All Things Considered

With the National Eisteddfod being held on the Lleyn Peninsula, our focus this week is poetry. Azim Ahmed is in conversation with Hanan Issa, the first female Muslim National Poet of Wales. She’s completed the first year of a three-year tenure of the post, organised by Literature Wales. Hanan Issa is proud of her dual heritage- she’s both Iraqi and Welsh and grew up in Cardiff. She’s has also made films, written short stories and is now embarking on a novel.

During the programme, Hanan discusses her journey of faith, her dual heritage, Welshness, and the (long) process involved in writing poetry even before putting pen to paper. She also discusses and reads some of her work including ‘The Unsung’ a poem commissioned in her official role to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS. Hanan also speaks about her enthusiasm for 'cynghanedd' (the Welsh language poetic form in strict metre) and its use in her work.

www.literaturewales.org

“Kicha and the Unicorn” - a short story by Hanan Issa is available on BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/favourites/m001p23m

The Golden Apple – a short film written and directed by Hanan Issa.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0ck5zx1

“I want to build a church in which people can be themselves”.

Delyth Liddell is in conversation with one of the most senior figures in the Anglican Church in Wales. The Right Reverend Gregory Cameron, son of a south Wales steelworker, became the 76th Bishop of St Asaph in 2009. Before his consecration, Gregory Cameron held senior roles in the worldwide Anglican Communion; at the time he was described by the Times newspaper as “arguably the most influential clergyman behind the scenes”. Before moving to St Asaph, he warned the worldwide church not to outlaw homosexuality, for fear of the destruction of their church. He has not been afraid to speak out on issues controversial for the worldwide church.

When he’s not running a diocese – this year celebrating the 1450th anniversary of his predecessor - Asaph, Gregory Cameron is a best-selling writer and artist, has a long-standing interest in heraldry, noting that the Bishop of St Asaph’s coat of arms is “the most boring in Christendom". He’s even designed coins for the Royal Mint, and recently created a new flag for the city of St Asaph.

In this programme, Bishop Gregory talks about his early years, his role at the Anglican Communion, his firm belief in the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the church, and the importance of recreation.

Monastic life may seem remote to many. But beloved films such as the Sound of Music, documentaries, and television dramas like Call the Midwife mean that some will share an idea of what nuns are and what they do, and may even inspire a fascination and curiosity in the mysteries of a contemplative life. Today’s guest, however, has first-hand experience.

Much liked the beloved Maria von Trapp, Caroline Leighton is an avid musician. A pianist, a teacher of music and a composer, with two works to be published this month by the Royal School of Church Music, her sacred output ranges from canticles to a requiem mass, along with a collection of anthems, carols, and art songs. She grew up in a busy musical household where faith was very much on the periphery. But her musical gifts led her to discover an attraction to contemplative monastic life, and through this, a deep and profound faith. After some months as a postulant in a Carmelite monastic community in Quidenham, Norfolk, she re-entered the noisy world, re-evaluating her sense of vocation, and calling.

Azim Ahmed chats to Caroline about her experience, her faith, and her music.

Earlier this year in Utah, a western state of the USA, the King James Bible was banned in Elementary and Junior School Libraries in the Davies County school district. The ban was due to what one parent dubbed the ‘violent and vulgar’ content in the Bible. The prohibition caused an uproar, drawing global attention, and the ban was subsequently reversed. Two journalists who closely covered the story, Courtney Tanner from the Salt Lake Tribune and Sam Metz from the Associated Press, offer insight into into the story and its wider significance.

Jonathan Thomas explores whether content in the Bible is too 'violent and vulgar' to be shared with children. Steffen Jenkins, Lecturer in Greek, Old Testament and Biblical Studies at the Union School of Theology in Bridgend and Aled Davies, director for the Welsh Sunday Schools Council, explain how they handle the difficult aspects. Methodist minister Jonathan Miller explains how many of the children he works with relish the more gruesome biblical stories. Helen Jackson home educates four boys and shares the daily practicalities of handling the more challenging parts of the Bible. She's a former secondary art and design teacher and currently writes a blog, 'Imperfectly Natural Mama' documenting their journey as a Christian home educating family.

What is the relevance of this censorship debate to the UK? In recent years books including those by Roald Dahl have undergone 'sensitivity editing' to remove offensive language. Some have called this censorship and Dr Philip Kiszely, lecturer in performance and cultural histories at the University of Leeds, and Katherine Bennett, journalist for the Catholic Herald, discusses the issues.

Fr Matthew Roche-Saunders, a Catholic priest from the parish of Aberystwyth is in Rome, following in the footsteps of faithful pilgrims across the centuries. 900 years ago this year, as recorded by the English historian William of Malmesbury, Pope Callixtus II granted a privilege to St Davids to be of significant spiritual importance for pilgrims. As part of our 'In The Footsteps of David' series of programmes celebrating our patron saint, Fr Matthew explores the act of pilgrimage, hearing from others visiting places around the globe linked to Saint David, to understand more about this journey of faith.

This programme was first broadcast in April.

This week marks the start of the 'Churches Unlocked' festival in South Wales running between the 3rd and 11th of June. During this time thirty churches will be welcoming the public for events; from bell ringing taster sessions to wildlife spotting in churchyards.

With the closure rate of churches in Wales increasing, Christopher Catling, Chief Executive of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, explains why he believes it’s vital to preserve church buildings, and how he believes events like this can help. The festival’s founder Sarah Perons explains how she hopes the event will help connect communities with their historic buildings.

Delyth Liddell visits three churches taking part in the festival. At Margam Abbey Mark and Ruth Greenaway Robbins show her the historic Stanton Vestments and share their vision for a welcoming inclusive church. Bev Gulley takes Delyth on her ‘Trails and Tales’ talk about the great and the good buried at the Abbey, and tells some captivating Victorian tales.

At St. Cybi’s Church, Llangibi, Peter Foden leads a pilgrimage walk, ‘Camino Cybi,’ and shares the story of a wild-camping Cornish prince who founded the church in the sixth century.

In Barry pupils from Oak Field Primary School show Delyth around Merthyr Dyfan church and share why they love this small sanctuary situated in the middle of residential housing estates. Emma Ackland explains how the festival has given them the boost to open the church that has been locked since the Covid pandemic, apart from for Sunday worship.

Stuart Bell was once rector of one of the most thriving churches in Wales: St Michael's Aberystwyth. These days, his former curate (now Archbishop) Andrew John commands Anglican clergy to keep him at arm's length, and neither to receive communion from him, nor to invite him to take part in any service except with permission from their relevant bishops. The issue concerns the blessing of gay marriages within the Church in Wales, to which Stuart and some others strongly object.

Rosa Hunt speaks to the newest bishop in the Anglican Convocation in Europe, with responsibility for Wales. Amidst this serious schism, Bishop Bell claims that many clergy and parishioners are set to join him, objecting to what he sees as the Church's departure from Biblical teaching on sexual matters. And yet, he declares, he would return to the fold as soon as the Bench of Bishops rescinded their decision to allow gay blessings in the Church in Wales. "I don't like where I am at the moment...it's been an enormous grief to me to step away from the Church in Wales".

As Easter draws to a close, Christians around the world will be focussing on the Day of Pentecost which comes a week today. This major festival has been given other names too - Whit Sunday or Whitsun for short. It’s even been referred to as the birthday of the church. Coming 50 days after Christ’s Resurrection, it’s the time when (according to the dramatic account in chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles) the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. The passage continues, “Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them” The Holy Spirit had arrived in no uncertain terms. From then on – as the remainder of the Book of Acts relates - the disciples and their followers were inspired to go forth and set up the first churches in places like Corinth and Thessaloniki; their mission was far from easy.

Down the centuries, churches have been opened and closed and indeed the landscapes of Wales and other places around the world are punctuated with neglected and derelict churches which were once proud testaments to fervent revivals. Here in Wales, many places such as Llandudno, Llantwit Major and Llanbadrig are testament to church cells founded by saints about 1500 years ago. Now, despite an increasingly secular society today, new churches are being opened with congregations growing in number. We ask why.

With the help of his guests, Jonathan Thomas hears about the descent of the Holy Spirit on the very first Day of Pentecost, and its subsequent influence on new churches emerging around the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor. He also explores the work of the Holy Spirit today in Pentecostal and mainstream denominations, and learns about the seeming exponential growth of neo-Pentecostal churches in south America.

Our guests:

Catrin Williams: Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of Wales, Trinity St David.

The Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon, a Roman Catholic priest and Director of Adult Education in the Archdiocese of Cardiff.

The Revd Dr Jonathan Black: Lecturer in Theology at Regents Theological College of the Elim Pentecostal Church, and a minister in the Apostolic Church.

Luca Sparey: an ordinand based at the Citizen Church in Cardiff.

Professor Bettina Schmidt: Director of the Alister Hardy Religious Experience Centre based in Lampeter.

Azim Ahmed looks into some of the issues affecting mental wellbeing among the Muslim community in Wales and beyond.

Whilst younger people might now be well versed in the language and lexicon of mental health, some older people may struggle to find the words to describe their mental state. In some cases, faith can be a balm for the troubled mind, but there are cases where certain religious beliefs can actually make things harder - beliefs such as attributing mental illness to the 'evil eye' or even demonic possession, for example.

Attitudes are changing, but research suggests a need for sensitivity among health professionals in understanding the cultural backgrounds of some Muslim patients. And among Muslims, there's comfort in the example of the Prophet Mahommed himself, who evidently also experienced periods of low mood and anxiety, and yet was unafraid to express his feelings.

This week sees the Coronation of King Charles III. Whilst the Coronation service itself is rooted in ancient Christian traditions and symbols, it breaks new ground, with a ‘faith procession’ of eight non-Christian clerics leading the way into Westminster Abbey, the presentation of ceremonial regalia involving Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish peers; Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a practising Hindu, reading from the Bible; the blessing shared by leaders of different Christian denominations; and the King being greeted by non-Christian faith leaders. As Prince of Wales, King Charles once said he would prefer to become ‘Defender of Faith’ rather than ‘Defender of the Faith’. However, the King’s oaths, central to the service, remain unchanged, including the promise to maintain ‘the Protestant Reformed Religion’ as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The oaths are, however, contextualised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, to illustrate the King’s commitment to the multi-faith and diverse landscape in Britain. But what exactly does this centuries old title of ‘Fidei Defensor’, ‘Defender of the faith’, mean in practical terms at the dawn of King Charles’ reign? What of the bigger picture - does it apply to us in Wales? Do we need one? And what of the place of other faiths?

To discuss these issues, Rosa Hunt is joined by:

The Very Rev Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, Dean of St Davids;

Alun Lenny, councillor, former mayor of Carmarthen and a non conformist lay preacher with the Annibynwyr

Catherine Pepinster, a journalist specialising in religious affairs, and author of 'Defenders of the Faith, the British Monarchy, Religion and the Coronation';

And Akhandadhi Das, A Vaishnava Hindu teacher and theologian