Sunday

Emily Buchanan presents a special Easter Sunday programme exploring the place of religion in rural communities.Emily visits a cattle auction in Yorkshire to examine the changing face of church ministry in the countryside.Rev Sarah Lunn, who is responsible for thirteen churches in Cumbria, explains how she's also helping with a shortage of GPs in the area.Bob Walker reports from the largely rural diocese of Lincoln, where three quarters of churches no longer have a regular weekly church service. The future of the thousands of listed rural Church of England buildings is debated by Bishop John Inge, lead bishop for cathedrals and church buildings, and Simon Jenkins, former chair of the National Trust.Bishop of Ripon, James Bell, and Professor of the Sociology of Religion, Linda Woodhead, consider the future of congregation-led church communities. And London vicar Marie-Elsa Bragg explains her spiritual connection to Cumbria, and how it inspired her first novel. Producer: Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hanco

After the Jorvick Viking Centre was damaged by floods in December 2015 the attraction used the rebuilding opportunity to tell visitors more about the city's Viking history. As Kevin Bocquet discovers, the exhibition now demonstrates how Christianity and traditional Norse pagan beliefs overlapped in Viking-age York.Exactly two weeks after the terror attack in Westminster, four British Imam's travelled to Rome for a private audience with Pope Francis. Although planned long before Khalid Masood's attack, it was the latest effort at improving interfaith dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and Islam. The BBC's Religious Affairs Correspondent Martin Bashir travelled with the Imams and reports on how the meeting went.In a week of government trips abroad with Theresa May in Saudi Arabia and Liam Fox in the Philippines, Sunday asks whether post Brexit we will still be able to afford ethical foreign and trade policies? Dr Philip Cunliffe Senior Lecturer in International Conflict at the University of Kent and Pro

The Church of England’s first black bishop in more than 20 years says he came to Britain from Nigeria as a missionary to help a “spiritually deficient” country. William Crawley speaks to the Right Rev Dr Woyin Karowei Dorgu, the 13th Bishop of Woolwich.The Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico has condemned as "traitors" any local businesses that help build President Donald Trump's proposed border wall. David Agren is a journalist based in Mexico.Stephen Rasche, from the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil tells Edward Stourton that Iraq’s oldest Christian community is at risk of a ‘sudden slide towards extinction’ unless action is taken to safeguard their future. Campaigners from the art world have been lobbying the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford, urging him to save a rare mosaic by the artist, George Mayer-Marton. It forms part of a church building in Oldham which is scheduled for closure. Kevin Bocquet reports.To help to cover the costs of the elaborate passion play being staged at Manchester Cathedral next weekend,

Yollande Knell reports on the completed renovations at the tomb of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.Baroness Pitkeathly, Chair of the House of Lords Select Committee on Charities, talks about her new report on the future of British charities and how Brexit is going to affect their funding.Last week, Jeffrey John, the Dean of St Albans, publicly accused the Bishops of the Church in Wales of "anti-gay discrimination" after he was informed that his name will not be taken forward as a candidate for the See of Llandaff. A few days later, a group of Welsh MPs published an open letter to the Church in Wales College of Bishops in support of Jeffrey John. Madeleine Moon MP for Bridgend explains why she co-ordinated the letter and the Bishop of Swansea - the Rt Rev'd John Davies - responds to Jeffrey John's criticisms.Following the death of Martin McGuiness, two of his friends discuss the fact that he was a devout Roman Catholic. David Latimer (a Presbyterian Minister) and Father Michael Canny bot

The remains of hundreds of babies and toddlers found at a former Bon Secours mother and baby home at Tuam, Co. Galway have led to calls for further investigation. Joe Little from RTE talks to Martin.The first publication of a historical encyclopaedic text on Jainism has been launched by SOAS University of London. It was written by Dr Johannes Emil Otto Klatt who dedicated his life primarily to the study of the historical records of Jainas. Martin talks to Dr Peter Flügel, he's made the writing accessible in English for the first time.Bob Walker reports on the religious response to the European Court of Justice ruling on the wearing of hijabs at work.Bishop Anba Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom is calling for the international community to do more to address the escalating deadly attacks on Christians in Egypt. The Vatican has confirmed that a papal trip to Egypt will happen in April. It follows the end of a five-year freeze in relations between the Vatican and the A

Following Bishop Philip North's decision to turn down a promotion after clergy in his new diocese objected to his stance against ordaining women priests, William Crawley speaks to the Very Rev Martyn Percy and Bishop of Wakefield Tony Robinson about what this means for the Church of England's aim to "disagree well".The General Pharmaceutical Council is proposing new guidance aimed at ensuring person-centred care is not compromised because of the personal values and beliefs of pharmacists. We hear the arguments for and against their implementation.The longest-running religious programme on BBC television, Songs of Praise, will no longer be produced by the corporation. Broadcaster and trustee of the Sandford St Martin Trust, Roger Bolton gives his reaction to the news.Research by Save the Children this week claims to have found widespread evidence of 'toxic stress' and mental health issues among children in Syria. Trevor Barnes reports on how religious groups and communities in the UK are addressing the psychol

"Between Myth and Reality" the sculptures of Chaim Stephenson, is at the Crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square till the 10th May 2017. Chaim passed away last year aged 89, Edward met with his wife Lynne Reid Banks at the exhibition she told him about his work and their life together.The worst excesses of the Indian wedding industry may soon be curbed if a new bill is approved. The proposed bill will not only limit the number of guests and dishes served to avoid waste, but also put a "tax" on the most extravagant newlyweds. Rahul Tandon reports from India.Ahead of International Women's Day we talk to 'our woman in Rome' Sally Axworthy, UK ambassador to the Vatican, about her first 6 months in a very unique and male dominated diplomatic role. And we speak to two women who embody the theme for this year's International Women's Day - Be Bold for Change - Julie Siddiqi and Laura Marks - organisers of Britain's first ever Jewish/Muslim Women's Conference which aims to challenge the narrative around the

There's a risk Guildford Cathedral could close after a council planning committee rejected a proposal to build 134 houses on cathedral land. The Dean of Guildford Cathedral says money raised by the sale of the land would have provided long-term funding for the maintenance of the building. Trevor Barnes reports.Church leaders from South Sudan have called on the international community to assist millions of people who are facing starvation in the country. Canon Ian Woodward tells Edward Stourton about the historic link the Diocese of Salisbury has with South Sudan and what they are hearing about the situation there. More churches in America have declared themselves 'sanctuary churches' offering protection from deportation to undocumented migrants. Jane O'Brian reports from Washington DC.Dr Peter Mandaville is a former Senior Advisor at the US Department of State under both Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. He's been invited to speak at the British Islam Conference. He tells Edward about the challenges he believes

In 2015 the Bishop of Manchester told this programme of his concerns about homelessness in Manchester. After the broadcast the city council contacted the Bishop to discuss what needed to be done better. Bob Walker reports on how this lead to a radical change of approach.The Catholic Church has paid out more than $276 million in compensation to thousands of victims of child sexual abuse in Australia. Andrew West from ABC Radio reports on the hearings at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Heritage Lottery Fund has approved the development stage for the "Bats in Churches" project, bringing together wildlife and heritage conservation and church organisations to save bats and protect churches. Trevor Barnes reports.Nick Bundock Team Rector for St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury talks to Edward about the painful journey his church has been on since a coroners report into the suicide of a teenager pointed to her struggle to reconcile her sexuality with her faith. The conflict-d

In an unprecedented move, 14 retired Church of England Bishops have released a letter expressing concern about the House of Bishops' report on marriage and same sex relationships. The former Bishop of Worcester Peter Selby, who wrote the letter, speaks to William Crawley.A man who claims he was beaten when he was a boy by John Smyth, the former head of a Christian charity, says his abuser claimed the beatings could be theologically justified. David Hilborn, Chair of the Theology Advisory Group for the Evangelical Alliance and Angela Tilby, Canon Emeritus of Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford join William to discuss' 'violent theology'.Trevor Barnes speaks to the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby about his book 'Dethroning Mammon'.Campaigners have challenged the government's handling of the arrival of unaccompanied child refugees from Europe, at a High Court hearing. The Bishop of Chelmsford who co-sponsored the Dubs amendment responds to this week's events.Alex Strangwayes-Booth reports on a pioneering NHS pr

The head of the Order of Malta, Matthew Festing has resigned because of the Pope's intervention. But what does this episode mean for the Knights of Malta and other orders? Christopher Lamb, Rome Correspondent for the Tablet, talks to Edward.The charity Marriage Care has spent the last 70 years embracing and upholding the Catholic vision of marriage as a response to high divorce rates post World War II. So how does it stay relevant today when marriage and relationships are very different. Kevin Bocquet reports.A new project, in St Albans Diocese: 'Take your Vicar to the Lab,' aims to promote healthier appreciation and co-existence between religion and science. Trevor Barnes puts on his white coat as he accompanies a group of clergy into a lab.The decision to return St Issac's Cathedral, in St Petersburg, from a museum back into a church has sparked protests with over 200,000 signing a petition opposing the plans. Oleg Boldyrev tells Edward why people are angry with the announcement.Richard Chartres, stepped do

On Friday the House of Bishops released a report saying the Church of England shouldn't change its teaching on marriage but recommending that it reviews other aspects of how it treats LGBTI+ clergy and laity. The Rev Rachel Mann is critical of elements of the report and gives Martin Bashir her reaction to it.The Rev Peter Sanlon had threatened to create a 'partnership synod' if the Church 'watered down' traditional teaching on marriage and homosexuality. He tells Martin what he plans to do next in light of the report.The Bishops of Manchester and Maidstone respond to criticism that the Church has come up with a 'don't ask, don't tell' solution.As the Anglican Communion's longest-serving archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, retires after 14 years as leader of the Church in Wales, he reflects on his time in office with Caroline Wyatt. More seafarers were kidnapped at sea last year than over the past decade. The Sailors' Society has trained 20 chaplains to provide 24-hour crisis response for them and their families. Haz

The former Chairman of the Co-op Bank, Paul Flowers, has been removed from the Methodist Church's list of ministers. In an exclusive broadcast interview Mr Flowers talks to Edward about the action taken by the Methodist Church and how he reconciles his actions with his faith.The Church of England's Bishop with responsibility for homelessness James Langstaff explains why some Christian organisations believe that the Government and local authorities need to do more to implement a comprehensive, long-term national strategy to end homelessness in England.She was one of the last debutantes destined to live a life of luxury, but then she had a calling from God. Sister Agatha tells Rosie Dawson about her extraordinary life.A reading from the Qur'an at St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow has not only embroiled the Cathedral in controversy but sparked a wider debate on whether or not Christian buildings should host inter-faith worship at all. Bob Walker reports. The three-step process to elect a new prelate for Opus Dei wi

The majority of government money to improve security at places of worship went to Christian applicants. Edward Stourton asks Nick Tolson who sits on the Places of Worship Security Panel if this indicates that hate crime against Christians in the UK is under reported.A year-long arts festival is about to begin at London's Southbank Centre, called 'Belief and Beyond Belief'. It aims to explore "what it means to be human" in the 21st century. It's the idea of the London Philharmonic Orchestra's principle conductor, Vladimir Jurowski.Twelve people at Peterborough Cathedral have been made redundant as the bishop seeks to resolve a "cash flow crisis" there. Rosie Dawson investigates how serious levels of debt were allowed to build up.Yolande Knell reports on the implications of a proposal by President elect Trump to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Church of England has announced grants of £9 million to renew the church across 7 dioceses. The Bishop of Birmingham explains how he intends to use

Plans by the Church of England to shut a flagship care home for retired clergy could split up elderly couples when part of it closes in the spring. The church's Pensions Board blames a difficulty in recruiting and retaining trained nursing staff. Trevor Barnes meets the residents who are campaigning to stop Manormead Nursing Home closing.William Crawley discusses the ethics and effectiveness of foreign aid with guests Jonathan Foreman Senior research fellow at Civitas, David Hulme, Executive Director, Global Development Institute and Kevin Watkins, Save the Children CEO.Pope Francis has appointed a commission to investigate the recent removal of a top Knights of Malta official who allegedly oversaw the distribution of condoms in the developing world. Christopher Lamb from The Tablet has been investigating.In the wake of Jill Saward's death, theologian Elaine Storkey asks whether Churches can build a movement to liberate the country from the scourge of violence against women. India's top court has banned relig

Caroline Wyatt presents a special New Year edition of Sunday, looking ahead to some of the issues likely to affect faith communities in 2017. Former Bishop of Liverpool James Jones reflects on his work with the families of the Hillsborough victims.And Bob Walker reports from Hull, where religious groups are preparing for the city's year of culture.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

In a special edition of the programme from Hampton Court Palace, Edward Stourton goes back to Christmas 1516 to explore the religious, political and social climate of the time.Tracy Borman, joint Chief-Curator with Historic Royal Palaces tells Edward that 1516 was a good year for Henry VIII. His first child, Mary, had been born and the Christmas celebrations he hosted were described as the most extravagant ever seen. But England and large parts of mainland Europe were about to change forever as the Protestant Reformation that was to begin in Germany in 1517 spread. Trevor Barnes reports how the printing press acted as a catalyst, enabling the distribution of newly translated versions of the New Testament undermining the authority of the Pope and the Catholic church.Fr Anthony Howe, Chaplain to the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court shows Edward his copy of a 1515 Sarum Missal with the name of the Pope scribbled out, demonstrating how liturgy changed in England following the split from Rome.The broadcaster and earl

Composer Bob Chilcott remembers his starring role in the Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College Cambridge in the 1960s. For three years running, he was the chorister chosen to open the service with a solo rendition of the first verse of Once in Royal David's City.A report from religious think tank Theos argues that it is wrong to measure this country's religious commitment by the numbers who go to church. Edward talks to its author Nick Spencer.His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, comments on the bombing and murder of 25 people in St Peter's Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.Trevor Barnes asks whether traditional Christmas is in decline because of political correctness and the impact of immigration on British churches. Author Mark Forsyth explores the religious roots of today's Christmas traditions.Father Roger Dawson, Director of the St Beuno's Jesuit Spirituality Centre in North Wales, talks about the new Martin Scorsese film Silence.William Crawley meets Belf

After a 2 year search the Canadian sculptor, Tim Schmalz, has finally found a UK home for his life size sculpture of Jesus sleeping on a park bench. The Rt Rev David Walker, Bishop of Manchester tells Edward why he has backed the placing of the statue outside St Ann's Church in the city centre.Singing Carols are good for your health say the British Lung Foundation. Matthew Hamilton, the Choral Director of the Halle Choir, sits at the piano, sings a few Carols and puts this theory to the test. Rev Charlotte Bannister-Parker takes a personal look at the stigma and fear of violence suffered by gay Christians in South Africa. Rt Rev Bethlehem Nopece, Bishop of Port Elizabeth in South Africa responds. An order to seize church property owned by the Council of Assemblies of God churches has been issued by the Iranian government. They say that this branch of the largest global Pentecostal denomination is funded by the CIA to infiltrate the Islamic world. Mansour Borji from Article 18 explains.Sunday has been given e

Edward Stourton asks Bethany Bell why the rising popularity of right-wing nationalism in Europe is so important in the Austrian presidential election.To mark the 80th anniversary of the abdication of Edward VIII, Radio 4 broadcasts 'The King's Matter', a drama on the deliberations of Cosmo Lang who was Archbishop of Canterbury at the time. The author of the play - Christopher Lee - talks about Cosmo Lang and his motives.The National Holocaust Centre has just opened an interactive exhibit called 'The Forever Project'. It displays Holocaust survivors as 3D laser projections which answer questions from visitors. Bob Walker has been to test it out. Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley, on why he thinks the Church of England is too middle class.Recent research has found that Sikh men with alcoholism are not seeking help for their problem. Steve Bahal is a recovering alcoholic who now works with Sikh alcoholics.The Rt Revd James Langstaff, the Bishop to HM Prisons, responds to a recent report on the rise in suicide