As the bicentenary of the end of the transatlantic slave trade approaches Jonathan Bartley says we are enslaved until Africa is free

While the Catholic Cardinal and the Church of England, or at least its two archbishops, are perceived to be at war with the government over one set of public services, in relation to the equalities agenda, yesterday (25 January 2007) they set their face in favour of a public service ethos in relation to broadcasting.

Spokespeople from a range of Christian organisations rallied to support a civil partnership storyline in long-running cult BBC radio soap opera 'The Archers' today - after Stephen Green of fringe group Christian Voice announced that the very thought made him 'queasy'.

The BBC's production of the Manchester Passion, featuring the dramatisation of the last hours of the life of Christ with the lyrics of bands such as Oasis, the Happy Mondays, and The Smiths, gave Easter a huge boost according to the Bishop of Manchester.

An alternative Passion this Easter in which pop performers will dramatise the last hours of the life of Christ with the misery-laden lyrics of bands from Oasis to The Smiths, is being produced by the BBC.

A four part series which looks at the historical Jesus, and the move of Christianity from Galilee to Jerusalem, Rome and then India, began on BBC Radio 4 yesterday.