Rté - The Leap Of Faith

John Wilkins, former editor of The Tablet, on the life of Father Hans Kung, who died this week aged 93. Sean Duggan Head Chaplain to the Irish Prison Service on how his team have adapted during the pandemic. And we take you to Cobh to hear how St Colman's Cathedral has been lifting spirits during the past year.

On the programme this evening, a Good Friday gathering of guests celebrates sacred music inspired by the Passion: Composer Sir James MacMillan, Director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Deborah Kelleher and Choral Director, Mark Duley.

We hear from a Quaker elder living in Co Limerick about his journey of faith, having been a monk in the Trappist Community of Mount Melleray Abbey. Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, singer and spiritual director, joins us from her home on Inis Mor to talk about finding inspiration and next week's Threshold of Hope online event.

Tonight, the story of an Irish Priest shot dead 100 years ago by a Ku Klux Klan member. It's Naw-Rúz, the first day of the Bahá'i calendar year. We hear from Sarah Sabour-Chadwick on how her faith sustains her & her community and Fr Joe McDonald, of Celbridge and Straffan Parish on the refusal of the Catholic Church to bless same sex unions.

Tonight, recently appointed Bishop of Achonry, Paul Dempsey, on getting plans for a national synod underway, Regina Sexton on fasting and feasting and Swami Purnananda tells us the story of an Irish woman revered in India as a social activist, who became known as Sister Nivedita.

As Pope Francis arrives in Iraq, we hear Christian and Muslim perspectives on this historic visit, which carries both symbolism and risk.

Former President Mary Robinson pays tribute to her friend, the late Fr Enda McDonagh. Hilary Abrahamson, Chair of the Dublin City Interfaith Forum, joins us to share the Jewish festival of Purim and Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow who is the founder of Mary's Meals talks about his new book entitled “Give: Charity and the Art of Giving Generously”.

As more than 50 Irish faith leaders sign a statement condemning the persecution of the Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang, China, we speak with one of the signatories. We take a look at Centring Prayer on Zoom and Bibi Baskin offers wise words on the pursuit of happiness.

We talk to Sister Patricia Murray, executive secretary of the International Union of Superiors General. Vincent Doyle of CopingInternational.com talks about children of the ordained and we talk to Soonie Delap about the Lunar New Year.

Professor Max Watson from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland on the Dying with Dignity Bill 2020. Dr Gladys Ganiel from Queen's University Belfast on how Churches on the island of Ireland are navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and journalist Greg Daly tells us of a new Catholic digital magazine called Leaven.

As the first signs of Spring appear, we find out more about the Celtic spirituality surrounding Saint Brigid.

On the programme tonight, both our guests in their eighties, share insight and wisdom from their early lives that resonates today. We are joined by Sister Helen Préjean and Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental.

We're joined by the Most Reverend Dr Dermot Farrell, the Archbishop Elect of Dublin. We also talk with Professor John Horne, Fellow Emeritus of European History at Trinity College Dublin and a member of the Royal Irish Academy about freedom of speech and satire, and being critical of things considered sacred.

Former Belfast crime boss Stephen Gillen tells the story of redemption in his book 'The Monkey Puzzle Tree'. Author and biographer to Pope Francis, Austen Ivereigh, responds to Fratelli Tutti, the Pope's third encyclical. And historian Dr Sinead McCoole on the life of Dr Margaret Mac Curtain OP, who died aged 91 this week.

On the programme tonight, author, journalist & commentator Paul Vallely on his new book Philanthropy, From Aristotle to Zuckerberg. St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church celebrates its 700th anniversary. And Shane Howell & Kenny Eivers bring their insight from years in homelessness to The Secret Street Tours of Dublin.

Fr Tony Flannery talks about his latest communication received from the Vatican. John Lonergan former Governor at Mountjoy Prison & Hilary Abrahamson chair of the Dublin City Interfaith Forum talk about Yom Kippur & restorative justice. And Dr Sabina Syed of the Muslim Sisters of Eire on their new support helpline.

Back in March this year, we spoke with people of many different faiths and none as they shared how their beliefs were influencing their comprehension of the newly announced Covid-19 epidemic.

On the programme tonight, extreme weather, pirates and plagues, just some of the challenges facing medieval Irish Pilgrims.

We're joined by the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland the Right Reverend Dr David Bruce. Patricia Friel, the Irish charities director, on Mary's Meals work during the COVID Pandemic and Fr Michael Collins shines a spotlight on a treasured artist in his new biography, Raphael's World.

On this evenings programme, the voices of two prominent Christian leaders in America, following the death of George Floyd and the use of religious symbols in a photo opportunity by President Trump.