Sunday

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.

The Scottish Episcopal Church has voted to allow their ministers to hold same-sex marriages. Bishop David Chillingworth tells Edward why they changed the Marriage Canon. In response to this decision the conservative Anglican group GAFCON announced that Canon Andy Lines will become their 'Missionary Bishop'. He tells Edward about his new role while Church of England Bishop, Graham Kings considers the impact of both decisions on the Anglican church.The former President of the Irish Republic, Mary McAleese has contributed to a book called, The Moral Heart of Public Service. She tells Edward she's concerned about what she calls the "toxic spores of sectarianism".Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that she plans to form a minority government with the help of the Democratic Unionist Party. Prof Jonathan Tonge from the University of Liverpool explores the religious roots of the DUP.After 3 terrorist attacks in 3 months Kevin Bocquet reports on a petition signed by over 500 Imams and religious leaders who have refused to perform funeral prayers for Muslims who carry out terror attacks. He explores why this response could dissuade some from becoming extremists. The theme for this year's BBC Music Day is the power of music. One group taking part is LIME Music for Health which delivered a workshop at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital which is caring for victims of last month's terror attack. Yoga and meditation used to be seen as a bit wacky then they became fashionable. Now they're getting the kind of scientific recognition that has led to the first fully accredited diploma in Practical Spirituality and Wellness. Edward hears from course organiser, Dr William Bloom.Producers David Cook Carmel LonerganSeries Producer Amanda Hancox.

In the aftermath of the London terror attack, Emily Buchanan talks to Very Rev Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark Cathedral and to Haras Rafiq, CEO of Quilliam, a counter-extremist organisation.Following President Trump's announcement that the United States is to pull out of the 2015 Paris climate agreement, Emily Buchanan hears from the journalist Sarah Posner, on the religious reaction in the US; and from the former Bishop of Liverpool James Jones, who spent a decade trying to persuade US evangelicals to take climate change seriously.Dr Ibrar Majid, the lead Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital speaks to the BBC's religious affairs correspondent Martin Bashir about his role in treating the victims of the Manchester attack, and its impact on his Muslim faith. Known locally as Paddy's Wigwam and the Mersey Funnel, Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King marks its Golden Jubilee. Bob Walker explores what the anniversary means for Catholics in the city.The Church of England will discuss a proposal to offer a service to celebrate the renaming of people who have had a sex-change. The General Synod motion was put forward by the Rev Chris Newlands, who debates the need for this baptism-style service with the theologian, the Rev Dr Ian Paul.Producers: Dan Tierney and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Series producer: Amanda Hancox.

Chris Anthony & Muhammad Hussain talk to Martin Bashir about why they are taking part in the Great Manchester run on Sunday and what it means to them in the light of Monday's attack at the Manchester Arena. After it became known that the bomber had worshipped at Didsbury Mosque the media descended and the mosque had to defend its reputation. Kevin Bocquet meets some of its leaders. As the case was reopened this week into the murder of Blessed Oscar Romero after almost 40 years ago, Martin asks Matt Eisenbrandte, author of Assassination of a Saint, why it has taken so long. Trevor Barnes meets 98 year old Dennis Brock who has been ringing the bells at his church in Sunbury-on-Thames for nearly nine decades. As people in Manchester are still coming to terms with the concert bomb attack, Martin talks to three faith leaders to have been involved in the response to the attack: the Bishop of Manchester the Right Rev David Walker, Imam Irfan Chishti and Rabbi Daniel Walker. They discuss what needs to be done now to bring communities together, and how best to harness the generous spirit witnessed in Manchester this week. Producer: Carmel Lonergan David Cook Editor: Amanda Hancox.

Each year thousands of pilgrims walk The Camino de Santiago and new routes are opening across the UK. As Trevor Barnes reports, the popularity of pilgrimage brings a raft of environmental challenges. Pope Francis meets President Trump on Wednesday morning at the Apostolic Palace. Previously, the Pope has criticised the President's views on climate change and illegal immigration. Thomas Reese from the National Catholic Reporter discusses with Edward the likely mood of the meeting. Glasgow Council has said it won't accept Ian Brady's body for burial or cremation - why do we mind so much about the dead company we keep? Edward discusses with Prof Douglas Davies.India's Supreme Court has opened hearings into the Islamic practice of instant divorce. "Triple Talaq" is banned in many countries. Aina Khan from Duncan Lewis Solicitors tells Edward why she is worried about the practice in the UK.The BBC drama Three Girls tells the real story of child sex grooming and failings by authorities in Rochdale. Nazir Afzal the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for NW England was portrayed in the programme and he is joined by Zlakha Ahmed from the support group Apna Haq. They discuss the impact of the cases on the Asian community.The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins is the inspiration for a new novel, The Hopkins Conundrum. Author Simon Edge, tells Edward how his attitude towards organised religion changed as his personal life became intertwined with themes in the book.A recent conference in Bahrain brought together archaeology experts from over 14 countries to examine how our view of historic Islam has been distorted by the West. Sylvia Smith reports.Producers: Amanda Hancox Louise Clarke-RowbothamPhoto: Orkney.com.