Sunday

The Church of England wants to attract a more diverse range of people into the vocations. William Crawley is joined by Rev Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy and Rev David Isiorho to discuss why, despite repeated efforts, the Church remains a predominantly white institution.Trevor Barnes has been delving into the fascinating and sometimes controversial world of religious tattooing.After the bombing of a humanitarian aid convoy in Syria the United Nations has suspended all further aid convoys to Aleppo. William talks to Christine Latif from the Christian aid agency World Vision about the current crisis.500 years ago Venice established the world's first Ghetto. Although it was the place where Jews were forced to live, it became a cultural crossroads. Judi Herman reports on events marking the anniversary.According to theologian Harvey Cox, business and theology aren't so far apart. The Harvard Divinity professor discusses his new book, 'The Market as God', with William.The "biggest and most important" changes in 100 years to crem

Edward Stourton talks to The Tablet journalist Christopher Lamb about Pope Francis' visit to Assisi 30 years after Pope John Paul II attended the historic meeting for the first World Peace Day; Trevor Barnes looks at the row over mixed-faith weddings in Sikh temples; Jewish students fight the movement for sanctions against Israel; Rahul Tanton tells Edward about the growth of 'cow vigilantes' as the Indian government cracks down on the illicit cattle trade; putting God into London Fashion Week - as the Church of England releases the video "God and Fashion", Edward asks Simon Ward, author of "The Character of Fashion" what God has to do with fashion; Bob Walker walks with Satish Kumar as he sets out on his 50 mile pilgrimage at the age of 80 and are 'human rights' a Christian concept? Nick Spencer and Julian Baggini discuss. Producers; Peter Everett, Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

On 'Ability Sunday', Gordon Gill discusses the churches' attitudes to disability and specifically how congregations can make people with learning disabilities welcome. Reporter Sarah Major talks to disabled people about the difficulties they encounter when trying to attend church services.Kevin Bocquet reports on the £1million fund raised by ultra-orthodox Jews to fight custody cases (and prevent mothers from taking their children out of the faith when they divorce their husbands). Are Church of England bishops too 'safe'? Following the death of the former Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, a number of obituaries have claimed that we will "never see his like again" (i.e. outspoken and willing to question scripture). The Rev Adrian Alker claims that bishops today are too concerned with "putting bums on seats". He is in discussion with the Bishop of Burnley - Philip North.Ahead of the College of Bishops meeting on Monday, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, Bishop of St Asaph talks about his decision to appoint a Chapla

On Sunday, 19 years after her death, Mother Teresa will be canonised at a Mass in St Peter's Square. David Willey is in Rome ahead of the ceremony while Mike Wooldridge returns to Kolkata to report on her legacy. He hears why some people in the Indian city are still critical about her work there.Ahead of a threatened expose in a Sunday newspaper, the Bishop of Grantham says he is gay and in a 30 year relationship. He tells William how he believes the Church should move forward on issues of human sexuality.For the past two years the Church of England has held meetings to allow clergy and laity to talk about their differences on issues around human sexuality. Later this month, at a meeting of the House of Bishops, the church will discuss what to do next. Trevor Barnes hears why some churches are threatening to split and form a 'shadow synod' if the church moves in a 'liberal direction'.In 1959, Ben Hur won 11 Oscars and became a cinema classic so how does the latest remake released this week compare? Film criti

Following a recent landmark trial in the Hague - at which Ahmad al-Mahdi pleaded guilty to destroying most of the architecturally and historically precious mausoleums in Timbuktu - Edward Stourton asks the question: Should acts of cultural destruction during conflict be classed as war crimes?Rahul Tandon reports from Calcutta on preparations to celebrate the canonisation of Mother Teresa.Bob Walker visits Greenbelt - the largest Christian arts and music festival in the UK.Edward talks to a priest about the comfort being offered by the Order of Malta to the victims of the Italian earthquake.In 1706, at the age of 21, George Frederick Handel decided to visit Italy. Internationally renown harpsichord player Bridget Cunningham explains how, despite his strict Lutheran upbringing, Handel managed to charm the Catholic church in Rome.This week, the Columbian government signed a peace agreement with the FARC rebels. Christian Aid's representative in Columbia - Thomas Mortensen - explains to Edward why there is still

One feature of Usain Bolt's track appearance generally overlooked by sports commentators are his expressions of faith. Does Britain have a problem with religion in sport? Dr Nick Watson and Dr Brian Hennings discuss with Caroline Wyatt, on the last day of the Rio Olympics.Caroline Wyatt talks to the Baptist Pastor, Evan Mawaire, who's taking on the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe.This year marks the 500th anniversary of the year that Martin Luther lit the spark that led to the Reformation. Rosie Dawson reports from the place where it all began - the German town of Wittenberg."Clowning is about comedy and tragedy, death and resurrection." The only Church of England priest who was also a professional clown, Roly Bain, passed away this week. We reflect on his unique ministry.Kevin Bocquet reports on why a planning application for an Eruv in a usually quiet South Manchester suburb is facing opposition when it is something that works well in other parts of the country.A cave on the uninhabited Puerto Rican Island of Mon

This week, it is the anniversary of Elvis's death on August 16th 1977. Ted Harrison - author of a new book called 'The Death and Resurrection of Elvis Presley' talks to Caroline Wyatt about how the cult of Elvis is now taking on some of the characteristics of a religion. The Rev Ravi Holi (Anglican vicar and Elvis impersonator) describes a funeral at which he dressed as 'The King of Rock 'n Roll'.The Rio Olympics are a "huge missed opportunity" to improve the lives of the country's poorest, according to the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD). Cecilia Lorio - CAFOD's Brazil Programme Manager - and Rio based journalist Shannon Sims discuss the possible Olympic legacy on the Brazilian people.The spiritual leader of Bahrain's Shia majority - Ayatollah Isa Qassim - goes on trial this weekend. Opposition activist Zainab al-Khawaja talks about her imprisonment at the hands of the Bahrani authorities. Trevor Barnes reports on the Orthodox Jews who have moved to Canvey Island to create a new community.On

Pope Francis has set up a panel to study whether women can serve as deacons. We debate if this is a move that will lead to changes in the role of women in the Catholic Church with Professor Tina Beattie and Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith.In the first 6 months of the year there was a large increase in anti-Semitic incidents. Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum tells us it's time for a zero tolerance policy on hate crime.Reporter Bob Walker has walked the world's most northerly pilgrimage route across Sweden. Along the way he met refugees from around the world who are now living in remote villages and towns there.Canadian comic Ali Hassan is in Edinburgh with his show 'Man Interrupted'. He explains how he gets gags from his Muslim culture without causing offence.During WW1, many Quakers joined the Friends Ambulance Unit as an alternative to fighting. Hazel Southam hears how they worked on ambulance trains ferrying the injured from the front to hospital.The National Council of Churches in India will hold a day of protest next week ag

Last week, Edward Stourton profiled evangelical Christian Mike Pence who is Donald Trump's running mate. This week he takes a look at Catholic Tim Kaine, the man on Hillary Clinton's ticket. Journalist Jay Michaelson describes how Senator Kaine's faith has shaped his politics.Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of being behind the failed uprising. Philip Kemp reports on the abuse that his followers in the UK are now suffering.The president of the Atheist's Foundation of Australia - Kylie Sturgess - explains why she is encouraging people not to write 'Jedi' on the upcoming Australian census.Live from the Living Islam Festival, Rabbi Laura Janner Klausner, Senior Rabbi to the Movement for Reform Judaism, and Sughra Ahmed,Chair of the Islamic Society of Britain, debate whether or not Christianity deserves its place as the state religion.Two years after Ebola was declared an emergency in Liberia, Chloe Brett the Director of Street Child has just returned from Monrov

Terrorism is a major concern for the organisers of Rio's Olympics due to start in less than three weeks time. So is the city's high levels of violent crime. The Archbishop of Rio, Dom Orani Tempesta, was recently caught up in a gun battle there. He spoke to our reporter, Bruce Douglas. World Youth Day has been described by one commentator as sort of Olympic Games of the Catholic Church. It's the largest regular youth gathering in the world. This year it's being held in Krakow in Poland, home one former Papal superstar and about to welcome another - Pope Francis. Jonathan Luxmore will be there. "Educate Together" run 77 primary and 4 secondary level schools in the Republic of Ireland and demand is said to outstrip supply. It also runs one in Bristol and plans to open more. What are these schools are doing differently? Kevin Boquet went to Bristol for the last day of term to find out. Donald Trump has chosen his running mate, Indianan Senator Mike Pence, and unlike Mr Trump, Mike Pence knows his Bible and asks

Services will be held in churches across France to remember those killed after a lorry ploughed into crowds celebrating Bastille Day. William Crawley talks to Fr Peter Jackson is from Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Nice and lives close to the terrorist attack.This week a new Prime Minister entered Number 10. The daughter of an Anglican priest, Theresa May joins the list of world leaders with a strong religious upbringing. Dr Eliza Filby, author of 'God and Thatcher' and Wendy Alexander, former leader of the Scottish Labour Party and a daughter of the manse, discuss how faith has influenced politic leaders.Kendall House in Gravesend was once a Church of England care home for young girls. It was shut in the mid 80's. One former resident tells William how she was drugged and abused over a two year period there. The Bishop of Rochester, James Langstaff, responds to the findings of the review he commissioned which said the Church's response to allegations about abuse at Kendall House was, "woeful and inadequate".

Ed Stourton talks to Dallas Morning News reporter Naomi Martin about the mood in the city. Later in the programme, he interviews black pastors from the areas where police killed two black men. The United Reform Church has become the first major Christian denomination to allow same sex marriage in its churches. We talk to Lee Battle who has had her own wedding on hold waiting for this moment. Bob Walker follows St. Olav's Way - a 400 mile pilgrimage route which ends at Nidaros Cathedral in Tronheim where Norway's patron saint St Olav is buried.A new report by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research has shown that marriage between Jews and non-Jews is at a record high prompting fears about the effect that 'marrying out' is having on the Jewish population in Britain. Rabbi Aaron Goldstein and Rabbi Dovid Lewis discuss the new research.On Wednesday, students from schools across the country travel to the Houses of Parliament to take part in a debate on what they want from their religious education classes. Two of

Following the EU referendum there has been an upsurge of racism towards minority groups in the UK. Bishop Richard Atkinson, Co-Chair of the Inter Faith Network tells Edward why he is concerned about these incidents.After a difficult press conference to launch a report into anti-semitism in the Labour Party, Edward asks Jonathan Arkush, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and John Mann MP if the report's recommendations are enough to rebuild relationships.The Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin is Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. She tells Edward about a dramatic week at Westminster and her pastoral role in the Palace.On the 1st July 1916, Walter Shaw of the 15th West Yorks Regiment was killed at The Somme. We hear his final letter to his sweetheart Ethel and the reply he never received. In Exeter, Trevor Barnes attends the opening of the '19240 Shrouds of the Somme' exhibition. Artist Rob Heard has hand-made a small figurine to represent every man killed.Aung San Suu Kyi has asked the United

William Crawley talks two people from the world of religion who campaigned to leave the EU about their vision for the future of Britain. Adrian Hilton from Christians for Britain and Saqib Bhatti from Muslims for Britain. He gave up a successful academic career to go and live on a council estate in Glasgow in order to help people living there. We hear about the life of Christian Socialist Bob Holman who died last week. 100 years ago Europe was gripped in war and the Battle of the Somme began. The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin and Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, talk to William Crawley about their pilgrimage to the battlefields of the Somme this week.Monsignor Hector Henao reveals his role in helping to negotiate peace between the Colombian Government and the FARC Guerrillas. Winner of Israel's 2014 Masterchef Arab Israeli Dr Nof Atamna-Ismaeel talks about how she's bringing Arab and Israelis together through food. Geoff Bird has been to join the world's first cro

Trevor Barnes visits a Byzantine Church in Oxford constructed from a flat-pack dating back to 550 AD.Following the grief and disbelief caused by the murder of MP Jo Cox, the Archbishop of York - Dr John Sentamu - talks about the impact of her death.Pope Francis will be in Armenia in a few days time to visit a memorial dedicated to the 1.5M victims of what he described last year as "the first genocide of the 20th century." It is a trip which may further strain the Vatican's diplomatic relations with Turkey. John Allen - editor of the global Catholic website 'Crux' - will be travelling with the Papal party.The Bishop of Liverpool Paul Bayes talks publically for the first time on why he has changed his mind on the issue of sexuality.Susie Chidzik and twins Tomos and Ciaran Bevan have learning disabilities. They travel to Rome next week to take part in 'Living Fully', an event designed to promote debate on the role of disabled people in the Church. They chat to Edward about their faith and they are joined by the

As the nation celebrates the Sovereign's 90th Birthday, Mark Greene - co-author of 'The Servant Queen and the King She Serves' - talks to Edward Stourton about the Queen's faith.There is currently a campaign in Australia to repeal a law which allows people to use a so-called 'gay panic' defence in murder cases; if someone makes a sexual advance, you can claim that was the reason you lost control and killed them. The growing demand to change this law is being led by Roman Catholic priest Fr Paul Kelly. Hazel Southam visits St Luke's Church in Wolverhampton - which is on the Church of England's top ten endangered buildings list - to investigate the problems faced by congregations who find themselves in charge of historic buildings.The Pan-orthodox Council taking place on Crete next week has been in the planning since the 1920s. In fact, the last one was held over 1000 years ago. Russian Orthodox priest Fr Cyril Hovorun explains why the alliance between the orthodox churches is so fragile.Rosie Dawson speaks to

In his first UK media interview, Ed Stourton talks to John Calvin, grandson of the co-founder of Hamas, whose conversion to Christianity meant he had to flee the Middle East.In 1964 Cassius Clay announced he had given up his name for Muhammad Ali and joined the Nation of Islam. Dr Dawn-Marie Gibson talks about how his faith influenced his life.Ed Stourton talks to the BBC's Bangkok correspondent, Jonathan Head, about what the arrests of monks at the Thai Buddhist temple with links to animal trafficking says about the state of Buddhist monasticism in Thailand today.Trevor Barnes investigates the findings of a report that claims the Home Office is rejecting asylum claims from converts to Christianity because officials are making basic mistakes about the faith and what followers should know.Why is Vimto, a soft drink from Manchester, such a big seller in the Gulf States during Ramadan? Kevin Bocquet reports.Sunday hears from Carly Paoli, the British mezzo soprano, whose version of Ave Maria will be the official

With less than a month before the referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, there's a debate growing about the role religious leaders should take when they engage with political issues. Jasvir Singh from the London Faiths Forum and journalist Quentin Letts discuss the role of religion in politics.Professor Mona Siddiqi tells Edward about the review of Sharia law in the UK that the Government has asked her to lead.Why are some historic buildings owned by the Church of Scientology lying empty after they were purchased ten years ago? Geoff Bird has been to see one of the properties in Manchester.In York, the Minster will be the setting for the 2016 Mystery Plays for only the second time in their 700 year history. Kevin Bocquet reports from the final rehearsals.We report on a ground-breaking study which explores links between religion and HIV disease progression. Gail Ironson is Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami.Tom Smith, lecturer in International Relations at Portsmouth University, explains

Pope Francis has said that he is open to the possibility of ordaining women as deacons. Are the ranks of the Catholic Church's all-male clergy really going to open up to female members?Next week, two ministers battle it out in the annual Sermon of the Year Competition. They talk to Edward Stourton about their ministry and go head to head in Sunday's very own battle of the sermons.Hazel Southam reports from Jordan on a trauma healing programme that is being offered to tens of thousands of people who have fled the wars in Syria and Iraq.On Thursday, Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan is giving a speech to the Saltire Society in Glasgow in which he will argue that 20th and 21st century composers have never given up their search for the sacred in an increasingly secular society. He explains to Edward his reasons for this belief.Last February, Charles Maung Bo became Myanmar's first-ever cardinal. For many years he has spoken out against the persecution of religious minorities in his country and now that there

"The more we understand religion, the better able we are as a result to engage religious actors, the more effective our diplomacy will be in advancing the interests and values of our people".US Secretary of State John Kerry said this in a speech last month. Shaun Cassey is his Special Representative on religion in global affairs, he talks to Edward Stourton about his goal to achieve this.The BBC's Reagan Morris reports on the elderly nuns who are taking on pop superstar Katy Perry, as well as the Los Angeles Catholic hierarchy.How much has the anti-Semitism row cost Labour votes in the recent elections? Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg discusses this with Edward Stourton and whether the party can rebuild their relationship with the Jewish community he represents.Many people have a will but how many have considered their digital legacy? Ahead of Dying Matters Awareness Week Kevin Bocquet reports on the growing issue of dealing with death in the online world.The Bloody History of Bible Translations - Harry Freedman di