Sunday

Professor John Butt tells William Crawley about the three concerts he has curated for 'Reformation Day' at The Proms.One of the chaplains at Hospital Del Mar in Barcelona, describes the mood in the city following this week's terrorist attack.John Rutter explains why he is unhappy that the church of St Sepulchre's in London, the resting place of The Proms founder Sir Henry Moor, has announced a ban on bookings from classical musicians.In the context of Donald Trump's remarks about the events in Charlottesville, Melanie Phillips and Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin discuss Moral Equivalence.The Australian Royal Commission has proposed that priests should face criminal charges for failing to report information (about criminal activities) heard during confession. ABC's Andrew West explains the implications.Trevor Barnes reports on the work of the non-religious pastoral carers who work as members of the chaplaincy teams in hospitals and prisons.Gideon Falter reveals some interesting results from the Antisemitism Barometer research.A senior Imam has announced that he is planning to set up a national council to issue edicts on Islamic doctrine for British Muslims. Qari Asim is the Chief Iman of the Makkah Mosque in Leeds. Producers: Helen Lee Peter EverettEditor: Amanda Hancox.

In a back alley of Jerusalem, pilgrims can find what's believed to be the world's oldest tattoo parlour. Yolande Knell meets Anton and Wassim who are continuing a family business that's been passed from one generation to the next.When schools close for holidays a million children stop receiving free school meals. Kevin Bocquet reports from a faith based project in Middlesborough that provides food for dozens of children over the summer. William Crawley hears from Frank Field MP who plans to present a bill to Parliament calling on local authorities to provide free meals for children during the holidays.As the 70th anniversary of the partition of India approaches Rahul Tandon reports on comments from the out-going Vice President that there is a feeling of unease among the country's Muslims as a result of growing incidents of intolerance. To mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in Europe, A.N Wilson argues that Martin Luther would have hated the iconoclasm of the English Reformation but what would he have made of it in hindsight? The Met Gala in New York is a fundraiser for the Costume Institute of the celebrated art museum. It attracts an exclusive guest list and an array of outrageous costumes which tie in with a theme. It is rumoured the theme for 2018 is 'Fashion and Religion'. Professor Reina Lewis from London College of Fashion tells William why she fears the event might cause serious offence.Research out this week shows that people living in the north of England are much more likely to die younger than those in the south. William asks the Bishop of Liverpool what he thinks should be done to address what he calls the 'systemic inequality in our nation'.Producers: David Cook Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, and Farming Minister George Eustice discuss food safety in the light of the Brexit negotiations.Martin Bashir talks to the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Ugandan counterpart - Stanley Ntagali - about the refugee crisis in Uganda caused by people fleeing from the fighting in South Sudan. The Ugandan Archbishop also explains his opposition to same-sex relationships.An order of American nuns (the Adorers of the Blood of Christ) are in a furious legal battle with a gas transmission company. Transco wants to bury a major new pipeline under what the nuns describe as sacred land. Sister Janet McCann explains to William Crawley why she believes the project is a violation of their religious beliefs.The Rt Rev James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester and the Church of England's spokesman on criminal justice, comments on the state of British prisons today. Bob Walker reports from West Yorkshire on forced marriage. This summer, the Bradford Council of Mosques is advising Asian parents to discuss their holiday plans with their daughters to stop them worrying that they might be heading to their own wedding day with a complete stranger.The Rev Rachel Mann talks about her book 'Fierce Imaginings' - a tribute to the lost and never-heard voices of the Great War.The Rev Lucy Winkett recalls the trip to Germany that inspired an American pastor to add 'Luther' not just to his name, but to that of his five year old son Martin King Jnr.The actor Robert Hardy, who died this week, talks about JRR Tolkien who was his tutor at Oxford in the 1940s.Producers: Helen Lee Peter EverettEditor: Amanda Hancox.

Trevor Barnes finishes his short series on stained glass by talking to Peter Cormack on how glass artists transformed the aesthetics and production of stained glass in Britain and America during the Arts and Crafts period.The Charity Commission have published a critical report into how the Jehovah's Witnesses managed allegations of child sex abuse at the Manchester New Moston congregation. Kathleen Hallisey a lawyer for survivors and Harvey Grenville, Head of Investigations and Enforcement at the Charity Commission discuss the issues with Edward.Whether we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. Philosophy Professor and author of "How To Be a Stoic" Massimo Pigliucci talks to Edward about why Stoicism as the best way to embrace life.Kevin Bocquet reports on the organisation Hope for Justice which helps rescue the victims of people traffickers and discovers the scale of the problem here in the UK.Catherine Bott's guide to Monteverdi's Vespers which is being performed at the BBC Proms on Monday 31st July 2017 to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the composer's birth.Producers: Carmel Lonergan and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Amanda Hancox.

It's 50 years since homosexual acts were partially decriminalised in England and Wales. To mark the anniversary, Rosemary Bailey has rereleased the biography of her brother Simon. He was a gay priest in the Church of England and died from AIDS in 1995.In the aftermath of the Grenfell fire, local churches and mosques rallied to support the community. They continue to help, mediating between residents and the authorities. The Rev Mike Long from Notting Hill Methodist Church and Abdurahman Sayed from al-Manaar Mosque tell Edward how pastoral support will be required for many more months.On Thursday, India elected a new president, Ram Nath Kovind. He's a Dalit, India's lowest and poorest caste. Michael Safi, from The Guardian explains the significance of the appointment.It's turning out to be a 'difficult' period for Pope Francis. Francis replaced the Vatican's top theologian and some say there has been veiled criticism from Pope Emeritus Benedict. Edward asks journalist and author Austen Ivereigh just how much trouble the Pontiff is in.St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow is the first Anglican church in the UK to accept bookings for same-sex weddings. Edward speaks to the Rev Kelvin Holdsworth who is the first celebrant registered to hold the ceremony.In Saudi Arabia, a woman named Khulood was interrogated for wearing "indecent" clothing. She was later released without charge. Rothna Begum from Human Rights Watch explains the wider implications of this incident.In the 2nd of his reports on the traditions of stained glass making, Trevor Barnes visits Canterbury Cathedral which boasts the country's largest collection of medieval glass.Producers: David Cook & Helen LeeEditor: Christine MorganPhoto: John Angerson.

In the first of a three part series, Trevor Barnes explores the history, art and religion behind some of the stained glass windows in the cathedrals and churches of the UK.William Crawley speaks to Guli Francis-Dehqani, who fled Iran at the age of 14 with her family she has been named the first Bishop of Loughborough.The Court of Appeal is considering whether gender segregation in a state-funded Islamic school in Birmingham amounts to unlawful discrimination against girls Amina Lone and Shelina Janmohammed discuss the issues. A recent survey of 2000 young people reports that one in five of those questioned said that they self-identified as followers of Jesus. Jimmy Dale is the Church of England's National Youth Evangelism Officer and explains how they are trying to encourage this age group to attend church. Seven Hindu pilgrims have died in a firefight between militants and police in Kashmir during a highly sensitive religious procession. Rahul Tandon reports on the tension in the area.Archaeologists say they have identified the remains of the cell of St Columba on the Scottish island of Iona, we hear about the significance of the finding for historians and Christian's visiting the island today.More than 200,000 children were married in the US over the past 15 years, new figures from the campaigning charity Unchained at Last have revealed. Sunday hears from the founder Fraidy Reiss about who the victims of child marriage in the United States are and the legal loopholes that allow it to happen. Photo Credit: James O. Davies & Rebecca LaneProducers: Carmel Lonergan Peter EverettEditor Christine Morgan.

Sunday this weekend is presented by William Crawley.The Church of England and the Methodist Church in Britain are considering proposals that would bring them into a new relationship of full communion, after 200 years of formal separation. What would John Wesley think? Warwickshire allotment holders are up in arms about a proposal from Coventry diocese to sell off their land. Historian Andrew Bradstock finds resonances between their battle and that of the 17th century Diggers led by Gerrard Winstanley. A major evangelical event - JustOne - held at London's Emirates stadium on Saturday 8th July - was the first evangelistic stadium gathering since October 2012 - and 26 years since the American evangelist Billy Graham last filled stadiums in the UK. It was organised and led by the preacher J.John. Is this style of mission still effective?It's "Sea Sunday" when Catholic churches will hold special services to remember seafarers the world over.Trevor Barnes went along to one of Britain's largest ports - Immingham on the Humber Estuary - to see how port chaplains seek to meet the needs of those who work at sea. "Two communities going in very different directions" is how one rabbi has described the latest findings of a report into synagogue membership. What are the implications for British Judaism?And the Church of England's General Synod meets this weekend, where talk in the bar is likely to dominated by discussions of the fall-out from the Gibb enquiry into the handling of the Peter Ball case and the Church's safeguarding record . Producers: Rosie Dawson Louise Clarke-Rowbothom The Church of England's General Synod meets in York this weekend.

The Angel World Summit took place this weekend - bringing together angel experts and people who wish to deepen their connection with angels. The psychotherapist Mark Vernon, discusses the history and fascination of angels with Edward Stourton.A group of church leaders in Blackpool are working with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on an event at Winter Gardens next year at which Billy Graham's son Franklin will be speaking. Nina Parker, Co-pastor of Liberty Church in Blackpool, tells Sunday why she and other church leaders are opposed to the invitation. Cardinal George Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic and the third-ranking official in the Vatican, has been charged with sex offences by police. Christopher Lamb talks to Edward about how the charges are being received in Rome. Darwin's Theory of Evolution is to be expunged from textbooks used by 14 and 15 year olds in Turkey. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul on why this is happening and what are the wider implications for education in Turkey. A Tyrone-born Catholic cleric John Joseph Hughes who became the first Archbishop of New York has been honoured with a blue plaque. Paul Clements, journalist and member of the Ulster History Circle who organised the plaque explains why he is so important.On Monday a report "The Missing Muslims; Unlocking British Muslim Potential for the Benefit for All" is being published by Citizens UK. It's the result of an 18th month commission chaired by Dominic Grieve MP. He tells Edward what they discovered and their recommendations.Producers: Dan Tierney Louise Clarke-RowbothamEditor: Amanda Hancox.

In some rural areas, church spires are offering a solution to deliver high speed reliable wireless broadband internet access to local communities. Rosie Dawson reports from the Yorkshire Dales.Rabbi Lord Sacks is participating in the Thatcher Conference on Security on 27 June in London. He talks to Edward about what values he thinks the West should stand for and why he calls the idea of global fragmentation 'cultural climate change'.Jayne Ozanne, a senior Anglican, is calling on the government to recognise spiritual abuse as a separate category from the four that are already recognised. Bob Walker asks what is spiritual abuse and how will recognition as a distinct type of abuse help survivors? Prosecutions in Russia for religious literature and videos deemed 'extremist' rose between 2015 and 2016. Forum 18 News Service have been monitoring this and say that none of the material appears to incite the violation of human rights, violence and hatred. Felix Corley from Forum 18 explains the current situation.The independent review into the way the Church of England handled the case of Bishop Peter Ball was published this week. We ask whether the recommendations go far enough and speak to survivor Graham Sawyer and solicitor David Greenwood about what further action needs to be taken. Bishop Peter Hancock, who represents the Church on safeguarding, responds to their concerns.Producers: Carmel Lonergan Rosie DawsonEditor: Amanda Hancox.

A memorial to commemorate service men and women from Africa and the Caribbean is to be unveiled in Brixton. Trevor Barnes reports on their contribution during two World Wars and the campaign to build the memorial.William speaks to Rev Dr Alan Everett from St Clements Church and Lotifa Begum from Islamic Relief about their work helping and counselling residents in the community in West London since the fire at Grenfell Tower.Emily Buchanan talks to Christian Malanga, the President of the United Congolese Party. He plans to return to the DCR to initiate a 'peaceful uprising' in a country beset by corruption, sexual violence and instability.Pope Francis demands obedience from priests of Nigerian diocese Christopher Lamb explains why.Preet Kaur Gill, is the 1st Sikh female MP, she talks to William about why she went into politics and how her faith is an integral part of her work.Tim Farron resigned as the leader of the Liberal Democrats this week, saying that he could not reconcile his role in politics with his Christian faith. John Rentoul, Chief Political Correspondent for the Independent; Nick Spencer, research director for the think tank Theos; and Richard Harries, former Bishop of Oxford, will discuss if religion and politics can work and if so how?Photo credit: Windrush Foundation Producers Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke-RowbothamEditor Amanda Hancox.