Tempers fray and the church is attacked. In a fiery sermon, Father John says the Church trumps the State and Viraj is staying.The Viraj Mendis Defence Campaign begin weekly protests on the streets of Manchester testing Greater Manchester Police, including Sergeant Martin Gaffney.Also, Father Azariah discovers more about the Sri Lankan civil war with Dr Rajesh Venugopal from the London School of Economics.Presenter: Father Azariah France-Williams.
Producer: Jen Dale.
Sound design: Kasel Kundola.
Online producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Ciaran Tracey.
Additional sound recording by Seb Rabas, Graham Kirk and Jan Seebeck. Original material recorded and licensed by Big City Nights.
Executive editor: Andrew Bowman.
Commissioning editor: Alistair Miskin.Photograph of Viraj Mendis: Paul Mattsson.
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25:16
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25:16
2. Inside the Sanctuary
Viraj imprisons himself in the Manchester Church and doesn’t step a foot outside. He lives in the vestry and forms a bond with Father John and his family. No one knows how long he will stay there.A team of supporters form the Viraj Mendis Defence Campaign and watch over him 24 hours a day, every day.The media descends to cover the story starting a culture war that will directly challenge Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s authority. Presenter: Father Azariah France-Williams.
Producer: Jen Dale.
Sound design: Kasel Kundola.
Online producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Ciaran Tracey.
Additional sound recording by Seb Rabas, Graham Kirk and Jan Seebeck. Original material recorded and licensed by Big City Nights.
Executive editor: Andrew Bowman.
Commissioning editor: Alistair Miskin.Photograph of Viraj Mendis: Paul Mattsson.
Audio from VMDC campaign video: Revolutionary Communist Group.
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34:02
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34:02
1. Viraj and the Vicar
In 1986, Sri Lankan Viraj Mendis faces imminent deportation and seeks the ancient rite of Sanctuary in the Ascension Church in Hulme, Greater Manchester, run by traditional vicar Father John Methuen.Father John agrees to protect him despite Sanctuary no longer having legal validity. The decision kicks off a relationship and a gamble bigger than both of them. It begins a culture war which will also see the church go head to head with the State.Father Azariah France-Williams, the current rector of the Ascension Church, goes on a journey of discovery about his predecessor and the man he sheltered from the authorities.Presenter: Father Azariah France-Williams.
Producer: Jen Dale.
Sound design: Kasel Kundola.
Online producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Ciaran Tracey.
Additional sound recording by Seb Rabas, Graham Kirk and Jan Seebeck. Original material recorded and licensed by Big City Nights.
Executive editor: Andrew Bowman.
Commissioning editor: Alistair Miskin.Photograph of Viraj Mendis: Paul Mattsson.
Audio from VMDC campaign video: Revolutionary Communist Group.
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29:07
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29:07
Introducing... Sanctuary: An Act of Defiance
A Sri Lankan man begs for sanctuary in a church in 1986. Viraj Mendis says he faces death if sent back to his home country. Father John Methuen protects him from arrest, risking his reputation and the safety of Ascension church and allows a devoted group to protect him in the church.Presenter Father Azariah France-Williams is the current rector of Ascension Church. He goes on a journey of discovery, finding out how the Sanctuary gamble leads to a two year culture war that defies Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s authority before crashing down.Presenter: Father Azariah France-Williams.
Producer: Jen Dale.
Sound design: Kasel Kundola.
Online producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Ciaran Tracey.
Additional sound recording by Seb Rabas, Graham Kirk and Jan Seebeck.
Original material recorded and licensed by Big City Nights.
Executive editor: Andrew Bowman.
Commissioning editor: Alistair Miskin.
Artwork photograph of Viraj Mendis: Paul Mattsson.
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3:40
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3:40
7. End of Days
Ex-Jesus Army members unite in finding their freedom, rebuilding their identity and speaking their truth.For information and support on issues covered in this episode, visit bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Exploring and explaining news stories from across England.Series 5: Sanctuary: An Act of Defiance
Viraj Mendis from Sri Lanka begs for sanctuary in an Ascension church. The vicar, Father John Methuen, agrees to protect him defying Thatcher’s government.Previously on In Detail...Series 1. The Pub Bombings
Exploring the impact of two Birmingham pub bombs in a 50 year evolving story.Series 2. The Toxic Waste Scandal
Explore the shocking events that ripped through a steelworks community in Corby.Series 3: Felled: The Sycamore Gap Story
Hairy Biker Si King investigates who felled the tree at Sycamore Gap in Northumberland.Series 4: The Jesus Army
Uncovering the rise and unravelling of one of the biggest religious cults in Britain.If you want to be notified as soon as new episodes are available, make sure you've subscribed on BBC Sounds.
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