Sunday

"Between Myth and Reality" the sculptures of Chaim Stephenson, is at the Crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square till the 10th May 2017. Chaim passed away last year aged 89, Edward met with his wife Lynne Reid Banks at the exhibition she told him about his work and their life together.The worst excesses of the Indian wedding industry may soon be curbed if a new bill is approved. The proposed bill will not only limit the number of guests and dishes served to avoid waste, but also put a "tax" on the most extravagant newlyweds. Rahul Tandon reports from India.Ahead of International Women's Day we talk to 'our woman in Rome' Sally Axworthy, UK ambassador to the Vatican, about her first 6 months in a very unique and male dominated diplomatic role. And we speak to two women who embody the theme for this year's International Women's Day - Be Bold for Change - Julie Siddiqi and Laura Marks - organisers of Britain's first ever Jewish/Muslim Women's Conference which aims to challenge the narrative around the role of women in religion. The announcement that Philip North has been named as the next Bishop of Sheffield has been criticised by many women in the diocese as he has said that he does not support and will not participate in the ordination of women as priests and bishops. Kevin Bocquet reports from Sheffield. Followed by an interview with the Bishop of Repton, the Rt Revd Jan McFarlane. The 30th anniversary of the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry will be marked on Monday. 193 people lost their lives. Sailors' Society Chaplain Bill McCrae and Kim Spooner who lost her aunt and uncle recall the events of the 6th MarchProducers Carmel Lonergan Peter EverettEditor Amanda Hancox.

There's a risk Guildford Cathedral could close after a council planning committee rejected a proposal to build 134 houses on cathedral land. The Dean of Guildford Cathedral says money raised by the sale of the land would have provided long-term funding for the maintenance of the building. Trevor Barnes reports.Church leaders from South Sudan have called on the international community to assist millions of people who are facing starvation in the country. Canon Ian Woodward tells Edward Stourton about the historic link the Diocese of Salisbury has with South Sudan and what they are hearing about the situation there. More churches in America have declared themselves 'sanctuary churches' offering protection from deportation to undocumented migrants. Jane O'Brian reports from Washington DC.Dr Peter Mandaville is a former Senior Advisor at the US Department of State under both Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. He's been invited to speak at the British Islam Conference. He tells Edward about the challenges he believes Muslims now face following the US election and Brexit vote in the UK.For his latest book, the veteran Labour politician Roy Hattersley has turned his attention to a what he describes as 'the adventure story' of Catholics in Britain and Ireland.BBC reporter Roddy Munro tells Edward why some families on the Isle of Lewis are protesting against a decision by the local council not to open a swimming pool on the Sabbath.Should Bristol Cathedral remove a stained glass window that celebrates the legacy of the merchant and MP Edward Colston because he made much of his fortune through the slave trade? The Dean, David Hoyle debates with theologian Robert Beckford.Producers: David Cook Louise Clarke-RowbothamEditor: Christine Morgan.

In 2015 the Bishop of Manchester told this programme of his concerns about homelessness in Manchester. After the broadcast the city council contacted the Bishop to discuss what needed to be done better. Bob Walker reports on how this lead to a radical change of approach.The Catholic Church has paid out more than $276 million in compensation to thousands of victims of child sexual abuse in Australia. Andrew West from ABC Radio reports on the hearings at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Heritage Lottery Fund has approved the development stage for the "Bats in Churches" project, bringing together wildlife and heritage conservation and church organisations to save bats and protect churches. Trevor Barnes reports.Nick Bundock Team Rector for St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury talks to Edward about the painful journey his church has been on since a coroners report into the suicide of a teenager pointed to her struggle to reconcile her sexuality with her faith. The conflict-driven food crisis in Yemen could become a full-blown famine this year warns the UN. Imran Madden the director of Islamic relief talks to Edward about what is needed.The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to members of the General Synod setting out the next steps following the vote on General Synod not to take note of the report on Marriage and Same Sex Relationships. Synod members Susie Leafe, Director of Reform and Jayne Ozanne, LGBT+ campaigner, give their reaction whilst the Bishop of Willsden, Pete Broadbent, tells Edward how the Bishops will respond.Photo Credit (c) Hugh Clark/www.bats.org.uk Producers Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor Amanda Hancox.

In an unprecedented move, 14 retired Church of England Bishops have released a letter expressing concern about the House of Bishops' report on marriage and same sex relationships. The former Bishop of Worcester Peter Selby, who wrote the letter, speaks to William Crawley.A man who claims he was beaten when he was a boy by John Smyth, the former head of a Christian charity, says his abuser claimed the beatings could be theologically justified. David Hilborn, Chair of the Theology Advisory Group for the Evangelical Alliance and Angela Tilby, Canon Emeritus of Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford join William to discuss' 'violent theology'.Trevor Barnes speaks to the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby about his book 'Dethroning Mammon'.Campaigners have challenged the government's handling of the arrival of unaccompanied child refugees from Europe, at a High Court hearing. The Bishop of Chelmsford who co-sponsored the Dubs amendment responds to this week's events.Alex Strangwayes-Booth reports on a pioneering NHS project that is using faith and belief as part of its mental health treatment for Muslim patients.Adam Matthews from The Church Investors Group explains why they have publicly warned the bosses of FTSE 350 companies that they will vote against 'excessive pay deals' at their AGMs. Rebecca Henschke reports from Jakarta, on the blasphemy trial of Jakarta's Christian governor which is testing Indonesia's pluralist constitution and multi-faith society.Fans of Bollywood movies in Pakistan will not be able to watch an Indian blockbuster after the country's film board banned the movie for its apparently unflattering depictions of Muslims. Rahul Tandon reports.Producers: David Cook Louise Clarke-RowbothamSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

The head of the Order of Malta, Matthew Festing has resigned because of the Pope's intervention. But what does this episode mean for the Knights of Malta and other orders? Christopher Lamb, Rome Correspondent for the Tablet, talks to Edward.The charity Marriage Care has spent the last 70 years embracing and upholding the Catholic vision of marriage as a response to high divorce rates post World War II. So how does it stay relevant today when marriage and relationships are very different. Kevin Bocquet reports.A new project, in St Albans Diocese: 'Take your Vicar to the Lab,' aims to promote healthier appreciation and co-existence between religion and science. Trevor Barnes puts on his white coat as he accompanies a group of clergy into a lab.The decision to return St Issac's Cathedral, in St Petersburg, from a museum back into a church has sparked protests with over 200,000 signing a petition opposing the plans. Oleg Boldyrev tells Edward why people are angry with the announcement.Richard Chartres, stepped down this week after 20 years as the Bishop of London. Martin Bashir talks to him about his time in office.Journalist and theologian Andrew Greystone and Anne Atkins talk to Edward about the Iwerne Trust and the allegations of abuse that have been in the news this week.When President Trump told an audience of religious leaders on Thursday that he would 'destroy' the Johnson Amendment, he declared his intention to sign a law that would fundamentally alter a major aspect of the church-state divide that has been a constant in American politics for generations. Journalist Sarah Posner explains the implications.Producers Carmel Lonergan Rosie DawsonEditor Amanda Hancox.

On Friday the House of Bishops released a report saying the Church of England shouldn't change its teaching on marriage but recommending that it reviews other aspects of how it treats LGBTI+ clergy and laity. The Rev Rachel Mann is critical of elements of the report and gives Martin Bashir her reaction to it.The Rev Peter Sanlon had threatened to create a 'partnership synod' if the Church 'watered down' traditional teaching on marriage and homosexuality. He tells Martin what he plans to do next in light of the report.The Bishops of Manchester and Maidstone respond to criticism that the Church has come up with a 'don't ask, don't tell' solution.As the Anglican Communion's longest-serving archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, retires after 14 years as leader of the Church in Wales, he reflects on his time in office with Caroline Wyatt. More seafarers were kidnapped at sea last year than over the past decade. The Sailors' Society has trained 20 chaplains to provide 24-hour crisis response for them and their families. Hazel Southam reports.Jill Saward, who died earlier in January, was a formidable campaigner who inspired changes to legislation, policy and attitudes on rape. Her husband Gavin Drake talks to Martin about Jill, and what she meant to her family and those she supported.The South London Liberal Synagogue in Streatham is trying to raise £50, 000 to convert a disused caretaker's flat in the building to accommodate a refugee family from Syria. Trevor Barnes reports.Producers: David Cook Amanda HancoxPhoto: Oceans Beyond Piracy.

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.