishop of Jerusalem about the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in...

What role did Ulster Presbyterians play in the American Revolution? Audrey talks to Professor Richard Bell from the University of Maryland about the influence of emigrants from here like Thomas McKean from Ballymoney who was the last man to sign the Declaration of Independence. As the Clonard Novena ends we talk to Ed Peterson about the peacebuilding role they have played. And Trauma affects us al...

In the aftermath of last weeks riots, where are the stories of hope and resilience? Audrey talks to Tim Magowan from the Duncairn Centre and Maureen Hamblin, who has lived here for 26 years, about how she felt being scapegoated for the colour of her skin. Our main discussion asks whether we need a new kind of peace-making process in Northern Ireland – one that moves beyond Protestant/Catholic reco...

Disorder and Racial Attacks - Audrey speaks to journalist Allison Morris and Rev Brian Anderson from East Belfast Mission who was on the streets and whose building was damaged in the rioting. Our main discussion in the light of the recent Katie Simpson and Natalie McNally cases looks at violence against women and girls across the island of Ireland and how can it be prevented. Audrey is joined by A...

Fundamentally is a novel by Nussaibah Younis about a young women who ends up in Iraq designing a deradicalisation programme for ISIS brides. It’s a comedy but it mirrors her own experience of having done exactly that. Ahead of an appearance at the Belfast Book Festival she speaks to Audrey about the novel and also what motivates young people to become radicalized today. We also hear from Sean Farr...

William Dalrymple has won many awards for his writings and is an expert on Indian history - a country he moved to from his native Scotland around 40 years ago. He is also the co-founder of the Jaipur Literary International Festival which is in Ireland this week and among other things, he spoke to Audrey about global empires, Middle East Christians and the links between India and Ireland Pope Leo's...

There are almost one million NEETS in the UK – that’s 16–24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training. But with budget cuts to youth services what chance do young people have of finding a job? Audrey talks to Ciara Fitzpatrick from UIster University and Sara Haller from Include Youth about a research project led by young experts who are themselves former NEETS. Two of the experts...

This week marks one year since Pope Leo’s installation. Officially known as the “Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome” the ceremony drew hundreds of thousands to Rome while millions watched on TV. One year on how is the Pope doing in the wake of high profile disagreements with the Trump Presidency. Audrey talks to papal biographer Austen Ivereigh, Catholic Theologia...

As a 10 year old coming home from school one day in Creggan in 1972, Richard Moore was shot by a soldier who fired a rubber bullet. He was blinded in one eye, and lost his other one. Years later he met that soldier and forgave him. Audrey talks to Richard along with poet and playwright Damien Gorman, who is the new head of peacebuilding with Richard’s charity Children in Crossfire. Transubstantiat...

Pope Leo’s repeated calls for peace has put the focus on the Catholic Church's Just War Theory- something which went on to form the basis of international law. But is that Theory withering today - both from the religious and political lexicons? Audrey speaks to Professor Tobias Winwright - considered the world's leading authority on Just War - he's currently in Maynooth university, and theologian...

President Trump doesn’t like Pope Leo, accusing him of being weak on crime and bad on foreign policy. The leader of the Catholic Church says he will keep speaking out for peace and the gospel. In a week where Trump also released a picture of himself in a Christ like pose healing the sick, we ask why he continues to be popular with US Christians? Audrey talks to Mark Finlay – a Presbyterian from Ea...

On this Easter Sunday morning we ask if there more darkness than light in our lives? More hopelessness than hope? Where can the light and hope be found in a world that's full of pain, conflict, poverty and hate? Journalist Liz Kennedy, Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick from Ulster University and by Dr Naomi Green, assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain join Audrey Carville to share their...

This week the British government announced its Aid priorities which include reducing the amount spent on aid by £6 billion by 2027. Along with the cuts to USAID by the Trump Administration what will be the impact on programmes around the world. Audrey talks to Rosamond Bennett from Christian Aid Ireland, Sean Farrell from Trocaire and Dominic McSorley from Concern about making the case for aid in...

Tech Billionaire Peter Thiel went to Rome this week and gave a closed door lecture about the Antichrist, just a stone's throw from the Vatican. Audrey talks to CNN’s Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb about what happened and also his new book American Hope, what Pope Leo the 14th means for the church and the world. The Living Wage is 25 years old but what role has it had in raising people out...

Later tonight Irish actress Jessie Buckley will find out if she has won the Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet. It's a film about family, love, grief, and the aftermath of losing a child. Audrey talks to psychotherapist Julia Samuel about how the film forces you sit with the rawness of grief. Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain whose s...

The United States and Israel began bombing Iran just over a week ago. Iran responded by bombing their aggressors' allies in the Gulf States. Hundreds are dead and the purpose of the war remains unclear. We discuss the latest developments, examine the theocratic system in Iran and whether Christian nationalism influences the Trump administration. Taking part are Tara Kangarlou journalist, author of...

In his first interview since being elected as Moderator Designate the Rev Richard Kerr talks to Audrey about the PCI safeguarding scandal and the next steps for the church. Agreement is Owen McCafferty's dramatisation of the final four days of talks which led to the Good Friday Agreement. It starred among others Dan Gordon as John Hume and Ruairi Conaghan as David Trimble. Dan and Ruairi chat to A...

It's a unique moment in the Islamic and Christian calendars as the seasons of Ramadan and Lent coincide. Fasting is central to both, so this morning we are examining the role of fasting in today's world. Whether for spiritual reasons or wellness and lifestyle reasons: Is it a sacred path to renewal and wellness? Audrey speaks to Dr Naomi Green, Dr Tina Beattie and Pastor Andrew Gibson. The Presbyt...

US bishops warn that citizens may be called to 'put our bodies on the line' in protests in order 'to stand by their values'. Irish historian Dr Leeann Lane (Dublin City University), journalist and author Mihir Bose, theologian and sociologist Dr Elaine Storkey, and Irish church historian Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick join Audrey Carville to discuss the ethics, history and theology of taking a sta...

On Racial Justice Sunday Mark Devenport talks with New York Times Bestselling author and historian Jemar Tisby about how the church fails to tackle racism. Local woman Maureen Hamblin and Tim Magowan, from the circle of change group, give an account of what is happening here in Northern Ireland. We also investigate the ethics of memory looking at how memory can be manipulated and false memories cr...

This week on Sunday Sequence Mark Devenport is in the Chair kicking off with an interview with Bishop Rose Hudson Wilkins about her remarkable journey from poverty in Jamaica to becoming the first Black female Bishop in the Church of England and Chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II. We also look at a new Interfaith project in Belfast which begins this Sunday with a Jewish/Catholic St Brigid's d...

Holocaust Memorial reflections, future generations politics, and the Kindertransport.

This week marks Donald Trump’s first year as the 47th President of the United States. To discuss his impact domestically and globally Audrey is joined by Catherine Clinton – Professor of American History at the University of Texas, Professor Fionnuala Ni Aolain, expert on international and human rights law and Dublin based Entrepreneur and Commentator Karl Deeter. At least 2,400 protesters are rep...

Seán Farrell has travelled the world, from Romania to Uganda and to the Phillippines. As the new CEO of the aid agency Trócaire, he is drawing his experiences as a volunteer and a witness to some of the world's most brutal conflicts, famines and poverty. But who would want to be the boss of an aid and development agency in 2026?

Chris Bennett, Dr Naomi Green, Michele Marken and Professor Duncan Morrow join Audrey Carville to reflect on some of the major ethical and faith themes of 2025, and offer their hopes for 2026. The panel discuss the alienation and dehumanisation of young men; changes and challenges in leadership of faith communities; as well as global conflict and politics. We revisit interviews with Niobe Way (pro...