Sunday

What's your favourite Bible film? And can a movie really offer a new perspective on the text? This weekend Sunday is discussing movies from Pasolini's Gospel according to St Matthew to The Ten Commandments and Jesus Christ Superstar with Matthew Page author of a new @BFI book. Tell us which are your favourites - email Sunday@bbc.co.uk.Police used batons this week to break up a clash between Hindus and Muslims after Eid prayers in the city of Jodhpur in India. Edward discusses the escalating tensions between the groups with London School of Economics Professor Mukulika Banerjee, a social anthropologist who has lived and worked in rural India for more than 20 years. And he hears how South Asian communities in the UK are affected by and responding to the violence from Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra - an Imam from Leicester who is of Gujarati Indian heritage and the Hindu author and philosopher Satish Sharma. And could empathy and questions be the best way to get good behaviour in schools? Edward talks to Ellis Brooks from Quakers in Britain about their 30-year-old "Peacemaker Project" which they believe can tackle poor behaviour and be an alternative to escalating school exclusions. And asks executive headteacher Rukhsana Ahmed, who believes in rules and discipline, if such an approach would work for the persistent bad behaviour she's seen in her career.

For the fist time, Muslims in Blackburn will be able to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr at their local football ground. Blackburn Rovers will be hosting Eid prayers on their Ewood Park pitch. The town has a growing Muslim population and, as he tells our presenter William Crawley, the club's Integration and Development Manager Yasir Sufi hopes this new initiative will inspire a new generation of fans to be a part of the Rovers FC family. With food prices continuing to rise, we hear about the stark realities of providing for those in need, with Helen Carroll, Foodbank Manager for the multi-faith charity 'Spirit of Springburn' in Glasgow and Reverend Dean Roberts who runs the Parish Trust, an independent Christian charity in Caerphilly, South Wales. We also hear from the Bishop of Durham the Rt. Rev Paul Butler, Leader for the Lords Spiritual on Welfare Reform, who's calling for the Government to strengthen the social security system, to keep up with the true cost of living. Religious groups here and in Poland are frustrated by visa delays for Ukrainian refugees. Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg is one of many British Jews who's sponsored Ukrainian refugees only to find they've been stranded by bureaucracy. As Ripon Cathedral celebrates its 1350 year anniversary, reporter Andrew Fletcher explores the life of its founder, St Wilfrid, and discovers why he remains so relevant today.And we ask - are Science and Religion incompatible ? More than five thousand adults think so, according to a recent survey. So why does this perception persist ? William looks for answers with Dr Stephen Jones, Lecturer in Sociology of Science and Religion at the University of Birmingham. Producers: Jill Collins and Dan Tierney Editor: Helen Grady

Today voters in France go to the polls in the final round of the country's presidential election. The incumbent Emmanuel Macron is being challenged by Marine Le Pen. As in previous elections, immigration and religion have been among the campaign issues. We consider how important public attitudes to Islam have been in the campaign and how the candidates have negotiated the issue. After many weeks of war in Ukraine and people flooding over the borders into neighbouring European countries, Ukrainian refugees are now arriving in the UK. We hear from a trainee Anglican cleric about how her faith inspired her to provide a home to a young man who fled from Ukraine. She has hosted refugees before and finds it really rewarding. For her, opening her home to a stranger is an expression of her Christian faith.It's 18 months since the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its highly critical investigation into the Church of England. It described the church as a place where abusers could hide and described an environment in which alleged perpetrators received more support than victims. Now, Andrew Graystone, an advocate for survivors of abuse, has written an essay in which he suggests the church is still failing survivors of abuse. We hear his views and a response from Bishop Julie Conalty, who has recently been appointed as the deputy lead Bishop on safeguarding issues. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Julia Paul.

Following last week’s dramatic tale of how some sacred Sikh scriptures were rescued from a gurdwara in Ukraine, Emily Buchanan went to see them in their new home at the National Sikh Museum in Derby.Patriarch Kirill is the head of the Russian Orthodox Church who is backing President Putin and supporting the war in Ukraine. He reportedly has historic KGB links and a liking for expensive watches, but what do we really know about him?There are an estimated 180 Muslim footballers in the Premier League. How are football clubs catering for Muslim players who are fasting during the month of Ramadan?Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Dan Tierney and Julia Paul Editor: Helen Grady.

How should religious leaders respond in times of war? The primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill has been severely criticised for endorsing his country's invasion of Ukraine. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, a leading scholar of eastern Christianity, tells us how he feels about Kirill's failure to even call for a ceasefire. Also, it's forty years since the Falkland Islands were occupied by Argentina, sparking a war with Britain in the south Atlantic. We reflect on whether church leaders at the time got the tone right, when they publicly called for prayers for the families of Argentinian as well as British servicemen who died in the conflict.The holy month of Ramadan is just beginning, when Muslims fast during daylight hours. In spite of recent tensions between some members of the Jewish and Muslim communities, a London synagogue is hosting Muslims and sharing in their "iftar" or fast breaking. The idea is to promote friendship between the two faith groups. We hear from Rabbi Hannah Kingston and Muslim, Julie Siddiqui, who is an interfaith campaigner.Holy scriptures have been rescued from the Sikh temple in Odessa, Ukraine to keep them safe from possible Russian attacks. They were removed from the city's Gurdwara and brought to the UK, where they will be temporarily displayed in the National Sikh Museum, in Derby. Simran Singh Stuelpnagel tells William Crawley about his journey across Europe, and his mission to safeguard the scriptures.Producers: Rahila Bano and Jonathan Hallewell Presenter: William Crawley Editor: Tim Pemberton

Perhaps not since the Second World War has a conflict been so readily characterised as ‘good vs evil’. Is that helpful? What do we mean by 'evil' and how might we view it in the context of the Ukraine war?Girls’ secondary schools in Afghanistan were due to open last week but the Taliban reversed its decision at the last minute, saying a ruling is still to be made on the uniforms that girls must wear. What is the longer-term significance of this U-turn?Many theatre directors are reluctant to put on Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice because of the prominence of antisemitism in the play. A new version, directed by a Jewish woman, Abigail Graham, seeks to explore how antisemitism manifests itself in society.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Dan Tierney and Amanda Hancox Editor: Helen Grady.

There is a long history of religious images being used during wartime, to support propaganda. During the current conflict in Ukraine one image, created to help raise money for the country, has gone viral. Mary Magdalene is depicted clutching an anti-tank missile. Her halo and gown are in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag. The image, known as "St Javelin" has been widely circulated on social media as a representation of Ukraine's strength and defiance. We examine the power of images like this to stir us, and in this case, encourage us to donate money.Russky Mir or ‘Russian World’ is cited as the ideology behind Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Reporter Harry Farley and producer Orla O’Brien unpack the mixture of theology and nationalism behind this idea and ask why so many Orthodox leaders are rejecting it. They discover the implications both for Ukraine’s churches and also its people.Thousands of people in the UK have already expressed an interest in providing a home for refugees from Ukraine. Many have felt moved by images of people forced to flee their homes and seek a safe haven in another country. People are keen to help, but there is also anxiety. What if it all goes wrong? What if we don't get on? What are the risks? Two people with long experience of providing a home to refugees tell us what it is like, and how their faith led them to help.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Rahila Bano Editor: Helen GradySaint Javelin Image – Courtesy Christian Borys

The Vatican lead on refugees and migrants, Cardinal Michael Czerny, tells us why Pope Francis sent him to Hungary and Ukraine to meet people fleeing war. Presenter William Crawley asks why why the Pope has not denounced the Russian President Vladimir Putin. And Vatican analyst Christopher Lamb gives an insight into the faith diplomacy going on behind the scenes. While faith leaders around the world have called for prayers of peace in Ukraine, some will wonder - what is the point of prayer in times like these? We finds out how prayer has been used in previous conflicts as William seeks answers with Canon Professor Michael Snape, an Historian of Christianity and Conflict at Durham University and Ecumenical Lay Canon at Durham Cathedral. As the Government lay out its plans to help refugees from Ukraine come to the UK, we hear from some of those responding to a plea from Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romaine MBE, from the Maidenhead Synagogue in Berkshire, to offer a 'Ukraine transport' and open their homes to provide sanctuary for those fleeing from the conflict. And William asks the Rt. Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, whether the Government plans go far enough. And how do you play a church organ when your feet don't reach the pedals? The Society of Women Organists wants churches to fit adjustable benches to make playing the organ more accessible for women, children and shorter men. Organist Marion Lees-McPherson, from Stockbridge Parish Church in Edinburgh, shows William the perils of perching on a stool that is just too high. Producers: Jill Collins and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Helen Grady

There are growing calls for the Russian Orthodox Church, led by the Moscow Patriarch Kirill, to condemn the Russian President Vladimir Putin for his decision to invade Ukraine. Earlier this week, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church called on Patriarch Kirill to urge the leaders of the Russian Federation to ‘immediately cease the hostilities that threaten to turn into a world war’. And Russian Orthodox priests around the world are speaking out against the invasion. We hear from one in Durham and Edward Stourton speaks to Father Stephen Platt, Secretary for Inter-Christian Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain and Ireland. We will also hear from Ukrainian refugees in Poland on their plight and the welcome they've received from Polish churches and the Jesuit Refugee Service. Tetiana Stawnychy, president of Caritas Ukraine, tell us what aid is needed now. And we find out about the Christian radio station broadcasting defiantly from Kyiv, offering spiritual and practical support as the city is surrounded by war. There's some good news too as we return to Barmston in Yorkshire, where back in January curate Richard Townend tweeted a picture of his empty church after no one turned up for his Sunday service. After hearing his story on the programme, 14 people showed up the following week - including some new to church-going. And now villagers have launched a "bums on pews" campaign to save the church.

As Russia invades Ukraine and the country’s government and citizens weigh up the value of continuing resistance, we’ll ask whether Just War theory can offer them any guidance.We speak to church leaders including the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who joins us to discuss the unfolding crisis as well as Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, who is the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in this country.Ukraine also has a significant Jewish minority and a deep history in Ukraine and Europe. We speak to Volodymyr Vysotsky, from the Jewish Ukrainian Social Initiative who is in Kyiv and providing humanitarian aid to the Jewish community. We also speak to Paul Anticoni, the Chief Executive of World Jewish Relief about the the humanitarian aid that he and other faith organisations are delivering to those in need. Produced by: Louise Clarke-Rowbotham and Jill Collins