Sunday

Irish lawmakers are currently debating a bill on hate speech. The aim is to update 35 year old legislation that the Irish Justice Minister has called “ineffective”. A spate of anti-immigration protests in the country are said to have a pronounced Islamophobic focus. We speak to an academic to explore Ireland’s relationship with issues of racism and immigration.South African soprano Golda Schultz talks about her role as Madeleine Lidoine in the opera, Dialogues of the Carmelites, which depicts the powerful and moving true story of 16 nuns executed in 1794. It is currently being staged at Glyndebourne. She describes how the role has strengthened her own Catholic faith.The Church of Scotland will have to close hundreds of its churches in the next few years and this isn't just a problem for Scottish Presbyterians, who now have twice as many buildings as they have ministers. Across the UK, six thousand churches and chapels have closed in the past decade. William Crawley speaks to the Reverend David Cameron, Convenor of the Assembly Trustees, and to Sir Philip Rutnam, Chair of the National Churches Trust.Prsenter: William Crawley Editor: Jonathan Hallewell & Tim Pemberton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Linda Walker Production Coordinator: David Baguley Studio Managers: Sharon Hughes & Simon Highfield

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell talks to Sunday, days after the Church of England sacked its Independent Safeguarding Board. William Crawley hears from one of those sacked, Jasvinder Sanghera, and from Jane Chevous from Survivors Voices.How much is your vicar worth? Some Anglican clergy are calling for a pay rise of 9.5% to help them manage the increased cost of living. How does the package for clergy compare with other professions and what is a fair rate of pay in the current climate?This week Britain has been celebrating 75 years since the Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury, carrying people from the Carribean. They were the first of many people who were invited to Britain to help rebuild the country after the war. Barbara Blake Hannah was among the Windrush Generation. She became the first black TV news reporter in the UK, but suffered racism. The experience led her to return to Jamaica and to take up the Rastafari religion.It's been called the biggest consultation in human history. A global survey of Roman Catholics has generated a diverse range of subjects which will be discussed at the next Synod in Rome. They include LGBTQ+ inclusion, married priests, and female deacons. For the first time, the Synod will include laymen and women, as well as Bishops. We hear why the process is so significant and consider how it could affect the future of the church. Producers: Catherine Murray and Louise Clarke Presenter: William Crawley Editor: Jonathan Hallewell Studio Managers: Helen Williams and Phillip Halliwell

Roman Catholics in the Northeast are welcoming a new Bishop this weekend and digesting a damning report about the previous incumbent. An independent review by the CSSA says that Robert Byrne ignored safeguarding advice which put people at risk. We’ll be hearing from Chair of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency Nazir Afzal.There’s an intense debate in Switzerland over a potential nationwide ban on so-called conversion therapy. The controversial practice is used around the world to try to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Our reporter Claire Jones has been to Switzerland to meet those working to change the law, and those who are against a legislative ban.In the ‘Valley of the Fallen’ near Madrid, forensic scientists have started exhuming bodies to try to identify some of those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Meanwhile the future of the vast monument there – and of the monks who look after it – has become a key issue in the current Spanish general election.We’re looking at the enduring power of a film about Jesus that was made almost 60 years ago but is still a big hit with our listeners. Pasolini’s Gospel according to Matthew is a low budget, black and white, Italian language film. We’ll hear from expert Barth David Schwartz about why it’s stood the test of time.Presenter - Ed Stourton Producer - Amanda Hancox

Scores of British Muslims have had difficulty booking their Hajj pilgrimages on the new Nusuk app which was designed to manage travel arrangements for pilgrims. The service has been beset by technical glitches, slow customer service and poor communication. We hear about the problems it's caused to Muslims in the UK and speak to the Labour MP, Yasmin Qureshi, who has taken up the issue with the Saudi authorities. Ukrainian armed forces have identified spiritual support as essential to their fight, as their counter-offensive against Russian forces gets underway. Ten military chaplains were sent to the UK for a fortnight of training with British Army chaplains, the first ever training of its kind. We hear from Rev Robin Richardson who developed the programme for chaplains working with troops on the front line. We also speak to Ukrainian military chaplain and mother-of-five Kateryna Semenyuk as she sets off to provide support to people affected by the humanitarian crisis in the flood-affected Kherson region.The office of the Chief Rabbi and the United Synagogue are launching a commission to overcome some of the difficulties Jewish women face in obtaining a divorce. Some Jewish women's groups are concerned that any reforms may not go far enough. Emily Buchanan speaks to Raime Smith, the founder of Gettoutuk, a charity which supports Jewish women seeking a divorce, and Nicola Rosenfelder, a trustee of the United Synagogue.Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Louise Clarke Editor: Jonathan Hallewell Production Coordinator: Kim Agostino Studio Managers: Helen Williams & Jonathan Esp

In China, protesters have clashed with the police over the planned demolition of a mosque's dome in a largely Muslim town in Yunnan, a southern province which is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the country. Social media videos showed crowds outside the 13th-century Najiaying Mosque in Nagu town this week and it's reported that the clashes were sparked when the community was told to take down its dome and minarets.Twenty-five years after the Good Friday Agreement, education in Northern Ireland is still more than ninety percent segregated by religion. Now the Westminster government is trying to encourage the creation of integrated schools, but at the same time funding is being cut for "shared education" activities that attempt to bridge the sectarian divide. The Ugandan government has passed legislation that further criminalises gay people with penalties that include imprisonment and even the death penalty for so-called aggravated cases. It has generated an outcry from the international community. Campaigners have suggested that foreign aid to the country should be withdrawn. Is there a moral case for stopping aid to countries that pass laws regarded by others as intolerant and harsh? Producers: Catherine Murray & Peter Everett Production Coordinator: David Baguley Editor: Jonathan Hallewell

The government has announced plans to deal with the problem of child sex abuse, but what are the implications for religious organisations? Almost every week, there are news stories about churches or religious groups facing allegations of the abuse of children or vulnerable adults. While the issue exists across society, its prevalence in religious settings has been striking. We explore why this is the case and what churches need to do if they are to tackle it effectively.The Florida Governor Ron DeSantis threw his hat into the US presidential ring this week. He's taking on Donald Trump for the Republican nomination and hopes to capture much of Donald Trump's religious base. DeSantis is a Catholic and often talks about the importance of faith. His policies in Florida have galvanised the Christian Right. We examine the likely importance of religion in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination. How do you remember loved ones who have died? In Mexico, there is a celebratory "Day of the Dead". In Japan, a centuries old festival, called Obon. In Britain, there is a new invitation for us to reflect on our memories of friends and family who have died. It's called Celebration Day, and it falls today, May 28th. The idea is that on this day in particular we pause to cherish our memories and keep the lives of those who have died, more present in our minds. Producer: Amanda Hancox Presenter: William Crawley Editor: Jonathan Hallewell

As the biggest cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in 10 years hits Bangladesh and Myanmar, we explore what this devastation means for the persecuted Rohingya Muslim refugees. Edward Stourton speaks to the Global Advocacy Director for Islamic Reliefs Shahin Ashraf.We speak to the British Catholic who is taking the helm of one of the world’s biggest aid organisations. Alistair Dutton has just been appointed as Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, which does relief and development work in more than 200 countries. He tells Edward Stourton about the challenges of his new role and his hopes for the future of the organisation. Many Christians in western countries have been alarmed that the Russian Orthodox Church and its leader Patriarch Kirill have supported Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The war has already caused the deaths of thousands of Orthodox Christians. We speak to the author of a new book which throws light on this and examines how the war has affected religious life in Ukraine. It's called "Holy Russia, Holy War" and it's by the writer and historian Katherine Kelaidis, Director of Research and Content at the National Hellenic Museum in Chicago.Editor: Tim Pemberton Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Catherine Murray Production Coordinator: David Baguley Studio Managers: Carwyn Griffith & Phil Booth

Voters in Turkey go to the polls today in the country’s presidential election. The two main candidates, the incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his challenger, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, have set out their visions for the nation's future. We explore the religious differences between the candidates and consider how the outcome of the election could affect life and faith in Turkey and the country's significant international role.The Coronation of King Charles III was a spectacular display of Britishness but also a profoundly religious event. While a number of faiths played a small role, it was overwhelmingly an Anglican ceremony and a powerful statement of the Church of England's central place within the state. But as ever smaller numbers of people go to Anglican services, and the nation's religious life becomes more diverse, does it still have a legitimate right to remain as England's established church? We hear the arguments on both sides.St Francis of Assisi is the Pope's favourite saint. It's why he took the name Francis, and it's why his papacy has placed such a strong emphasis on care for the natural world and a commitment to the poor. Born at the end of the 12th century, St Francis, who renounced his wealth to form a humble order of friars, has been a compelling subject for artists throughout the centuries. Now, the National Gallery in London is hosting the first major UK art exhibition to explore his life and legacy. Producer: Jonathan Hallewell Presenter: Edward Stourton Editor: Tim Pemberton

The Primate of the Episcopal Church, Archbishop of Sudan, Ezekiel Kondo talks to Emily while barricaded into a church building for safety with 15 others. They are some of the millions who are trapped in the capital Khartoum where there are shortages of food, fuel and water. Gunfire is heard raging in the distance despite the ceasefire. The President of Tibet tells us that the Dalai Lama's recent interaction with a young boy, where he asked him to 'suck his tongue', was misinterpreted. A video filmed at an event at the Dalai Lama's temple in Dharamshala in India in February, also showed the Buddhist leader kissing the boy on the lips. But Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong or President of Tibet, told Emily that while the Dalai Lama has apologised, he was actually asking the boy if he wanted to ‘eat his tongue’, a traditional expression in Tibet which means ‘I have nothing left to give you’. A sweeping review of the government’s relationship with religion was released last week. It is called 'Does Government Do God?' It took 4 years to complete after a call for evidence that had over 21,000 responses from faith leaders, civil society champions and the public. Hear from its author Colin Bloom, the government's faith engagement advisor.Emily gets exclusive access to the Dean of Westminster and access to the Abbey where preparations are taking place for next week's Coronation. Details of the Order of Service have finally been released. Reporter Harry Farley has the latest.Former choirmaster of the Chapel Royal, Andrew Gant, takes you on an atmospheric journey through 350 years of Coronation music.Presenter Emily Buchanan Editor: Tim Pemberton Producers: Catherine Murray and Linda Walker Studio Manager: Amy Brennan and Owain Williams

This week marks the fourth anniversary of the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, when militants inspired by the Islamic State group targeted Catholic churches and hotels in a series of attacks. 269 people were killed and more than 500 were injured. This year, alongside the grief and mourning at commemoration events, there is anger among survivors, human rights groups and the Catholic Church. They accuse the government of not doing enough to investigate the attacks and hold those responsible to account.They're a cornerstone of life at Oxford University, the three academic terms: Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity. At Cambridge, it's Michaelmas, Lent and Easter. Other universities have also given their terms traditional Christian names.  But Swansea University has just become the latest to rename its terms using secular names instead. They believe the old Christian labels no longer resonate with their students. But it's caused a backlash, with some arguing that there's nothing wrong with recognising Christian roots. We hear the arguments for and against switching to secular names. Part of the history of the holocaust has been rediscovered in the Lake District, where a group of Jewish children stayed to recuperate after being freed from Nazi concentration camps in 1945. Archaeologists from Staffordshire University have found everyday items, such as a tube of toothpaste, from the time when the young people known as the ‘Windermere Children’ stayed in the area. One of the survivors shares his extraordinary story with us. After being rescued from the Nazis, he described his new home in England as “paradise”. Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Louise Clarke Presenter: Emily Buchanan Production co-ordinator: David Baguley Editors: Tim Pemberton and Helen Grady