Sunday

Asia Bibi's lawyer, Saif-ul Malook, was named Secularist of the Year this week by the National Secular Society. This week he returns to Pakistan after forfeiting his asylum in the Netherlands in order to fight another blasphemy case. He tells us why.Diarmaid MacCulloch joins us to explain why is he so concerned at a British Academy report this week warning that Theology and Religions courses are at risk of "disappearing" from universities.And a US pastor baptising people in the online world of virtual reality explains why the idea could catch on.

In her day, Queen Emma was a powerful political figure who married two successive Kings of England and was the mother of Edward the Confessor. Experts believe that they have found her bones in a mortuary chest at Winchester Cathedral. Replicas of those bones now form the centrepiece of a new exhibition exploring the relationship between monarchy, power and the church. Trevor Barnes has been to investigate.Panorama presenter Jane Corbin discusses the suspension of The Bishop of Lincoln.Two years after the Manchester Arena bomb took the lives of 22 people, David Walker - the Bishop of Manchester – talks about healing and remembrance in the city.BBC White House correspondent Tara McKelvey discusses controversial new anti-abortion legislation in the US.It is Stonewall’s 30th Birthday on 24th May. Its CEO Ruth Hunt talks about her faith and how the organisation is working towards greater inclusion for LGBT people in all religions.The government’s rejection of a definition for ‘islamophobia’ this week prompted widespread criticism from the British Muslim community. But not all Muslims agree that the definition is a good idea. The journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Labour shadow immigration minister Afzal Khan discuss.Producers: Helen Lee Catherine EarlamEditor: Amanda Hancox

Walking pilgrimages are increasingly capturing the popular imagination; Bernadette Kehoe joins pilgrims on a new pilgrimage route in Kent. The ‘Augustine Camino’ winds its way from the Anglican Cathedral in Rochester to the Catholic shrine of St Augustine. Jean Vanier, the Catholic theologian and founder of the L’Arche communities, died this week. We pay tribute to his life and work with John Sargent, national director of L’Arche UK and Tim, an adult with learning difficulties and a member of L’Arche Manchester who knew him. The first Muslim to row for Team GB, Double Olympian Mohamed Sbihi. He tells our reporter Tusdiq Din how he has coped with Ramadan over the recent years where the demands of his faith and those of an elite athlete have found a compromise.Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner and Professor Neil Lawrence (Professor of Machine Learning at Sheffield University) discuss ethical and religious perspectives on Artificial Intelligence.Azeem Wazir says he will be killed if he is deported back to Pakistan for protesting against the arrest of Asia Bibi and the country’s blasphemy laws. He speaks to Emily from Colnbrook immigration removal centre. Producers: Carmel Lonergan Harry FarleyEditor: Amanda Hancox

Ramadan begins tomorrow and for the next month, Muslims will fast every day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam as is Zakat - the compulsory giving of a proportion of your wealth to charity. We hear from young Muslims about the importance of giving.Today the Pope sets off on a visit to Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia. Why is he visiting countries in which fewer than 1% are Catholic?In January the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt launched a review into Christian persecution around the world and how effective the Foreign Office is in supporting those affected. The review is led by the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen. He talks to Edward about his findings.The Archbishop of Cape Town - Thabo Makgobo - discusses the South African Elections. The King of Thailand is crowned over a three day ceremony. We look at the religious significance of the coronation for the country.Sister Katrina Alton is the first 'new' sister of St Joseph of Peace for 30 years. She tells Edward about her calling and her arrest at the Ministry of Defence after marking the walls with blessed charcoal in resistance to the preparations for nuclear war that go on there. Producers: Amanda Hancox Louise Clarke-Rowbotham

Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bombings left at least 250 dead and more than 500 wounded. One week on we examine the history behind Sri Lanka's religious tensions and speak to a Catholic leader as churches across the country remain shut in fear of further attacks. After so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, we ask if this is now the terror group will operate now its territory has been defeated. The Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, talks to Edward Stourton about the news that Northern Ireland's politicians have agreed to begin talks to try and restore the devolved government at Stormont after the journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead by the New IRA.Producers: Harry Farley Carmel LonerganEditor: Amanda Hancox

How was the date of Easter decided in the West? Michael Carter, Monastic Historian at English Heritage explains why Whitby Abbey played a crucial role. Ethirajan Anbarasan from the BBC's Sihala service gives the latest on the bombing of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka where hundreds have died. Cardinal Vincent Nichols head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales joins Emily live to discuss issues effecting the Catholic Church. Rosie Dawson reports from New York where an alliance of Christians have been following their own version of the Stations of the Cross in an attempt to highlight the suffering of victims of sex trafficking. And why are people drawing similarities between the Easter story and the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral? Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield and Father Aidan Troy, Parish priest of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Paris, discuss it.Producers: Rajeev Gupta Helen LeeEditor: Amanda HancoxPhoto Credit: English Heritage

This weekend Sikhs all over the UK and the world are celebrating Vaisakhi. It marks one of the most important religious, historical dates in the Sikh calendar. William Crawley will be talking to Dr Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Senior Lecturer in Sikh Studies at the University of Birmingham. The hit BBC sitcom Fleabag has reignited a debate about priestly celibacy. Alex Walker quit the priesthood when he fell in love with his now wife. He talks about his life , the show and how the portrayal of the priests story line have been received. Jo Frost from the Evangelical Alliance and Lorraine Cavanagh from Modern Church discuss whether you need to believe in the Easter story in order to be a Christian.. And award winning rapper Guvna B talks about the current influence of religion in black music.Producers: Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke-RowbothamEditor: Christine MorganPhoto Credit: Sikh Press Association.

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme.

William Crawley discusses an unlikely alliance forged in the battle for Brexit when he discusses the relationship between the Protestant DUP and devout Catholic Jacob Rees Mogg with Professor Jon Tonge and journalist Mary KennyIt is exactly 60 years today since the Dalai Lama arrived in India having fled the Chinese authorities in Tibet disguised as a soldier. Krishna Das, Reuters’ Chief Correspondent, discusses his legacy and how his successor may be chosen. The Bishop of Salisbury - Nick Holtem - talks about the Church of England's response to the anxiety created by Brexit.Producers: Helen Lee and Harry Farley Editor: Christine Morgan

The Home Office says they are investigating after an official used Bible quotes to argue Christianity is not a peaceful religion in a bid to refuse an Iranian convert asylum. Was this a rogue incident or is it part of a wider pattern?Sam Brownback is the US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. He speaks to us about China, Pakistan and Asia Bibi.And in India violence against Dalits, or those who are the lowest caste, persist. Rahul Joglekar visits one Dalit artist in Mumbai who is trying to change perceptions with a designer range of leather goods.Producers: Harry Farley and Peter Everett Editor: Amanda Hancox