Sunday

The former Chairman of the Co-op Bank, Paul Flowers, has been removed from the Methodist Church's list of ministers. In an exclusive broadcast interview Mr Flowers talks to Edward about the action taken by the Methodist Church and how he reconciles his actions with his faith.The Church of England's Bishop with responsibility for homelessness James Langstaff explains why some Christian organisations believe that the Government and local authorities need to do more to implement a comprehensive, long-term national strategy to end homelessness in England.She was one of the last debutantes destined to live a life of luxury, but then she had a calling from God. Sister Agatha tells Rosie Dawson about her extraordinary life.A reading from the Qur'an at St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow has not only embroiled the Cathedral in controversy but sparked a wider debate on whether or not Christian buildings should host inter-faith worship at all. Bob Walker reports. The three-step process to elect a new prelate for Opus Dei will begin on January 21st. Edward talks to Dan Hitchens from the Catholic Herald about Opus Dei and their future. Mel Gibson's latest film is the incredible true story of Congressional Medal of Honour recipient Desmond Doss. 'Hacksaw Ridge' follows the conscientious objector-turned-medic as he heads to the front line of World War II. Richard Fitzwilliams , talks to Edward about the film and discusses whether this will be a redemptive film for Mel Gibson.Producers: Carmel Lonergan Rosie DawsonSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

The majority of government money to improve security at places of worship went to Christian applicants. Edward Stourton asks Nick Tolson who sits on the Places of Worship Security Panel if this indicates that hate crime against Christians in the UK is under reported.A year-long arts festival is about to begin at London's Southbank Centre, called 'Belief and Beyond Belief'. It aims to explore "what it means to be human" in the 21st century. It's the idea of the London Philharmonic Orchestra's principle conductor, Vladimir Jurowski.Twelve people at Peterborough Cathedral have been made redundant as the bishop seeks to resolve a "cash flow crisis" there. Rosie Dawson investigates how serious levels of debt were allowed to build up.Yolande Knell reports on the implications of a proposal by President elect Trump to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Church of England has announced grants of £9 million to renew the church across 7 dioceses. The Bishop of Birmingham explains how he intends to use his cash and Sarah Major reports from one project at the heart of the initiative.Theo Hobson's new book 'God Created Humanism', argues for the need to acknowledge humanism's Christian roots to create a more united society. Theo Hobson debates this with Julian Baggini from Philosophers' Magazine. Jane Haining worked for the Scottish Mission School in Budapest and looked after Jewish girls at the Kirk run school. She was arrested by the Nazis in 1944 and died in Auschwitz. Her niece Deirdre McDowell tells Edward about some of the memorabelia that belonged to Ms Haining that will be featured on BBC 1's Antiques Roadshow.Producers: David Cook Dan TierneySeries Producer: Amanda HancoxPhoto by David Iliff. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Plans by the Church of England to shut a flagship care home for retired clergy could split up elderly couples when part of it closes in the spring. The church's Pensions Board blames a difficulty in recruiting and retaining trained nursing staff. Trevor Barnes meets the residents who are campaigning to stop Manormead Nursing Home closing.William Crawley discusses the ethics and effectiveness of foreign aid with guests Jonathan Foreman Senior research fellow at Civitas, David Hulme, Executive Director, Global Development Institute and Kevin Watkins, Save the Children CEO.Pope Francis has appointed a commission to investigate the recent removal of a top Knights of Malta official who allegedly oversaw the distribution of condoms in the developing world. Christopher Lamb from The Tablet has been investigating.In the wake of Jill Saward's death, theologian Elaine Storkey asks whether Churches can build a movement to liberate the country from the scourge of violence against women. India's top court has banned religion and caste from election campaigns. William Crawley asks Rahul Tandon about how and if will work? A number of women are thought to be being considered to replace the Right Rev Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London. Ruth Gledhill, Contributory Editor of Christian Today takes a look at the runners and riders.The British Museum recently acquired a remarkable artifact that brings to life the religious world that would have been familiar to church goers centuries ago - a fourteenth century alabaster statue of the Virgin and Child. Edward Stourton went along to have a look.Producers Carmel Lonergan Rosie DawsonEditor Christine Morgan.

Caroline Wyatt presents a special New Year edition of Sunday, looking ahead to some of the issues likely to affect faith communities in 2017. Former Bishop of Liverpool James Jones reflects on his work with the families of the Hillsborough victims.And Bob Walker reports from Hull, where religious groups are preparing for the city's year of culture.Producer: Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

In a special edition of the programme from Hampton Court Palace, Edward Stourton goes back to Christmas 1516 to explore the religious, political and social climate of the time.Tracy Borman, joint Chief-Curator with Historic Royal Palaces tells Edward that 1516 was a good year for Henry VIII. His first child, Mary, had been born and the Christmas celebrations he hosted were described as the most extravagant ever seen. But England and large parts of mainland Europe were about to change forever as the Protestant Reformation that was to begin in Germany in 1517 spread. Trevor Barnes reports how the printing press acted as a catalyst, enabling the distribution of newly translated versions of the New Testament undermining the authority of the Pope and the Catholic church.Fr Anthony Howe, Chaplain to the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court shows Edward his copy of a 1515 Sarum Missal with the name of the Pope scribbled out, demonstrating how liturgy changed in England following the split from Rome.The broadcaster and early music expert Catherine Bott explores Henry's musical tastes and discusses some of the carols that would have been heard at the time.Edward gets a taste of a traditional Christmas dish, Plum Possett and discovers what else would have been on the table for people to feast on with food historian Ivan Day.Dr Matthew Champion from Birkbeck, University of London explores how the religious calendar shaped peoples' lives and then discusses with Tracy Borman some of the key factors which led to the reformation in England.Producer: David Cook Series Producer: Amanda HancoxThe Boar's Head Carol, In dulci jubilo & Lulling My Liking were performed by St Martin's Voices directed by Andrew Earis.Photo: Nick Wilkinson/newsteam.co.uk.

Composer Bob Chilcott remembers his starring role in the Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College Cambridge in the 1960s. For three years running, he was the chorister chosen to open the service with a solo rendition of the first verse of Once in Royal David's City.A report from religious think tank Theos argues that it is wrong to measure this country's religious commitment by the numbers who go to church. Edward talks to its author Nick Spencer.His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, comments on the bombing and murder of 25 people in St Peter's Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.Trevor Barnes asks whether traditional Christmas is in decline because of political correctness and the impact of immigration on British churches. Author Mark Forsyth explores the religious roots of today's Christmas traditions.Father Roger Dawson, Director of the St Beuno's Jesuit Spirituality Centre in North Wales, talks about the new Martin Scorsese film Silence.William Crawley meets Belfast's 'Black Santa', the Very Rev John Mann, as he starts his annual marathon fund raising stint on the steps of St Anne's Cathedral. It's the 40th anniversary of this Belfast Christmas tradition.Kevin Bouquet has been to meet a family of Syrian refugees who are being looked after by the Catholic Charity Caritas and their new community in Flixton.Producers: Helen Lee Catherine EarlamSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

After a 2 year search the Canadian sculptor, Tim Schmalz, has finally found a UK home for his life size sculpture of Jesus sleeping on a park bench. The Rt Rev David Walker, Bishop of Manchester tells Edward why he has backed the placing of the statue outside St Ann's Church in the city centre.Singing Carols are good for your health say the British Lung Foundation. Matthew Hamilton, the Choral Director of the Halle Choir, sits at the piano, sings a few Carols and puts this theory to the test. Rev Charlotte Bannister-Parker takes a personal look at the stigma and fear of violence suffered by gay Christians in South Africa. Rt Rev Bethlehem Nopece, Bishop of Port Elizabeth in South Africa responds. An order to seize church property owned by the Council of Assemblies of God churches has been issued by the Iranian government. They say that this branch of the largest global Pentecostal denomination is funded by the CIA to infiltrate the Islamic world. Mansour Borji from Article 18 explains.Sunday has been given exclusive access to Bakhita House, a support centre for trafficked women formed from a partnership between the Catholic Church and the Metropolitan Police. Kati Whitiker reports.This week, Angela Merkel called for a ban on full-face veils and has said that Sharia law and "parallel societies" should not be allowed in Germany. She also vowed that she would not allow another huge influx of migrants. Why does Europe's matriarch and moral conscience appear to have turned on Germany's Muslim refugees? Dr Katharina Karcha, from the University of Cambridge, talks to Edward about Angela Merkel's speech.Producers: Carmel Lonergan David CookSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Edward Stourton asks Bethany Bell why the rising popularity of right-wing nationalism in Europe is so important in the Austrian presidential election.To mark the 80th anniversary of the abdication of Edward VIII, Radio 4 broadcasts 'The King's Matter', a drama on the deliberations of Cosmo Lang who was Archbishop of Canterbury at the time. The author of the play - Christopher Lee - talks about Cosmo Lang and his motives.The National Holocaust Centre has just opened an interactive exhibit called 'The Forever Project'. It displays Holocaust survivors as 3D laser projections which answer questions from visitors. Bob Walker has been to test it out. Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley, on why he thinks the Church of England is too middle class.Recent research has found that Sikh men with alcoholism are not seeking help for their problem. Steve Bahal is a recovering alcoholic who now works with Sikh alcoholics.The Rt Revd James Langstaff, the Bishop to HM Prisons, responds to a recent report on the rise in suicide numbers in British prisons.The Jewish charity Jnetics has launched a programme to encourage young Jewish adults to undergo screening for genetic disorders that are particularly prevalent within the Jewish community. The Executive Director of Jnetics is Katrina Sarig. She is joined by Ian Pearl talking about his son who has a genetic disease. Although church organist Charles Stowman has been profoundly deaf for the last five years he has continued to play the organ for Sunday services in Stockport. He recently had a cochlear implant in his right ear switched on. Edward Stourton visits Charles at his church to find out how he's getting on.Producers: Helen Lee Dan TierneySeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

In his first UK broadcast interview the Syrian Catholic priest captured by IS, Father Jacques Mourad, talks to Sima Kotecha about his ordeal and the circumstances of his release. One of the largest surveys of UK Sikh's was published this week. Its authors argue the results will lead to a shake-up of the Government's approach to the needs of British Sikhs. Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar talks about its findings. The daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mpho Tutu van Furth, talks to Rev Charlotte Bannister-Parker about giving up her priest's license in order to marry her female partner and why she thinks it's time that the Anglican Church took a different view on same-sex marriage. As the world reflects on the life and impact of Fidel Castro, Austen Ivereigh talks to Sima Kotecha about his complex relationship with religion. A camera designed for astrophysics research has helped to bring 150 thousand Birmingham Muslims together for morning prayers. Dr Shahid Merali, the man behind the innovative project, explains why. Last year 824,300 people attended Cathedral Advent services - the highest for a decade. This Advent Sunday Hazel Southam reports on why more and more people are attracted to Cathedral. Segregation along racial lines is still a major issue in UK Pentecostal churches. An event bringing black and white churches together happened this weekend and Trevor Barnes went along to meet Dr Joe Aldred and Dr Andrew Davies and find out why things might be starting to change. Producers: Catherine Earlam Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

The conservative Anglican group GAFCON UK have released a document listing clergy who they say have 'violated' the Church of England's 'authoritative teaching on sexuality'. GAFCON's chairman Andy Lines defends the strategy in a debate with the Bishop of Salisbury Nicholas Holtam who has called the statement, 'outrageous'.In a report to be released next week the Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need, say religious fundamentalism is more 'lethal than ever seen before'. The report's editor, John Pontifex joins Edward.Alex Strangwayes- Booth reports on the growing number of Gypsies and Travellers in England who say they have given up drinking alcohol and fortune-telling because they've joined a new Christian movement called Light and Life. The German Islamic organisation that calls itself 'True Religion' was banned on Tuesday after the authorities accused it of recruiting jihadists. Professor Peter Neumann from King's College London tells Edward more about the group. Dr Anabel Inge is the first researcher to have gained open access to women in the UK Salafi community. Her new book, 'The Making of a Salafi Muslim Woman: Paths to Conversion' has just been published.The discovery of eighty Anglo-Saxon graves in East Anglia was publicised this week. Kevin Bouquet takes a look at some of the skeletons and finds out why researchers say they are providing new information about early Christianity.A court has ruled that a terminally-ill 14-year-old girl could have her body cryogenically preserved in the hope she could later be brought back to life. Professor John Harris and Professor John Millbank debate the ethical issues raised by the decision.Producers: David Cook Carmel Lonergan Series Producer: Amanda HancoxPhoto courtesy of MOLA.