80th Anniversary of Dunkirk; Forgiveness and Will Hajj Happen?

Published: May 24, 2020, 7:52 a.m.

Dom Gervase Hobson-Matthews was a monk who trained and taught at the Benedictine run Downside Abbey. During WW2 he served as a chaplain to the 1st Artillery Division. He kept a diary that chronicled his experience helping troops to withdraw from the beaches of Dunkirk where he was killed in June 1940. Days before his death, he rejected an opportunity to return home. To mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Dunkirk the Abbey\u2019s Director of Heritage Dr Simon Johnson tells us about Dom Gervase\u2019s courage and martyrdom through archive and extracts from Dom Gervase\u2019s diary.

The screenwriter and novelist Frank Cottrell-Boyce has written a new book for a bible study series called \u201cHow the Bible Can Help Us Understand Forgiveness\u201d. He discusses the subject with Marina Cantacuzino, founder of the Forgiveness Project, which collates powerful stories of forgiveness from around the world.

The Saudi authorities have yet to officially cancel this year\u2019s Hajj. Whilst the Muslim world has been celebrating Ramadan, they have not had to make this difficult decision but after Eid everyone will be asking if the Great Mosque in Mecca can re-open at the end of July for the most important pilgrimage in Islam. Emily discusses the problem with Dr Carool Kersten, Reader in the Study of Islam & the Muslim World at King\u2019s College London.

Producers\nCarmel Lonergan\nCatherine Earlam

Editor\nChristine Morgan