The Religion and Ethics Report

Father Patrick Ryan was the embodiment of a kind village priest in Northern Ireland. But he lived a top secret life, because for almost 20 years, he worked undercover as a spy for the Irish Republican Army.

The Israel-Hamas war is also having an effect in South Asia, one that could trigger another generation of terrorism. Islamic extremist groups are using Gaza's heavy death toll to recruit young men. 

Along with the drug culture of the 1960s and 70s, there was also a serious search for enlightenment. Many people looked to the gurus and philosophies of eastern religions. And musicians such as The Beatles were particularly inspired.

This week, 3,400 children have been killed and another 6,300 injured in Gaza. Tragically as well, there's the long-term impacts of war on children in Gaza, and also Israel.

In a dramatic development in the Gaza conflict, the Catholic leader in Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has offered to exchange himself for the Israeli children that Hamas is holding hostage.

Christians at the grassroots seem to have heeded the Pope's recent message on climate change. They're environmentally aware, and increasingly active on the issue.

The borderland of Israel and Lebanon, the so-called 'Blue Line,' could become the most dangerous flashpoint in the latest Middle East war. The area is controlled by the Hezbollah movement, which Israel is also threatening to wipe out.

The cycle of violence in Israel and Palestine raises the question of how far Israel can go to eliminate Hamas. There's international law, and one of its purposes is to reduce civilian causalities. 

In the religious Spanish city of Seville, the government is cracking down on partygoers — particularly tourists who don raunchy headgear, and even strip down to their underwear. 

Western Sydney is Australia’s most religiously and ethnically diverse region. Of the 13 seats in the region, the average "No" vote was 62%. What accounts for this result in the country’s multicultural heartland?