BBC ‘abandons Christianity’ after dropping traditional Easter service broadcast
The BBC has been accused of turning its back on Britain’s Christian faith after scrapping its broadcast of the traditional Easter service from King’s College, Cambridge.
The programme has been dropped in favour of religious coverage elsewhere across the corporation’s platforms.
It comes after the BBC decided to invite “confirmed atheist” and humanist campaigner Alice Roberts on the Good Friday edition of Desert Island Discs rather than a Christian figure.
Ms Roberts, the professor of public engagement in science at the University of Birmingham and vice-president of the charity Humanists UK, refused the Desert Island Discs tradition of taking a Bible with her, alongside the Complete Works of Shakespeare.
Critics have said the BBC appeared to be deliberately abandoning the part of its audience that professed the Christian faith.
Andrea Williams, the chief executive of Christian Concern, said: “The BBC’s motto, ‘Nation shall speak peace unto nation’, is Biblical in origin. The more the BBC seeks to forget and minimise the primary role of the Christian faith shaping this nation, the darker all things will become. Easter reminds us of Christ’s victory over death, which is a good-news message for us all.”
But the BBC has rejected claims that it is ignoring the role of Christianity and religion in general after dropping the King’s College Easter service, which was shown on BBC Two last year and had been on television since 2010.
‘Vibrant mix of programmes’
It said its Faith and Hope for Spring 2024 season will “showcase a vibrant mix of programmes across TV and radio channels, shining a spotlight on faith at a time when many of the major religions are marking key moments in the calendar”.
The season includes a special performance of Bach’s St John Passion from Cardiff on BBC One on Easter Sunday, to be led by Gareth Malone, the acclaimed choirmaster and broadcaster, marking the 300th anniversary of its first performance.
Pope Francis’s Easter message and blessing, Urbi et Orbi, will be live from the Vatican and a special edition of Songs of Praise comes from Canterbury, presented by Aled Jones.
On Radio 2, Rev Kate Bottley will celebrate Easter Sunday with the Archbishop of York, and Choral Evensong comes live from Canterbury Cathedral on Radio 3. Radio 4 will also have a Sunrise Service from Durham Cathedral and Easter Sunday Worship from Canterbury Cathedral.
‘Diverse range of content’
There is also the new series of Pilgrimage on BBC Two and Easter-themed episodes of JoJo & Gran Gran and Bluey on CBeebies.
Daisy Scalchi, the head of religion and ethics on BBC Television, said: “This is such a special time of year and we’re delighted to work across our networks to bring viewers a diverse range of content that brings faith, belief and spirituality into focus.”
Tim Pemberton, the head of religion and ethics on BBC Audio, said: “I’m delighted to be bringing listeners such a wide range of special programming, with opportunities for worship and reflection, as well as some wonderful music.”
