The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

In what amounts to a small revolution in the Church of Latter-Day Saints, Mormon women are now permitted to reveal their shoulders, having been taught that bare upper arms were too raunchy. These changes come with the growing power of Mormon influencers on social media -- known loosely as “#momtok” – and a popular TV show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The reality show on Hulu follows eight influencers in Utah. JESSICA GROSE from The New York Times has been immersed in the show.

Australia's Law Reform Commission is reviewing a patchwork of different state laws governing surrogacy. Earlier this year, the ABC reported that by 2032, the global surrogacy industry was set to reach $129 billion. But if it's financial boom for the baby business, what are the ethics of a practice that includes severing the connection between mother and child? Dr ERICA CERVINI has been reviewing the case in an essay for Eureka Street magazine.

In Armenia national security police have gaoled a popular archbishop, Bagrat Galstanyan, claiming he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has also demanded the resignation of the top cleric, accusing him of having a secret child. It's a high-risk move for an unpopular government, taking on the ancient church that many Armenians see as the embodiment of the nation.  GUEST:Olesya Vartanyan is an independent analyst and consultant based in neighbouring Georgia.

The government of Armenia has gone to war against one of the country's most powerful institutions – the Apostolic Church. National security police have gaoled a popular archbishop, Bagrat Galstanyan, claiming he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has also demanded the resignation of the top cleric, accusing him of having a secret child. It's a high-risk move for an unpopular government, taking on the ancient church that many Armenians see as the embodiment of the nation.  OLESYA VARTANYAN is an independent analyst and consultant based in neighbouring Georgia.Australia's Law Reform Commission is reviewing a patchwork of different state laws governing surrogacy. Earlier this year, the ABC reported that by 2032, the global surrogacy industry was set to reach $129 billion. But if it's financial boom for the baby business, what are the ethics of a practice that includes severing the connection between mother and child? Dr ERICA CERVINI has been reviewing the case in an essay for Eureka Street magazine.In what amounts to a small revolution in the Church of Latter-Day Saints, Mormon women are now permitted to reveal their shoulders, having been taught that bare upper arms were too raunchy. These changes come with the growing power of Mormon influencers on social media -- known loosely as “#momtok” – and a popular TV show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The reality show on Hulu follows eight influencers in Utah. JESSICA GROSE from The New York Times has been immersed in the show.GUESTS:Olesya Vartanyan, Georgia based analyst and consultantDr Erica Cervini, academic and journalistJessica Grose, journalist and writer for the New York TimesThis program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

Across Europe, governments are cracking down on clergy associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, accusing them of being propagandists, even spies for the Putin regime. Ukraine has stripped citizenship from the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, saying he answers to Moscow. Estonia has just passed a law forcing the local Orthodox to cut ties with Russia. It's also accused a group of nuns of spying. Just how deep does suspicion of the church run? GUEST:ANDREW RETTMAN is a senior correspondent for the EU Observer.  He's written extensively about espionage and the Russian Orthodox Church.

He was the charismatic preacher in the sharp suit and flashy car, who preached personal purity – until he came undone in a sex scandal. Jimmy Swaggart was a global institution in the 1980s. He died a few days ago. GUEST:Dr Leah Payne is a historian of charismatic Christianity at George Fox University and author of the new book God Gave Rock & Roll to You A History of Contemporary Christian Music.  

The reincarnation of The Dalai Lama extends beyond it's spiritual significance; it has become a complex geopolitical conflict, with China eager to control the centuries-old process and the future of Tibet.Saransh Sehgal writes on social issues around the globe, cultures and travel in the Himalayan region and specifically Tibetan geopolitics. He's author of Dalai Lama at 90: The Succession Battle That Will Shape Tibet's Future

The announcement by the Dalai Lama that he will have a reincarnated successor when he dies – and that his foundation along will identify the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism – is a major challenge to China, which occupies Tibet.It's also a challenge to the Trump administration, according to a former official. Randal Schriver who served in the previous Trump administration, says respecting the Dalai Lama's decision will test Donald Trump's RANDALL SCHRIVER served as Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs in the United States government during the first Trump administration.

The announcement by the Dalai Lama that he will have a reincarnated successor when he dies – and that his foundation along will identify the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism – is a major challenge to China, which occupies Tibet. It's also a challenge to the Trump administration, according to a former official. Randall Schriver served as Assistant Secretary of Defence. He says respecting the Dalai Lama's decision will test Donald Trump's commitment to religious freedom.Across Europe, governments are cracking down on clergy associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, accusing them of being propagandists, even spies for the Putin regime. Ukraine has stripped citizenship from the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, saying he answers to Moscow. Estonia has just passed a law forcing the local Orthodox to cut ties with Russia. It's also accused a group of nuns of spying. Just how deep does suspicion of the church run? He was the charismatic preacher in the sharp suit and flashy car, who preached personal purity – until he came undone in a sex scandal. Jimmy Swaggart was a global institution in the 1980s. He died a few days ago. GUESTS:RANDALL SCHRIVER served as Assistant Secretary of Defence in the Trump administration and Deputy Secretary of State in the Bush administration. He's currently the Chairman of the Institute for Indo Pacific Security in Washington DC. And co-authored China wants to pick the next Dalai Lama. Will democracies let it?ANDREW RETTMAN is a senior correspondent for the EU Observer.  He's written extensively about espionage and the Russian Orthodox Church.Dr LEAH PAYNE is a historian of charismatic Christianity at George Fox University and author of the book about Jimmy Swaggart God Gave Rock & Roll to You. This program was made on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

When New Yorkers gave Zohran Mamdani close to half the votes in the Democratic primary for mayor, they turned a local race into contest with global impact. Mamdani is of Indian Muslim background.As a state assemblyman, he's been an outspoken critic of Israel. About nine percent of New Yorkers are Muslim but 12 per cent are Jewish. So how has this election reflected these differences? GUEST:ETAN NECHIN is New York correspondent for Ha'aretz News.

The small Palestinian town of Taybeh is one of the few villages in the West Bank where almost all the residents are Christian. In recent weeks, radical Israeli settlers have stepped up attacks on residents and properties, as part of their plan to occupy the entire West Bank territory. GUEST:SANAD SAHELIA is a local journalist who reports for Catholic media.

When New Yorkers gave Zohran Mamdani close to half the votes in the Democratic primary for mayor, they turned a local race into contest with global impact. Mamdani is of Indian Muslim background. As a state assemblyman, he's been an outspoken critic of Israel. About nine percent of New Yorkers are Muslim but 12 per cent are Jewish. So has this election reflected these differences? The small Palestinian town of Taybeh is one of the few villages in the West Bank where almost all the residents are Christian. In recent weeks, radical Israeli settlers have stepped up attacks on residents and properties, as part of their plan to occupy the entire West Bank territory. If Pope Leo XIV decides to take on some of the world's most powerful leaders, he can rely on the nerves of steel he developed while leading the Catholic Church in his adopted homeland of Peru. When he was archbishop, he found himself in the middle of a conflict between the leftist guerilla movement, known as the Shining Path, and the right-wing Catholic group Opus Dei, which supported the authoritarian government. GUESTS:ETAN NECHIN is New York correspondent for Ha'aretz newspaper.SANAD SAHELIA is a freelance journalist in Ramallah who reports for Catholic media.MATTHEW CASEY-PARISEAULT of Arizona State University is based in Lima, where he studies the relationship between the church and state.

If Pope Leo XIV decides to take on some of the world's most powerful leaders, he can rely on the nerves of steel he developed while leading the Catholic Church in his adopted homeland of Peru. When he was archbishop, he found himself in the middle of a conflict between the leftist guerilla movement, known as the Shining Path, and the right-wing Catholic group Opus Dei, which supported the authoritarian government. GUEST:MATTHEW CASEY-PARISEAULT of Arizona State University is based in Lima, where he studies the relationship between the church and state.

In 2013, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was invited by the Sydney Peace Foundation to participate in discussions of Ethics for a Whole World at the New South Wales Parliament House attended by more than 170 students and others. A preamble to the event paid tribute to the Cadigal people and their possession of the local land, which corresponds to Tibetans' possession of the land of Tibet.Initiating the interchange with His Holiness was ABC journalist Andrew West, who opened by asking about what has been happening in Tibet.

In the Middle East, a familiar pattern unfolds – airstrikes, bombings of military and civilian targets, vows of retribution, then a shaky ceasefire. Right now, that's the situation between Iran and Israel. But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US president Donald Trump are also toying publicly with supporting regime change in Iran. We've been here before, as well, with the ousting of Saddam Hussein and the civil war that engulfed Iraq and spread to Syria. Dr JESSIE MORITZ from the Australian National University studies the religious politics of the region. She's wary of outsiders trying to force change.

In the Middle East, a familiar pattern unfolds – air strikes, bombings of military and civilian targets, vows of retribution, then a shaky ceasefire. Right now, that's the situation between Iran and Israel. But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US president Donald Trump are also toying publicly with supporting regime change in Iran. We've been here before, as well, with the ousting of Saddam Hussein and the civil war that engulfed Iraq and spread to Syria. Dr JESSIE MORITZ from the Australian National University studies the religious politics of the region. She's wary of outsiders trying to force change.For almost 40 years, journalist STAN GRANT was in the maelstrom of global politics and conflict, from London to Beijing to the mountains of Pakistan. But in the past five years, he's been quietly working on a doctoral thesis on theology, resurrecting a family history in the church. In a new documentary for ABC TV's Compass, Stan unveils the house he's built in the stunning Snowy River Valley and explains how the environment helped him see through the clutter of the messy world around him.GUESTS:Dr Jessie Moritz - Lecturer, at Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies, ANUDr Stan Grant, a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and author of Murriyung: Song of TimeThis program was made on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

Australia has imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing a history of violent and racist statements.  The two men are crucial to propping up the Netanyahu government in parliament. Even so, the government could fall later this year over compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox men. GUESTS:Dina Kraft, journalist with The Christian Science Monitor Linda Gradstein, journalist with Voice of America and National Public Radio 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's aiming to topple the regime in Iran, as part of his continued strikes against the country's nuclear facilities and civilian infrastructure, such as oil refineries. But what forces could he unleash by overthrowing Iran's Islamic theocracy? There's a serious prospect that a Shi'ite backlash could erupt across the region GUEST:Dr Ali Mamouri is an academic and journalist specialising in religious studies, Middle East studies, fundamentalism, Salafism and political Islam at Deakin University. He previously served as strategic communication advisor to the Iraqi prime minister from 2020 to 2022.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's aiming to topple the regime in Iran, as part of his continued strikes against the country's nuclear facilities and civilian infrastructure, such as oil refineries. But what forces could he unleash by overthrowing Iran's Islamic theocracy? There's a serious prospect that a Shi'ite backlash could erupt across the region GUEST:Dr Ali Mamouri of Deakin University, former adviser to the Iraqi prime minister.  Australia has imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, citing a history of violent and racist statements.  The two men are crucial to propping up the Netanyahu government in parliament. Even so, the government could fall later this year over compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox men. GUESTS:Dina Kraft, journalist with The Christian Science Monitor Linda Gradstein, journalist with Voice of America and National Public Radio 

Christianity may be thriving in much of the global south but, for the Anglicans of Melbourne, times are tougher. They're now just 5.5 % of the population, according to the census. Will their new Archbishop be able to turn around the fortunes of a shrinking church base? RIC THORPE is currently the Anglican bishop of Islington in London, where he's been a successful church builder. What's his plan for the Melbourne diocese?

It's boom time for Islam. According to the most comprehensive study of global religious affiliation in a decade, there are now two billion Muslims in the world. The study, conducted by Pew Research, also finds there's an interesting twist in the data about the growth of those with no religion. CONRAD HACKETT was the senior researcher on the project.

It's boom time for Islam. According to the most comprehensive study of global religious affiliation in a decade, there are now two billion Muslims in the world. The study, conducted by Pew Research, also finds there's an interesting twist in the data about the growth of those with no religion. CONRAD HACKETT was the senior researcher on the project.Despite the growth of Islam, there were markedly fewer Muslims attending this year's Hajj celebrations in Mecca. The pilgrimage is required of every able Muslim but numbers were down. The reason, however, is even more intriguing. Associate Professor MILAD HAGHANI from Melbourne University studies urban risk and resilience.Christianity may be thriving in much of the global south but, for the Anglicans of Melbourne, times are tougher. They're now just 5.5 percent of the population, according to the census. Will their new Archbishop be able to turn around the fortunes? RIC THORPE is currently the Anglican bishop of Islington in London, where he's been a successful church builder. What's his plan for the Melbourne diocese?GUESTS:CONRAD HACKETT - senior researcher at Pew ResearchAssociate Professor MILAD HAGHANI from Melbourne UniversityMelbourne Archbishop RIC THORPE 

This year's Hajj celebrations wrapped up last Sunday in Mecca. Thankfully deaths and injuries from overcrowding and overheating were well down on last year.The Hajj is required of every able Muslim, but overall numbers were also down. The reason is intriguing. Associate Professor MILAD HAGHANI from Melbourne University studies urban risk and resilience.

Why is it taking so long to choose a new leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans? It took the Catholic Church about three weeks from the death of Pope Francis to elect his successor, Pope Leo. But it's almost seven months since Justin Welby resigned, in controversial circumstances, as Archbishop of Canterbury.MADELEINE DAVIES of The Church Times in Britain has some answers – and a tip about his replacement.

Christian nationalism is a phenomenon we usually associate with the United States. But it's also a driving force behind Vladimir Putin and his war on Ukraine. MARLENE LARUELLE specialises in the fusion of religion and global politics at George Washington University. She writes about Russian Christian nationalism in the Journal of Illiberalism Studies. GUEST:Marlene Laruelle is Research Professor and Director of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at the George Washington University.

Christian nationalism is a phenomenon we usually associate with the United States. But it's also a driving force behind Vladimir Putin and his war on Ukraine. MARLENE LARUELLE specialises in the fusion of religion and global politics at George Washington University. She writes about Russian Christian nationalism in the Journal of Illiberalism Studies. Why is taking so long to choose a new leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans? It took the Catholic Church about three weeks from the death of Pope Francis to elect his successor, Pope Leo. But it's almost seven months since Justin Welby resigned, in controversial circumstances, as Archbishop of Canterbury. MADELEINE DAVIES of The Church Times in Britain has some answers – and a tip about his replacement.How did a young man go from being a racist teenage thug,  who did gaol time, to one of the world's leading Catholic writers. You can thank that lovable character from the G.K. Chesterton novels, Father Brown. JOSEPH PEARCE became captivated by the gentle, crime-solving priest, turned his life around and became a biographer of Chesterton and J.R.R. Tolkien. He brought his extraordinary story to Australia recently as a guest of Hartford College, a liberal studies school in Sydney.GUESTS:Marlene Laruelle Research Professor and Director of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at the George Washington University. Madeleine Davies journalist at The Church TimesJoseph Pearce is a US based British philosopher and author

How did a young man go from being a racist teenage thug,  who did gaol time, to one of the world's leading Catholic writers. You can thank that lovable character from the G.K. Chesterton novels, Father Brown. JOSEPH PEARCE became captivated by the gentle, crime-solving priest, turned his life around and became a biographer of Chesterton and J.R.R. Tolkien. He brought his extraordinary story to Australia recently as a guest of Hartford College, a liberal studies school in Sydney.Joseph Pearce is a US based British philosopher and author

The election of Pope Leo XIV is having an immediate and concrete effect in Australia – but in a way you might not have imagined. In the Fair Work Commission, the country's Catholic bishops are pushing for a major pay increase for the lowest paid workers. And they're using a famous statement from one of Pope Leo's predecessors – Leo XIII – way back in 1891. Professor Tom Barnes is an economist with the Australian Catholic University. He helped write and present the submission.Everyone deserves a proper and decent burial. Even those who have lived a life of crime or scandal can surely expect some dignity in death. But what if the deceased is a war criminal -- specifically a Nazi? In Germany, an organisation established after World War I to help locate and re-bury the remains of some of the millions who died has found itself in an ethical dilemma. Nicholas Casey is a staff writer for The New York Times magazine. He explored this question in a recent cover story. GUESTS:Nicholas Casey, writer and journalist - author of Unburying the Remains of the Third ReichTom Barnes, Economist with the Australian Catholic University and contributor to the Catholic Church's Wage Submission

The election of Pope Leo XIV is having an immediate and concrete effect in Australia – but in a way you might not have imagined. In the Fair Work Commission, the country's Catholic bishops are pushing for a major pay increase for the lowest paid workers. And they're using a famous statement from one of Pope Leo's predecessors – Leo XIII – way back in 1891. Professor Tom Barnes is an economist with the Australian Catholic University. He helped write and present the submission.

From an Australian perspective the commemoration of war has long been wrapped up with our national identity.Both 20th C world wars have loomed large for many Australians, and we continue to commemorate our war dead - note the Federal Government has just dropped over half a billion taxpayer dollars on a refurb of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.Everyone deserves a proper and decent burial. Even those who have lived a life of crime or scandal can surely expect some dignity in death. But what if the deceased is a war criminal -- specifically a Nazi? In Germany, an organisation established after World War 1 to help locate and re-bury the remains of some of the millions who died, has found itself in an ethical dilemma. A fascinating story called Unburying the Remains of the Third Reich by Nicholas Casey , a journalist and staff writer at The New York Times based in Madrid. 

The Anglicans of Melbourne have gone all the way to London to find their new archbishop.Last weekend they elected Richard Thorpe, currently the Bishop of Islington.It could be quite a shake up for Melbourne, where Anglicanism has balanced traditional-style worship with a more low-key evangelicalism.Bishop Thorpe's background suggests he prefers a more charismatic style.GUEST:Madeleine Davies is Senior Writer at the Church Times

Humanitarian aid is trickling back into Gaza, after the Israeli government allowed a small number of trucks to enter the enclave. The prospect of starvation looms over the enclave. A permanent ceasefire in Gaza – not yet on the table – is only the first step to ending the crisis. Does the two-state solution have any future? Veteran peace negotiators Israeli GERSHON BASKIN and Palestinian SAMER SINIJLAWI are heading to Australia with the New Israel Fund to discuss prospects. The California technology region of Silicon Valley once styled itself as the epitome of Obama-era cool, with CEOs in untucked tee-shirts spouting progressive politics. Now it sees itself as a new Jerusalem. But is there crafty politics behind the religious trend? Vanity Fair writer ZOE BERNARD explains how Christianity went from stigma to status symbol in the Silicon Valley of the Trump era. GUESTS:Gershon Baskin is an Israeli columnist, social and political activist. Samer Sinijlawi is a Palestinian political activist and the founding chairman of the Jerusalem Development FundBoth will be guests of the New Israel Fund AustraliaZoe Bernard is a freelance journalist and author of  Christianity Was “Borderline Illegal” in Silicon Valley. Now It's the New Religion

The California technology region of Silicon Valley once styled itself as the epitome of Obama-era cool, with CEOs in untucked tee-shirts spouting progressive politics. Now it sees itself as a new Jerusalem. But is there crafty politics behind the religious trend? Vanity Fair writer ZOE BERNARD explains how Christianity went from stigma to status symbol in the Silicon Valley of the Trump era. GUEST: Freelance feature writer and journalist Zoë Bernardwrote Vanity Fair's article Christianity Was “Borderline Illegal” in Silicon Valley. Now It's the New Religion

Humanitarian aid is trickling back into Gaza, after the Israeli government allowed a small number of trucks to enter the enclave. The prospect of starvation looms over the enclave. A permanent ceasefire in Gaza – not yet on the table – is only the first step to ending the crisis. Does the two-state solution have any future? Veteran peace negotiators Israeli GERSHON BASKIN and Palestinian SAMER SINIJLAWI are heading to Australia with the New Israel Fund to discuss prospects. GUESTS:Gershon Baskin is an Israeli columnist, social and political activist. Samer Sinijlawi is a Palestinian political activist and the founding chairman of the Jerusalem Development FundBoth will be guests of the New Israel Fund Australia

Pope Leo XIV will be inaugurated this weekend with a special Mass, but he's already noticed a huge in-tray on his desk at the Vatican.Pope Francis was a beloved figure in much of the church, and the world, but his papacy was divisive among some Catholics and he left many issues unresolved. So what are the priorities for Leo? Dr MILES PATTENDEN is a papal historian and commentator at Oxford University. 

In April, a new book by the 14th Dalai Lama was published called “Voice For The Voiceless: Over Seven decades of struggle with China for my land and my people”.The Dalai Lama reveals that his reincarnated successor could be born in what he calls “the free world”.It would break with centuries of tradition – and raise the stakes in the dispute with China over control of the Himalayan region that the Dalai Lama fled in 1959.It also raises the intriguing prospect of the next Dalai Lama being found in Australia.Dr Zoe Bedford is the Executive officer from The Australia Tibet Council.

So what's in a name. When it comes to the papacy, almost everything.The name a new pope chooses can reveal a lot about his thinking and plans for the Catholic church.Cardinal Robert Prevost chose Leo XIV – a pope whose teachings on social and economic justice are felt today.DAN HITCHENS is a senior editor at First Things and a columnist at Compact magazines. He recognised the significance of the name as soon as he heard it announced from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

So what's in a name. When it comes to the papacy, almost everything.The name a new pope chooses can reveal a lot about his thinking and plans for the Catholic church.DAN HITCHENS recognised the significance of the name as soon as he heard it announced from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.A Pope Leo XIV will be inaugurated this weekend with a special Mass, but he's already noticed a huge in-tray on his desk at the Vatican. What will he prioritise? Dr MILES PATTENDEN has some ideas.In a new book, Voice For The Voiceless, the Dalai Lama reveals that his reincarnated successor could be born in what he calls “the free world”.It would break with centuries of tradition – and raise the stakes in the dispute with China over control of the Himalayan region that the Dalai Lama fled in 1959.It also raises the intriguing prospect of the next Dalai Lama being found in Australia.GUESTS:Dr MILES PATTENDEN is a papal historian and commentator at Oxford University. DAN HITCHENS is a senior editor at First Things and a columnist at Compact magazines.DR ZOE BEDFORD is the Executive officer from The Australia Tibet Council.

Religion specialist Noel Debien speaks with Eparch's vicar general Fr Simon Ckuj, who accompanied Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSrR, Eparch of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Australia and Oceania to Rome for the conclave.Cardinal Bychock was made the Catholic Church's youngest cardinal by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024.Father Ckuj relates what the appointment of Pope Leo means for Australian Catholics and particularly to the Ukrainian diaspora.

American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the next Supreme Pontiff and spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.The 267th pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, is a member of the Augustinian religious order and the first American-Peruvian pope.Andrew West hosts this special edition of Radio National's Religion and Ethics Report and he is joined by papal experts, both in Rome and in Australia to discuss the historic election of Pope Leo XIV and what this appointment means for the future of the Catholic Church.GUESTS:Claire Giangravé, Vatican Correspondent for the Religion News Service (currently in Rome)Dr Maeve Heaney, Director of the Xavier Centre for Theological Formation at the Australian Catholic UniversityDr Miles Pattenden, historian of the Catholic Church at Oxford University (currently in Rome)Professor Massimo Faggioli, author, historian and Professor of Theology at Villanova University, US Noel Debien, Religion Specialist, Radio National/Compass (currently in Rome)

As the cardinals enter the conclave to choose a successor to Pope Francis, CLAIRE GIANGRAVE of the Religion News Service profiles the front-runners.

Why did the Coalition perform so poorly among multicultural voters, even though many communities are highly religious, socially conservative and committed to a small business ethic that aligns well with Liberal Party values? The Liberals' most successful leader with ethnic voters, former NSW Premier BARRY O'FARRELL, who notched a stunning victory winning 65 percent of the vote in 2011, has some lessons for his party.