Catholic Newspaper Chief delivers Ebor Lecture at York St John University

Catherine Pepinster is also the former executive editor of The Independent. She will deliver a lecture entitled ‘On special offer at your supermarket now: the tolerance and intolerance of public manifestation of religion’ next Wednesday, 22 May, 7 pm (doors open at 6.15pm).

Commenting on the lecture, Ms Pepinster said: “From the Queen’s Christmas message to Baroness Thatcher’s funeral, religion remains part of public life in Britain. Yet there is also a growing tension between religion and politics in Britain, with increasing numbers of people advocating that religion, or at least faith, is an entirely private matter. Elsewhere, though, religion is embraced as an opportunity, even a commercial bonus.”

The theme of this year’s lecture series is ‘The State of Religion? Establishment, Tolerance and Civic Society’. The 2012-13 Ebor lectures are organised by York St John University, York Minster, York Institute for Community Theology, Order of Carmelites, The Churches Regional Commission and the Methodist Church.

Since launching in 2006, the lecture series has established an enviable reputation with prestigious speakers promoting debate on topical issues and broadening discussion. Past speakers have included the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury; Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York; Robert Peston, the BBC’s Business editor; and legendary parliamentarian the Rt Hon Tony Benn.