Past Programs
Catholicism - 2008
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Pope Pius XII - Was He the Nazi Pope or Not? Read Transcript
21/09/2008
The papacy of Pope Pius XII during the Nazi takeover of Europe has long been criticised by historians for its ineffective response to Hitler and its silence during the persecution of European Jews. Historian Paul O'Shea reconsiders the record of Pius XII in light of the Church's long history of anti-Judaism and Eugenio Pacelli's life before he became the Pope.
The 'Religion' of Shakespeare Read Transcript
24/08/2008
The greatest English playwright is still one of the most mysterious people. He may or may not have been a closet Catholic, and the relationship of the actor's life to his writing is not reconcilable, according to historian William Rubinstein. (Rpt)
The Trials of the Templars Read Transcript
27/07/2008
At dawn on 13 October 1307 all the Templars in France were arrested by royal order, on the charge that they had been involved in secret blasphemous rituals. This led to other arrests of Templars in Europe, and an investigation by Pope Clement V. The University of Sydney Rare Books and Special Collections Library recently obtained trial documents from the Vatican archives, which John Pryor discusses with Rachael Kohn.
History of the Popes Read Transcript
20/07/2008
The 2,000 year papal succession includes a gallery of rogues, righteous men, and some who were clearly mad. Historian, broadcaster and former priest Paul Collins recounts a colourful history.
Demonising Dissent Read Transcript
18/05/2008
In 12th Century Northern France, the pursuit of heresy rose to a peak when a former self-confessed heretic, Robert Le Bougre, became a pursuer of heretics.
Galileo Read Transcript
11/05/2008
In 1632 the greatest scientist of his time, Galileo Galilei, was forced by the Roman Catholic church to recant his doctrine that the Earth revolved around the Sun. But according to Galileo's biographer, Michael White, there was much more at stake than astronomical theories.
The Man Behind 'Vinnies' Read Transcript
13/04/2008
The Society of St Vincent de Paul began in France in 1833 but its 19th century champion in Australia was the eminent architect and politician Charles O'Neill.
Mary, Patroness of Australia Read Transcript
09/03/2008
A little known fact of Australian history is that the Catholic Portuguese explorer, Pedro Ferdinandez de Quiros, landed on what he thought was Terra Australis Incognita on the eve of Pentecost 1606 and promptly renamed it the 'South Land of the Holy Spirit' dedicating it to Mary, Help of Christians. He had in fact landed on what is now Vanuatu.
