Today we remember how the dynamic Franciscan Maximilian Kolbe offered his life for another at Auschwitz. We look at his rich life, his devotion to the ' Immaculada' and his legacy 

The great Irish Writer James Joyce had a confusing and complicated relationship with the Catholic Church. But his books have had a remarkable influence and following

Today we look at the tradition of Popes handing out Golden Roses that have been blessed on Laudate Sunday.  How Paul VI gave one today to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Aparecida

Today we look at the life and thought of George Ellis, committed Quaker and Cosmologist. Co-author with Stephen Hawking of the 'Yellow Peril' a standard text book on General Relativity Theory.  Also developed the theory of kenotic-ethics w...

Today we remember the first papal encyclical that allowed for the possibility of Salvation outside of Church. We look at the history of soteriology - the theology of salvation

St Herman was a Russian Orthodox monk who had a very effective mission to the Aleut people of Alaska.  During a 'Fur Rush' when colonisation and exploration was fuelled by the seal fur trade he defended the rights of the native Aleut peopl...

Today we look at the profoundly influential Danish philosopher Soren Kierkergaard.   The Father of Existentialism he was a profoundly Christian thinker.  Surviving his fathers harsh Lutheranism he would write some of the most pro...

An important meeting in post-war Germany, the first outdoor mega-mass and a landmark in Ecumenical Relations. The delegates also laid a foundation for a Church of Atonement near the concentration camp of Dachau

The First Conclave of the Sistine Chapel - how did the Church develop this way of electing a Pope and what happens

Bill Wilson said his spiritual experience of 'white light' cured him of his alcoholism.  We look at the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous and his relationship with Fr Ed Dowling. What are the Twelve Steps and how have they helped so many ...

Dr Grenfel sent by the Fisherman's Mission to Canada's North Atlantic Coast built up a remarkable mission attracting doctors, nurses and clergy from all over the world 

Today we remember how three boats left Spain travelling West for the Indies and discovered the Americas 

One of the finest philosophical minds of her age, Edith Stein went from Judaism to agnosticism to Christianity.  Edmund Husserl's assistant, she became a Carmelite Nun and was to die at Auschwitz. 

Today we look at the life of St Aethelwold, who rebuilt the church after 300 years of Viking raids.  Also the unlikely assimilation of Christianity into the Vikings and how Bluetooth got its name 

Mount Athos is a unique centre  for Orthodox Christianity,  today in 1913 the Russian Navy removed 800 monks.  We look at the traditions there and its claim to be Marys Garden

Humane Vitae is the most controversial of papal encyclicals, restating the Church's opposition to artificial birth control. It also marked a moment in the shift of the authority of the Church.  It was Pope Paul VI last encyclical. Was it p...

The greatest of the Baroque composers was a man of profound Lutheran faith, we look at his life

Today a British Archeologist discovered a standing stone from the Iron Age which had some remarkable inscriptions

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor and icon of Christian resistance to the Nazis was executed.  Four months later his parents found out when a memorial service was broadcast on the BBC, 

The Franciscan friar, Francesco Forgione took the religious name Pius when he entered his order.  He lived an unusual life of spiritual intensity and holiness and was strongly persecuted by his religious authorities for 20 years.  He ...

Indian Priest and psychotherapist Anthony De Mello sold over 2 million books on spirituality in his life time, fusing Christian Spirituality with Eastern traditions of Daoism and Buddhism. But after he died prematurely on June 2 1987 his work c...

The most exciting discovery of modern Archaeology in a cave by the shore of the Dead Sea.  The Dead Sea Scrolls is a huge discovery of nearly 900 manuscripts. Where did they come from and what do they tell us? 

The 5th conference of Latin American Bishops (CELAM) was in the Mexican shrine of Aparecida. Did this mark a decisive shift to Latin America as a Source Church for the Global Church.  An Argentinian Jesuit, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio oversaw...

On May 30 the confessing church in German finished its first synod and issued the Barmen Declaration. Bravely denouncing the Nazification of the Evangelical Church. They were inspired by Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemoller

Described as the Prince of Paradox, great wordsmith and communicator Chesterton had an interesting spiritual journey.  Unitarianism > Occult > Anglicanism > Catholicism.  Some of his books are now considered to be classics of...