What does 2023 hold in store for reporters of religion? In our new year media briefing, a bishop, four journalists, an academic and faith leaders point to the stories where religion will cross public life, and where religious organisations make the news themselves. In public life, the news agenda includes the way churches are engaged in the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the plight of refugees across the globe sometimes caused by the persecution of religious belief, and the place of faith groups on the front line alleviating poverty.
Within religious organisations, stories of fractured Christian churches will come under the spotlight, with splits in the United Methodist Church and tension in the Church of England over same-sex marriage, and a renewal of trust sought by the US Southern Baptists after stories of sex abuse. In the UK, the coronation of King Charles in May is expected to make a profound statement of his own personal and inclusive faith.
Ruth Peacock hosts this panel discussion with the following guests:
- Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
- Iryna Terlecky from the Welcome Centre at the Ukrainian Catholic church in London
- Dr Sophie Cartwright from the Jesuit Refugee Service
- Julia Bicknell, freelance journalist specialising in freedom of religion
- Paul Morrison, policy adviser Joint Public Issues Team
- Daniel Singleton, National Executive Director of Faith Action
- Bob Smietana, senior reporter at the US Religion News Service
- Dr Katie Kelaidis, American academic specialising in Orthodox Studies
- Tim Wyatt, freelance reporter and podcaster
- Catherine Pepinster, Former Editor of the Tablet, journalist, and author of “Defenders of the Faith”.
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Ukraine, refugees and church divisions will top the faith agenda in 2023
Faith groups are likely to play a significant part in some of the biggest stories on the news agenda this year. Ukraine will obviously remain high on the agenda, as we near the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion on 24 February…
Full Briefing YouTube Video
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