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Interview with IS victim's Catholic mother wins top award


Diane Foley (screen shot)

Diane Foley (screen shot)

An in-depth interview with Diane Foley, mother of US journalist James Foley, who was beheaded by 'Jihadi John' in 2014, won a top prize at the Jerusalem Awards last night. In the poignant interview, released as a Things Unseen podcast to mark Good Friday earlier this year, Diane Foley reflects on the parallels between her own story and that of Mary, standing at the foot of the cross and watching her son die a painful death. The judges called it "a fantastic exposition of suffering and faith".

The online radio programme, fronted by Catholic broadcaster Mark Dowd, brings the Biblical story of the crucifixion into the heart of the 21st century.

Diane recalls the anguish of discovering that her son, a freelance journalist in Syria, had been captured and was in danger of execution - and how she then learnt the terrible truth and had to find ways of living with his very public and brutal killing.

Her strong Catholic faith shines through many times during the interview. Even though Diane never spoke to Jim again after his capture, she says that she knew her son was close to her in prayer. She explains how the experience has helped her understand Mary far more deeply: "Mary knew somehow that her son had to die to save the world, and only God knows at what point she really understood it. But she knew she was called to walk in faith. And that's what I am called to do as a mother. Some day I hope to understand."

We also hear why Diane has been able to forgive her son's unrepentant killer.

The Jerusalem Awards, now in their 20th year, exist to encourage, promote and reward original and engaging Christian broadcasting. They are open to online broadcasters like 'Things Unseen' as well as national and local UK broadcasters. Good Friday: A Mother's Story won in the Good Friday Digital category.

Another Things Unseen entry, 'Depression and Faith', won in the Digital Audio category. With 'loose Canon' Giles Fraser, mental nurse Marie Lewis and Richard Day from the Christian Medical Fellowship, Mark Dowd explores the experience of Christians suffering from depression and what help they experience - or fail to experience - in their church communities. The judges praised this podcast as 'relevant, wonderful and brave".

Things Unseen is a regular podcast for people of faith, and those who believe that there is more to life than the material world. All editions are available on the Things Unseen website: www.thingsunseen.co.uk

The podcast is produced by CTVC, a multi award-winning independent production company that produces TV and radio content for the BBC and other outlets as well as its own educational video content for schools. CTVC specializes in religion, ethics, social issues, history and education.

Good Friday: A Mother's Story can be downloaded here: www.thingsunseen.co.uk/podcasts/good-friday-diane-foley/

Depression and Faith is available here: www.thingsunseen.co.uk/podcasts/depression/

Further details about the Jerusalem Awards are here: www.jerusalemawards.org.uk/index.aspx

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