The series is to be an annual event and aims to promote public conversation and to contribute to the formation of personal decisions and collective policy-making in economic, political and social spheres. It is also an ecumenical project that seeks to exchange insights between academic, religious and educational tradition, and to build bridges between church and different faith and community groups and organisations. The lectures relate faith to public concerns including politics, the arts, religion and education, local and global Christianity and the multi-faith and multicultural society.

Theme for 2010 lectures:

Religion and Politics – The Role of the Church in Contemporary Society

2010 should prove to be an interesting year in terms of party politics, with many suggesting we could witness the closest fought election for decades. Whether a coalition or a single party is victorious, all agree we are facing significant political challenge as we move into the second decade of the 21st century. The economy, the environment, ideologies and the challenge of fundamentalism, the politics of fear, global communication – these are just some of the issues.

The St Wilfrid lectures for 2010 will look to address these and other themes and reflect on the extent to which religion and politics converse.

2010: Thursday evenings at 7.00pm | Ripon Cathedral

• 18 February
  
  Bishop James Jones - Bishop of Liverpool
  
  ‘My Kingdom is not of this world’ - Really?


• 22 April
  
  Professor Roger Trigg - Academic Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion in Public Life, Kellogg College, University of Oxford
  
  Does ‘Equality’ Override Religious Freedom?


• 17 June
  
  Ruth Gledhill - The Times, Religion Correspondent
  
  Don’t Shoot Me I’m Just The Messenger: Media, Church, State and Politics


• 8 July
  
  Aaqil Ahmed - BBC Commissioning Editor, Religion & Ethics
  
  Religion, Politics and Public Broadcasting


• 30 September
  
  Baroness Estelle Morris - House of Lords
  
  The Church, the State and our Schools: is it a relationship that can still work?


• 18 November
  
  Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield - Head of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain
  
  Politically Engaged Religion: Faith in the Public Square

Click here to download the brochure

Admission is free but by ticket only. Disabled access is available but please mention when booking.

To book a ticket:

E: judithbustard@ riponcathedral.org.uk

T: 01765 603462

or write to: St Wilfrid Lectures, Cathedral office, Liberty Courthouse, Minster Road, Ripon HG4 1QS