The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

In New South Wales, the Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating claims that the head office of Catholic schools – but not the schools themselves -- employed some staff to work primarily on factional activities for the Liberal Party. There've also been allegations that the organisation paid a consultant who then funnelled his money to a faction known as the Reformers. But first, the ABC's head of religion, Noel Debien, has been watching the proceedings at ICAC and is here with an update.GUESTS:Noel Debien is a religion expert and broadcaster, and heads the Religion and Ethics unit at ABC Radio NationalAnne Benjamin is a respected educator, who was Director of Schools for the Parramatta diocese. 

The ABC's head of religion, Noel Debien, has been watching the proceedings at ICAC and is here with an update.In New South Wales, the Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating claims that the head office of Catholic schools – but not the schools themselves -- employed some staff to work primarily on factional activities for the Liberal Party. There've also been allegations that the organisation paid a consultant who then funnelled his money to a faction known as the Reformers. How have socially conservative Catholics found a home for themselves in the Liberal Party, especially considering its early history as a bastion of Australia's protestant establishment? It's due in large part to the end of long romance between the Catholic Church and the Labor Party. GUESTS:Noel Debien is a religion expert and broadcaster, and heads the Religion and Ethics unit at ABC Radio NationalDr Jeff Kildea is the author of the new book Iron Law No More: The Rise and Demise of the Catholic-Labor Alliance in Australia.Anne Benjamin is a respected educator, who was Director of Schools for the Parramatta diocese. This program is recorded on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

How have socially conservative Catholics found a home for themselves in the Liberal Party, especially considering its early history as a bastion of Australia's protestant establishment? It's due in large part to the end of long romance between the Catholic Church and the Labor Party. GUEST:Dr Jeff Kildea is the author of the new book Iron Law No More: The Rise and Demise of the Catholic-Labor Alliance in Australia.

One of the most controversial questions in next week's census is about religious affinity. Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of Australians say they have no religion. In 2021, it reached 39 per cent. But does the way the census poses the question accurately reflect religious identity? GUEST:Dr Dorian von Freyhold from the analytics firm Compass Polling ran an experiment involving 5,000 people.

For six years, a Church of England priest has been trying to uncover the fate of more than 60 Iraqis taken prisoner by Coalition forces during the 2003 Iraq invasion. What makes this search for the truth so compelling is that before becoming a priest, Nicholas Mercer was a Lieutenant Colonel and one of the most senior lawyers in the British military. As part of his search, he wrote repeatedly to the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Forced because Australian troops were involved in detaining the Iraqis. Nicholas Mercer has finally received a response from the Inspector-General.The following statement can be attributed to a spokesperson for the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force:The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force's role includes the examination of matters affecting military justice in the ADF.  The IGADF inquiry into Dr Mercer's concerns did not find any evidence that substantiates wrongdoing on the part of the ADF. GUEST:A former British Army Lieutenant-Colonel, the Rev Nicholas Mercer has been campaigning for the truth about war crimes in Iraq - he is also an Anglican priest

For six years, a Church of England priest has been trying to uncover the fate of more than 60 Iraqis taken prisoner by Coalition forces during the 2003 Iraq invasion. 

"Women religious" have led major education, health and charitable institutions. But they've also been victims of their own church. 

Young voters have a voice in India right now.India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Melbourne to receive a rock star welcome at a mass rally at docklands stadium. But not all Australian Hindus are fans - some see him as a divisive figure with potential impact on social harmony. What do they make of the current pulses of anti-immigration rhetoric emerging from figures like Hanson and her party?Meanwhile in India, the Cockroach Janta party or CJP might have started out as an online joke, bit its grown into a mass protests movement, driven by the discontent of millions of younger voters. What of it's future?With an October 27 poll looming for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — security officials warn the Occupied West Bank is a tinderbox, with Palestinian Christian communities among those under sustained attack from armed settlers. We speak with a Christian Palestinian from Bethlehem with family in Gaza.GUESTS:ABC journalist and former ABC South Asia correspondent Meghna Bali - Her new ABC Compass documentary is here.Professor Assa Doron, from the Australian National University's College of Asia and the Pacific.Dr Yousef Al-Khoury is the Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College in the West Bank. He's currently on a speaking tour Bearing Witness in Australia organised by the group Palestinian Christians in Australia.

India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Melbourne to receive a rock star welcome at a mass rally at docklands stadium. But not all Australian Hindus are fans - some see him as a divisive figure with potential impact on social harmony. What do they make of the current pulses of anti-immigration rhetoric emerging from figures like Hanson and her party?GUEST:ABC journalist and former ABC South Asia correspondent Meghna Bali - Her new ABC Compass documentary is here.

With an October 27 poll looming for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, security officials warn the Occupied West Bank is a tinderbox, with Palestinian Christian communities among those under sustained attack from armed settlers. We speak with a Christian Palestinian from Bethlehem with family in Gaza.GUEST:Dr Yousef Al-Khoury is the Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible College in the West Bank. He's currently on a speaking tour Bearing Witness in Australia organised by the group Palestinian Christians in Australia.

Young voters have a voice in India right now.The Cockroach Janta Party or CJP might have started out as an online joke, but it's grown into a mass protests movement, driven by the discontent of millions of younger voters. What of it's political future? And who are the key figures in the movement?GUEST:Professor Assa Doron, from the Australian National University's College of Asia and the Pacific.

The Catholic Church has traditionally been sympathetic to the aspirations of West Papuans.But, over the past year, rebels in the Indonesian province of West Papua have attacked several Catholic institutions. The worst was early July, when they killed an American pilot, whose plane was carrying aid for Catholic charities. What's behind these attacks by anti-Indonesian rebels? GUEST:Ahmad Syarif is a researcher at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. He spent nearly a decade at the Jakarta office of Bower Group Asia. He recently documented the growing violence in a report for The Lowy Interpreter.

Over the past year, rebels in the Indonesian province of West Papua have attacked several Catholic institutions. 

In today's fractured politics, the Pope has approval ratings to die for. An Economist You-Gov poll recently found that among Americans – and not just Catholics --  Pope Leo led Donald Trump in the popularity stakes by 54 points. 

Guardian columnist Peter Lewis has been reading the Pope's encyclical, not as an adherent of the Catholic faith but as someone who's “proudly human”.

The latest flashpoint is a dispute over Islamic burial rites.

The very slow rise of Muslim immigration hasn't slowed the rise of anti-immigration sentiment in Japanese politics and society. 

It's a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries. Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei. He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel. Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a rallying point for the nation. The man set to become the next prime minister of Britain, Andy Burnham, is best known as the popular and successful mayor of Greater Manchester in northern England. But long before that, he was a pious altar boy in his local Catholic church in Liverpool. Burnham has referred frequently to his Catholic background and values, even if he observes only some of the church's teaching. How much will faith shape his prime ministership? One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian regime is severe restrictions on religious practice. But there's also been a marked increase in religious repression by individuals, sometimes in defiance of more liberal government policies. The Pew Research Center in Washington has been monitoring this situation.GUESTS:Dr Ali Mamouri  is a Middle East specialist at Deakin University and a former adviser to an earlier reform government in neighbouring Iraq.Hannah Rich is a senior researcher at the London-based think tank Theos.Samirah Majumdar is the lead author of Pew Research's recent report.This program is made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

It's a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries. Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei. He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel. Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a rallying point for the nation. GUEST:Dr Ali Mamouri  is a Middle East specialist at Deakin University and a former adviser to an earlier reform government in neighbouring Iraq. 

Long before being a PM incumbent, Andy Burnham was a pious altar boy in his local Catholic church in Liverpool. Burnham has referred frequently to his Catholic background and values, even if he observes only some of the church's teaching. How much will faith shape his prime ministership? GUEST:Hannah Rich is a senior researcher at the London-based think tank Theos.

One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian regime is severe restrictions on religious practice.But there's also been a marked increase in religious repression by individuals, sometimes in defiance of more liberal government policies. The Pew Research Center in Washington has been monitoring this situation. GUEST:Samirah Majumder is the lead author of Pews recent report. 

It's a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries. Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei. He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel. Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a rallying point for the nation. The man set to become the next prime minister of Britain, Andy Burnham, is best known as the popular and successful mayor of Greater Manchester in northern England. But long before that, he was a pious altar boy in his local Catholic church in Liverpool. Burnham has referred frequently to his Catholic background and values, even if he observes only some of the church's teaching. How much will faith shape his prime ministership? One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian regime is severe restrictions on religious practice. But there's also been a marked increase in religious repression by individuals, sometimes in defiance of more liberal government policies. The Pew Research Center in Washington has been monitoring this situation.GUESTS:Dr Ali Mamouri  is a Middle East specialist at Deakin University and a former adviser to an earlier reform government in neighbouring Iraq.Hannah Rich is a senior researcher at the London-based think tank Theos.Samirah Majumdar is the lead author of Pew Research's recent report.This program is made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

July the 4th marks 250 years since the founders of the United States ratified the Declaration of Independence. For a nation that was designed explicitly to separate church and state – unlike much of old Europe – the US became remarkably religious. Even as the number of non-religious Americans grows, faith still permeates the culture and, especially, the politics. As part of Radio National's America 250 coverage, we caught up with historian Matthew Avery Sutton.And a longer version of this interview is on our webpage.  Guests:Dr BREANN FALLON is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education.MATTHEW AVERY SUTTON is author of Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.  RELATED MATERIAL: God Forbid on The Scofield Bible

Research appears to show teacher fears around teaching students about the Holocaust.Hearings resumed this week at the antisemitism royal commission, with public figures, including MPs, recounting their experience with anti-Jewish prejudice. The hearings coincided with new research showing some high school teachers in New South Wales were nervous about teaching the history of the Holocaust because of a backlash from some students.  Plus July the 4th marks 250 years since the founders of the United States ratified the Declaration of Independence. For a nation that was designed explicitly to separate church and state – unlike much of old Europe – the US became remarkably religious. Even as the number of non-religious Americans grows, faith still permeates the culture and, especially, the politics. As part of Radio National's America 250 series, we caught up with historian Matthew Avery Sutton – a longer version is on our webpage.  Guests:Dr BREANN FALLON is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education.MATTHEW AVERY SUTTON, author of Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.   

Research appears to show teacher fears around teaching students about the Holocaust.Hearings resumed this week at the antisemitism royal commission, with public figures, including MPs, recounting their experience with anti-Jewish prejudice. The hearings coincided with new research showing some high school teachers in New South Wales were nervous about teaching the history of the Holocaust because of a backlash from some students.  Guest:Dr Breann Fallon is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education. 

A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion. At the moment, it's popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans. But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics? A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent. GUEST:TIMOTHY KIRCHOFF is a contributing writer to the liberal Catholic magazine, Commonweal.    

If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn't hot enough, there's now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem. For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray. But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council. GUEST:WYRE DAVIES is the BBC's Middle East correspondent. He's been covering this story.

After 180 years in Australia, the Catholic order of Christian Brothers is closing down – bankrupt and shamed by the child sexual abuse scandal. The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million. The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers. Those with claims against the brothers won't receive all they're seeking but the Brothers have revealed they've already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980. If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn't hot enough, there's now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem. For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray. But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council. A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion. At the moment, it's popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans. But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics? A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent. GUESTSProfessor DARRYL HIGGINS is director of the Institute for Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University.WYRE DAVIES is the BBC's Middle East correspondent.TIMOTHY KIRCHOFF is a contributing writer to the liberal Catholic magazine, Commonweal.    

The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million. The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers. Those with claims against the brothers won't receive all they're seeking but the Brothers have revealed they've already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980. GUEST:Professor DARRYL HIGGINS is director of the Institute for Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University.

We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures.But Ethiopia's a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling. That's the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING. She's been living in Ethiopia's Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary organisation that's helped half a million women. Valerie's back in Australia to visit family and publicise the work of the Barbara May Foundation that helps fund her work. Guest:Valerie Browning is a nurse and author of "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads in Africa”. She founded the Afar Pastoral Development Association and the Barbara May Maternity Hospital.  

As Pauline Hanson's appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament? Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.  India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji. The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire. But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji's legacy?  We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures. But Ethiopia's a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling. That's the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING. She's been living in Ethiopia's Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary organisation that's helped half a million women. She's back in Australia to visit family and publicise the work of the Barbara May Foundation that helps fund her work. Guests:Dr Benjamin Moffitt is a political scientist at Monash University and has been charting the progress of One Nation. Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspondent for The New York Times who has been following the Shivaji trend. She's author of Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, KingValerie Browning is a nurse and author of "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads in Africa”. She founded the the Afar Pastoral Development Association and the Barbara May Hospital.  

As Pauline Hanson's appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament? Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.  The Australian religious right.GUEST:Dr Benjamin Moffitt is a political scientist at Monash University and has been charting the progress of One Nation. 

India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji. The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire. But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji's legacy?  GUEST:Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspondent for The New York Times who has been following the Shivaji trend. She's also author of Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, King

Churches and charities are warning that the federal government's plan to increase taxes on discretionary trusts could cost the welfare and community sector billions of dollars in donations. They fear up to 30 per cent of their income could disappear.If you attend a Donald Trump rally in the United States, you'll almost certainly hear his favourite song – the high-camp late 70's hit by the Village People, “YMCA”. And you'll increasingly hear another song that, strictly speaking, has nothing to do with politics. It's the evangelical anthem, “How Great is Our God”. Now, some evangelical leaders fear the MAGA movement has hijacked their music, even their worship style.  On the northern fringe of Sydney, among gum trees and very loud native bird song, the Catholic Church plans to build Australia's newest cathedral. The proposal by the Diocese of Broken Bay has attracted criticism for its expense. But the church hopes the stunning new design, which captures the essence of the nearby bushland, will convince the critics.GUESTS:Mark Fowler is a charity lawyer and advisory committee member for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a commonwealth agency. Professor Leah Payne of the Portland Seminary is the author of God Gave Rock & Roll to You.Niall McLaughlin is the architect on the planned Broken Bay cathedral.

Churches and charities are warning that the federal government's plan to increase taxes on discretionary trusts could cost the welfare and community sector billions of dollars in donations. Christian and Muslim leaders have asked Treasurer Jim Chalmers to reconsider.Mark Fowler has been following the story.GUEST:Mark Fowler is a charity lawyer and advisory committee member for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a commonwealth agency. 

If you attend a Donald Trump rally in the United States, you'll increasingly hear another song that, strictly speaking, has nothing to do with politics. It's the evangelical anthem, “How Great is Our God”. Now, some evangelical leaders fear the MAGA movement has hijacked their music, even their worship style. GUEST:Professor Leah Payne of the Portland Seminary is the author of God Gave Rock & Roll to You.

On the northern fringe of Sydney, among gum trees and very loud native bird song, the Catholic Church plans to build Australia's newest cathedral. The proposal by the Diocese of Broken Bay has attracted criticism for its expense. But the church hopes the stunning new design, which captures the essence of the nearby bushland, will convince the critics.GUEST:Niall McLaughlin is the architect on the planned Broken Bay Catholic cathedral.

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences. Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who've returned from Syria in the past fortnight. Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions. But their return is confronting for one religious minority that's found refuge in Australia. Extremism expert Professor JOSH ROOSE of Deakin University has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia.Pope Leo's encyclical on the dangers of artificial intelligence includes a red light about the role technology plays in the sexual trafficking of women and children. The International Justice Mission is a faith-based organisation that fights modern slavery. It's one of several human rights groups meeting in the Vatican this week. BRIONY CAMP is the head of campaigns for IJM Australia.As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism. One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers. They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II. But how realistic is their vision in 2026.  JOYCE AJLOUNY is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences. Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who've returned from Syria in the past fortnight. Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions. But their return is confronting for one religious minority that's found refuge in Australia.Extremism expert Dr Josh Roose has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia.GUEST:Dr Josh Roose is a political sociologist and Associate Professor of Politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University.

As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism. One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers. They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II. But how realistic is their vision in 2026? GUEST:Joyce Ajlouny is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.

The deadly Ebola virus spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo is now outpacing the ability of health workers to respond, according to the World Health Organisation. But medical staff aren't just battling a virus. They're fighting scepticism among some communities about whether the disease is real, and the role of traditional burial practices in helping to spread Ebola. The Anglican Bishop of Goma in the DRC, MARTIN GORDON, is overseeing a major church response.GUEST:Rev Martin Gordon, Bishop of the Diocese of Goma, DRCRev Gordon on YouTube with an update 27/05

In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century. He's used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans. His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity. GUEST:Dr Victoria Lorrimar heads the Centre for Technology and Human Futures at Notre Dame University Australia