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Sunday Worship: On St Peter's Field

On St Peter's Field

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday Worship, On St Peter's Field

The Bishop of Manchester reflects on the spiritual legacy of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre.

The Bishop of Manchester the Rt Rev Dr David Walker reflects on the spiritual legacy of the Peterloo Massacre 200 years ago, from nearby St Ann's Church, Manchester.

On 16 August 1819 a crowd of around 60,000 protesters gathered in Manchester's St Peter's Fields.  They sought more adequate parliamentary representation as a means of improving living conditions and working life. Several hundred militia armed with sabers charged at an entirely peaceful crowd in order to disperse them. It's thought that around 18 were killed - including four women and a child - and that almost 700 were seriously injured. Two hundred years on, the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Revd Dr David Walker, reflects on the impact the Peterloo Massacre had at the time on a nation that considered itself Christian. Not only did it change public opinion about extending the right to vote - but it also contributed a spiritual foundation for our contemporary understanding of human freedom, the alleviation of poverty, freedom from oppression, and the need to protect the vulnerable.

The service comes from St Ann's Church in Manchester, close to where the massacre took place, and is led by Alex Robertson. The Daily Service Singers are conducted by Andrew Earis, and the organist is John Hosking. Producer: Ben Collingwood.

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