Homelessness, General Synod, Bats in churches

Sunday

In 2015 the Bishop of Manchester told this programme of his concerns about homelessness in Manchester. After the broadcast the city council contacted the Bishop to discuss what needed to be done better. Bob Walker reports on how this lead to a radical change of approach.

The Catholic Church has paid out more than $276 million in compensation to thousands of victims of child sexual abuse in Australia. Andrew West from ABC Radio reports on the hearings at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has approved the development stage for the "Bats in Churches" project, bringing together wildlife and heritage conservation and church organisations to save bats and protect churches. Trevor Barnes reports.

Nick Bundock Team Rector for St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury talks to Edward about the painful journey his church has been on since a coroners report into the suicide of a teenager pointed to her struggle to reconcile her sexuality with her faith.

The conflict-driven food crisis in Yemen could become a full-blown famine this year warns the UN. Imran Madden the director of Islamic relief talks to Edward about what is needed.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to members of the General Synod setting out the next steps following the vote on General Synod not to take note of the report on Marriage and Same Sex Relationships. Synod members Susie Leafe, Director of Reform and Jayne Ozanne, LGBT+ campaigner, give their reaction whilst the Bishop of Willsden, Pete Broadbent, tells Edward how the Bishops will respond.

Photo Credit (c) Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk

Producers Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke-Rowbotham

Editor Amanda Hancox.