Sunday

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

Experts at Creswell Crags in Nottinghamshire thought the hundreds of markings covering the walls of caves were Victorian graffiti. Now they are believed to be Britain's largest collection of 'witch markings' from 16th - 18th centuries to protect people from the dark forces of the underworld. Reporter Harry Farley went to see them. The head of China’s state-sanctioned Protestant Church claims Western forces are trying to use Christianity to “subvert” the Chinese government and the Governor of Xinjiang province says the ‘re-education camps’ for Muslim Uighurs are reducing terrorism. Edward Stourton discusses religion in China with Maria Jaschok and Edmond Tang. In response to the New Zealand Mosque attacks, Edward speaks to the Bishop Christchurch. Samayya Afzal, Community Engagement Manager for the Muslim Council of Great Britain and Dr Rosemary Hancock of the University of Notre Dame in Sydney Australia discuss Islamophobia and what lies behind it.Producers Carmel Lonergan Helen LeeEditor Amanda HancoxPhoto Credit: Creswell Heritage Trust

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the first female ordinations in the Church of England. Rosie Dawson reports on the struggle women faced to become priests and the opposition that still exists in some segments of the Church. Amanda Spielman is Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of schools and she has angered some conservative religious groups by saying all children must learn about same-sex couples, regardless of their faith background. She responds to parents at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham who have withdrawn their children in protest at lessons about LGBT issues. Scottish couples are nearly four times less likely to divorce if they marry in a Humanist ceremony, according to figures given exclusively to Sunday. We discuss the story with Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK and Harry Benson, research director at the Marriage Foundation. Producers: Harry Farley Peter EverettEditor: Amanda Hancox

94 year old Helen Taylor-Thompson talks to Emily Buchanan ahead of International Women's Day. She was a member of Churchill’s ‘Secret Army’ during World War 2 and went on to found Europe’s first AIDS hospice in the 1980's. She talks to Emily about how her Christian faith has helped her through. A new service in Farsi is launched at Wakefield Cathedral to cater for a growing number of Iranians who have become Christians in the last 5 years.Andrew West in Sydney reports on Cardinal Pell's challenge of his child abuse conviction and one survivor of abuse by a teacher in a Catholic School in Lancashire criticises the Catholic Church in England and Wales over its attitude towards survivors. Christopher Pearson, Chair of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission responds.Producer: Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke- RowbothamEditor: Amanda Hancox

Tania Joya is a former ISIS bride and now lives in the US and works in de-radicalisation. She talks to Edward Stourton about the Shamima Begum case. Sunday's Harry Farley reports on how some Orthodox Jews state they will leave the country if new Government plans on Relationship education are implemented. Martin Bashir reports from Rome on the final day of a major summit on clergy sexual abuse, as the Pope calls for "concrete measures" and not only "simple and obvious condemnations".US comic writer Mark Russell talks to Edward Stourton about his comic about Jesus called ‘Second Coming’ and controversy around it.Producers: Catherine Earlam and Helen Lee Editor: Amanda Hancox

Buried within medieval archives is the story of Joan of Leeds – a nun who faked her own death in order to run away and live a wanton life. Professor Sarah Rees Jones of York University tells Edward the story. And why not everyone wants to be cremated even though we’re running out of space for burials - Professor Douglas Davies, director of Durham University’s Centre of Death and Life Studies and Mohamed Omer, board member of ‘Gardens of Peace’ the largest dedicated Muslim cemetery in the country discuss the theological reasons for burial. Following our special programme from Lagos last weekend we hear the latest results and predictions from Mayeni Jones in Nigeria.Producers: Carmel Lonergan Harry FarleyEditor: Amanda HancoxPhoto credit: Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York.

Nigeria’s presidential elections on February 16 will decide who leads Africa’s most populous nation for the next four years. In a Sunday special from Lagos, Edward Stourton explores the effect religion plays in Nigerian life and its importance in the upcoming ballot. Religiously linked violence in Nigeria’s northern states and middle belt colours the backdrop of these elections. We speak to those affected and examine the impact the clashes will have on how people vote. Femi Kuti who, like his father Fela Kuti, combines music with social activism, speaks to Edward Stourton about the choices facing Nigeria. And as two leading candidates are both in their 70s, we speak to some of Nigeria’s under 25s, who make up more than half the population, about how they view the elections.Producer: Harry Farley Helen Lee

The Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, talks to Emily Buchanan at the launch of his review into the persecution of Christians around the world. The Bishop of Liverpool Paul Bayes is one of the most vocal advocates of LGBTI inclusion in the House of Bishops. He tells Emily Buchanan about his new book The Table and why he believes the Church needs to be open to all those on the margins. And - its the largest gathering of humanity on the planet but Rahul Tandon tells Emily how the Hindu pilgrimage, Kumbh Mela, is being used as a political platform ahead of upcoming Indian elections.Producers: Catherine Earlam; Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Amanda Hancox

On this Holocaust Memorial Day, Edward talks to Hannah Lewis who survived a Nazi labour camp.Olivia Marks-Woldman joins Hannah to discuss new figures on British attitudes to the Holocaust.Composer Will Todd talks about his new CD of jazz/gospel 'Passion Music'.Further allegations against the late Bishop of Chichester - George Bell are "unfounded" according to a new CofE report. The current Bishop of Chichester - Martin Warner - explains why.Professor Raphael Luciani describes the unrest in Venezuela.'Hate preachers' - we discuss whether or not their speeches at British universities are being properly monitored.Producers: Helen Lee Harley FarleyEditor: Amanda Hancox

Amit and Naroop have photographed world famous musicians including 50 Cent and Tinie Tempah but this week launch a book of striking images of Turban wearing Sikhs. They talk to William Crawley about the project. The remains of six unidentified victims of the Holocaust, sent to the Imperial War Museum 20 years ago, will be given a Jewish burial on Sunday. William Crawley speaks to the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who is officiating at the service. In the week that up to fifteen Catholic churches received bomb and stabbing threats, we speak to Nick Tolson from National Churchwatch and the Reverend David MacGeoch, about whether enough is being done to protect clergy.