Sunday

‘But Where are You Really From’, is a new book by Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, the CEO of the international aid charity Christian Aid. It tells the story of her family’s migration across southern Africa and her own journey to the UK. As we mark Black History Month, Amanda explores the real questions she believes we need to be asking ourselves and each other about where we come from.Damming, shameful and disastrous. Words used by Church of England bishops and the Archbishop of Canterbury himself to describe the report on the Anglican Church by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Amongst the findings published this week it said the church spent decades failing to protect children from sexual abuse, instead, it prioritised protecting its own reputation. William speaks to three people who have seen the impact abuse in the church can have; solicitor Richard Scorer, victim and survivor advocate Andrew Graystone and a survivor of adult abuse, Jo Kind. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell tells William how the church plans to respond to the report.For the first time Liberal Judaism in the UK will allow Jews marrying non-Jews to receive the traditional wedding blessing, under the chuppah, a symbolic canopy. Until now it has only been permitted for the marriage of two Jews. The decision means Ruth and Andrew Seagar can renew their vows under the chuppah, 38 years after their first wedding and they tell us what the decision means for them.Producers: David Cook Rosie DawsonSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox

Elena Curti talks to Emily Buchanan about her new book “Fifty Catholic Churches to See Before You Die”. A treasure trove of places of worship from hidden gems to gothic, revival masterpieces, it offers a new way of understanding the history of Catholicism as expressed in its churches.For the first time The Church of England has announced a scheme offering financial support to abuse survivors. Emily gets reaction from one survivor and talks to the Church’s Lead Bishop for Safeguarding, the Rt Rev Jonathan Gibbs, about how he hopes this will pave the way to a full redress scheme in the near future.Renovation work at the Manchester Jewish Museum has uncovered a time capsule that was placed under the ceremonial corner stone in 1873 when the synagogue was under construction. The museum’s CEO Max Dunbar tells Emily what he can see inside the sealed glass capsule and what it tells us about the community at the time.Producer:Catherine Earlam Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Series Producer:Amanda Hancox

Manchester Camerata will be running a series of online films called “Untold” from Thursday, commissioned and curated by the orchestra. The first film is “Caroline”. Violinist Caroline Pether talks about her story of struggling with acceptance as a gay christian woman, set to music and prose by poet Jackie kay. This Sunday is World Day of Migrants and Refugees and we hear from Cardinal Vincent Nichols who will highlight his concerns about the current situation.When Catholic priest Father Matthew Hood looked at a video of his own baptism he realised he wasn’t a priest after all. He explains to William Crawley why the use of "I" instead of "we" made all the theological difference.Producers Carmel Lonergan David CookEditor Amanda Hancox

Leroy Logan spent his 30-year career with the Metropolitan Police trying to change it from within. He describes his decision to join the police as a ‘calling’. His autobiography, ‘Closing Ranks’ is out this week and he discusses policing, race and faith with Edward Stourton. The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer got the planning permission green light this week but what about the prayers of none-Christian believers? Edward Stourton talks to Richard Gamble whose dream for a massive Christian monument is fast becoming a reality. And the woman behind the campaign for a pardon, apology and memorial to the two and half thousand people - mostly women - accused of witchcraft in the 16th to 18th century - Claire Mitchell QC joins the programme. Producer:Catherine Earlam Rosie Dawson Series Producer:Amanda Hancox

The Law Commission is reviewing wedding law which it says “has failed to keep pace with modern life”. Prof Nicholas Hopkins of the Law Commission explains why the current law is problematic and what changes are being proposed. And given the significant ramifications of those changes for religious weddings, Ed Stourton discusses their potential impact with Rev Bruce Thompson, Chair of the Lincolnshire Methodist District, and the theologian and author, Rev Dr Ian Paul.Next week sees the launch of two international faith-based environmental programmes: a commitment by more than one hundred faith organisations to draw up long-term plans to protect the planet; and a 10-year programme to record billions of personal stories from around the world. Under the banner ‘Celebration Earth’, the projects aim to challenge environmental messages of destruction and gloom to inspire hope and practical change.Its 750 years since the arrival of the ‘Holy Blood’ at Hailes Abbey in Gloucestershire. The relic was believed to be a portion of the very blood shed by Christ on the cross. It was box office in the Middle Ages before being denounced and destroyed in the English Reformation. Dr Michael Carter, ecclesiastical historian at English Heritage, tells the relic’s remarkable story.Producers: Dan Tierney and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Amanda Hancox.

In this special edition of Sunday celebrating 50 years of religious news and current affairs broadcasting, we are joined by one of the great religious and philosophical thinkers of our time, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, to discuss the media's changing relationship with religion and Judaism and his hopes for the future. The Sunday programme has Manchester in it's DNA, broadcasting from the area for the past 26 years. The Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham talks to Emily Buchanan about Manchester, community, politics and faith. And Emily is joined by a panel of young people of different faiths to discuss identity, race and religion in 2020 and to hear what they want to see in the reporting of religion into the future. Producer: Catherine Earlam Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

This week, a lost medieval sacristy used by 13th century monks has been discovered in the grounds of Westminster Abbey along with hundreds of bodies and many artefacts. William Crawley speaks to Warwick Rodwell, Consultant Archaeologist to Westminster Abbey about the find.The Good Childhood Report by the Children's Society says that UK teenagers have the lowest levels of life satisfaction across most of Europe, which often results in fear of failure. Mark Russell, Chief Executive at The Children’s Society discusses the report.Christian Climate Action has issued a joint statement on behalf of Christians, including four Church of England vicars and a Catholic priest, who have been arrested for their part in past Extinction Rebellion protests. In the statement they say they are willing to risk being arrested or support others who may be. William discusses whether having a Christian faith justifies breaking the law with Signatory Reverend Helen Burnett and Professor Christopher Finlay, Durham University.Producers Carmel Lonergan David CookEditor Amanda HancoxPhoto Credit: Westminster Abbey

A Hebrew spell book which tells you how to keep your love alive is part of a fascinating exhibition of Jewish manuscripts on display at the British Library. The Library's Lead Curator of Hebrew and Christian Orient Collections, Ilana Tahan, talks to William Crawley about this spellbinding exhibition. A Sikh British man has been detained in Indian for almost three years without charge. Indian police claim he was involved in a plot to kill Hindu politicians. Jagtar Singh Johal's brother, Gurpreet, talks to William Crawley about the case.And after weeks of intense focus on exam results, The Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Education, the Rt Rev Paul Butler calls for a renewed focus on schools re-opening in September. Producers: Catherine Earlam Rosie Dawson Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

Pilgrimage, the journeying on foot to holy places, which was once banned by Henry VIII has undergone a revival in Britain in recent years. Nick Mayhew-Smith, co-author of a new book which illustrates 500 historic routes and sites with practical instructions on how to find them, explains the appeal of this ancient tradition.The Church of England’s governing body, the Archbishops’ Council has been reported to the head of the Charity Commission for its failure, ‘to devise a safe, consistent and fair system of redress for victims of abuse.’ The letter of complaint signed by survivors, senior lawyers and members of the General Synod is critical of the church’s handling of abuse allegations and calls for the entire safeguarding process to be reformed. Donna Birrell reports on the letter and hears from two of the signatories. The church’s lead bishop for safeguarding, Dr Jonathan Gibbs responds to the complaints and outlines what he is doing to change the church’s approach to safeguarding.This week, the UK and France have been working on new measures to stop migrants from crossing the English Channel. More than 4000 have done so since the start of the year. William Crawley debates our legal and moral duty towards migrants who make the dangerous journey across the Channel, and asks what should happen once they enter the system in the UK. And we continue our summer series exploring alternative spiritual practices that people have been embracing during lockdown. This week Martyn Cawthorne from Gong Spa Manchester explains the transformational properties of sound as he takes us on a virtual gong bath.Producers: David Cook Carmel LonerganEditor: Christine MorganPhoto: Hermit Chapel at Roche, Cornwall by Marcus Green

Ed Stourton and guests reflect on the life and beliefs of John Hume, the politician widely credited with crafting the Irish peace process, who died this week at the age of 83.We get the latest news and analysis following the devastating explosion in Beirut. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and survivors of abuse will appear at the Independent Inquiry Into Child Sex Abuse this week. One survivor calls for the organisation to apologise for what he says are inadequate policies which have failed to protect children. We assess the significance of Pope Francis' appointment of six women including former Labour minister Ruth Kelly to the Council for the Economy which oversees Vatican finances. According to the former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams the COVID pandemic has triggered a “historic spiritual moment.” The increase in app downloads and online classes suggests more people are seeking spiritual practices. This summer on Sunday we are going to explore some of them, beginning this week with yoga therapy.Producers: Dan Tierney Louise Clarke-Rowbotham.