Podcast appearances and mentions of christopher lamb

Did you miss Lessons From the Lab LIVE 2? Watch the recording now and see the fun you missed as Drs. Devon Rubin and Christopher Lamb present and discuss a unique case of a young rock climber with arm weakness.

This is Episode 10 of The Church's Radical Reform, the second podcast series on synodality. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet. 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. But what happens next? Synod 2023 is the first of two assemblies, with another due in October 2024. In this episode, I talk again to Myriam Wijlens, who took part in the synod as an expert adviser. Professor Wijlens, a theologian and canon lawyer who has been closely involved in the synod process, stressed a general agreement that women need an enlarged role in the church but a “struggle” over how this should happen in practice. The question of women deacons is to be further studied, and Wijlens said a “conclusion” to the discussion over the possibility of women deacons could take place at the synod next year. Professor Wijlens teaches at the University of Erfurt in Germany. She said that the new synod process marks a “tremendous shift”, which gave everyone the same amount of time to speak, whether they were an Asian woman or a European cardinal. “There was a general agreement: we have to attend to this question [of women]”, she said. “And there was a great agreement that women do make up the larger portion of active participants in the life of the Church. And then there comes a struggle because we all come from different cultures and from different backgrounds. How does that unfold in real life, on the ground?” Professor Wijlens points out that a critical challenge is implementing synodality at the local level. But it can no longer be a question of waiting for the authorities in Rome about what to do. “How can Rome say what you have to do in the inner city of London and in the inner city of Manila or the countryside of Alaska at the same time,” she said. It is up to bishops and local leaders to “take up your own responsibility” and implement synodal reforms in their local areas. Producer: Silvia Sacco Editor: Jamie Weston

A conversation with the “spiritual father” of the synod: Fr Timothy Radcliffe 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 process and how to navigate disagreement in an increasingly polarised world and church. Fr Timothy led the worldwide Dominican Order from 1992-2001, the first English friar to do so. He knows the universal Church and the workings of the Vatican and has attended several synods. “I think to see Roman Curial cardinals sitting with young women from Latin America and Asia and listening, really listening. I think that's what is most transformative,” he told me. The process of listening, he says, is the “foundation for any subsequent things to happen” and that both individuals and the Church collectively need to be “changed” before they know which changes need to be made. On one occasion in the synod, he referred to a story that had been told to participants about a bisexual woman who had taken her own life as she did not feel welcomed by the Church. “The question always put is: is the Church's teaching going to change? That's not the issue. The issue is, will we love and welcome our fellow human beings?” he says. “If we love them, and listen to them and make them part of our lives, if there are evolutions to happen, they will happen. But you don't start by asking what changes have to be made.” He stressed that the synod is counter-cultural because it demands people listen to those with whom they disagree. “We inherit a tradition, Catholicism, which does actually believe in reason,” he pointed out. “We see a lot of irrationality in our society because people don't believe in reason anymore, but the Church does, and this should act in a healthy way to open not just our hearts but our minds, so we listen attentively with all our intelligence to what the other person is saying, and try to see how even if we disagree it bears some tiny seed of truth that we need. So I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't turn out, when we look back, that one of the great roles of the Church will be to carry on believing in reason.” Talking about indifference or scepticism of the synod among the clergy, Fr Timothy said there needs to be a “positive, affirmative vision of the priesthood” to ensure more priests get on board with the synod process. Finally, he talked about his recent health struggles and how Pope Francis took him by surprise and phoned him while he was in hospital. Producer: Silvia Sacco Editor: Jamie Weston This is Episode 9 of The Church's Radical Reform, the second podcast series on synodality. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet.

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 Square on 30 September. This event will be the starting point for the synod and a three-day retreat, which participants will participate in before the synod's formal opening on 4 October.  Talking to “The Church's Radical Reform” podcast, hosted by The Tablet's Rome correspondent Christopher Lamb, Br Matthew spoke about how “synodality and ecumenism go hand in hand” and that while Christians have got used to walking on “parallel paths”, he hopes that the synod will find “creative ways” to bring different Christian traditions closer together.  “If the Catholic Church [through the synod] can recognise and cherish the diversity that is already within itself, is there a hope as well for a greater communion with Christians who are at this moment not part of the Roman Catholic Church? Can their diversity also be welcomed?” he said.  Br Matthew, 58, explained that the 30 September gathering, “Together”, was the initiative of the current prior, Brother Alois, who conceived the idea at the launch of the synod process in October 2021. The event will be attended by young people and the leaders of 20 different churches and Christian traditions, including the Archbishop of Canterbury.  “It's true that when you speak about a synod on synodality, it's not very easy for many people, especially young people, to understand what that's about,” he said. “That is one of the reasons we called this ecumenical prayer vigil ‘together,' because that's a word which is easily understandable and which also expresses something of what the synod is.”  The new prior, who will take up his position on 3 December 2023, explains the history of Taizè and his journey to joining the community at the age of 21, having grown up in Yorkshire, in the north of England.  Br Matthew has been involved in the synod process, taking part in the European assembly in Prague earlier this year and the importance of “conversations in the Spirit”, which is the method of listening and consensus building that the synod assembly will use in the Vatican from 4-29 October.  “It wasn't arguing with each other or trying to put across your point of view, but it was listening to the Spirit, and listening to each other, in order to find a common path,” he says. “That is something that which can also help us on our ecumenical journey towards unity.” Br Matthew said that at a time of “uncertainty, we look for clear identity”, with young people coming to Taizé sometimes attached to “traditional forms of worship,” movements associated with the climate crisis or tackling poverty.  “It's a question of listening to what they are experiencing and giving them a place,” he said.  But he also insisted that the Church cannot stand still, and the synod underlines that “the tradition is something constantly evolving, it's not something locked up in a box somewhere.” Rather than “museum keepers,” he said, Christians should see themselves as “cultivators of a beautiful garden.   For more details about the prayer vigil: ⁠www.together23.net⁠     Producer: Silvia Sacco Editor: Jamie Weston     --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-tablet/message

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  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-tablet/message

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-ctor-manuel-fern-ndez⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-tablet/message

What happened to riddles and fun islands? Tune in to hear Meg Shaffer, the author of The Wishing Game, speak about how Willy Wonka inspired her story, how books provide escapism, and the importance of supporting people's dreams.  The Wishing Game follows Lucy Hart, a 26-year-old teacher's aid, desperate to adopt her orphan student Christopher Lamb. Without the proper funds and stability, Lucy needs a miracle to make her dream come true. But when her favorite author invites her to a competition on his private island, she may finally have a chance.  Get The Wishing Game at bookofthemonth.com. New members get their first book for just $9.99 with code VBT at checkout.  Learn more about Virtual Book Tour at virtualbooktour.com.  

This is Season 2, Episode 3 of The Church's Radical Reform, a podcast on the synodal movement presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and a PhD student at the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University. The podcast is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies and The Tablet. The synod discussions, whether in Asia, Latin America or Europe, have repeatedly called for the greater involvement of women in church decision-making. Across the world, women are the bedrock of parishes and communities, but the message from the synod is that they often feel invisible. As a result, the synod assembly in the Vatican in Rome in October 2023 will include women as voting members for the first time. But what does synodal, female leadership look like in the Church? In this episode, I talk to Christine Allen the Director of Cafod, the Catholic aid agency for the Church in England and Wales. It was founded by a group of Catholic women in 1960 and has since grown into an organisation which helps some of the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Christine is Cafod's first female director. In this discussion, I talk to Christine about the synod process and the need to “trumpet the leadership of women” in the church that is already going on. She suggests the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales pull together a round table of women to discuss female leadership as part of the ongoing synod process. She talks about breaking down clericalism, women deacons and how Cafod is an example of synodality being put into action. Producer: Silvia Sacco Editor: Jamie Weston

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 theologian specialising in synodality in the Catholic Church based on Australia;   Vimal Tirimanna CSsR, Professor of Moral Theology at the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka, Kandy, Sri Lanka and the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy, Rome and Christina Kheng, A lay person from Singapore, who teaches pastoral leadership at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila.  She was called by the pope to be part of the Commission on Methodology that is accompanying the Synod's work. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-tablet/message

SHOW NOTES Topics: 1) Catholic speakers withdraw from “Hope Is Fuel” 2) A Texas Bishop crosses the line 3) Marshall for President? Summary and Links: 1) Once discovering that the "Hope Is Fuel" event that they've agreed to headline is organized by sedevacantist Patrick Coffin and will feature E Michael Jones, a notorious antisemite, a group of Catholic speakers withdraw en masse. Links: - "Hope Is Fooled" by Mike Lewis (WPI): https://wherepeteris.com/hope-is-fooled/ - "‘Hope Is Fuel' conference fans flames of controversy over antisemitic, sedevacantist Catholic headliners" by Gina Christian (OSV): https://catholicreview.org/hope-is-fuel-conference-fans-flames-of-controversy-over-antisemitic-sedevacantist-catholic-headliners/ 2) Texas bishop Joseph Strickland tweets that Pope Francis is "undermining the deposit of Faith." Is this significant? Will anything happen? Links: - "Texas bishop publicly rejects 'program' of Pope Francis" by Mike Lewis (WPI): https://wherepeteris.com/texas-bishop-publicly-rejects-program-of-pope-francis/ - "Strickland, Schism, Schneider and the SSPX" by Mike Lewis: https://wherepeteris.com/strickland-schism-schneider-and-the-sspx/ "Texas Bishop Strickland accuses Pope Francis of undermining Catholic faith" by Brian Fraga (NCR): https://www.ncronline.org/news/texas-bishop-strickland-accuses-pope-francis-undermining-catholic-faith - "Strickland, U.S. Bishop's Social Media Sows Division" by Christopher Lamb: https://sacredheartuniversity.typepad.com/go_rebuild_my_house/2023/05/strickland-us-bishops-social-media-sows-division.html 3) Traditionalist YouTuber declared that he is running for president of the USA. Mike suggests potential running mates and campaign slogans. Link: - "Taylor Marshall for Prez in 2024! The Catholic candidate whose time has come." by Michael Sean Winters: https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/ncr-voices/taylor-marshall-prez-2024-catholic-candidate-whose-time-has-come ABOUT THE DEBRIEF Intro Episode: https://youtu.be/LevSkGFqq4U A weekly show where we dive deep into the news, topics, questions, and controversies facing the Catholic Church today. Hosted by Dominic de Souza, founder of SmartCatholics, posing questions to Mike Lewis, editor and cofounder of Where Peter Is. We bring you commentary, analysis, and context on tough questions that the Church is facing. Whether you're a devout Catholic, a curious seeker, or just interested in the news and happenings in the Church, join us for The Debrief. When it comes to news and controversies in the Catholic Church, stay curious, informed, and engaged. WHERE PETER IS Visit Where Peter Is.com to read articles, commentaries, and spiritual reflections by and for faithful Catholics who support the mission and vision of Pope Francis. https://wherepeteris.com SMARTCATHOLICS The conversation is brought to you from SmartCatholics.com, the free online community for millennials, creators, and learners. Join our private WherePeterIs group to ask questions, share insights, and suggest topics for next time. https://smartcatholics.com DONATE Consider becoming a Patreon sponsor for Where Peter Is. Your generosity will help us continue to bring valuable content to you and enhance the quality of this show. https://www.patreon.com/where_peter_is

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 this episode, Christopher Lamb talks to Lord McDonald, who was in charge of the British Diplomatic Service from 2015-2022, about his new book Leadership: Lessons from a Life in Diplomacy. Lord McDonald looks at what makes for a successful leader today and how to navigate the unprecedented scrutiny and pressures experienced by those in senior roles. Pope Francis has emphasised that the synod listening process must “pass beyond the 3 or 4 per cent that are closest to us” and “broaden” its range. The interview with Lord McDonald took place in that spirit, with the former ambassador talking about how he grew up as a Catholic, although he is no longer an active member of the Church.  Nevertheless, he offers some fascinating insights into the reform process that Francis has begun, reflecting on the complexities of reforming a historic institution and his experiences in seeking a fairer representation of women in the Foreign Office. When it comes to leading, however, some things remain the same. Lord McDondald points out that good leaders have the courage to make bold decisions, stay humble, operate with a clear authority structure and have a strong team around them.  This podcast series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at the University of Durham. Executive Producer: Silvia Sacco  Editor: Jamie Weston  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-tablet/message

This is Season 2, Episode 1 of The Church's Radical Reform, a podcast on the synodal movement presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and a PhD student at the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University. The podcast is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies and The Tablet. In this episode, we hear from Timothy Costelloe, Archbishop of Perth, who is 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. Archbishop Tim explains how the synod process can revitalise the Church globally and in Australia, but that it is not something that is going to happen overnight. In the face of a decline in religious practice in the West, Archbishop Tim wants a Church that can re-connect with a younger generation and consider adopting a “preferential option of the young.” But he also addresses the claim from the late Australian Cardinal George Pell that the synod is a “nightmare” and reflects on ten years of the Francis papacy. Archbishop Tim says that this Pope is reminding the Church that Jesus wasn't someone who just taught the truth; he also showed the way in his interactions with the people. He pointed out that the only people Jesus strongly criticised were the religious authorities of the day — and it's the same group of people trying to undermine Francis. Executive Producer: Silvia Saccco Producer: Jamie Weston

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 episode, Archbishop Tim explains to The Tablet's Rome correspondent Christopher Lamb how the synod process can revitalise the Church globally and in Australia, but that it is not something that is going to happen overnight. In the face of a decline in religious practice in the West, Archbishop Tim wants a Church that can re-connect with a younger generation and consider adopting a “preferential option of the young.” But he also addresses the claim from the late Australian Cardinal George Pell that the synod is a “nightmare” and reflects on ten years of the Francis papacy. Archbishop Tim says that this Pope is reminding the Church that Jesus wasn't someone who just taught the truth; he also showed the way in his interactions with the people. He pointed out that the only people Jesus strongly criticised were the religious authorities of the day — and it's the same group of people trying to undermine Francis. This podcast is part of a series in partnership with The Tablet, sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at the University of Durham. Executive Producer: Silvia Saccco Producer: Jamie Weston --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-tablet/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-tablet/message

Polarisation presents one of the biggest challenges to the unity of the Church, which is far from immune to the political divisions that have become writ large across our political culture. Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher to the papal household, has pointed out that fraternity among Catholics has been “wounded” by “political options that grow into ideologies.” In this episode, Christopher Lamb explores whether the synod process can become a counterweight to polarisation. Proponents argue that synods offer a safe space for disagreements to be aired and a way for believers to deepen the faith that binds them together. David McCallum, a Jesuit working in Rome and who runs a leadership programme in the Church, says the synod offers a model for exercising authority in an entirely different way from what we see among some populist political leaders. Synodality, he says, can ensure that harmony emerges from a radical diversity of opinions expressed within a set of parameters that maintain the Church's unity. Not everyone agrees. Dr Gavin Ashenden, a former Church of England priest and Catholic commentator, is worried that the synod is being used to pursue a progressive agenda. He believes the cultural crisis the world is living in demands the Church interrogate the zeitgeist; otherwise, it risks following the “spirit of the age” and diluting its prophetic voice. Dr Ashenden stresses he's not opposed to synodality as a concept. However, he relates his experience from his ministry in the Church of England as a warning to the Catholic Church, which he joined because it offers a “profound, worked out wisdom” in responding to the challenges of the age. The Church, he adds, must offer stability. Finally, Gerry O'Hanlon, an ecclesiologist, synod expert and former superior of the Jesuits in Ireland, argues that the synod process has been a hopeful experience for the Church in Ireland. Despite the disagreements that it has unleashed, O'Hanlon says that this period of history demands that institutions engage in “open speech” and not hide away from contested areas of disagreement. He also offers a powerful example of how the synod model can be utilised to heal the wounds caused by the scourge of the clerical sexual abuse crisis. This is the eighth episode of The Church's Radical Reform, a podcast on the synodal movement presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and a PhD student at the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University. The podcast is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies and The Tablet. Producers: Silvia Sacco Jamie Weston

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 Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States (foreign minister), Bishop Precious Omuku, the Archbishop of Canterbury's Special Representative on Conflict in sub Saharan Africa at Lambeth Palace and Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, about the trip before himself joining Pope Francis on the plane to Kinshasa. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-tablet/message

In what was a historic moment for the Catholic church, the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI marked the first time a sitting Pope has presided over another in hundreds of years. Pope Francis laid to rest Pope Benedict XVI as people from around the world flocked to the Vatican to pay tribute to the ex-pontiff. But what kind of legacy will Pope Benedict leave behind? And where does this leave the Catholic Church in modern day society? The Tablet's Christopher Lamb tells ITV News presenter Julie Etchingham what you need to know...

Einen historischen Moment haben wir mit dem Tod von Papst Benedikt XVI. miterlebt, meint der britische Vatikanjournalist Christopher Lamb, den gleichzeitig wundert, warum die Reaktion in Deutschland so kritisch ausfällt. Im Podcast spricht er über das Verhältnis von Benedikt zu Franziskus, und fragt sich, wie es mit Erzbischof Gänswein weiter gehen wird.

Pope Benedict XVI has been buried in the tombs beneath the St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. It has been estimated almost 200,000 people paid homage to the Pope Emeritus while he was lying in state over the last three days. Christopher Lamb is the Rome correspondent for the Catholic publication The Tablet, and spoke to Charlotte Cook on Morning Report.

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, his legacy and what happens now. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

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 through the Catholic Church in Australia's plenary council assembly, a vote on the equal dignity of men and women in the Church failed to pass. There was a protest among some of the members and the threat of a walkout. But then something remarkable took place. The gathering re-grouped, and a new motion on the role of women was formulated and later agreed upon. The moment of crisis became the turning point for renewal, and the plenary council ended up passing a series of motions that opens a new chapter for the Church in Australia. This episode features interviews with several of those involved in the synod, including women leaders and Archbishop Mark Coleridge, who helped spearhead the process. The experience in Australia offers a valuable lesson for the rest of the Church: don't be afraid. This is Episode 7 of The Church's Radical Reform, the first podcast series on "synodality", which is telling the story of the reform process. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet. Producers: Silvia Sacco and Jamie Weston

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 on the use of power, women in ministry, priestly existence and Catholic sexual teaching. A majority of the assembly has indicated they are in favour of changes such as female ordination, married priests, same-sex partnerships and giving the laity more of a say in choosing bishops. All of this has led to charges that the Germans are causing a schism in the Church. But is this true? In this episode, I spoke to two people involved in the process. One of them Lukas Nusser is aged 21 and a student, who is one of the youngest members of the synodal path. The other Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck leads the Diocese of Essen, a community of around 1 million Catholics in the Ruhr region of Germany. Both of them talked about how the German synodal path sought to tackle a crisis in the Church caused by sex abuse and rapid secularisation. Der Synodale Weg, they argued, is an attempt to help the Church become a more credible witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And they both insisted it's not about causing a schism. This is Episode 6 of The Church's Radical Reform, the first podcast series on "synodality", which is telling the story of the reform process. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet. Producers: Silvia Sacco and Jamie Weston

Throughout the podcast season, Mike and Jeannie have talked to different writers, church leaders, theologians, scholars, and activists about the many kinds of wounds the world experiences and how the church can help to heal these wounds. In this final episode of Field Hospital, they return to the theme with which the podcast opened: Pope Francis' vision for reviving and reforming the church.  The guest for this episode is Christopher Lamb, Vatican correspondent for the Tablet. Whether reporting from Rome or accompanying Pope Francis on his world travels, Lamb has a unique perspective on the pope's vision for reviving and reforming the church. He also has a close and incisive understanding of the various coordinated attacks on Pope Francis from media outlets such as EWTN, high-ranking members of the clergy, and well-funded influential Catholics. Lamb studied theology at the University of Durham prior to pursuing a career in journalism. He has worked as a journalist for the Daily Telegraph and for the Tablet in London before moving to Rome, where he now resides as a Vatican correspondent. He is the author of Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church. LINKS: The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the ChurchBy Christopher Lamb https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-outsider-christopher-lamb/1134906689  Q & A: Christopher Lamb By Michael Sean Winters https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/q-christopher-lamb?site_redirect=1  "Francis agrees with his critics: A pope can be wrong" By Christopher Lamb https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-agrees-his-critics-pope-can-be-wrong  "Nice guy or tough guy? The two faces of Pope Francis" By Christopher Lamb https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/nice-guy-or-tough-guy-two-faces-pope-francis  "Yes, Pope Francis Is Developing Doctrine" By Grant Gallicho https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/yes-pope-francis-developing-doctrine?tid=36  This episode of Field Hospital is supported by Catholic Theological Union.

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 on the use of power, women in ministry, priestly existence and Catholic sexual teaching. A majority of the assembly has indicated they are in favour of changes such as female ordination, married priests, same-sex partnerships and giving the laity more of a say in choosing bishops. All of this has led to charges that the Germans are causing a schism in the Church. But is this true? In this episode, I spoke to two people involved in the process. One of them Lukas Nusser is aged 21 and a student, who is one of the youngest members of the synodal path. The other Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck leads the Diocese of Essen, a community of around 1 million Catholics in the Ruhr region of Germany. Both of them talked about how the German synodal path sought to tackle a crisis in the Church caused by sex abuse and rapid secularisation. Der Synodale Weg, they argued, is an attempt to help the Church become a more credible witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And they both insisted it's not about causing a schism. Producers: Silvia Sacco Jamie Weston --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

Cardinal Mario Grech is the man Pope Francis has placed in charge of the worldwide synod and in this episode, I talked 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 into the open in ways not seen for centuries. A German synodal process, which is focussing on Catholic sexual teaching, the use of power and the role of women, has been the target of heavy criticism by a number of bishops who believe it is on the path to schism. On the other hand, synod reflections in Catholic communities across the world have seen repeated calls for the Church to re-imagine its pastoral priorities and tackle these contested issues. But the Maltese cardinal was remarkably calm and upbeat when we spoke. He sees the synod as offering a space for disagreements to be aired, where nothing is swept under the carpet and no one is excluded. The task of the Church, he stressed, is to listen to what the Holy Spirit is trying to say at this moment in history. “Nothing really worries me in so far that we respect the fundamental principles of the Catholic Church,” he tells me. “Synodality offers that space where we can share our fears and our joys, our certainties and our doubts, our dreams. Obviously, there are dreams that can be realised, others that cannot. There are dreams that can be realised tomorrow, others need more time.” What really hurts him, however, is those who see this as simply a project of the Francis pontificate which can soon be forgotten. No, Cardinal Grech insists, the synod is “laying the foundations of the Church for tomorrow.” This is Episode 5 of The Church's Radical Reform, the first podcast series on "synodality", which is telling the story of the reform process. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet.

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 into the open in ways not seen for centuries. A German synodal process, which is focussing on Catholic sexual teaching, the use of power and the role of women, has been the target of heavy criticism by a number of bishops who believe it is on the path to schism. On the other hand, synod reflections in Catholic communities across the world have seen repeated calls for the Church to re-imagine its pastoral priorities and tackle these contested issues. But the Maltese cardinal was remarkably calm and upbeat when we spoke. He sees the synod as offering a space for disagreements to be aired, where nothing is swept under the carpet and no one is excluded. The task of the Church, he stressed, is to listen to what the Holy Spirit is trying to say at this moment in history. “Nothing really worries me in so far that we respect the fundamental principles of the Catholic Church,” he tells me. “Synodality offers that space where we can share our fears and our joys, our certainties and our doubts, our dreams. Obviously, there are dreams that can be realised, others that cannot. There are dreams that can be realised tomorrow, others need more time.” What really hurts him, however, is those who see this as simply a project of the Francis pontificate which can soon be forgotten. No, Cardinal Grech insists, the synod is “laying the foundations of the Church for tomorrow.” “The Church's Radical Reform” podcast is hosted by The Tablet's Christopher Lamb and is supported by the Centre for Catholic Studies at the University of Durham. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

In Episode 3 of the Church's Radical Reform, Christopher Lamb speaks to 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 and Cardinal Oscar explains how the synodal process is something “totally new”. He discusses how synodal reforms are being implemented, while also talking about Pope Francis' plans to reform the Vatican. A keen saxophonist and musician, he says the Church must aim to create a symphony out of a cacophony of different voices. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Rome Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is supported by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet. Producers: Silvia Sacco and Jamie Weston

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, these questions are put to two leading Catholic figures: Fr Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, the President of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, and Dominique Yon, a youth ministry co-ordinator in the Cape Town archdiocese and a Vatican adviser. Both of them make a strong case for why a synodal Church is needed in Africa, how it can help implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and include marginalised voices such as those from the LGBTQ community. We also hear about how synodality gives the tools for the Church to become a peacemaker in a continent often scarred by civil war and conflict. Prepare to be surprised by their answers. Producers: Silvia Sacco and Jamie Weston This is Episode 4 of the podcast entitled The Church's Radical Reform. The podcast explores the "synodal" process, by which the Pope is asking Catholics to help re-imagine the future of the Church, and grapple with questions such as the role of women, evangelisation, priesthood, serving the marginalised, and global governance. It has the potential to reshape the Church forever. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Vatican Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet.

The Vatican lead on refugees and migrants, Cardinal Michael Czerny, tells us why Pope Francis sent him to Hungary and Ukraine to meet people fleeing war. Presenter William Crawley asks why why the Pope has not denounced the Russian President Vladimir Putin. And Vatican analyst Christopher Lamb gives an insight into the faith diplomacy going on behind the scenes. While faith leaders around the world have called for prayers of peace in Ukraine, some will wonder - what is the point of prayer in times like these? We finds out how prayer has been used in previous conflicts as William seeks answers with Canon Professor Michael Snape, an Historian of Christianity and Conflict at Durham University and Ecumenical Lay Canon at Durham Cathedral. As the Government lay out its plans to help refugees from Ukraine come to the UK, we hear from some of those responding to a plea from Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romaine MBE, from the Maidenhead Synagogue in Berkshire, to offer a 'Ukraine transport' and open their homes to provide sanctuary for those fleeing from the conflict. And William asks the Rt. Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, whether the Government plans go far enough. And how do you play a church organ when your feet don't reach the pedals? The Society of Women Organists wants churches to fit adjustable benches to make playing the organ more accessible for women, children and shorter men. Organist Marion Lees-McPherson, from Stockbridge Parish Church in Edinburgh, shows William the perils of perching on a stool that is just too high. Producers: Jill Collins and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Helen Grady

When Benedict XVI resigned as pope, he broke with 600 years of tradition and reshaped the papacy—possibly forever. As people live longer, it is likely future popes will be more willing to follow Benedict XVI's example instead of remaining and dying in office. But Benedict's self-professed intention to be “hidden from the world” has hardly gone according to plan. A collection of controversies including Benedict's 2019 letter attempting to explain the sexual abuse crisis in the church, the sudden removal of his name from a book that Cardinal Robert Sarah claimed to have co-written with him, and his recent, problematic contribution to church abuse investigators in Germany, have raised questions about future emeritus popes and who controls the messages issued in their names. Outside the Vatican, a small but vocal movement—including the former deputy prime minister of Italy, Matteo Salvini—continues to claim Benedict is still “my pope” and, in so doing, set him up, against his will, as a parallel authority to Pope Francis. It is likely Benedict resigned, in part, to avoid being subjected to the sort of manipulation and power-grabbing that Pope John Paul II faced in his final years as leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. But in the nine years since his resignation, Benedict's legacy and the questions raised about his aptitude to govern are no less contested. On this deep dive episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle talks with Gerard O'Connell, America's veteran Vatican correspondent; Christopher Lamb, author of “The Outsider: Pope Francis and the Battle to Reform the Church”; and Christopher Bellitto, a church historian at Kean University, in Union, N.J., to peel back the layers of papal politics, precedents and history. Together, they examine the title of pope emeritus—and what might need to change in the future to protect popes who retire from the opportunism and scandal we have witnessed in the nine years since the retirement of Benedict XVI. Links from the show: Austen Ivereigh: Pope Benedict's letter on sex abuse is not an attack on Francis (or Vatican II) Editorial: Discerning when and how a pope emeritus should speak The Gloria Purvis Podcast: Do Pope Francis and Pope Benedict disagree about Vatican II and the traditional Latin Mass? David Gibson: Pope Benedict likely won't be punished for his handling of sex abuse. But his record can point the way forward. More from our guests: The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave That Changed History by Gerard O'Connell The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Catholic Church by Christopher Lamb Website: Christopher M. Bellitto, Ph.D. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 is the Rome Correspondent for The Tablet. He is a contributor to the Vatican Insider page of La Stampa and a regular commentator for the BBC on Vatican and religious affairs. Guests Fr Nick Austin SJ is the Master of Campion Hall, Oxford and Senior Fellow in Theological Ethics. A Jesuit priest and spiritual director who teaches moral theology. His current research area is in moral discernment as understood by St Ignatius and brought to prominence by Pope Francis. Sr Jolanda Kafka RMI is Superior General of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate – Claretian Missionaries, and the current President of the International Union of Superiors General. Dr Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ belongs to the Congregation of Jesus and is Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Religious Life Institute at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in Cambridge. Sr Gemma was previously Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology at Heythrop College (2005-18) and President of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain. Sr Jane Bertelsen FMDM is Congregational Leader of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood, an international Congregation present in 10 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe. Sr Jane has been a member of the congregation, whose primary ministry is one of presence within the local community wherever they are sent, since 1977. Sr Lynda Dearlove RSM was born in Middlesbrough and educated by the FCJs before reading Microbiology at Kent University, followed by a second degree in Social Policy Administration at Lancaster University. She joined the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy and took her final vows in 1989. She has always been dedicated to serving women involved in street based prostitution and victims of trafficking, managing the Dellow Day Centre in East London before founding women@thewell in 2006. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

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 how synodal reforms are being implemented, while also talking about Pope Francis' plans to reform the Vatican. A keen saxophonist and musician, he says the Church must aim to create a symphony out of a cacophony of different voices. He sees the future of the Church as lay people taking a lead. Every day more lay men and women are taking on responsibilities in the life of the Church, he says. Regarding the role of women, he said: “In our countries in central American, women have been all the time leaders.” In many communities, women form the majority churchgoers and responsible for catechesis and passing on the faith. Clergy are “servants” and not people of power. In the Curia, highly-qualified women were now being placed in positions of leadership by Pope Francis. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

Christopher Lamb is the Vatican correspondent for The Tablet. Founded in 1840, the weekly journal is a hugely influential voice amongst the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. Joining in 2009 from the Daily Telegraph, he also appears regularly on TV news around the world. In this in-depth interview, Christopher reflects on the depth of his access to the Vatican, and his ringside seat witnessing Pope Francis' battle to modernise the church - suggesting “the forces seeking to block a Pope's agenda” have “not been this powerful since the Renaissance;” reflects on Pope Francis, the human being - “a reforming, enigmatic figure,” whose unique journey to becoming Pope has shaped a progressive, forward-thinking outlook - and leads him to challenge the church on clerical sexual abuse, injustice, and the exploitation of the world's most vulnerable people - including refugees and those in poverty; and shares the nuts and bolts of how the Pope has harnessed modern media management techniques to improve the Vatican's communication.

Pope Francis has launched the most ambitious Catholic renewal project for 60 years with a listening exercise that aims to give every member of the 1.3 billion Church a stake in its future. Through a “synodal” process, the Pope is asking Catholics to help re-imagine the future of the Church, and grapple with questions such as the role of women, evangelisation, priesthood, serving the marginalised and global governance. It has the potential to reshape the Church forever. This is the first podcast series on synodality and will tell the story of the reform process. 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 Brady, who has been tasked by the Irish bishops to lead their national synod, and Susan Pascoe, an adviser to the Vatican and expert in church governance. The executive producer is Silvia Sacco and the producer is Renardo Schlegelmilch. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Rome Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet.

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 Brady, who has been tasked by the Irish bishops to lead their national synod and Susan Pascoe, an adviser to the Vatican and expert in church governance. Executive Producer: Silvia Sacco Producer: Renardo Schlegelmilch --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

Please join Guest Host and Associate Editor Mercedes Carnethon and author Christine Albert as they discuss the article "Effect of Long-Term Marine ω-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Randomized Controlled Trials of Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Dr. Carolyn Lam: Welcome to Circulation on the Run, your weekly podcast summary and backstage pass to The Journal and its editors. We are your co-hosts, I'm Dr. Carolyn Lam, Associate Editor from the National Heart Center and Duke National University of Singapore. Dr. Greg Hundley: And I'm Dr. Greg Hundley, Associate Editor, Director of the Pauley Heart Center, VCU Health in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Carolyn Lam: Greg, today's feature paper is such an important question clinically. It's something I've asked myself and so I cannot wait to discuss it in greater detail. It refers to the effect of long-term marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, and the risk of atrial fibrillation in randomized controlled trials of cardiovascular outcomes. So it talks about a systematic review and meta-analysis published in this week's issue. Dr. Carolyn Lam: All right. Okay. You got to wait in suspense, as do I, and let's discuss other papers, very important papers in today's issue too. I'd like to start with a bit of a quiz. So Greg, for converting atrial fibrillation, is the anterior-lateral or anterior posterior electrode position better? What's your guess? Dr. Greg Hundley: Oh, wow, Carolyn. That's interesting. We put these pads on and we kind of just follow the directions on whatever the particular device says. Interesting question. It's a guess, Carolyn, it's a guess. Antro-lateral? Dr. Carolyn Lam: Smarty pants. Well, let's see. Frankly I didn't know the answer. It's just such an elegant question, isn't it? To answer in a study. And this is exactly what Professor Løfgren from Randers University Hospital and Denmark and colleagues did. They performed a multi-center investigator initiated open label trial, where they randomly assigned 468 patients with atrial fibrillation scheduled for elective cardioversion to anterior-lateral versus anterior-posterior electrode position. Dr. Carolyn Lam: The primary outcome was the proportion of patients in sinus rhythm after the first shock. And so drum roll. The primary outcome occurred in 54% assigned to an anterior-lateral electrode position. And in 33% assigned to an anterior-posterior electrode position, a significant risk difference of 22% in favor of the anterior-lateral electrode position. Dr. Carolyn Lam: Cheers, Greg. There were no significant differences between groups in any safety outcomes and the superiority of the anterior-lateral electrode position was statistically significant both after the initial low energy shock and after a final high energy shock. So this study really suggests a practice change in the standard approach to electrode positioning for cardioversion in favor of anterior-lateral electrode position. Dr. Greg Hundley: Very nice, Carolyn. Very nice. Well, I'm going to come at you using your heart failure expertise and ask you a quiz here in just a second. But first I want to introduce this paper from Dr. Javier Barallobre-Barreiro from King's College London. Okay, Carolyn, here's your quiz. Do you think that the extracellular matrix fibrosis contributes to LV dysfunction in heart failure patients? Dr. Carolyn Lam: Absolutely. Dr. Greg Hundley: Very nice. I think, of course, you are correct. So Carolyn, remodeling of the extracellular matrix is a hallmark of heart failure and this team's previous analysis of the secretome of mirroring cardiac fibroblast returned ADAMTS5, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 as one of the most abundant proteases. So ADAMTS5 cleaves chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans such as Versican. The contribution of ADAMTS5 and its substrate Versican to heart failure is unknown. Dr. Carolyn Lam: Ah, so what did the authors find, Greg? Dr. Greg Hundley: Well, first Carolyn, there was a methodologic advance here. Left ventricular tissues from 86 heart failure patients and non-failing controls were analyzed by quantitative mass spectrometry, constituting the largest proteomics analysis on human heart failure today. And so what did they find? Accumulation of proteoglycan Versican was regulated by ADAMTS5, that disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5, and was associated with the reduction in proteins involved in intercellular communication. And Carolyn, interestingly, proteoglycan accumulation in ischemic heart failure was attenuated by beta blocker administration. Dr. Carolyn Lam: Oh, that's very interesting. Could you put that all together for us? What's the clinical implications, Greg? Dr. Greg Hundley: You bet, Carolyn. So proteoglycan secretion by cardiac fibroblast constitutes an important component of cardiac fibrosis after ischemic heart failure, just like you stated at the beginning with your quiz answer. This contributes to impaired cardiac function and besides their negative chronotropic and inotropic effects, beta blockers may modulate extracellular matrix remodeling. Dr. Carolyn Lam: Wow, nice, Greg, thank you for that. I've got another original paper and it deals with the very important topic of endothelial to mesenchymal transition. Now it has been reported that cardiac endothelial cells contribute to a substantial proportion of myofibroblast through this process called endothelial to mesenchymal transition. Lineage tracing studies have demonstrated that myofibroblasts are derived from expansion of resident fibroblasts rather than from transdifferentiation from endothelial cells. Dr. Carolyn Lam: However, it remains unknown whether endothelial cells can transdifferentiate into myofibroblast reversibly or would these endothelial to mesenchymal transition genes just transiently activated in endothelial cells during cardiac fibrosis? So these authors, corresponding authors, Dr. Sun from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Dr. Lui from Price of Wales Hospital and Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as Dr. Zhou from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai and their colleagues. Dr. Carolyn Lam: What they did is they used the dual recombination technology to generate a genetic lineage tracing system for tracking endothelial to mesenchymal transition in cardiac endothelial cells and their genetic fate mapping results basically showed that although mesenchymal gene expression was activated in cardiac endothelial cells throughout the endothelial to mesenchymal transition in the developing heart, the endothelial cells do not transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts, nor do they transiently express some known mesenchymal genes during homeostasis or fibrosis in the adult heart. Resident fibroblasts that are converted to myofibroblast by activating mesenchymal gene expressions are in fact the major contributors to cardiac fibrosis. Dr. Greg Hundley: Ah, Carolyn, very interesting. So can you put this together? What are the clinical implications? Dr. Carolyn Lam: So what it really says is that it's the resident fibroblasts that are converted to myofibroblast by activating mesenchymal genes. These are the ones that represent a major therapeutic target and really unraveling these mechanisms, driving endothelial to mesenchymal transition in such a detailed way, provided new insights into therapeutic development to target cardiac fibrosis. Dr. Greg Hundley: Wow, Carolyn. You know, two really good preclinical science articles speaking to us about myocardial fibrosis. Dr. Carolyn Lam: Well, there are other papers in today's issue too. There's a Perspective piece by Dr. Christopher Lamb on “Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma After the Fontan Operation: Reaching Clarity in the Face of Uncertainty. And this is paired with a Research Letter by Dr. Toshio Nakanishi on incidents and expected probability of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma after the Fontan operation. Dr. Greg Hundley: Very nice, Carolyn, and I've got an “In the News” piece from Bridget Kuehn entitled “Centering Equity in Cardiovascular Care as Michelle Albert Lays Out a Roadmap for our Profession.” Well, Carolyn, how about we learn a little more about those long term marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementations and the risk of atrial fibrillation? Dr. Christine Albert: Oh, I can't wait. Let's go, Greg. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: Thank you so much for joining us for today's episode of Circulation on the Run. My Lame is Mercedes Carnethon, Professor and Vice Chair of Preventive Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Associate Editor at Circulation. And I have the great pleasure today of having a conversation with a long time friend, Dr. Christine Albert from the Department of Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: And today I've got the great pleasure of hearing directly from Christine about a wonderful original research piece that is being featured in Circulation about the effect of long term marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the risk of atrial fibrillation in randomized controlled trials of cardiovascular outcomes. And the exciting innovation of this piece that we'll dig into is what we're learning from the systematic review and meta-analysis that Dr. Albert and her team carried out. So, thank you so much for joining us today, Christine. Dr. Christine Albert: Well, thank you, Mercedes. It's really great to be here. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: Great. Well, I'd just like to launch with you telling us a little bit about the study, what you found, why you decided to conduct this meta-analysis and review. Dr. Christine Albert: Yeah. Great. So my first author, Dr. Baris Gencer and I decided to do this because we actually had participated in a randomized trial called the Vital Rhythm Trial, where we actually randomized people to omega-3 fatty acids and atrial fibrillation, and found a slightly elevated risk, but it wasn't significant. And at that time, a number of other articles came out saying that there really was an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Dr. Christine Albert: So we wanted to put together the data to see what the combined data, our data, that's been published before, on this sort of long term treatment with omega-3 fatty acids and atrial fibrillation. As you may know, there have been studies that have looked at short term treatment, and specifically for atrial fibrillation, and did not find benefit. So this is why we went ahead and did this study. And what we did is we were able to find seven randomized trials that collected data on atrial fibrillation that had randomized people to omega-3 fatty acids over an average of about five years of follow up between all the different trials. And we found that when you combine all these trials together, you actually see that there is a slightly elevated risk of atrial fibrillation in the participants that were randomized to the omega-3 fatty acids. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: Thank you so much for that summary, Christine. I think the findings themselves surprised me. This is not my primary area of work, but we hear so much about supplements and their benefits that I thought it was really telling to actually have these data coming from a large number of studies, and particularly large studies that suggest that there is a risk to benefit ratio that we need to consider. How would you recommend that clinicians weigh this evidence that you've generated today? Dr. Christine Albert: So I think that it's got to be individualized. There are benefit, as you said, of these omega-3 fatty acids. And I think it's just awareness, awareness that this potentially is a risk. If you have a patient on omega-3 fatty acids and they start to have atrial fibrillation, there could be a link. Also when you talk about it with patients, I think it's reasonable, especially with the higher doses, we can just discuss that this is a potential side effect. Does it prevent you from using it? I don't think so. I think you have to look at what is, again, as you said, the risk benefit ratio for the individual patient. And as I alluded to, we did do a dose analysis and we found that the risk was primarily seen, and it was higher, in those that were given more than a gram of omega-3 fatty acid a day. Dr. Christine Albert: However, I will say that the trials are very different when you take a meta-analysis, it's really hard to say, "What is the cause of the differences between trials?" You know, these trials that had the higher dose, the reduce it trial that used just a purified EPA was very different than the dose of the medication that was used in vital, different than the type of medication that was used in strength. And as you know, there's the whole debate about the placebo and reduce it versus strength. And so there are other differences, but one thing that is pretty consistent is that most of the point estimates are on the side of harm. So there is the thought that I think this is potentially very real and we should be considering it when we use these supplements. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: You know, that's a really nice summary which really launches me into two subsequent questions. The first would give you the opportunity to speculate beyond the findings in your particular study, and this is one of the benefits to me of this Circ on the Run podcast, because you, of course, produced excellent science and weighed all of your findings based on what you found. But can you tell me, based on your experience, could you speculate about what you think the mechanism of elevated risk of atrial fibrillation is, particularly with those higher doses? Dr. Christine Albert: Yeah, no, it's interesting. You know, if you look at the epidemiology for this, Mercedes, it was totally inconsistent. When I postulated doing the vital rhythm trial, I actually have to be honest with you, I thought that there might be an increased risk, because when you look at some of the data of what these omega-3 fatty acids do, they increase vegal tone, they lower heart rate. They can actually slow conduction. So potentially those electrophysiologic actions might, might allow atrial fibrillation to emerge in people who are susceptible. Dr. Christine Albert: On the flip side, all of those things might be good for ventricular arrhythmias. So you see, if you look at the literature, there's benefits for…sudden death and epidemiologic studies and in some of the randomized trials, but then when you look at atrial fibrillation, at least the short terms, really didn't show a benefit. And again, that point estimate was more towards harm. Dr. Christine Albert: And then when you look at epidemiologic studies, looking at fish consumption, there's actually a lot of studies that suggest that people who eat more fish get more AFib. So it is really paradoxical. And we know as electrophysiologist that atrial arrhythmias and ventricular arrhythmias are not the same, we give drugs to prevent atrial arrhythmias that then cause ventricular arrhythmias. So it is interesting. And I think it's something that hopefully some of our translational scientists will help us to figure out. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: All those contradictions are so challenging, but you were certainly speaking my language in describing the hypothesized mechanisms. It calls to mind, back in the day, in your early research on sudden cardiac death that I was citing as part of my dissertation work in epidemiology. So thank you for that. Dr. Christine Albert: Yeah. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: You know, the second question that builds off of that is I thought that the figure where you display the heterogeneity by the dosage of omega-3's really underscores the argument that you were just presenting. What I was wondering is, did you happen to study heterogeneity by any other characteristics, particularly sex or age? Dr. Christine Albert: That would be fantastic to be able to do, unfortunately, because it's a summary level meta-analysis, we really can't do that. And that's one of the things that we'd love to do in collaboration with some of these authors if they would like to do that, is to really get that sort of paid participant level data, so we could do those kinds of analysis. Dr. Christine Albert: But what we did do is sort of separate out studies that had like confirmed AF, studies that had incident AF versus recurrent AF, so things where the studies were completely different, we were able to look for heterogeneity and we didn't find anything that suggested that there was heterogeneity on that basis. But there's a number of things that I would love to look at and age is definitely one of them, and also sex. And actually looking at, which would be really interesting, is to look at the omega-3 or EPA and DHA levels in these individuals. And again, I think each study has sort of tried to do it on their own and you can't because there's just not enough data. So putting all this data together would be great to have a better understanding of what's going on. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: Oh, it sounds speaks to a number really thoughtful future directions for this work. One of the benefits of me being able to speak with you today in my role as a guest podcast host, but I was also the Associate Editor for the piece and was really excited when it came in. The discussions that we had amongst the editors about this were really very stimulating and raised a number of questions that led to you responding and making some modifications and explaining certain things. Could you tell our audience, why did you select trials over a certain size? You know, quite often we do meta-analyses in order to pull together smaller studies, but why did you choose larger studies? Dr. Christine Albert: I think it was so that, there were two criterias, one was larger and one was long term, because we felt that the smaller studies had been merged together previously and we wanted to have at least some data on atrial fibrillation. One of the problems I think that I think I want to emphasize a little bit here about research in general in cardiovascular disease is that until now, most studies hadn't really measured atrial fibrillation, and I think it's really important. And I think you can see, you can find off target effects of some of the agents that we use for cardiovascular disease on atrial fibrillation. So for instance, the Statin Trials, everybody said, "Oh, well statins might lower atrial fibrillation," but then nobody measured atrial fibrillation, so we never knew. And then people went back and tried to measure it as a side effect or something that has all kinds of biases to it. Dr. Christine Albert: So I think that what is exciting about this work is that both reduce it and strength and vital, pre-specified that they were going to look at atrial fibrillation. And so if we do that, we may actually find other agents that are beneficial, not just harm, but beneficial, like the SGLT2 inhibitors, there's lots of hypotheses. So the reason that we did pick the bigger trials was that we wanted to find trials that really kind of looked at atrial fibrillation, had enough power to look at atrial fibrillation and then over a long term, a follow up to gather enough events. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: Again, it has been such a pleasure to hear directly from you. I really hope that our listeners today and our readers of The Journal will dig into this in the same way that we have as editors and really appreciate the thoughtfulness with which you've presented this outstanding work. So I want to thank you so much, Dr. Albert for joining us today. Dr. Christine Albert: Thank you for having me. Dr. Mercedes Carnethon: I guess I will sign off now. This is Mercedes Carnethon from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Associate Editor for Circulation. Disclaimer: This program is copyright of the American Heart association, 2021. The opinions expressed by speakers in this podcast are their own and not necessarily those of the editors or of the American heart Association. For more, visit ahajournals.org.

Pope Francis has launched the most ambitious Catholic renewal project for 60 years with a listening exercise that aims to give every member of the 1.3 billion Church a stake in its future. Through a “synodal” process, the Pope is asking Catholics to help re-imagine the future of the Church, and grapple with questions such as the role of women, evangelisation, priesthood, serving the marginalised and global governance. It has the potential to reshape the Church forever. This is the first podcast series on synodality and will tell the story of the reform process. Episode 1 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 are Sr Nathalie Becquart, from the synod office in Rome, Fr Hans Zollner, the Church's leading expert child protection, and Fr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission for the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. The series is presented by Christopher Lamb. Christopher is the Rome Correspondent for The Tablet and is a doctoral researcher in synodality at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet. The producers are Silvia Sacco and Jamie Weston.

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 are Sister Nathalie Becquart, from the synod office in Rome, Fr Hans Zollner, the Church's leading expert child protection, and Fr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission for the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. The series is sponsored by the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University in partnership with The Tablet. Producers: Silvia Sacco and Jamie Weston. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

Dr. Christopher Lamb discusses his study, "Small Fiber Neuropathy Incidence, Prevalence, Longitudinal Impairments, and Disability". Show references: https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2021/10/27/WNL.0000000000012894

Jim spoke with Christopher Lamb,  Rome Correspondent @the_tablet, for what he thinks about the Vatican's response to the 215 children's bodies found at a Kamloops residential school site; York University Astronomy Professor Paul Delaney gives the scoop on this week's Ring of Fire eclipse; 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and girlfriend Carrie Symonds wed in a private ceremony at the weekend. But their happy day turned controversial after the revelation that the twice-divorced Johnson married in a Catholic ceremony at Westminster Cathedral, the seat of Catholic power in Britain.

Pope Francis has signed off on a major overhaul of Catholic church law that will criminalise the grooming of children for sex. This is the first change to the Vatican's internal penal system since the 1980s. Christopher Lamb is the Rome correspondent for the Catholic publication The Tablet. He spoke to Philippa Tolley.

University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Percussion Professor Julie Strom stops by to talk about her PASIC 2020 presentation on networking in the percussion community, and challenges of selecting percussion literature (03:00), her job at UNC and the challenges in the pandemic (28:30), growing up in Charlotte, NC, studying with Charlotte Symphony Percussionists and her years in marching band (43:00), studying with Christopher Lamb at the Manhattan School of Music and why the orchestral career wasn’t her true calling (51:45), and studying with Peter Sadlo and Gert Mortensen in Europe (01:10:45).Finishing with a Rave on the classic film Citizen Kane (01:31:30).Links:Julie Strom’s UNC webpageJulie Strom’s homepageJulie Strom’s PASIC 2020 SessionColorado SymphonyDenver Young Artists OrchestraCasey CangelosiGray BarrierMike TruesdellRick DiorChristopher LambWill JamesPeter SadloThe Fulbright ProgramGert MortensenRaves:Citizen Kane trailer

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? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

Vatican reporter Christopher Lamb joins Mike Lewis and Dan Amiri to discuss the McCarrick report. They discuss the failures in Church leadership to stop McCarrick, the harm he did to his victims, and whether this document signifies real change or just more promises that will be broken. Visit us: www.wherepeteris.com Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/where_peter_is Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wherepeteris Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Where_Peter_is

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

Though Pope Francis remains one of the most popular figures in the world, his pontificate has stirred up powerful opposition. Some reject his openness to divorced and remarried Catholics and the priority he places on mercy above rigid doctrine. Others reject his outspoken defense of migrants, his critiques of capitalism, and calls to protect the environment.

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

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 sick and the dying, the language it uses is of the culture-warrior variety. The euthanasia document came a few days after the congregation sent a letter to the German bishops warning that proposals in the 2019 ecumenical document, “Together at the Lord's Table”, to allow Catholics and Protestants to share communion, are unacceptable. And over the summer the CDF ruled that baptisms performed using the incorrect form of words are invalid. In this Tablet podcast, The Tablet's Rome correspondent Christopher Lamb looks behind the scenes at what is going on at the CDF. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

How should society be in a post-Covid world? Is Fratelli tutti, brethren all, a sexist title? The Tablet's Rome correspondent Christopher Lamb discusses Pope Francis' new encyclical with online editor Ruth Gledhill. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-tablet/message

Part 2 of this fascinating interview on the power of diplomacy from when Christopher moved to the IFRC. The range of issues and the depth of need in the world is staggering. The constant demand on a macro and micro level to resolve conflict is well known but this gives an insight to the responsibilities and skills of those working to that end. The post 099 Christopher Lamb a life in diplomacy Pt 2 appeared first on Thoughts On The Social World.

he served in a variety of embassies, at the Australian Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, as the Department’s Legal Adviser and as Ambassador to Myanmar (Burma) from 1986-89 and to Yugoslavia, Romania and Macedonia from 1997-2000. The post 098 Christopher Lamb, a life in diplomacy PT 1 appeared first on Thoughts On The Social World.

It’s no secret that Pope Francis has faced opposition during his pontificate: some of it, the healthy disagreement he’s called for, some more serious—what The Tablet Vatican reporter Christopher Lamb calls well-financed, well-publicized “guerilla attacks” on the pope. Chris outlines more than one hundred instances of such highly-publicized attacks on Francis in his new book The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church. He joins “Inside the Vatican” host Colleen Dulle to discuss the criticism the pope has received from across the church-political spectrum, and what distinguishes healthy disagreement from the attacks that Pope Francis called backstabbing. The two also put the attacks on Pope Francis in context: Is it fair to say that attacks on Francis’ papacy are unprecedented when, for example, there were three rival popes during the Western Schism? What role has money played in these attacks, and what is their end goal? Colleen and Chris unpack the connections between the pope’s wealthy critics and the media outlets that have magnified their voices. They discuss, too, the places the pope has fallen short, and why Chris believes that, despite his mistakes, the pope is still “a man of integrity.”   Link from the show: The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church

Dr Jacob Phillips of St Mary's University, Twickenham, about how technology is helping during the crisis and why virtual classrooms can't permanently replace real university communities. Fr David Palmer of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham tells of a harrowing visit to a COVID-19 ward in Nottingham. Christopher Lamb of The Tablet tells us about his book and trades views of the Vatican with host Chris Altieri. Fr Nicolas Steeves SJ of the Pontifical Gregorian University helps us think through some of the spiritual and intellectual challenges of these unusual times.

In this special edition of Peter's Field Hospital, Mike Lewis and Dan Amiri interview the Tablet's veteran Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb about the resistance to Pope Francis from within the Church, which is the subject of his new book, The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church (2020, Orbis Books). Listen to this can't-miss insider discussion about the movement to disrupt the papacy.

In the coastal town of Folkestone, historians and archaeologists are celebrating a remarkable find. It dates from 7th Century and is thought to be the earliest verified remains of the English Saint Eanswythe – one of the first converts to Christianity in England. The BBC's Religion Editor, Martin Bashir, reports from Folkestone. Andrew Billen from The Times unpacks the dispute between the Dean of Christ Church College and the some of the academic staff that has cost over £2.5 million in legal fees and created damaging divisions. Italy is in lock-down as the entire nation has been quarantined to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Rome is a place of pilgrimage for millions of people but the Vatican and St Peters Square is closed to the public. Emily talks to Christopher Lamb, Tablet’s Rome correspondent, about the latest news and how coronavirus might impact Easter celebrations. Producers: Carmel Lonergan David Cook Editor Amanda Hancox

Dr Christopher Lamb, Clinical Intermediate Fellow at Newcastle University and Honorary Consultant in Gastroenterology at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust discusses the BSG guidelines on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults with Associate Editor of GUT Dr Philip Smith. Read the article: https://gut.bmj.com/content/68/Suppl_3/s1

Christopher Lamb joins Wes for the first time to celebrate the 50th episode of View the Right Thing.  In this episode they cover a sure to be nominated film, A Private War; about war correspondent Marie Colvin played by Rosamund Pike.   Interact with us on Instagram and Twitter @VTRTmovies We're also on Facebook!   All episodes available on Stitcher, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and Podbean

Former Ambassador to Myanmar Christopher Lamb, Christopher retired from a career in diplomacy spaning over 30 years, He now heads a number of advisory board, working with organisations like the Red Cross and The Australian Mynamaar Instute, and enjoys a post as an Honorary Assosiate Professor at the University of Melbourne. We discussed the history of the people known as Rohingya and the realities of the current crisis from the perspective of someone who knows the region intimately. It’s an incredibly informative journey with some insights that only a man like Christopher could know. We get into details that don’t often make the mainstream news and covering one of world’s least know crisis. Music: Jade byScott Buckley

Former Ambassador to Myanmar Christopher Lamb, Christopher retired from a career in diplomacy spaning over 30 years. He now heads a number of advisory board, working with organisations like the Red Cross and The Australian Mynamaar Instute, and enjoys a post as an Honorary Assosiate Professor at the University of Melbourne. We discussed the history of the people known as Rohingya and the realities of the current crisis from the perspective of someone who knows the region intimately. It’s an incredibly informative journey with some insights that only a man like Christopher could know. We get into details that don’t often make the mainstream news and covering one of world’s least know crisis. Music: Jade by Scott Buckley

The Mandaean religion predates Christianity. Now two universities are documenting some of its most important rituals online for generations to come. Fiona Clampin reports. The Very Rev Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham Cathedral, tells Martin about the Open Treasure exhibition "Tudors: the family and faith" which highlights the impact of the dynasty on the Cathedral. In the aftermath of the events that have put Oxfam in the news this week we ask "should we stop giving money to overseas-aid charities?" Veteran field-worker Paul Hardcastle says yes and Paul Vallely, a religious-affairs journalist and academic expert on aid and development says no. Bishop Bertin Mwale Subi, the bishop of Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tells Martin why he's calling on President Kabilla to hold elections in December and says there will be indescribable chaos if they don't take place. Zayid Marar is a writer who's about to publish a book called Judgement - the Value of Being Misunderstood. Martin talks to him about how a society can't function without judgement and how that relates to religion. Christopher Lamb explains why the Pope's informal, non-clerical, accessible style of management is fine when things are going well but not so helpful when things go wrong. Austin Eubanks, who survived the Columbine shooting in 1999, and Patrick Carolan, Executive Director of the Franciscan Action Network, respond to the mass-shooting at a high school in Florida. Producers: Carmel Lonergan and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham. Editor: Amanda Hancox Photo: courtesy of the University of Exeter.

A new investigation targets Bishop Juan Barros, and asks whether church officials covered up the crimes of a paedophile priest. While the Vatican says new evidence has emerged, critics have lambasted Pope Francis saying he doesn't understand the depth of the crisis. On our panel, we have Keith Porteous Wood, President of the National Secular Society UK in London, and Jack Valero, the founder of Catholic Voices, a project aiming to improve the Church's representation in the media. And in Rome, Christopher Lamb, correspondent for The Tablet, an international Catholic news weekly.

The Angel World Summit took place this weekend - bringing together angel experts and people who wish to deepen their connection with angels. The psychotherapist Mark Vernon, discusses the history and fascination of angels with Edward Stourton. A group of church leaders in Blackpool are working with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on an event at Winter Gardens next year at which Billy Graham's son Franklin will be speaking. Nina Parker, Co-pastor of Liberty Church in Blackpool, tells Sunday why she and other church leaders are opposed to the invitation. Cardinal George Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic and the third-ranking official in the Vatican, has been charged with sex offences by police. Christopher Lamb talks to Edward about how the charges are being received in Rome. Darwin's Theory of Evolution is to be expunged from textbooks used by 14 and 15 year olds in Turkey. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul on why this is happening and what are the wider implications for education in Turkey. A Tyrone-born Catholic cleric John Joseph Hughes who became the first Archbishop of New York has been honoured with a blue plaque. Paul Clements, journalist and member of the Ulster History Circle who organised the plaque explains why he is so important. On Monday a report "The Missing Muslims; Unlocking British Muslim Potential for the Benefit for All" is being published by Citizens UK. It's the result of an 18th month commission chaired by Dominic Grieve MP. He tells Edward what they discovered and their recommendations. Producers: Dan Tierney Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Amanda Hancox.

A memorial to commemorate service men and women from Africa and the Caribbean is to be unveiled in Brixton. Trevor Barnes reports on their contribution during two World Wars and the campaign to build the memorial. William speaks to Rev Dr Alan Everett from St Clements Church and Lotifa Begum from Islamic Relief about their work helping and counselling residents in the community in West London since the fire at Grenfell Tower. Emily Buchanan talks to Christian Malanga, the President of the United Congolese Party. He plans to return to the DCR to initiate a 'peaceful uprising' in a country beset by corruption, sexual violence and instability. Pope Francis demands obedience from priests of Nigerian diocese Christopher Lamb explains why. Preet Kaur Gill, is the 1st Sikh female MP, she talks to William about why she went into politics and how her faith is an integral part of her work. Tim Farron resigned as the leader of the Liberal Democrats this week, saying that he could not reconcile his role in politics with his Christian faith. John Rentoul, Chief Political Correspondent for the Independent; Nick Spencer, research director for the think tank Theos; and Richard Harries, former Bishop of Oxford, will discuss if religion and politics can work and if so how? Photo credit: Windrush Foundation Producers Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor Amanda Hancox.

White candles for a murdered Mexican journalist, purple glitter for an Iranian President and the Pope's modest blue car. Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories. On his first full day in office, the recently elected French President Emmanuel Macron was in Berlin to “breathe new dynamism" into Franco-German relations. But what does Germany make of Macron? Damien McGuinness has been finding out. Purple was the signature colour of President Rouhani’s re-election campaign in Iran and, following his victory, Nanna Muus Steffensen finds it everywhere; purple glitter, headbands, t-shirts, even hair dye. In Mexico Juan Paullier is among the journalists protesting the murder of one of their own – the committed chronicler of the country’s drug wars, Javier Valdez. While the Pope wants a simpler, humbler Church, he’s also very willing to use the grandeur of the Vatican to his advantage, finds Christopher Lamb as President Trump meets Pope Francis for the first time. And in America, could a good walk help heal a divided country? Phoebe Smith goes for a hike along the Appalachian Trail.

Kate Adie introduces correspondents' stories. Christopher Lamb on the opposition to Pope Francis within the Vatican - visible for all to see in the streets. Humphrey Hawksley, on the Taiwanese island of Kinmen, hears how President Trump must understand the importance of face to China. Pay respect and give compliments because no-one wants it to end in blood. Diana Darke is in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, the birthplace of Queen Dido, where the different communities have grown weary of war and are now seeking to build together. Daniel Pardo marvels at the resilience he witnesses in Chile, in the face of the worst forest fires the country has faced in its recent history. And Bethany Bell, with an intoxicating sense of giddiness, on why the Blue Danube Waltz - now 150 years old - is Austria's second national anthem.

The head of the Order of Malta, Matthew Festing has resigned because of the Pope's intervention. But what does this episode mean for the Knights of Malta and other orders? Christopher Lamb, Rome Correspondent for the Tablet, talks to Edward. The charity Marriage Care has spent the last 70 years embracing and upholding the Catholic vision of marriage as a response to high divorce rates post World War II. So how does it stay relevant today when marriage and relationships are very different. Kevin Bocquet reports. A new project, in St Albans Diocese: 'Take your Vicar to the Lab,' aims to promote healthier appreciation and co-existence between religion and science. Trevor Barnes puts on his white coat as he accompanies a group of clergy into a lab. The decision to return St Issac's Cathedral, in St Petersburg, from a museum back into a church has sparked protests with over 200,000 signing a petition opposing the plans. Oleg Boldyrev tells Edward why people are angry with the announcement. Richard Chartres, stepped down this week after 20 years as the Bishop of London. Martin Bashir talks to him about his time in office. Journalist and theologian Andrew Greystone and Anne Atkins talk to Edward about the Iwerne Trust and the allegations of abuse that have been in the news this week. When President Trump told an audience of religious leaders on Thursday that he would 'destroy' the Johnson Amendment, he declared his intention to sign a law that would fundamentally alter a major aspect of the church-state divide that has been a constant in American politics for generations. Journalist Sarah Posner explains the implications. Producers Carmel Lonergan Rosie Dawson Editor Amanda Hancox.

Plans by the Church of England to shut a flagship care home for retired clergy could split up elderly couples when part of it closes in the spring. The church's Pensions Board blames a difficulty in recruiting and retaining trained nursing staff. Trevor Barnes meets the residents who are campaigning to stop Manormead Nursing Home closing. William Crawley discusses the ethics and effectiveness of foreign aid with guests Jonathan Foreman Senior research fellow at Civitas, David Hulme, Executive Director, Global Development Institute and Kevin Watkins, Save the Children CEO. Pope Francis has appointed a commission to investigate the recent removal of a top Knights of Malta official who allegedly oversaw the distribution of condoms in the developing world. Christopher Lamb from The Tablet has been investigating. In the wake of Jill Saward's death, theologian Elaine Storkey asks whether Churches can build a movement to liberate the country from the scourge of violence against women. India's top court has banned religion and caste from election campaigns. William Crawley asks Rahul Tandon about how and if will work? A number of women are thought to be being considered to replace the Right Rev Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London. Ruth Gledhill, Contributory Editor of Christian Today takes a look at the runners and riders. The British Museum recently acquired a remarkable artifact that brings to life the religious world that would have been familiar to church goers centuries ago - a fourteenth century alabaster statue of the Virgin and Child. Edward Stourton went along to have a look. Producers Carmel Lonergan Rosie Dawson Editor Christine Morgan.

Edward Stourton talks to The Tablet journalist Christopher Lamb about Pope Francis' visit to Assisi 30 years after Pope John Paul II attended the historic meeting for the first World Peace Day; Trevor Barnes looks at the row over mixed-faith weddings in Sikh temples; Jewish students fight the movement for sanctions against Israel; Rahul Tanton tells Edward about the growth of 'cow vigilantes' as the Indian government cracks down on the illicit cattle trade; putting God into London Fashion Week - as the Church of England releases the video "God and Fashion", Edward asks Simon Ward, author of "The Character of Fashion" what God has to do with fashion; Bob Walker walks with Satish Kumar as he sets out on his 50 mile pilgrimage at the age of 80 and are 'human rights' a Christian concept? Nick Spencer and Julian Baggini discuss. Producers; Peter Everett, Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Edward Stourton asks: is it human nature to believe in God? He is joined by Dominic Johnson and Conor Cunningham to discuss. Bob Walker reports on a BBC English Regions poll that reveals that almost three-quarters of England's Anglican cathedrals say they're 'worried' or 'very worried' that they're not going to be able to fund cathedral costs in two years' time. The suicide of Rohith Chakravarti Vemula at Hyderabad University has reignited caste controversies in India. Rahul Tandon reports from Dehli. On Monday all eyes in America will be on Iowa, it's the 1st leg of the caucuses that will decide on the presidential candidates for the election in November. Alexander Smith talks to Edward about what role religion plays in the presidential race. Catholic clergy are expected to join a demonstration in Rome this weekend to promote traditional family life. Christopher Lamb explains its significance and timing as Italian politicians debate a gay unions bill this week. Meanwhile in the UK, Professor David Voas looks at the findings of a YouGov Poll that says for the first time more Church of England members support same-sex marriage than oppose it.. Created in the middle of the fourth century, the Codex Sinaiticus is one of the more important books in the world, containing the oldest complete New Testament. Trevor Barnes went along to the British Library to take a look. Fr Jeffery Whorton, the last priest to celebrate mass at altar in the Saint Elijah monastery in Iraq before it was destroyed by so-called IS, talks to Sunday about the significance of the site. Photo Credit: New lady Chapel Lichfield Cathedral - Paul Horton Producers Carmel Lonergan Amanda Hancox.

A notice placed in the Jewish Chronicle by the London Beth Din has called for a man to be banned from Synagogues as he won't give his wife a religious divorce. Lawyer Joanna Greenaway explains why they decided to 'name and shame'. As Myanmar holds its first contested general election in 25 years there's concern that the Muslim population has been denied a vote and that Buddhist monks are too influential. We have the latest on polling day from our correspondent there. Thousands of British Asians are expected to pack Wembley to welcome the Indian PM Narendra Modi to the UK next week. We debate if inter-religious tensions in India have worsened since Modi came to power or if his policies are forging a new united India. Two new books have exposed what they claim is, 'corruption, mismanagement and waste' at the heart of the Holy See. Christopher Lamb, Rome correspondent for The Tablet, tells Edward Stourton about Vatican reaction to the revelations. Bob Walker reports on the blitz that destroyed Coventry Cathedral 75 years ago and how it still shapes Remembrance Sunday in the city. The last surviving nuns who inspired the BBC 1 drama, Call the Midwife, are selling up and downsizing. Rosie Dawson pays them a visit them as they pack up the prayer books. When hospital chaplain Jeremy Pemberton married his same sex partner the licences he required to work were refused by the Diocesan Bishop and he was unable to take up a new job. This week an employment tribunal ruled that decision was legal. Jeremy tells Edward what he plans to do next and Ruth Gledhill from Christian Today analyses what this decision means for the Church. Producers: David Cook Rosie Dawson Editor: Amanda Hancox Photo courtesy Coventry Cathedral.

A bill is being put through the UK Parliament changing a law that forbids hiers to the throne from marrying Catholics. Christopher Lamb of The Tablet discusses the ramifications with Eileen.