GENERAL SYNOPSIS
Brides of Christ follows the nuns of the Santo Spirito Convent through the radical Catholic Church reforms of the 1960s.

Behind the high convent walls, their lives are circumscribed by centuries old traditions, rites and disciplines. But in times of radical change and upheaval, the nuns are forced to reconcile the conflict between the ancient ways and the new.

They are bound by vows which set them apart, yet they must become part of a changing world. For many, their faith will be sufficient to carry them through their personal crises. But some are tormented by questions they cannot answer, disciplines they cannot follow and love they dare not feel.

In their care are spirited teenager, schooled in the old creed, yet eager to taste the new freedoms.

EPISODE 'AMBROSE'
It is 1966 and the Vatican has allowed religious orders to make their own decisions, one of which is literally a change of habit - something that older, more conservative sisters continue to resist. The church conflict intensifies when compassionate Mother Ambrose (Sandy Gore) employs the first lay teacher - what's more, a male, and a handsome young one at that (Philip Quast). Even worse, he rides a motorbike and employs unconventional methods in his economics class. Besides, his views on political influence in the church ruffle a few feathers. The older nuns, led by Agnes (Brenda Fricker), resist the change, leaving Ambrose caught in the middle of a factional war and confused by her growing rapport with the new teacher. McGregor proves an asset in the classroom but his popularity among the students and his fun-styled teaching methods antagonise his more conservative peers. Both nuns and parents are outraged when he distributes a copy of the controversial Oz magazine.

Listen to Ian McGregor (Philip Quast) say the 'Hail Holy Queen'