Sunday

As the Panama Papers continue to shine a light on the off shore world, Edward Stourton talks to Robert Paterson, Bishop of Soder and Man, about whether tax avoidance is ever morally acceptable.Geoff Bird reports on the little known story of Francis Asbury, the English-born former blacksmith's apprentice who is credited with putting American Methodism on the denominational map.Pope Francis' much anticipated Exhortation on the Family was published Friday. Does it fall short of marking any real change or amount to a call for the transformation in the attitude rather than doctrine of the Church? Edward is joined by Madelaine Teahan, Associate Editor of the Catholic Herald, Bishop Peter Doyle and the Guardian's Joanna Moorhead.There is no change on the ban on divorced and remarried Catholics taking Communion in the Exhortation. But the document does urge couples and the Church to take marriage preparation seriously. Bob Walker reports on what it means and whether it works.In the on-going anti-Semitism row in the Labour party, one issue being raised is about how the term Zionism is used and whether there is confusion about the term. Jonathan Freedland writes for the Guardian and the Jewish Chronicle - he gives his analysis.Edward Stourton interviews Jonathan Luxmoore about his books 'God in the Gulag' which shines fascinating new light on the relationship between the Catholic Church and Communist authorities behind the Iron Curtain.In light of Archbishop Justin Welby's discovery of the identity of his biological father, we ask whether religious faith makes it easier to cope with the kind of shock that could shake your understanding of who you are.Producer: Catherine Earlam Rosemary DawsonSeries Producer Amanda Hancox.

Revelations that senior members of two mosques in Scotland have held office in a proscribed organisation have raised fears of a 'power crisis' in some British mosques. Edward chairs a panel to discuss and debate these concerns.Deans from Anglican cathedrals gather in Liverpool for their annual conference next week. On the agenda, how to use the cathedral space to maximise revenue. Kevin Bocquet hears how pop concerts help bring in funds for salaries and roof repairs.Jasvinder Sanghera is the founder of Karma Nirvana, a charity that supports victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour based abuse. She tells Edward how her story contributed to the BBC 1 drama 'Murdered by my Father'. Support groups: http://bbc.in/1ULsaNJThe publicity-shy Alawite community in Syria have released a document setting out their views on the future of the country, refusing to support President Bashar al-Assad, who is himself an Alawite. Professor Michael Kerr explains why they have done this now.The Anglican Consultative Council begins in Lusaka next week. Three African churches say they will not attend because the Episcopal Church from the US, which blesses same-sex relationships, will be there. Ruth Gledhill unpicks the arguments from both sides.Why are so many evangelical voters across the southern US voting for Donald Trump, a man who has said he does not ask God for forgiveness for his sins? Joe Miller reports from the largest Christian university in the world.Pope Francis's Apostolic Exhortation on love in the family will be released next week. Austen Ivereigh explains what this could mean for divorced and remarried Catholics.Producers: David Cook Helen Lee Editor: Christine MorganPhoto Credit: Rodger Harris Photography.

Religious and ethical news.

The clearance of the migrant camp in Calais has raised concerns about the welfare of unaccompanied minors there. Kevin Bocquet reports on the efforts being made to offer young migrants a home in the UK.Lord Jonathan Sacks, the former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, has been awarded the 2016 Templeton Prize. He tells Edward how he plans to use the award.A Chinese court has sentenced a Christian pastor to 14 years in jail for embezzlement after he protested about the forced removal of crosses from buildings. Martin Palmer discusses China's relationship with organised religion.There has been uproar in Pakistan after the government executed Mumtaz Quadri, for the killing in 2011 of the Governor of Punjab for his criticism of the country's blasphemy laws. Shaaima Khalil reports from Islamabad and author Innes Bowen explains how some Muslims in the UK have reacted to the death of Quadri.New high resolution images of the three mosaic domes of St Paul's Cathedral's Quire ceiling have gone online. Do they contain images that support Darwin's Theory of Evolution as some suggest? Darwin expert Nick Spencer has had a look.A book out this week suggests students of applied sciences such as engineering are over represented in violent extremist groups in some Muslim countries. Steffen Hertog is co-author of 'Engineers of Jihad'.For many families, Mothering Sunday will be a sad reminder of a stillborn baby. The Rev Lorna Hood is the former Moderator of the Church of Scotland and was a hospital chaplain for 22 years. She tells Edward why it was her work with women who had a stillborn baby that was the most challenging to her faith.Producers: David Cook Helen LeeSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

As the EU Referendum campaigns get underway, Edward Stourton speaks to two Christians on opposite sides of the argument who are both taking to social media to garner support for their views. Adrian Hilton runs the influential Cranmer blog; Michael Sadgrove is the emeretus dean of Durham.A cross-party group of peers has written to the Prime Minister urging him to put pressure on the UN Security council to declare the assaults on Christians in Syria and the Middle East a Genocide. John Pontifex from "Aid to the Church in Need" tells Edward why the term is appropriate and the positive effects that the designation could have.The Church in Wales has parachuted an American religious leader in to the diocese of St Asaph to help its churches re-connect with their communities. Mark Yaconelli explains his approach to Edward. Paul Chambers, a sociologist of religion, explains why religion in Wales has declined more steeply than in the rest of the UK.Cardinal George Pell will be giving evidence to the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse from a video link in a Rome hotel room. A heart condition means he has been advised against travelling home to Australia to give evidence in person. Andrew West from ABC sets the scene for the hearing which begins on Sunday night/Monday.Producers: Rosie Dawson Carmel Lonergan Series Producer: Amanda Hancoxphoto by: Parker Fitzgerald for Uniqlo.

The Sunday programme investigates allegations that the Jehovah's Witness ordered the destruction of documents that could be used during the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Was this in contravention of Section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 which is punishable by imprisonment? Katy Watson reports from Mexico City as Pope Francis begins his historic trip there.As the BBC launches a series of programmes about mental health, Trevor Barnes goes inside the oldest psychiatric hospital in Britain to meet the mental health chaplains who work there.Rosie Dawson explores the Christian festival of Lent through the mindful reflection of art in six of Manchester's most iconic venues.A new book by Rev Steve Chalke, founder of the youth and community charity Oasis, claims initiatives to 'prevent' young people from being exposed to negative and dangerous radicalisation can only go so far.The Church of England say they have 'won the war' on payday loan companies. William asks Eric Leenders from the British Bankers Association who was on the Archbishop's task group what they achieved and how.Producers: David Cook Carmel LonerganEditor: Amanda Hancox.

The Israeli government has announced plans to build a mixed gender prayer section at the Western wall. Campaigners are celebrating a groundbreaking decision, but Palestinians, the ultra Orthodox and archaeologists are not happy. We hear from Anat Hoffman from "Women of the Western Wall". Journalist Judy Maltz gives us the background.Next Tuesday Hampton court chapel will host what is believed to be the first Catholic service since the Reformation. Trevor Barnes charts the chapel's religious and musical history during the Tudor era, as the country switched back and forth between the Catholic and Protestant faiths.The victim of alleged assault by the former Bishop of Chichester George Bell, who was awarded compensation by the Church of England last year, has broken her silence to speak about her experience. Edward speaks to Joel Adams from the Brighton Argus.The Catholic diocese of Salford is touring shopping centres through Lent on its "Mercy Bus" - Rosie Dawson gets on board.A report released by Cambridge University has compiled the experiences of 50 male converts to Islam. Kevin Boquet speaks to the author of the report and hears from some of the participants.Pope Francis is heading off on his travels again. Next week he lands in Mexico. He's expected to speak about against the drug cartels responsible for the murders of 11 Catholic priests in the last 3 years. Will he also address the challenge of the Zika virus? Edward speaks to the BBC's correspondent in Mexico before hosting a live discussion about whether the Catholic church needs to re-think its position on contraception and abortion in the light of the crisis?Producers: Rosie Dawson Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Edward Stourton asks: is it human nature to believe in God? He is joined by Dominic Johnson and Conor Cunningham to discuss.Bob Walker reports on a BBC English Regions poll that reveals that almost three-quarters of England's Anglican cathedrals say they're 'worried' or 'very worried' that they're not going to be able to fund cathedral costs in two years' time.The suicide of Rohith Chakravarti Vemula at Hyderabad University has reignited caste controversies in India. Rahul Tandon reports from Dehli.On Monday all eyes in America will be on Iowa, it's the 1st leg of the caucuses that will decide on the presidential candidates for the election in November. Alexander Smith talks to Edward about what role religion plays in the presidential race.Catholic clergy are expected to join a demonstration in Rome this weekend to promote traditional family life. Christopher Lamb explains its significance and timing as Italian politicians debate a gay unions bill this week. Meanwhile in the UK, Professor David Voas looks at the findings of a YouGov Poll that says for the first time more Church of England members support same-sex marriage than oppose it..Created in the middle of the fourth century, the Codex Sinaiticus is one of the more important books in the world, containing the oldest complete New Testament. Trevor Barnes went along to the British Library to take a look.Fr Jeffery Whorton, the last priest to celebrate mass at altar in the Saint Elijah monastery in Iraq before it was destroyed by so-called IS, talks to Sunday about the significance of the site.Photo Credit: New lady Chapel Lichfield Cathedral - Paul HortonProducers Carmel Lonergan Amanda Hancox.

For the next three years the US Episcopal Church will not be able to participate fully in the Anglican Communion. That's the decision of the Primates' Meeting held this week in Canterbury.It's a consequence of the Episcopal Church's decision to recognise same sex marriage and homosexuality. The church has also had a number of privileges withdrawn. The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington DC gives Edward Stourton her reaction.Reporter Trevor Barnes has been following the Primates' meeting. He reports on how the Archbishop of Canterbury's efforts to prevent a split of the global church were received and assesses reaction to the final communique.It's a right that dates back to the Councils of Carthage, that of being able to seek sanctuary from the state in a church. Today, this practice is hardly ever recognised by governments but in Germany it's been revived as a last resort for refugees threatened with deportation. Joe Miller reports from Bavaria.This Sunday, Pope Francis will hold a special Mass for migrants as he marks 'Migrants and Refugee Day.' Cardinal Vincent Nichols reflects on the current migrant situation across Europe.Faith based charities receive the largest share of donations in Britain. There's concern that new proposals to regulate their fundraising will have a serious impact on their work. Jeremy Moodey, the CEO of the charity of Embrace ME and David Ainsworth from Civil Society Media debate.We discover how a 18th century cookbook with one of the first recipes for chicken curry ended up in the library of Downside Abbey in Somerset.Producers: David Cook Carmel LonerganEditor: Amanda HancoxPhoto Credit : Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirchengemeinde Immenstadt.

There's much speculation ahead of the gathering of Anglican leaders at Canterbury next week. Will they all show up? How soon will someone walk out? It is unlikely they will reach a common agreement about the issue of homosexuality which has divided the Communion for more than ten years but might they at least disagree well? Two leading British evangelicals discuss the art of good disagreement.The Pope' has a new book out. Actually, it's a record of a conversation between Pope Francis and Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli and it centres on the subject that the Pope seems to want to see as the hallmark of his Pontificate. "The name of God is mercy" will be launched in 80 languages on Tuesday, but Edward speaks in advance of publication to Andrea Tornielli.The cost of kosher living is on the rise. The 'Kosher Chicken Index'calculates that food costs, synagogue fees and a house in the right area can add £13,000 a year to the bills of an observant Jewish family.The consultation period on government proposals to regulate 'out of school places of education' ends on Monday. "Sunday" has already heard from Christians concerned at the implications of these proposals for their children's and youth activities. Hundreds of Muslim leaders have also expressed their opposition to the idea of Islamic religious schools - madrassas - being regulated and inspected by the Department of Education. We speak to one of them - and to an Imam who supports the Government's approach.Producers: Rosie Dawson Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.