Politics and religion come together at cathedral

Among the speakers will be the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, the Times religious correspondent, Ruth Gledhill, and the former Education Minister, Estelle Morris.

The tradition of inviting speakers from other faiths continues. They include Aaqil Ahmed, the BBC's Muslim Head of Religion and Ethics and Commissioning Editor for television, whose appointment caused controversy.

The Dean of Ripon, Keith Jukes, said: "Following the outstanding success of the initial Wilfrid Lecture series in 2009, I am delighted that the Cathedral Chapter have decided to make the series an annual event.

"In publicising the details of the 2010 series, it seems timely that the overall theme is around the issue of politics, not least because 2010 will be a year in which a General Election takes place."

The programme is: February 18, Bishop of Liverpool James Jones: My Kingdom is not of this world – Really?; April 22, Professor Roger Trigg, Academic Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion in Public Life, Kellogg College, University of Oxford: Does Equality Override Religious Freedom?; June 17, Ruth Gledhill, The Times, Religion Correspondent: Don't Shoot Me I'm Just The Messenger – Media, Church, State and Politics; July 8: Aaqil Ahmed, BBC Commissioning Editor, Religion and Ethics: Religion, Politics and Public Broadcasting; September 30: Baroness Estelle Morris: The Church, the State and our Schools – is it a relationship that can still work?; November 18: Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Head of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain: Politically Engaged Religion – Faith in the Public Square.

The lectures begin at 7pm and are free but tickets are needed from the Cathedral Office.

For more details, telephone 01765 603462