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Cathedral Cycle Route; Gordon Browns Global Vaccine Plea and The Pagan Ceremony of 'Handfasting'

Edward Stourton takes a look at the ethical and religious issues of the week.

A new cycle network is being launched this morning linking all 42 English Cathedrals across a 2000 mile route. A group of cyclists are setting off from Newcastle Cathedral this morning. Clare MacLaren is the Canon for Music and Liturgy at Newcastle Cathedral and Sean Cutler from Northumbria University pulled the route together.

Gordon Brown leads a group of religious leaders asking for G7 leaders to prioritise vaccines for developing countries ahead of the G7 summit.
The Dalai Lama and Rowan Williams are among the other signatories to a letter asking the UK to use its chairing of G7 to make the difference on the global vaccine campaign.

The ancient marriage ceremony known as handfasting can be traced back to Celtic and Druid ceremonies. It may even be where the phrases ‘tying the knot’ and ‘bound for life’ originate. The Pagan Federation is campaigning for couples to be legally married by the Pagan ceremony. Sarah Kerr is President of the Pagan Federation.

Producers:
Carmel Lonergan
Louise Clarke-Rowbotham

Editor:
Tim Pemberton

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44 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 May 2021 07:10

Broadcast

  • Sun 30 May 2021 07:10

All the colours of the rainbow

All the colours of the rainbow

The Covid-19 rainbows painted by children today are part of a rich and ancient symbolism.

Podcast