On 14 July 1833 The Rev John Keble preached the Assize sermon from the pulpit of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford. His theme was 'National Apostasy'. This event marked the beginnings of the Oxford Movement, one of the most powerful renewal movements in the Church of England. Today, as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Keble's sermon, another controversial cleric preaches from the same pulpit on the same theme. Bishop Trevor Huddleston, recently retired as Archbishop of the Indian Ocean and a former Bishop of Stepney, preaches a sermon that is certain to disturb, challenge and inspire.
The scene in St Mary's is set by ROBERT FOXCROFT. Producer JOHN NEWBuRY