Bishop Peter Ball, New Sustainable Development Goals, Nigeria's Noisy Churches

By David Cook
BBC Radio 4
September 13, 2015

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b069gtk7

It's alleged there was a 'backroom deal' between the CPS, the police and Church of England to avoid a damaging trial of a senior Bishop for indecent assault and gross indecency in the 1990's. This week Bishop Peter Ball plead guilty to a series of historic sex offences against 18 young men between the 1970s and 90s. William Crawley asks why the original charges were dropped and where it leaves the Church today.

Migrants from Syria continue to arrive at the Hungarian border. William speaks to the Catholic Bishop Laszlo Kiss-Rigo who believes the vast numbers of people entering Europe pose a serious threat to the continent's 'Christian universal values.'

Dr Sara Silvestri and Professor Emeritus Grace Davie discuss the reality of the 'threat' to Europe's Christian values and the continents long running debate about Christianity being a core part of its identity.

The MP and former Synod member Frank Field looks at the new Labour leader from a 'faith' perspective and reflects on what their election means for the moral and ethical direction of the party.

Later this month new targets for sustainable development goals will be set. Faith leaders gathered in Bristol to debate how they could contribute to the ambitious goals. Kevin Bocquet reports.

"She kissed a girl and she liked it and then on a steaming hot day in down town LA she saw the home of her dreams". What would Raymond Chandler make of Katy Perry wanting to buy a convent in Los Angeles? Reporter David Willis pens the saga.

Dozens of churches in Lagos have been shut down because they are too noisy. They will only be allowed to reopen once they have paid a fine. Will Ross reports.