The Wise and the Wherefores
The Wise and the Wherefores is a podcast produced by The Tablet, the international Catholic weekly. It is hosted by Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet. In the latest series, she talks with Liz Dodd. The show features conversations and analysis on faith, Catholicism, and contemporary issues.
Episodes
Finding an understanding of what Jesus is doing ‘in our midst’
In this episode of ‘The Wise and the Wherefores’, Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet and Sister Liz Dodd CSJP talk to James Alison and his editor John Edwards about James’ new book, Beguiling Belonging, published by Paulist Press. Beguiling Belonging rethinks questions of catholicity, ecclesiology, and belonging through the lens of René Girard’s anthropology. The essays examine how Jesu
Nun girl summer – what did it mean, what was it like?
Ruth and Liz in this episode speak to Gemma Simmonds CJ about nun girl summer. They also discuss the tragedy in Nepal, and the Catholicism of Andy Burnham. Sister Liz Dodd was talking in the days running up to taking her final vows as a fully-professed sister in the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace. Sister Gemma has been talking and writing over the summer about the latest social media viral trend, n
Authors Liz Dodd and Rhidian Brook talk Lent with Ruth Gledhill
Sister Liz Dodd CSJP and writer Rhidian Brook both have Lent books out. Easter in Disguise by Liz and Notes on an Execution by Rhidian have both been picked up by parishes around the country to study and think about at Lent group gatherings. Ruth Gledhill is assistant editor of The Tablet, and her own parish is studying Rhidian’s book. Here, she talks to both authors about the enduring Lenten prac
New Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth talks to The Tablet
In this bonus episode of The Wise and the Wherefores, Ruth Gledhill and The Tablet’s Plater Trust intern Aili Winstanley Channer went to Archbishop’s House, Westminster to interview Archbishop Richard Moth ahead of his installation as Archbishop of Westminster at the cathedral on Saturday.‘There’s a word I always put with leadership, which is service,’ Richard Moth told The Tablet in an interview
Ruth and Liz discuss Liz’s new Lent book – and the future of liberalism
This is our first podcast of 2026 and we start by discussing Sister Liz’s Lent book, Easter in Disguise, published by Bloomsbury. There will be more on this in our next podcast as well, but basically, Liz believes there is more, lots more, to Lent than giving up chocolate!For the first time also, we have a guest and we hope that this will be a regular feature of The Wise and the Wherefores as we m
A new Archbishop of Westminster, women deacons in the Catholic Church and embracing Advent
In the latest episode of The Tablet podcast, The Wise and the Wherefores, Ruth Gledhill and Liz Dodd discuss the Westminster succession as well as the latest pronouncement on women deacons. They also talk about how they are both responding to the season of Advent.TakeawaysThe delay in appointing a new Archbishop of Westminster reflects broader vacancies in the church.Rumours about potential candid
Pope Leo and Dilexi te, robot vacuum cleaners, sport and more
In this conversation, Ruth Gledhill and Liz Dodd discuss the recent developments in LGBTQI inclusion within the Church, particularly focusing on the findings from a conference in Amsterdam. They explore the impact of Pope Francis on the acceptance of LGBTQI individuals in the Catholic Church and delve into the implications of Pope Leo's new document, Dilexi te. They also touch on the intersect
Donald Trump in the UK, meditating on Star Wars and why the Religious life still appeals to so many
Ruth Gledhill of The Tablet and Liz Dodd, a sister of St Joseph of Peace, discuss the visit to the UK this week of US President Donald Trump, the Royal family, a recent Star Wars retreat in Ireland – and why people are still attracted to the Religious life.
Pope Leo XIV – fit for Rome, on the tennis court and in the gym as well!
Ruth Gledhill and Sister Liz Dodd discuss the recent election of Pope Leo and the implications of his leadership style for the Catholic Church. They explore initial reactions to his election, the challenges he faces, particularly regarding the Latin Mass, and the significance of women's roles within the Church. The conversation also touches on Sister Liz's upcoming travels, the influence of Chicag
Pope Francis – his legacy, and the coming conclave
Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet and Liz Dodd CSJP discuss for the latest Tablet podcast, The Wise and the Wherefores, the legacy of Pope Francis and who might emerge as his successor in the coming conclave.See all our coverage of this hugely significant moment for the Catholic Church and the wider world and sign up for our twice-weekly free newsletters at https://thetablet.co.ukSubsc
Pope Francis is in hospital – what this means for the Church and the world
In this episode of the Tablet podcast, Ruth Gledhill of The Tablet and Sister Liz Dodd CSJP discuss the recent health concerns surrounding Pope Francis and the implications for the Catholic Church and the world. They explore the transparency of the Vatican regarding the Pope's health, the significance of his leadership in the current political climate, and the role of faith in addressing socia
The Tablet Podcast with Ruth Gledhill and Liz Dodd, Episode One: women's ordination, Trump, best Catholic films
Ruth Gledhill and Liz Dodd kick off the first podcast in our new season, a series of ten, with a discussion on women in the Catholic Church, Donald Trump – and top Catholic movies.
Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet and former religion correspondent of The Times and Liz Dodd, a former Tablet journalist who is now a sister with St Joseph of Peace (CSJP), discuss the latest developments
Lorraine Currie of Sciaf talks to Ruth Gledhill about existing projects and future plans for Scotland’s international aid charity
Earlier this year, Lorraine Currie was appointed the new chief executive of Sciaf. In this podcast for The Tablet, assistant editor Ruth Gledhill talks to Lorraine about her story of how she progressed into international development, of the work being done in the field by Sciaf and of exciting plans for the future.
You can find out more about Sciaf, including how to donate to the charity’s Advent
Trump, Catholicism and the US elections
To the surprise and disappointment of many on the left, Donald Trump won the US election. What part did Catholics play in this? And what does this mean for the Democrats, going forward? In our latest podcast, and the first of a series on this subject, Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet, talks to Michael Sean Winters, The Tablet’s US correspondent and senior journalist at National Cathol
The Season of Creation and Laudato Si’ – a view from the US in this election year
The environment is a key platform of the papacy of Francis and his encyclical will form a significant part of his legacy over decades if not centuries. So why has Laudato Si’ not taken root in the US as it has in the UK and elsewhere? Could one reason be the polarisation of society and Church where climate change has itself become so politicised? Yet the lack of engagement with Laudato Si’ is not
Pilgrimage to Patmos with Fr Nicholas King SJ
In September, with JC Journeys, we are going on pilgrimage to Patmos, led by Fr Nicholas King SJ. In this podcast, Ruth Gledhill of The Tablet talks to Fr King about this beautiful island and its place and meaning in the Bible. On this trip, pilgrims can visit the Cave of Revelation, the Monastery of St John and there will be a daily Mass, celebrated outside wherever possible.
Making peace in the past, present and future – Catholic bishops on the way forward
Catholic bishops have called for new treaties to regulate weaponised drones and lethal autonomous weapons systems. In a new paper, “Called to be Peacemakers”, the bishops of England and Wales also call for a “global moratorium” on lethal autonomous weapons systems. In this podcast, Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet, talks to Bishop William Kenney, one of the authors, about the challeng
Pope Francis, Ukraine and just war theory
Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet, discusses with Fr Alban McCoy OFM Conv the question of Pope Francis and his approach to the war in Ukraine, and where this fits in the context of just war theory.
Why oh why, Aquinas
Following on from Plato and Socrates, in the second in our series on why truth still matters, Fr Alban McCoy, OFM Conv, and Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet, discuss St Thomas Aquinas, 750 years after his death.
Does truth still matter?
Journalist Ruth Gledhill is in conversation with Catholic priest, philosopher and theologian Fr Alban McCoy OFM Conv in the first in a new series of podcasts.
Subscribe to The Tablet.
The Tablet Book Club – ‘A Faithful Spy’ with author Jimmy Burns and broadcaster Emily Buchanan
Award-winning writer and former Financial Times journalist Jimmy Burns’ latest book A Faithful Spy, based on previously undisclosed personal private papers of former MI6 and MI5 officer, Walter Bell, gives a remarkable insight into the working of British Intelligence. In this Tablet podcast, Emily Buchanan of the BBC talks to Jimmy Burns about the book and some of the startling things that he unco
The Church’s radical reform – After the Vatican synod, what happens now?
The 2023 synod summit in the Vatican ended with a series of openings for reform, including on the role of women, training of priests and a re-think of the church’s sexual teaching.
For those in the hall, a vast majority agreed that the synod process and style — which saw cardinals and lay people gathered around tables listening to each other — is how church business should be done in the future.
A ‘Family Matters’ webinar with Brendan Walsh, Editor of The Tablet
In October 2023 we began a series of articles on Family Matters, the first of which was by our very own Editor, Brendan Walsh. Brendan wrote movingly and candidly about his experience of first-time fatherhood in his early 60s. Other articles followed covering themes of adoption, welcoming strangers into your family, the death of a child, being a mother with cancer, an unconventional upbringing, an
Openness to the Spirit vs Structuring the Synod – Is it possible to have both?
In this podcast, from a Tablet webinar on the Synod on Synodality, Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor, The Tablet – talks to Professor Renee Kohler-Ryan, National Head of the School of Philosophy and Theology and Rev Professor Eamonn Conway, Professor of Integral Human Development, both of the University of Notre Dame Australia.
This was one of a Tablet series of webinars on Synodality, in partnershi
A conversation with Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, ‘spiritual father’ of the synod
The reflections of Fr Timothy Radcliffe have been one of the highlights of the October 2023 synod assembly in the Vatican. The English Dominican friar led the synod participants on a retreat before the synod gathering and offered wise reflections and spiritual guidance. Some have called him the “spiritual father” of the synod.
In this episode, I sat down with Fr Timothy to discuss the synod proce
The Catholic Church and how it got to where it is today
In Losing a Kingdom, Gaining the World, Dr. Ambrogio A. Caiani tells the story of the Catholic Church in the modern age. Beginning with the aftermath of the French Revolution and the democratic rebellions of 1848, Caiani follows the Church's evolution that sees three popes being forced out of Rome, the secular power of papacy being destroyed, a disastrous series of concordats with fascist stat
How does the new synod process work? An interview with Austen Ivereigh
The October 2023 synod assembly in the Vatican is adopting a very different process to the one used by previous gatherings, which is demonstrated by the arrangement of round tables in the Pope Paul VI audience hall.
The sight of bishops and cardinals seated around tables with lay delegates is deliberate and designed to foster what Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the synod co-ordinator, described
Promoting racial and cultural inclusion in the Catholic Church
Canon Victor Darlington, Episcopal Vicar for the South East in the Archdiocese of Southwark, talks to Ruth Gledhill of The Tablet about racial justice in Southwark and the wider church. It comes on the eve of the Synod in Rome and as Canon Victor and the archdiocese prepares for a seminar on 28 October on promoting racial and cultural inclusion in schools and communities.Canon Darlington leads the
The Catholic Church’s radical reform – the new prior of Taizé talks synod
The synod process has the potential to bring about greater unity among Christians, the incoming leader of Taizé has said ahead of Saturday’s ecumenical prayer vigil before the synod meeting begins in Rome.
Brother Matthew (Andrew Thorpe) is the first Anglican to be appointed Prior of the Ecumenical Christian monastic fraternity in France, which has been organising a prayer vigil in St Peter’s Squ
Serving Cafod on the front line – Tony Sheen on the art of volunteering
In this Tablet podcast, assistant editor Ruth Gledhill talks to Tony Sheen, who has been well-known through the London Catholic community and beyond as the Westminster diocesan coordinator for the Catholic international development charity Cafod. He retired last week after 17 years of hard and committed work.
Tony’s energy and enthusiasm for tackling injustice and raising the plight of people all
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon talks to Christopher Lamb
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP on overhauling church governance, the problems in Hexham and Newcastle and how the synod can bring about a ‘revolution’.
The Church’s Radical Reform podcast series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at the University of Durham in partnership with The Tablet.
Producer: Silvia Sacco
Editor: Jamie Weston
The Catholic priest known as ‘Tucho’ who is the new man in charge of the ‘Holy Office’ in Rome
Ruth Gledhill and Christopher Lamb discuss the appointment of Argentinian Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and what this means for the synodal and other reforms of Pope Francis. Read more about Christopher’s chat with the Archbishop in The Tablet.
https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/2/23316/francis-finds-his-striker-cardinal-designate-v-
Martyr in the cathedral – St Thomas Becket at Northampton
In the mid-nineteenth century, a relic of the Bishop and Martyr, Saint Thomas Becket, a piece of his skull, was given to Northampton Cathedral by Monsignor George Talbot, a secretary to Pope Pius IX. He had received the relic from the bishop of Veroli, Bishop Mariano Venturi. In a letter written in period Italian, from Bishop Venturi to Mgr Talbot in 1852, Venturi says it is is a relic of the ‘glo
Reform from the grassroots upwards: an interview with Myriam Wijlens
Professor Myriam Wijlens is a theologian and church lawyer who is playing a pivotal role in advising the global synod process. She understands church reform: how it happens, what is possible, and what isn’t possible and was one of the first women called to be involved in the synod organising committee.
In this episode, she takes me through what has happened in the synod so far, including the groun
Come with The Tablet on our trip to Turkey, taking in the Seven Churches of Revelation, Cappadocia and more
In this Tablet podcast, assistant editor Ruth Gledhill talks to Dr Natalie Watson, theologian and editor, about the coming Tablet trip to Turkey, where classical civilisation can be found alongside the sites of the earliest Christian churches along with the locations of some of the earliest and most significant events of the early Church.
We start with three nights in Istanbul, one of the world’s
The Tablet in conjunction with Sarum College – What does Francis of Assisi have to say to theology today?
Our panel here is hosted by Ruth Gledhill, The Tablet’s Assistant Editor, and consists of Dr Michael Hahn and Dr Eleanor McLaughlin who run the MA programmes in Christian Spirituality and in Theology, Imagination and Culture, respectively, at Sarum College in Salisbury. Michael is a medieval theological historian working on the early Franciscan mystical traditions, and Eleanor is a theologian work
The World Bank, farmers and poverty – why experts at Cafod are so concerned
Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet, talks to Dr Ruth Segal and Dario Kenner of Cafod about the recent report, Sowing the seeds of poverty: how the World Bank harms poor farmers.
The report accuses the World Bank of promoting agricultural models that benefit large-scale agribusiness at the expense of poor farmers, arguing that id demands “regulations and laws that support the expansion o
Mary’s Meals and the feeding of the 2.5 million
Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet, talks to Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals. Mary’s Meals grew out of a charity called Scottish International Relief, which was set up after Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow and his brother Fergus took aid from their home in Argyll to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1992, during the conflict. The global Ma
For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission – where are the synodal discussions leading the Catholic Church?
A three-year ‘synodal’ process is taking place in the Catholic Church that culminates in two Synodal gatherings in Rome in October 2023 and a year later in 2024. The overall theme is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission”. Christopher Lamb hosts this live webinar where he reflects on where the synodal discussions are leading the Catholic Church with guests Dr Elissa Roper, a th
The Church's Radical Reform – Leadership in Uncertain Times
Leadership in uncertain times
Credible leadership is a critical feature of the synodal journey with Catholics across the globe calling for lay women and men to be more involved in decision-making. The synod is pointing to a renewed model, away from the top-down, command and-control style of the past to one which includes diverse voices and charisms in forging the future mission of the Church.
In t
A Tablet Webinar: Choosing which life to save – allocating healthcare resources in a pandemic.
How can we decide a fair allocation of healthcare resources during a pandemic?
Hosted by Dr Sarah Walsh of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, this event features contributions from Dr David Kirchhoffer, Director of the Queensland Bioethics Centre at Australian Catholic University; Dr Bernadette Tobin, Acting Director of the Plunkett Centre for Ethics at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, an
‘Give us better homilies’ - the worldwide Catholic Church’s plea to the Pope
Professor Anna Rowlands of Durham University has been seconded to the Vatican to work with the Synod office and the Dicastery for Integral Human Development. Here, she talks to Ruth Gledhill about what this new role involves and what has already emerged from the ‘listening phase’ of the Synodal process - a major ‘lament’ of which turns out to be a universal plea for better sermons.
The Church’s Radical Reform – a Listening Church?
Timothy Costelloe is the Archbishop of Perth, the President of the Australian Bishops’ Conference and part of the team preparing the global synod summit. As a senior figure in the Australian Catholic Church, he has been deeply involved in synodality, and what it means for the Church. An expert listener, he is an example of a bishop who adopts and lives the synod style of the Church.
In this episod
Fr Ed Dowling SJ - the story of Bill W’s spiritual sponsor
Bill Wilson was, with Dr Bob Smith, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. He wrote the Big Book and the Twelve Steps and Traditions, used by millions of recovering alcoholics to stay sober, one day at a time, and now adapted for use by many hundreds of self-help groups around the world. While AA is not allied to any sect, denomination or organisation, a belief in a ‘higher power’ is a core part
Pope Francis ten years on
The Tablet’s Rome correspondent Christopher Lamb talks to Ruth Gledhill about the Pope Francis, the reforms he has undertaken and what he still hopes to do.
Read Chris's article on the tenth anniversary of his election in The Tablet.
The Pope, the Moderator and the Archbishop of Canterbury – DR Congo and South Sudan
Pope Francis’ visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and his ecumenical pilgrimage to South Sudan are powerful examples of the role faith can play in peace building. In an historic first, Francis will be joined in South Sudan by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Christopher Lamb, The Tablet’s Rome Correspondent, spoke to Arch
Ruth Gledhill talks to Catherine Pepinster about the legacy of Benedict XVI
Catherine Pepinster was editor of The Tablet, the international Catholic weekly, throughout the papacy of Benedict XVI. Here she discusses his time as pope, his shock resignation and his legacy with Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet.
The death of Benedict XVI and what happens now – Ruth Gledhill talks to Christopher Lamb
The death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the age of 95 was not unexpected. Pope Francis had indicated he was gravely ill from advancing age during his General Audience last Wednesday when he asked for prayers. He was the first pope to resign while in office in six centuries. Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet, talks to Rome correspondent Christopher Lamb about the death of Benedict, h
The Church’s Radical Reform – Conflict Resolution and Lessons from Australia
A commonly held fear about the synod process is that it will allow division and disagreement to veer out of control. Several bishops and priests don’t wish to engage with synodality as they worry it will disrupt the peace.
Is this fear justified? In this episode, I go inside a synod gathering in Sydney, Australia, where an explosive moment of disagreement almost derailed the whole process. Halfway
The Church’s Radical Reform – the German challenge
The sixth podcast in Christopher Lamb’s series looks at “The German Challenge”.
If you read some of the commentaries about the German synodal pathway, you might be forgiven for believing that the Church in Germany is planning a second Reformation.
Der Synodale Weg, “the synodal path”, has faced heavy criticism for the way it is approaching the question of reform. The Germans have decided to focus
The Church’s radical reform – calm amid the storms
Cardinal Mario Grech is the man Pope Francis has placed in charge of the worldwide synod and in this episode. In the latest episode of his series, The Church’s Radical Reform, Christopher Lamb talks to him about the tensions that had been unleashed by the process.
The synod was never going to be plain sailing and disagreement among bishops about the direction of the Church has now spilt out
The Church's Radical Reform – Inclusion and Reconciliation: Voices from Africa
Much of the media focus on the synod has been on western churches with the underlining question centred on how the process can reverse declining congregations and respond to the abuse crisis.
But what does it all mean for Africa, a part of the Catholic world where churches are overflowing and vocations booming? Is the synod having any impact?
In this episode, I put these questions to two leading C
View from Rome with Christopher Lamb
Christopher Lamb, the Tablet’s Rome Correspondent, updates us on current events in Rome together with giving us some insights into working as the Rome Correspondent for The Tablet and covering the pontificate of Pope Francis.
A Tablet Webinar: The impact of Catholic education in civil society and the wider realm
A panel discussion in conjunction with The University of Notre Dame in Australia, on Christ-Centred Leadership Frameworks in Catholic Education led by Maggie Fergusson, the Literary Editor of The Tablet.
Maggie’s distinguished guests were: Renee Kohler-Ryan, National Head of the School of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia; Jenny Sinclair, the founder director of Tog
Synod Watch Two – Synod wisdom from the Religious
Synod Watch Two explores Synod wisdom from the Religious, gaining an insight into the Religious Orders’ response to the Synod and their experience of discernment. Christopher Lamb and a panel of representatives from the Religious Orders discuss the synodal journey in this webinar with The Tablet. Details of past and future events are here.
Webinar host Christopher Lamb is a British journalist who
Robots, drones and smart churches? Catholic Social Teaching and the Artificial Intelligence Revolution
Natalie K. Watson, Publishing Editor of the Pastoral Review, in conversation with Seán McDonagh, eco-theologian and author of Robots, Ethics and the Future of Jobs, about the ethical and theological implications of Artificial Intelligence.
Seán McDonagh SSC is an Irish Columban missionary priest. As well as theology he has studied Anthropology and Linguistics. During his time as a missionary
The synodal process is something 'totally new' says Maradiaga
This episode of The Church's Radical Reform is an interview with Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, the Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras and a member of Pope Francis’ council of cardinal advisers.
The Church in Latin and Central America has been at the forefront of reform in Catholicism. Cardinal Maradiaga tells Christopher Lamb how the synodal process is something “totally new”.
He discusses
The Synodal Pathway: Good News for Catholic Women
The Catholic Church has embarked on a two-year synodal pathway towards the Synod of Bishops on synodality in 2023. Women’s submissions to the synodal process must be made “as public as possible” in order to prevent any attempt to airbrush them out, theologian and broadcaster, Professor Tina Beattie said at a webinar hosted by the Tablet. The retired Professor of Catholic Studies at the University
The Church’s radical reform – women lead the way
The synod process is opening up discussion about the role of female leadership in the Church.
In this episode, Christopher Lamb discusses what shape these roles could take, the position of women in early Christianity and why a “synodal” Church is a more inclusive one.
To find out more, he speaks to Professor Phyllis Zagano, who served on Pope Francis’ commission looking at female deacons, Nicola B
The Church's radical reform – what is a synod?
In a new podcast series on synodality, “The Church’s Radical Reform”, Christopher Lamb explores the most ambitious Catholic renewal project in 60 years which was launched last month by Pope Francis. Episode One asks "What is a Synod?" and focuses on why a global synodal process is needed, what it might achieve and the opposition it is already facing. Among those interviewed for this episode a
In Advent, we affirm our faith that we have a future.
A sermon for the first Sunday in Advent 2021 by Fr Alban McCoy OFM Conv.
The need to need to create 'a world without racism'
We talk to Kashaf Zahid of Gumley House School in West London, the winner of the 2021 Columban Schools Competition, Let’s create a world without racism, and to James Trewby, Columban Education Worker in Britain. Racism was chosen as a topic by the Columbans for its 2021 competition after many young people joined street protests on Black Lives Matter last summer. The fourth annual competition, it w
A sermon by Fr Alban McCoy for the third Sunday in Lent
“For me, to live is Christ”, says St Paul. That’s where we find ultimate meaning, where everything in our lives comes together. Lent 3 [A & B]2021. The Samaritan Woman at the Well (alternative gospel). John 4:5-42. A sermon by Fr Alban McCoy OFM Conv.
The shocking rise in Christian persecution
Catherine Pepinster, author of ‘Martyrdom’ and former editor of The Tablet, on the World Watch List 2021, which finds that more than 340 million Christians worldwide suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
Austen Ivereigh talks about the Pope’s new book for a post-Covid world.
Austen Ivereigh worked closely with Pope Francis on his new book, Let Us Dream. Here he discusses some of the ideas explored by Pope Francis, and where he believes it will lead.
A damning indictment: child sex abuse, IICSA and the Catholic Church
Catherine Pepinster, the well-known author, broadcaster and commentator and former editor of The Tablet, discusses the Catholic Church’s terrible record on abuse in the light of the report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
Rome correspondent Christopher Lamb on the long-awaited McCarrick report
The McCarrick report is a damning indictment of the Catholic Church’s response to allegations of abuse against one of its most senior clerics. What went wrong, and why? Can the Church change in the way that it needs to?
Elena Curti on 50 Catholic churches to see before you die.
From ornate neo-Gothic splendour to cool, aesthetic modern churches ‘in the round’, from grand cathedrals to tiny chapels, Elena Curti talks us through the beauty of Catholic churches both ordinary and extraordinary.
Archbishop Kevin McDonald on relations with other faiths – and anti-Semitism in the Labour Party
The Catholic Church and Jewish community leaders have recently marked the 55th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council document on relations between the Church and non-Christian religions. At the same time, a disturbing report into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party has been published. The Equality and Human Rights Commission found the party responsible for 'unlawful acts of harass
The unjust arrest and imprisonment in India of Fr Stan Swamy SJ, aged 83
Fr Damian Howard SJ, provincial of Jesuits in Britain, on the imprisonment of Fr Stan Swamy SJ in India, and on what you can do to help. For a link to the petition visit The Tablet podcasts page.
Christopher Lamb discusses the Pope’s comments in support of civil unions for gay couples
Pope Francis has given his backing to civil unions in a new documentary, Francesco, premiered in Rome. What does this mean, and why is it so controversial? The Tablet’s Rome corespondent Christopher Lamb explains.
How to be a ‘Good Samaritan’ in the time of Covid
Christine Allen, director of CAFOD, talks about how we can take some of the teaching in the Pope’s new encyclical Fratelli Tutti to help us be better neighbours, at a time when we are all challenged by the coronavirus pandemic.
Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland, on her life, Catholic faith and hopes for the future
Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, a canon lawyer and academic as well as a politician, has just published her memoir, ‘Here’s the Story’. In this podcast, she talks about her life as a Catholic in Northern Ireland and the Republic, both now and when she was young, and of her hopes for the future.
Fratelli Tutti - the vision of Pope Francis in his new encyclical
Dr Anna Rowlands, St Hilda Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice at the University of Durham, and Christopher Lamb, The Tablet’s Rome correspondent, discuss the Fratelli Tutti shortly after its publication by Pope Francis in Assisi.
A leading campaigner for women’s ordination on what the Pope must change and why
Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, puts the controversy over the title of Pope Francis’ new encyclical Fratelli tutti, or Brothers all, into the wider context of the debate on women’s ordination.
Even in Italy, where “fratelli” can arguably be taken to mean both brothers and sisters, women are feeling upset and excluded by the title of the Pope's new encyclical,
Christopher Lamb discusses the new CDF letter on euthanasia
The strongly-worded text of the new document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Samaritanus bonus or The Good Samaritan, describes euthanasia and assisted dying as “homicide” while adding that the sacraments should be withheld from those planning to end their lives. While the document understandably reiterates Church teaching, and has some rich passages on accompanying the
Human rights activist Benedict Rogers on the latest steps to address the persecution of the Uyghurs in China
The writer and human rights activist Benedict Rogers talks to Ruth Gledhill about the persecution of the Uyghurs in China. Benedict, East Asia Team Leader at the international human rights organisation CSW and a member of the Stop the Uyghur Genocide Campaign, is commenting after the announcement that Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, who prosecuted Slobodan Milosevic for genocide and is an expert on in
Brothers indeed, but where are all the sisters? Liz Dodd on the Pope's new encyclical Fratelli tutti
In a podcast for The Tablet, home news editor Liz explains why the title of the Pope's new encyclical, Fratelli tutti, to be published on October 4, is not good enough. She warns of the danger that this failing will distract from the wider, important message of the Pope's vision for society in a post-Covid age.
'Dangerous and insouciant' – what is really going on with international trade and the law
The threat to the common good of breaking international law, unjust laws and secret trade agreements – a leading academic outlines the dangers, and how concerned people can help. Tim Gorringe, emeritus professor of theological studies at Exeter university, has written a strong article for The Tablet and now he has spoken more of his concerns in a Tablet podcast, in which he advocates that people w
An Archbishop in exile, a country in turmoil – Jonathan Luxmoore on Belarus
Since the presidential election results in August, there have been mass protests. The Catholic Metropolitan, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, is effectively in exile, having been refused re-entry to Belarus from Poland. Jonathan Luxmoore looks at the politics behind the turmoil, and explains why the Catholic Church is being targeted.
