Holy Smoke

Last week The Spectator held a live event entitled ‘Recovering the Sacred’ in the glorious surroundings of St Bartholomew the Great, the oldest parish church in the City of London. The speakers included two London parish priests – one Anglican, one Catholic – who have contributed much to the growing interest among young people in traditional liturgy and Christian theology, a development that the hierarchy of their respective churches certainly didn’t foresee. They were the Rev Marcus Walker, Rector of St Bart’s, whose Prayer Book Evensongs and Eucharists attract large numbers of young professionals to his ancient church; and Fr Julian Large, the Provost of the Brompton Oratory, where an increasingly youthful congregation flocks to Latin Masses. We also heard from Dr Cosima Gilhammer, a Fellow in English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, whose writings on the rhythms and symbolism of the liturgy are deeply inspiring; The Spectator’s editor, Michael Gove; and the Rev Prof Andrew Davison, Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford University, who also holds a doctorate in biochemistry. The evening concluded with a panel discussion chaired by Holy Smoke’s presenter, Damian Thompson, and – a real treat – a performance of Catholic and Anglican motets sung by the renowned choir of St Bart’s. The event was completely sold out. Inevitably, many were disappointed not to attend in person – but the microphones were running, and so we are delighted to present ‘Recovering the Sacred’. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree [https://www.spectator.co.uk/follow-your-podcasts/] to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts [https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/]. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

Nearly everyone loves Robert Prevost, the unassuming baseball fan from Chicago who unexpectedly became Pope Leo XIV this year. But as he prepares to spend his summer in Castel Gandolfo he has some difficult decisions to make. Is he prepared to clear up all the doctrinal confusion created by his predecessor Pope Francis? And will he allow liberal bishop to continue to persecute Catholics who prefer the ancient Latin form of Mass?  Damian Thompson gives us his thoughts in advance of Recovering the Sacred, a Spectator event at St Bartholomew-the-Great in the City of London on July 8 featuring debate and sacred music illustrating the recovery of tradition by a new generation of Christians. For tickets and more information, go to spectator.co.uk/church [spectator.co.uk/church]. Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree [https://www.spectator.co.uk/follow-your-podcasts/] to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts [https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/]. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

Today’s Holy Smoke is a curtain-raiser for ‘Recovering the Sacred’, a Spectator event at St Bartholow-the-Great in the City of London in which a panel of experts will explore the rediscovery of traditional worship and theology by young Anglicans and Catholics. The event will be held on Tuesday 8th July; for more details, and to book tickets, go to: spectator.co.uk/church [https://open.acast.com/networks/68233d14f368620d4548ab93/shows/68359028e1abc4be6b032cd1/episodes/spectator.co.uk/church] In today’s episode Damian Thompson talks to Anglican James Vitali and Catholic Georgia Clarke, two Generation Z professionals bursting with enthusiasm for their faith. It’s an exhilarating discussion; don’t miss it.  Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree [https://www.spectator.co.uk/follow-your-podcasts/] to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts [https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/]. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

Daniel Taub, former Israeli Ambassador to the UK, joins Damian Thompson to talk about his new book Beyond Dispute: Rediscovering the Jewish art of constructive disagreement. In a fast-moving interview, Daniel explains how the art of arguing has shaped Jewish humour and scholarship, and Damian asks him about keeping kosher, life after death – and the influence of the Talmud on Curb Your Enthusiasm.  Produced by Patrick Gibbons.   Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree [https://www.spectator.co.uk/follow-your-podcasts/] to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts [https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/]. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

Bijan Omrani joins Damian Thompson to talk about his new book God is an Englishman: Christianity and the Creation of England. They discuss the spiritual and cultural debt the country owes to Christianity. The central question of Bijan’s book is ‘does it matter that Christianity is dying in England?’. The faith has historically played a disproportionate role in many areas of English life that we take for granted now – for example, by shaping both charity and the welfare state. Yet this is influence is often ignored as congregations shrink and the UK slides into secularism.   But are there unexpected grounds for hope? The publication of God is an Englishman has coincided with a modest but surprising revival of traditional worship among Millennials and members of Generation Z. Is there, as the book puts it, a ‘weariness of the young' with what secular society is offering them?’ And could we see the eventual flourishing of a smaller but purer English Christianity? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree [https://www.spectator.co.uk/follow-your-podcasts/] to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts [https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcasts/]. Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk