Sunday

Cardinal John Newman, who converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism, will be the first English person born since the 17th century to be declared a saint by the Catholic church on Sunday.A delegation led by Prince Charles will join thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square for the special Canonisation Mass led by Pope Francis.For Newman to be declared a saint, two miracles must be verified by the church. Melissa Villalobos says she was cured from serious bleeding during her pregnancy after praying to Cardinal Newman. She speaks to the BBC for the first time and tells Sunday how she feels to be in Rome for the ceremony.Rajeev Gupta reports from the Birmingham Oratory where Newman spent much of his later life. They've kept his room exactly as it was when he died and now the Oratory is preparing to become a pilgrimage site for catholics.And what role should saints have in the 21st century? Newman biographer Roderick Strange and Charles Collins from the catholic news website Crux discuss.Producers: David Cook Pe

An interactive map that tracks more than 3,000 Scots, mostly women, who were accused of being witches in the 16th and 17th Century has been published for the first time. Sunday hears from Professor Julian Goodare from the University of Edinburgh whose research into witchcraft in Scotland was used to build the map. Catholic Bishop John Arnold explains why his Salford diocese will be holding a mass for LGBT+ Catholics and their family and friends.On Saturday it will be 2000 days since 270 Nigerian school girls were kidnapped by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram. Oby Ezekwesili, co-founder of Bring Back Our Girls tells William that the world has let down the Chibok girls.Producers Carmel Lonergan Rajeev GuptaEditor Amanda Hancox

On Good Friday, on the 300th anniversary of its premiere, the Academy of Ancient Music realised a long-held ambition to perform a new version of Handel’s mighty Brockes Passion at the Barbican in London. It will be released on CD next week and Alexander Von Ingen, Chief Executive of the Academy explains why this version is so unique.In a week of divisions and tensions in Parliament with some MPs criticising the ‘toxic language of betrayal and treachery,' religious leaders have been appealing to politicians to moderate their language and learn to disagree respectfully. The leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales Cardinal Vincent Nichols joins us along with Bishop David Urquhart and Rabbi Julia Neuberger who both sit in the House of Lords.The number of schools ‘flouting’ Religious Education laws has risen according to research by the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education. Their report found that half of academies without a religious character and 40 percent of community schools do not m

A family from Bristol are bringing up their baby as gender neutral. They say it's to help their baby avoid unconscious gender bias. We hear from the family and discuss the theological implications of such decisions. The deadline for responses to a report on the persecution of Christians, led by the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, was this week. Some organisations have raised concerns about aspects of the report and its methodology. William talks to Rev Bonnie Evans-Hills, Coordinator for UK Coalition, who is concerned about the report and submitted a response on behalf of a number of faith groups and academics and Andrew Boyd from Release International. Rehman Chisti is the Prime Minister's new Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief. He discusses what will happen to the recommendations in the report and his priorities for his new role.Producers: Carmel Lonergan Amanda Hancox

In November 2017 a gunman walked into a small church in Sutherland Springs, Texas and shot dead 26 parishioners. The pastor of that church, Frank Pomeroy, lost his 14 year old daughter in the attack. He tells William Crawley why he’s now running for political office and why he wears a gun in the pulpit. A crowdfunding page launched by a Muslim group opposed to LGBT relationships lessons has been removed. GoFundMe said the page violated its terms of service by raising money to fight an injunction preventing protesters from gathering outside a Birmingham primary school. John Coventry, Europe Director of GoFundMe and Anne McElvoy, senior editor at the Economist discuss the ethics of crowdfunding. Sheikh Yusuf Motala, one of the most significant figures in British Islam, has died. He was head of the Islamic institution, Darul Uloom in Bury. One of his pupils, Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra and the BBC’s Home Affairs Correspondent Dominic Casciani explain his influence. As a new William Blake exhibition opens at Tate B

Should you make a promise you can’t keep? We reflect on the ethical issues thrown up by the week’s events in Parliament. Pope Francis has embarked on a 3 nation African tour. He’s visiting Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. Martin Bashir, the BBC’s Religion Editor, has been travelling with the Pope.The historian Dan Jones has just written a new account of the era through the multiple perspectives of characters whose stories have seldom been heard. Much of the coverage of Robert Mugabe’s death has pondered on how a liberator became a tyrant. The answer is complex, as is the relationship between Christians in Zimbabwe and their former leader.And we have an in-depth investigation into the allegations of sexual and physical abuse against Sogyal Rinpoche.Producer: Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Rosie Dawson Editor: Amanda Hancox

Who is protecting the rights of indigenous people in the Amazon? We hear from Kawá, an Amazonian tribesman living in the UK about how his tribe has been affected by the fires and Adriana Ramos from the The Instituto Socioambiental in Brazil.A group of Church of England bishops has issued an open letter on the prospect of a 'no-deal' Brexit and the need for national reconciliation. Rt Rev Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, tells us why the letter has been written. Quentin Letts, Church going member of the Church of England, and political sketch writer at The Times shares his concerns. Tim Farron, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, talks about his book, A Better Ambition.What’s it like to be a Muslim Policewoman in North Yorkshire? Uzma Amireddy is the Positive Action Co-ordinator for North Yorkshire Police.After the death of Sogyal Rinpoche, author of the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, we explore his legacy with author Mary Finnigan, who wrote ‘Sex and Violence in Tibetan Buddhism - The Rise and Fall

In a special Sunday programme, Edward Stourton takes a look at the relationship between religion and music.He begins with Gospel music and talks to historian Viv Broughton, promoter Roy Francis and singer Dawn Thomas Wallace about music that has its roots in the black oral tradition and which has had a massive impact on the popular music scene.The Rev Dr Jonathan Arnold discusses why religious music is still popular despite declining attendances at our traditional churches.Edward also investigates the power of music to induce a sense of spiritual well being with Neurologist Professor Michael Trimble and Music Psychologist Dr Ruth Herbert. And Professor Rupert Till explains why he believes that popular music has become the primary location for young people to find meaning and belief in their lives.Music Therapist Grace Meadows describes how music can give a voice to those who have difficulty in communicating.The programme ends with Cantor Zoe Jacobs - Britain's first Cantor in Reform Judaism - talking about he

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham explains why some MPs want to close a legal loophole so that it is illegal for sports coaches and religious leaders to have sex with anyone in their care under the age of 18. Maji Peterx is a specialist in conflict resolution and has brought together former members and victims of Boko Haram in trauma awareness and peace-building workshops. He talks to Emily about his work and explains what he will be doing in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin this week.Why is one of Scotland’s biggest pilgrimage sites to close? Despite a petition with over 5000 signatures to keep it open, the pilgrimage centre at Carfin Grotto, North Lanarkshire, is likely to close as officials say it’s not making enough money. And Monday 19th August is the United Nations’ ‘World Humanitarian Day’. This year the focus of the UN's World Humanitarian day is on women. We speak to humanitarian aid workers Shivani Rana from Christian Aid and Zoe Corden from CAFOD about how dangerous their work has become.Produced by L

Sister Helen Prejean is known worldwide for campaigning against the death penalty in the US. She is the author of the bestselling ‘Dead Man Walking’ and joins Emily to talk about her latest book – a personal story of faith and spirituality.This week marks the 50th anniversary of the start of The Troubles and although the Good Friday Agreement saw an end to the violence twenty years ago, many in Northern Ireland are feeling unsettled because of Brexit and the prospect of a hard border. The Rt Rev Dr William Henry, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland, and Father Martin Magill, a Catholic priest on the Falls Road, discuss the current situation.Deacon John Lam, from the Catholic Chaplaincy at Hong Kong International Airport, talks about the protests currently underway there.On the 14th August there is a performance of L’enfance du Christ by French composer Hector Berlioz at The Proms. Professor Barbara Kelly talks about this vividly dramatic oratorio (including the well-known Shepherds Farewe

A major clean-up is underway as homes were deluged, bridges destroyed, roads blocked and towns cut off as flash floods devastated parts of England. Reeth, in North Yorkshire, has been badly hit by the floods and the Bishop of Ripon, Helen-Ann Hartley has been one of those helping farmers and villagers as they try to get on top of the aftermath.The Salvation Army have been brought in by Coronation Street writers to help writers with a story-line about human trafficking and modern slavery. Andrew Wileman from the Salvation Army’s Anti-trafficking and Modern Slavery team tells William how the public are often the first to alert authorities to potential victims and how the Salvation Army help those caught up in the crime.Facial hair. It’s a personal thing. Beards may be ‘in’ right now but the history of hairy faces hasn’t always been harmonious. Having the wrong beard at the wrong time in religious history could be a matter of spiritual life or death. The anonymous Christian commentator The Church Mouse has chron

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme presented by William Crawley.

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme presented by Edward Stourton.

At the height of the English Civil War, the City of Chester was not only scarred by battle, it was also devastated by plague. One house, at 9, Watergate Street, was spared, it is still known as ‘God’s Providence House’. In 1652 a special oak relief carving was made to commemorate this building. Now, 367 years later, it has just turned up in a house-clearance sale in Shropshire and it goes to auction on Wednesday. Edward talks to the man who identified the carving Jeremy Lamond.The Archbishop of Capetown Thabo Makgoba met with Nelson Mandela in his home in 2009, in response to the request of his wife, Graça Machel. This moment marked the beginning of a moving relationship between southern Africa’s Anglican leader and Mandela until his death in 2013. We hear how this relationship influenced the Archbishop."To fail at safeguarding casts a stain over every good thing the church does" those were the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury told the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA): this week. This

Sir Stephen Cleobury – Director of Music at King’s College Cambridge – conducts his final Choral Evensong this Sunday. He talks to Emily about his 37 years at King's.The spotlight is once again on Ampleforth College over safeguarding as the Independent Schools Inspectorate published a Progress Monitoring Report highlighting failures at the school. Head teacher Deirdre Rowe will be leaving after just ten months in post. The Tablet’s Liz Dodd explains why Ampleforth is “in turmoil”.Nazir Afzal, the former CPS prosecutor, talks to Emily about his role as a mediator at the Anderton Park [School] dispute about teaching LGBT rights and what the way forward should be.In this celebratory year of the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak, Dr Jasjit Singh and Mahmood Awan discuss the impact of the Guru's poetry and writings on literature. Producers Amanda Hancox David Cook.Photo Credit Kevin Leighton

It's the biggest music festival in the world with more than 200,000 people expected to visit Worthy Farm in Somerset. It's renowned for its spectacular line up of musicians, but there is also a spiritual element to Glastonbury - and even a religious presence. The Reverend Chris North, has been volunteering for the past fifteen years in the Sanctuary Tent at the Festival.Senior Bishops in the Diocese of Blackburn have spoken out about their concerns over safeguarding in the Church of England. In a letter the Bishops of Blackburn, Lancaster and Burnley, along with other senior clergy in the Diocese, say the Church of England needs to look again at its culture and structure, and understand that safeguarding is not just about ticking boxes. The BBC's Donna Birrell has been speaking to the Bishop of Burnley, the Right Reverend Philip North, who told her that the Church is complacent in thinking safeguarding failures are "historic".A law allowing parents to withdraw their children from religious education should b

Hindu spiritual leader BK Shivani described as “the very modern face of India's ancient Raja Yoga” this week she arrives in the UK to start a European Tour. Raja Yoga is known as the ‘yoga of the mind’ and BK Shivani’s has a vast following of almost 4 million on social media. She's expected to fill venues across the UK. Edward Stourton has been speaking to her ahead of her visit. Also in the programme how religious groups in Hong Kong have been at the forefront of protests and are science and religion really in conflict with one another? Nick Spencer speaks to Edward about his upcoming three part Radio 4 series exploring the relationship between the two.Producers: Rajeev Gupta Peter Everett Editor: Amanda Hancox

Two years after Grenfell we hear about the role that faith plays in the lives of those still fighting for justice and overcoming the trauma of the worst UK residential fire since the Second World War. We hear why the Archbishop of Dublin has called for an end to gangland-style funerals and why some fear his statement could put local priests at risk. And as a new helpline for Jewish women suffering sexual abuse is launched, we hear from the head of Jewish Women's Aid about the cultural and religious reasons why Jewish women take over 11 years to seek help.For more information about the helpline please find the link at the bottom of the programme page. Producers: Catherine Earlam Helen LeeEditor: Amanda Hancox

As the Cricket World Cup gets underway, Sarah Fane, founder and director of Afghan Connection a charity working to improve the lives of young Afghani's through cricket tells William about the extraordinary story of the rise of Afghanistan as a cricketing force.Commemorations are taking place for the 75th anniversary of D-Day on 6th June 2019. Of the countless sacrifices made on that day some of the lesser known stories were those of the military chaplains. Sarah Meyrick has researched the role of the military chaplains for her recently published book, The Restless Wave, and tells William some of their stories.Ahead of the second anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, the Bishop of Kensington Graham Tomlin talks about his report on the legacy of the tragedy and the social issues it continues to raise. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has published a research report on child sexual abuse in religious institutions, based on accounts shared by survivors at its Truth Project. We hear from survivor

Asia Bibi's lawyer, Saif-ul Malook, was named Secularist of the Year this week by the National Secular Society. This week he returns to Pakistan after forfeiting his asylum in the Netherlands in order to fight another blasphemy case. He tells us why.Diarmaid MacCulloch joins us to explain why is he so concerned at a British Academy report this week warning that Theology and Religions courses are at risk of "disappearing" from universities.And a US pastor baptising people in the online world of virtual reality explains why the idea could catch on.