Afleveringen
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With the number of people known to have died following earthquakes in Venezuela rising, rescue teams are racing to find those who are still missing. Operations Manager of the Lutheran World Federation based in Caracas, Maria Caraballo, speaks about the work her organisation has been doing.
The United States of American will mark 250 years since its independence this week. The separation of Church and State - religious freedom - came a few years later in the 1st amendment to the constitution and has been debated ever since. We continue that debate with Dr Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons of the Interfaith Alliance and Pastor Mark Burns, a spiritual adviser to President Trump.
Pilgrimages are tremendous social occasions, whatever their religious inspiration. The British Pilgrimage Trust says more of us are attracted to them and the Italian government is now promoting five pilgrim routes, known as the Antichi Cammini d'Italia, or Ancient Ways of Italy. People who have completed their journey tell us about their experiences.
Presenter: Edward StourtonProducers: Katy Booth and James LeesleyStudio Managers: Kelly Young, Matthew Dempsey and George WillisEditor: Tim Pemberton
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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, this week apologised for the Church of England's role in the forced adoption of children in the decades after the Second World War. We hear from former Labour MP Ann Keen, a trustee of the Movement for an Adoption Apology, on her experience and reaction to the apology, and Joanne Grenfell, the Bishop of Suffolk, who chaired the Church of England's working group on historical adoption practices.
A new Anish Kapoor exhibition opened this week at the Hayward Gallery in London. Assistant curator Thomas Sutton tells us of the optical illusions, and blood and gore used to depict religious sacrifice. Dr Siobhan Jolley, lecturer in Christian studies at Manchester University, explains the significance of religious sacrifice throughout art history.
Following Andy Burnhamâs victory in the Makerfield by-election, professor of politics at the University of Liverpool, John Tonge, explores whether the Labour MPâs Catholic upbringing will make a difference to the way he governs if he were to secure the keys to Downing Street.
Presenter: Ed Stourton Producers: Alexa Good and James Graham Studio Managers: Phil Booth and Joe Stickler Editor: Chloe Walker
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Thousands of people gathered at an anti-racism protest in Belfast on Saturday, after violence across the city this past week saw people's homes, businesses and vehicles targeted. The disorder was sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night was shared widely on social media, which left the victim with serious injuries. Religious leaders have joined calls for calm and Emily Buchanan hears from people in the Muslim and Methodist communities in the city.
Itâs been five years since the Church of England set out an ambitious plan to provide affordable housing. Its 'Coming Home' report examined how the church could use its significant land assets to help solve Englandâs housing crisis. So have they made much progress? Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani of Chelmsford, is also the Bishop for Housing and gives an update.
Three quarters of English club players identify with Christianity, according to a report from the charity Christians in Sport. The research also mentions that 40% of clubs regularly host Christian activities such as Bible studies and prayer meetings. As the men's World Cup gets underway, we'll explore the connection between football and religion from a player and supporter perspective.
Presenter: Emily BuchananProducers: Katy Booth and Rosie DawsonStudio Managers: Catherine Everatt, Joe Stickler and Helen WilliamsEditor: Dan Tierney
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On Friday, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, told a House of Lords debate that current AI regulation is âwholly inadequateâ, saying the technology raises fundamental questions about what it means to be human, what weâre here for, and how we discern truth. William speaks to the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, who also spoke in that Lords debate.
Also on the programme, the murder of Henry Nowak has brought renewed attention to the Sikh kirpan, a small ceremonial dagger worn by initiated Sikhs as an article of faith, despite it not being used in this attack. Some politicians are now questioning the legal exemption that allows it to be carried. As Sikh organisations prepare new education initiatives and community leaders reflect on what one academic has called a "watershed moment"- what will the debate mean for Britain's Sikhs and for the future of religious freedom. William speaks to the CEO of Sikh Women, Sahdaish Pall.
A new song from a Catholic composer has been released to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off in Mexico on Thursday. Three Lions Rising was composed by Andrew Dineen, whose early encounters with music include hearing his father play the church organ. William speaks to Andrew, and to Lisa Grand who was the lead singer alongside the choirs of St Edward's School and Ashley Manor Prep School in Cheltenham.
Presenter: William CrawleyProducers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & James GrahamStudio Managers: Olivia Miceli & Catherine EverattEditor: Chloe Walker
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This week Pope Leo XIV launched the first encyclical of his pontificate. He broke with tradition and presented it himself and addressed the following challenges: how humanity should respond to the AI revolution, the church's historic complicity in slavery, and whether the church's teaching on Just War Theory is still fit for purpose in an age of drone strikes and AI targeting. William Crawley talks to Anna Rowlands, Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice at Durham University.
A diet inspired by the Bible has found new audiences online in America. We hear from an influencer who gives nutritional advice which she claims is rooted in Biblical wisdom and Christian principles, and from Nathan MacDonald, Professor of the Interpretation of the Old Testament at Cambridge University.
And, most of us in the UK face a choice between two options for what happens to our bodies after death: burial or cremation. But there is a growing campaign to make another option available in England and Wales: human composting. William speaks to Kristoffer Hughes, Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, who is campaigning for change.
Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Alexa Good and Katy BoothStudio Managers: Isabelle Whitehead, Phillip Halliwell and Andrew DickEditor: Tim Pemberton
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As the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues, the World Health Organisation has classified the regional risk as âvery highâ, while maintaining that the global risk remains low. Aid agencies say faith leaders are playing an important role in helping communities respond to the virus and challenge misinformation. William Crawley speaks to Poppy Anguandia, Country Director in the DRC for Tearfund, about the work being carried out with churches and mosques in affected areas.
Two thousand ancient Jain manuscripts have been transferred to new custodians in the UK, in a move welcomed by members of the Jain community and scholars alike. The collection is expected to support preservation efforts and improve public and academic access to important religious texts.
And a ÂŁ48 million funding boost for heritage projects across the UK prompts fresh debate about how the nation preserves its religious and cultural history for future generations.
Presenter: William CrawleyProducers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & James LeesleyEditor: Rajeev Gupta
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The build up to the by-election in Makerfield is likely to be the only political story in town in the coming weeks. Reform UK is pledging to throw everything at the race to stop Andy Burnham's ambitions to be Prime Minister. Another potential contender in any contest, Wes Streeting, has spoken openly about his Anglican Christian faith. Angela Rayner has described herself as not being religious. We explore how faith can play a role in politics.
An evangelical church in Essex has launched an appeal against an order preventing âintimidating behaviourâ by its members preaching on the street. The Bread of Life Community Church in Colchester, allegedly told passers-by they were going to hell. Colchester City Council has applied to police to issue a community protection notice. The Church maintains it's preaching a message of God's love. The case raises a lot of questions - not least about the lines preachers may or may not cross legally. What is public opinion on street preachers and has that changed?
Who helped and who didnât echoes still as one of history's most searing questions in the wake of the Holocaust. As well as the countries who fought against Nazis in the war - the light has often been shone on heroic individuals who risked their own lives to save persecuted Jewish people. Are there lessons to be learned in understanding which local communities, and specifically religious groups, refused to look the other way and which ones did? This is the subject of the annual Alfred Wiener Holocaust Memorial Lecture tomorrow by Professor Mary Fulbrook, who was brought up as a Quaker.
Presenter: Julie EtchinghamProducers: Katy Booth and Alexa Good Studio managers: Becky Marcus and Catherine EverattEditor: Tim Pemberton
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As Sir David Attenborough turns 100, we ask what his lifelong work revealing the natural world has meant not just scientifically, but spiritually. Emily Buchanan speaks to the Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham Usher, an ecologist and Church of England lead bishop on the environment.
Also on the programme, we explore religious and spiritual connections in 125 years of Black music-making in Britain. The first paid exhibition at the new V&A East museum is on until the 3rd of January 2027. The Sunday programme hears from lead curator, Jacqueline Springer.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said "every part of society" has a responsibility to tackle antisemitism in the UK, and announced an extra ÂŁ1.5 million of funding to strengthen community cohesion, as a new YouGov survey claims 63% of Britons see antisemitism as a major problem. The survey also claims that 57% of the public say there is a problem with Islamophobia in British society. Emily Buchanan hears from two members of the Jewish and Muslim community working on interfaith dialogue and initiatives. Laura Janner-Klausner, Rabbi of Bromley Reform Synagogue, and Julie Siddiqi- Co-chair of the British Muslim Network.
Presenter: Emily BuchananProducers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Rebecca KellyStudio Managers: Kelly Young & Ethan Connolly-ForsterEditor: Chloe Walker
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A special edition of Sunday marking a year since the election of Pope Leo XIV
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Dame Sarah Mullally has chosen Rome as the destination for her first overseas visit as Archbishop of Canterbury. The 4-day visit to the Vatican includes prayers at the tomb of St Peter in St Peter's Basilica, and a private audience with Pope Leo. It is a trip that is being seen as significant for relations between the two churches. William Crawley speaks to Dr. Robert Innes, the Church of England's Bishop in Europe and the Catholic journalist and author Catherine Pepinster.
This week, Donald Trump took part in a marathon Bible reading event organised by Christian conservatives in Washington. It was part of a week-long effort to read aloud the entire Bible, to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. And though many in the US assert the country's history of separating church and state, leading figures from the Trump White House have been emphasising America's historic Christian roots. But was America founded as a "Christian Nation"? Richard Carwardine, Emeritus Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford, explores that question.
The Reverend Anthea Mitchell was cutting hair for 30 years before her calling to the priesthood. But she didnât give up her work in the salon. She is one of around 2,000 self-supporting ministers in the Church of England who combine church life with everyday jobs. The church has launched a new series of films exploring the parallel worlds, where ministry meets the workplace.
Presenter: William CrawleyProducers: Dan Tierney and Rebecca KellyStudio Managers: Isabelle Whitehead and George WillisEditor: Tim Pemberton
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After a week of headlines that portrayed Pope Leo and President Trump pitted against each other, the pontiff says he regrets his remarks being interpreted as a debate. We hear from a journalist on the papal visit to Africa and Anna Rowlands, Professor at Durham University and a member of the Vatican department concerned with social teaching.
Buddhism with its tradition of meditation and compassion, is not a religion you might associate with violence. However, from Rohingya expulsions by Buddhist mobs in Myanmar, to Sri Lankan riots fuelled by Buddhist militants, religious nationalism can turn monks into political players. Sonia Faleiro has investigated this phenomenon for a book called The Robe and the Sword - how Buddhist Extremism is shaping modern Asia.
The peace deal between the US, Israel and Iran is holding for now but it is not clear when there will be a new round of face to face talks. With up to five million Christians living in the Gulf, we wanted to find out how they were coping with the war. We hear from Bishop Sean Semple, the Anglican Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf and Davide Axtell who chairs the council of Bahrain Cathedral.
Presenter: Emily BuchananProducers: Katy Booth and Rosie DawsonStudio Managers: Helen Williams, Chris Mather and Ben CuthbertsonEditor: Catherine Murray
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As talks between the United States and Iran get underway, Edward Stourton discusses the vivid use of religious language in the rhetoric surrounding the war in the Middle East with Dr Toby Matthiesen, Kamin Mohammadi and Dr Brian Klug.
Uzbekistan has decided to include Sharia banking in the country's financial system. It's said it will unlock a trillion dollars in foreign investment. Atty Arsalan Tariq, a lawyer who specialises in Islamic and conventional finance explains how this will work.
For many Lebanese the trauma of the current conflict with Israel stands out against the backdrop of Lebanon's long recent history of violence. For Toufic Diab, from Lebanon who lives in the UK, the icon of a Lebanese saint helps his faith and brings solace during this worrying time for his family back home.
For 75 years the Archers has graced the airwaves with the story of everyday country folk in the fictional village of Ambridge. Like the village pub, the church has been at the centre of village life. John Telfer, who plays the Rev Alan Franks and Nick Warbuton, a writer on the show, look back at the role religion has played in this long running drama.
Presenter: Edward StourtonProducers: Amanda Hancox and Jay BehrouziStudio Managers: Tom Clarke and Nat StokesEditor: Tim Pemberton
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Less than two weeks since her installation as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally is to give her first Easter sermon in the role. There is also controversy with the news that the King is not publishing an Easter message this year. Some point out that the King published a video message with greetings to Muslims during Ramadan, and wonder why the Supreme Governor of the Church of England is seemingly silent on the most important day in the Christian calendar.
At a White House Easter event on Wednesday, evangelical pastors compared Donald Trumpâs political troubles and a failed assassination attempt to the experience of Jesus on the cross, calling him Godâs chosen champion in a âspiritual" battle that included the Iran war. Pope Leo and others believe peace-making is not only necessary, but possible.
The crew of Artemis II are on their way to the moon, one of the personal items is a copy of the bible. Many astronauts have spoken of their experience of seeing the earth from deep space in spiritual terms, describing what has been described as an 'overview effect' - a sense of awe upon looking at Earth suspended in space.
Presenter: William CrawleyProducers: Katy Booth and James LeesleyStudio managers: Lynsey Akehurst and Catherine EverattEditor: Tim Pemberton
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Sunday guides you through the religious and ethical issues of the week, including the news that a report claiming the number of young people attending church in England and Wales had skyrocketed, has now been retracted. It comes after the underlying data was found to be flawed. The Bible Society's "Quiet Revival" report had been widely reported on since its publication last year and became an accepted part of discourse among many Christians.
Sir James MacMillanâs new 70-minute, 12-piece choral oratorio "Angels Unawares" has received it's world premiere in the Sistine Chapel. It's a moving piece about angelic encounters set to poetry by the late Robert Willis, the former Dean of Canterbury who died in 2024. William speaks to Sir James about the historic performance and his connection to faith.
And as Christians around the world prepare for Palm Sunday, worshippers in Jerusalem are facing an unprecedented disruption to Holy Week, we explore the latest.
PRESENTER: William CrawleyPRODUCERS: Bara'atu Ibrahim and Linda WalkerEDITOR: Chloe Walker
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Sunday guides you through the time-honoured rituals of the enthronement of an Archbishop of Canterbury - and how the service will break new ground with an anthem based on the words of 14th century female mystic Julian of Norwich, put to music by Joanna Marsh.
We will be hearing the stories of people in Iran as they mark Persian New Year and Eid in the midst of war.
And the story of a new film that brought the first Christian hymn from papyrus to the big screen.
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For Iranians living in the UK, the past weeks have been filled with uncertainty and fear for loved ones and growing concern about what happens next. We hear from Rev Mohammad Eghtedarian and his wife Maryam, who both fled Iran around the year 2000. Maryam was already a Christian and Mohammad converted on the journey he took as an asylum seeker coming to Britain.
It can be difficult to think of what we want to happen to our remains after death. A step forward in providing an alternative to burial or cremation has been legalised in Scotland, known as aquamation. Could other parts of UK soon follow? There are theological considerations for those who believe in âthe resurrection of the body and the life everlasting'.
There is a new superhero on our screens. The Ninth Master is an English language film that follows a Sikh warrior who discovers martial arts. There are now touring screenings around the UK. Its director and lead actor, known as Flex Singh, has been speaking to Sunday.
Presenter: Julie EtchinghamProducers: Katy Booth, Rebecca Kelly and Felin Gakwaya Studio managers: Chris Mather, Phil Booth, Amy Brennan and Catherine EverattProduction co-ordinator: David BaguleyEditor: Tim Pemberton
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The Anglican Communionâs long-running divisions over same-sex relationships have sharpened again after a major gathering in Nigeria. At the Global Anglican Futures Conference, or Gafcon, bishops and archbishops from Africa, Asia, Latin America and elsewhere voiced strong opposition to what they see as the theological drift of parts of the Communion, including the Church of England. Emily Buchanan has been to Abuja and brings reaction from across the Anglican world.
The programme also turns to the war in the Middle East and its religious dimensions. More than a week after the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, Emily Buchanan speaks to the Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and to aid workers supporting people displaced by bombing in southern Lebanon.
Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Amanda Hancox and Rosie DawsonReporter: Bara'atu Ibrahim Studio managers: Nat Stokes, Paul Lewis and George WillisEditor: Rajeev Gupta
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William Crawley speaks to Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani about US and Israel air strikes on the country she fled as a teenager, when the Islamic revolution was taking place.
He also hears from Iranian academic Roxane Farmanfarmian and Anshel Pfeffer, Israel Correspondent for The Economist.
A new film about a sacred Scottish tradition premieres at the Glasgow Film Festival. 'Psalms of the People' follows Rob MacNeacail on a personal journey as he explores the cultural heritage of Gaelic psalm singing.
The Christian poet Harry Baker has written 100 poems for the first 100 days of his newborn sonâs life, an ode to modern fatherhood in all its chaos, tenderness and bleary-eyed wonder. The book is called "Tender: 100 Poems for the First 100 Days of Life".
PRESENTER: WILLIAM CRAWLEYPRODUCERS: CATHERINE MURRAY AND KATY DAVISSTUDIO MANAGERS: KELLY YOUNG AND BEN HOUGHTONPRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR: DAVID BAGULEY EDITOR: CHLOE WALKER
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US civil rights activist and religious leader, Jesse Jackson is remembered, following his death at the age of 84. He campaigned alongside Martin Luther King in the 1960s, and later ran for president twice - his political message was infused with the traditions, and the cadences, of the Black Baptist church.
A musical film called The Testament of Ann Lee was released in the UK this week. It explores the story of a woman from Manchester who preached gender and social equality as the founder of the Shakers movement. Dancing, singing and a search for ecstatic experiences were a central part of worship, as well as vows of celibacy.
Documents in the US âEpstein filesâ reveal that Donald Trumpâs former adviser Steve Bannon discussed plans with Jeffrey Epstein to "take down" Pope Francis, even exploring a film based on a controversial book about the Vatican. The messages, reported by CNN and Religion News Service, cast the Vatican as a geopolitical pressure point in wider culture wars.
Presenter: William CrawleyProducers: Katy Booth and Bara'atu IbrahimStudio Managers: Sam Biddle, Tom Clarke and Elijah WaddingtonEditor: Tim Pemberton
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Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth gives his first interview since being installed on St Valentine's Day. The 67-year-old becomes the leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, taking over from Cardinal Vincent Nichols who retired last year.
Ramadan and Lent are due to get underway around the same time next week - a coincidence that hasn't been seen in decades. We hear from two friends - one Christian and one Muslim - about what they have learned from the other's season of preparation and abstinence.
Have you picked up or deepened a spiritual practice by exposure to another faith?
War surgeon David Nott talks to Emily about the faith that motivates him to operate in the most dangerous situations, and the maverick Christian organisation, the Free Burma Rangers that enables his work in Myanmar.
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