Sunday

After days of intense diplomatic drama over Ukraine, and as President Zelenskyy visits the UK, we debate the morality of making peace. The Ukrainian President’s meeting with US President Donald Trump ended in a tense confrontation. It had all begun politely but descended into a verbal bust-up. Mr Trump said it made for good television, but with thousands of lives at stake—not to mention global peace—we wanted to explore what price should be paid for peace and what the rights and wrongs of continuing to fight are. Emily Buchanan speaks to Jan Halper Hayes, Republican commentator and former member of the Trump White House transition team, and Professor Janina Dill, Co-director of the Oxford University Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict.There's been further fallout from the Church of England’s review into the handling of allegations of abuse by the late John Smyth. This was the review that led to the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby. Now, ten clergy named in that review could face disciplinary proceedings, including former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and the Rev Andrew Cornes, who was due to be on the committee selecting the next Archbishop of Canterbury. However, the Church’s National Safeguarding Team says other clergy criticised in the report will not face disciplinary action due to "insufficient evidence to meet the threshold for disciplinary proceedings." We heard from one alleged victim of abuse, Augustine Tanner-Ihm, who is a vicar himself, and asked him whether he thought the latest Disciplinary Action Measure was a step in the right direction.Hollywood is gathering its stars for the 97th Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars. Many of the films up for awards have a religious element—Wicked, Conclave, A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist, and more. On The Sunday Programme over the last few months, we’ve been hearing from some of the key people involved in their creation. We revisit some of the highlights.Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Katy Davis Studio Managers: Simon Highfield & Carwyn Griffiths Editor: Rajeev Gupta

Jewish and Muslim leaders have signed an historic agreement which they hope will transform community relations in the UK. But does the Reconciliation Accord go far enough? Ludovic Mohamed Zahed is an Islamic scholar and cleric who is challenging conventional understandings of his faith and has written a new book about his journey as a gay imam.The acclaimed Manchester Rock Band Doves have reunited with their new album Constellations For The Lonely, which is due to be released in February 2025 - with the latest single taking some saintly inspiration. Saint Teresa draws on lead singer Jimi Goodwin's Irish catholic heritage and connection with Teresa's story. The Church of England's General Synod opened last Monday to headlines reporting that the church would be banning gluten-free communion wafers and non-alcoholic wine. But another question remains: why is actual alcohol and wheat required by some churches in the bread and wine of communion while not being important for others?PRESENTER: William Crawley PRODUCERS: Katy Davis and Linda Walker EDITOR: TIM PEMBERTON STUDIO MANAGERS: Simon Highfield and Jonathan Esp

Former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell talks to Edward Stourton about the move to dismantle USAID after Vice President JD Vance accused it of 'spreading atheism'.We hear from author Christopher Gasson and his poll of Gen Z and their views on religion which suggests a majority describe themselves as 'fairly spiritual'.Independent safeguarding is the big topic at General Synod this week. Madeleine Davies of the Church Times tells us about the debates already underway about the best way to keep people safe in the C of E.And the public are being asked to give their views on the qualities needed in the next Archbishop of Canterbury. If you have any thoughts let us know - sunday@bbc.co.uk, @BBCR4SUNDAY on social media.

It has been yet another tumultuous week for the Church of England, which has seen another bishop resign and yet more pressure on the interim leader, Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. Julie Etchingham speaks to the Archdeacon of Liverpool, the Venerable Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, who signed the letter asking her Bishop to step aside, and hears from Alicia Kearns, Shadow Minister for Safeguarding and Preventing violence against women and girls who is calling for a Royal Commission to look at safeguarding in the Church. Dr Rowan Williams, theologian and former Archbishop of Canterbury, has written a new book called 'Discovering Christianity: A Guide for the Curious'. He speaks about the themes of the book, the current situation with the Church of England and his thoughts on the discussions around Christianity at the top of US politics.There have been encouraging scenes in Israel and Gaza this weekend with a far more orderly handover of hostages from Hamas. The Rafah crossing was also opened, allowing the evacuation of Gazans needing medical care into Egypt. We hear the latest on the ongoing situation.Presenter: Julie Etchingham Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim and Linda Walker Studio Mangers: Carwyn Griffith and Jonathan Esp Editor: Dan Tierney

Emily Buchanan hears reaction from the US to the biggest religious news story of the week: Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde and her sermon addressed to President Trump at the National Prayer Ceremony.It's the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day and we're live at Auschwitz-Birkenau ahead at the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp. A new book of previously unpublished work by Jack Kerouac chronicles 'The Buddhist Years' As the writer of On the Road and The Dharma Bums, which turned many people onto Buddhism, we'd love about a writer that got you interested in religion or spirituality. Email Sunday@bbc.co.ukAnd we hear from George Antone, an aid worker from the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. He's been sheltering with 500 other members of the parish since the start of the war and keeping in touch with Sunday. Correspondent Nick Beake has the latest on the ceasefire.PRESENTER: EMILY BUCHANAN PRODUCERS: CATHERINE MURRAY & SABA ZAMAN EDITOR: TIM PEMBERTON

Ed Stourton and guests, from the Middle East and the UK, reflect on the start of the Gaza Ceasefire.Pope Francis has brought out a memoir - "the first by a sitting pontiff" according to the publishers. Two Catholic writers with contrasting views on Francis’ papacy review the book for us.And the American Evangelical leader Franklin Graham speaks to ‘Sunday’ ahead of his prominent role at Donald Trump’s second Presidential inauguration. Presenter: Ed Stourton Producers: Dan Tierney and Bara'atu Ibrahim Editor: Chloe Walker

This week France marked the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which had a history of lampooning Muslim leaders, including the prophet Mohammed. To discuss the long term impact of these events we are joined by Nabila Ramdani, a writer and commentator known for her strong views on the position of Muslims in France.‘Nobody Wants This’ is a lauded new Netflix series that tells the story of a rabbi falling in love with an agnostic sex podcaster. Rabbi Deborah Blausten from Finchley Reform synagogue in North London tells us how the show has sparked conversations about interfaith marriage in her community. Nazir Afzal was the former Chief Crown Prosecutor who led successful prosecutions in landmark sexual abuse cases. He responds to Elon Musk’s calls for a national grooming gangs inquiry. (NOTE: This programme item has been subject to a complaint partly upheld by the BBC Executive Complaints Unit, which you can read about here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/ecu/sunday-radio-4-12-january-2025)Churches, synagogues and a mosque are among the thousands of buildings damaged in wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles. We hear stories from various faith communities.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Davis and Saba Zaman Editor: Tim Pemberton Studio Managers: Helen Williams and Liam Juniper

The six days of public ceremony to mark the passing of former President Jimmy Carter are underway in the US. Emily Buchanan hears from David Coffey, former General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain about the importance of Mr Carter's faith to his Presidency and life out of office.Among those honoured by the King at New Year is Gordon Hay from Aberdeenshire. He tells Sunday about why he chose to translate the whole Bible into the Scots dialect of Doric.Justin Welby's tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury officially ends this week. With his replacement possibly not in place until Autumn, Emily chairs a discussion on the year ahead for the Church of England and what it needs from a new leader.

In this last ‘Sunday’ of the year, Emily Buchanan looks back at 2024 and forward to 2025.2024 has been a record breaking year for one of the world's busiest pilgrimage routes - the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The rising numbers of pilgrims, as well as the soaring summer temperatures, mean more people are considering ‘coolcation’ pilgrim trails in countries like Norway. Will they catch on?‘Wicked’ has been one of the biggest movies of the year. Emily speaks to Gregory Maguire, the Catholic writer whose novel inspired the hit stage musical and new start-studded film. What was it like writing the backstory of the notoriously evil Wicked Witch of the West?And astronaut Barry 'Butch' Wilmore will be seeing in the New Year in space, having been stranded on the International Space Station since June. He won’t return until well into 2025, and worshippers at his Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas have been keeping a close watch on the situation.Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Dan Tierney and Saba Zaman Editor: Tim Pemberton.

As Christmas draws near, this week’s Sunday brings the latest religious stories shaping the news agenda.Pope Francis is about to release his autobiography – the first by any pontiff. Among its revelations is a startling account of how UK intelligence foiled an assassination plot during his 2021 visit to Iraq. Colm Flynn, who accompanied the Pope on that trip, shares his insights into the dramatic events.At Great Ormond Street Hospital, the fallout from disgraced surgeon Yaser Jabbar has cast a shadow over its vital work. Yet, amid the challenges, lead chaplain Dorothy Moore Brookes is bringing comfort and joy to families spending Christmas far from home. We join her on the wards to witness the impact of her work.Gold has always been more than a precious metal – it carries deep spiritual significance and a cosmic story. Alan Ereira, author of A History of Gold: How It Shaped Humanity, traces its journey from interstellar collisions to its role in empires and its environmental legacy today.In Gaza City, where the conflict rages on, aid worker George Antone describes life in the compound of the Holy Family Church. With homes destroyed and hope tested, 500 parishioners prepare for their second Christmas in exile.And after a tumultuous few weeks for the Church of England – with Archbishop Justin Welby stepping down and safeguarding allegations swirling around his successor – we ask Bishop Michael Ipgrave of Lichfield what lies ahead for the embattled institution.Presented by Emily Buchanan Producers: Rajeev Gupta & Katy Davis Editor: Chloe Walker