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Heart and Soul: Reflections on Faith in a Global Crisis: Moving Forward

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12/06/2020 GMT

Moving Forward

Reflections on Faith in a Global Crisis

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, Reflections on Faith in a Global Crisis, Moving Forward

John McCarthy shares the reflections of people of faith around the world during a pandemic

In this final programme of our special series, John McCarthy brings back together those who have been sharing reflections and insights on faith during the Coronavirus crisis.

In this final programme of a special Heart and Soul series for the BBC World Service, the journalist John McCarthy brings back together those who have been sharing reflections and insights on faith during the Coronavirus crisis. 

We hear how they’re coping now. How have their attitudes to rituals, compassion, solitude and community, changed in the last six weeks? What are their personal thoughts on moving forward, and through, this pandemic, now that many countries have lifted, or have left, lockdown?

We’ll hear how personal faith has been challenged, changed or strengthened during the dark days of Covid-19. 

Presenter: John McCarthy
Producer: Olive Clancy

Heart and Soul: Reflections on Faith in a Global Crisis

In the first programme of a special Heart and Soul series for the BBC World Service, amidst a global pandemic of Coronavirus, the journalist John McCarthy brings together reflections from people of faith around the world. In each programme specially chosen contributors reflect on the horrendous situation the whole world is dealing with.

Rituals are at the heart of many religions, they are vital to the practice of faith giving structure, comfort and focus.
The best-selling Indian writer Amish Tripathi sees daily yoga practice as central to his Hindu faith. He loves the calm and balance it brings. But with the virus bringing fear of respiratory problems he newly appreciates the breathing techniques which ease anxiety. Miriam Camerini is an Italian trainee Rabbi who is stranded in Canada, unable to travel home. She is heartbroken to hear of sick friends, but comforted by new online connections with Jerusalem. And a pastor used to non-stop cross-border travel to look after Mexican and US parishioners finds strength in bible passages he never had time to sit and study before.
With much of the world in lockdown the rituals and sacraments of conventional religion are impossible. John McCarthy hears how people are finding new ways to live out their faith in retreat.

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