Did deeply held religious faith influence a high court judge?

Did deeply held religious faith influence a high court judge?

Author: ABC Australia October 29, 2025 Duration: 28:45
The early 1990s was, for Catholics, a time of political ascendancy – a Catholic prime minister, governor-general, and five of the seven high court justices.  One of them was Sir Gerard Brennan, whose most famous judgement was the Mabo decision granting native title to indigenous Australians.  How did his religion influence his decisions as a judge?  His son, Jesuit priest Frank Brennan, has released a two volume-collection of his father’s articles and speeches, giving an extraordinary insight into the thinking of a jurist who helped shape Australian law. GUEST:  Father Frank Brennan Jesuit priest, human rights lawyer and academic

Produced by the ABC, The Religion and Ethics Report-Separate stories podcast digs into the complex and often unseen forces shaping our world. Each episode is a deep, standalone exploration of how belief, morality, and spiritual practice intersect with the headlines and the human stories behind them. We move beyond simple soundbites to present nuanced conversations and reported features that consider the ethical dimensions of power, the cultural impact of faith, and the personal search for meaning. You’ll hear from a diverse range of voices-theologians and philosophers, community leaders and activists, artists and everyday people-all contributing to a vital examination of contemporary life. This podcast doesn’t offer easy answers but instead provides the context and depth needed to understand the pivotal role of religion and ethics in Australian society and across the globe. It’s for anyone curious about the deeper currents driving conflict, compassion, and change in our communities. Tune in for thoughtful, independent journalism that treats these profound subjects with the seriousness and specificity they deserve.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast
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