Sunday

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.

In this engaging discussion, Jim Faircloth, an archaeological supervisor involved in the Great Rybra excavation, shares fascinating insights into early Christian burial practices revealed by newly discovered Anglo-Saxon graves. Dr. Annabelle Ng, a researcher and author, delves into the complex reasons behind British women converting to Salafism, highlighting personal agency and social dynamics. The conversation also touches on the ethics of cryonics, provoking thought on the morality of preserving life in controversial ways.

Representatives of the UK's faith communities will be joining veterans and dignitaries for this year's Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph. William Crawley speaks to Qari Asim, senior Imam at Leeds Makkah Mosque, who will be laying a wreath on behalf of Britain's Muslims.For many of the soldiers on the frontline during the First World War, the Bible they were issued with offered spiritual comfort. As Hazel Southam reports, one bible did more than that. It saved a life.Why did so many Evangelical Christians vote to elect Donald Trump as the next US President? Author and theologian, Jim Wallis and Charmaine Yoest from the conservative Christian organisation, American Values, debate.How do America's Muslims feel about their future under a Donald Trump presidency? Zainab Chaudry of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Saba Ahmed, president and founder of the Republican Muslim Coalition, share their views.Terry Waite speaks to Sunday about a new collection of poems, memories and reflections called 'Out of the Silence', to mark the 25th anniversary of his release from captivity in Beirut.A survey conducted for the Chief Rabbi suggests a quarter of Jewish workers are wary of talking openly about their faith at work and some have difficulty getting time off for important religious festivals. Kevin Bocquet reports.Producers: Dan Tierney Catherine EarlamSeries producer: Amanda HancoxPicture courtesy of Bible Society/Clare Kendall.

A senior Church of England Bishop has said we should be "very alarmed" at the way the newspapers reacted to the High Court decision that Parliament needs to vote on the triggering of Article 50 - the process which will take Britain out of the EU. The Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines quoted a Daily Mail headline that called the judges, 'Enemies of the People." He debates with the Daily Mail's Stephen Glover.Hazel Southam investigates a new scheme to boost the number of chaplains working on Britain's waterways.Thomas Reese of the National Catholic Reporter and Sarah Pulliam Bailey, religion reporter for the Washington Post, discuss the importance of religion in next week's Presidential election, in particular the Catholic and Jewish vote.Police in Bangladesh have arrested dozens more people in connection with what's been called a synchronised attack on members of the Hindu minority. The BBC's Charles Haviland reports.The Church in Wales has appointed Canon Joanna Penberthy as the first woman Bishop of St Davids in Pembrokeshire. She tells Edward about her early days in the church when attitudes to women were very different.This year's remembrance commemorations coincide with the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. A new book compiles some of the epitaphs written by the families of the dead. Edward speaks to Sarah Wearne, author of "Epitaphs of the Great War: The Somme".This week sees the opening of the Tavener Centre for Music and Spirituality. The Director, the Rev June Boyce-Tillman and Dr Brian Inglis, composer and senior lecturer in music at Middlesex University explain why they see the relationship between music and spirituality as an important area for exploration.Producers: David Cook Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

William Crawley talks to Archbishop Vincent Nichols about the Santa Marta anti-trafficking conference which brought together police chiefs, the Home Secretary and the Catholic Church in Rome this week. William visits the Muslim Lifestyle Expo to hear how global brands are waking-up to one of the fastest growing consumer markets in the world. Steve Chalke from Oasis UK joins William to discuss how his organisation has set-up what he refers to as a 'safe house' for child migrants arriving in the UK from the Jungle Camp in Calais. Bob Walker reports on the 'Church for Ragamuffins' in Luton which has been set up to support recovering alcohol and drug addicts.Halloween gets bigger every year as a retail event but does it also move further away from it's ancient pagan and religious roots? Professor Ronald Hutton joins William Crawley. One of the largest compensation claims against the Catholic Church begins tomorrow at the High Court in Leeds. Over two hundred men say they were abused at the St William's approved school in in East Yorkshire. The BBC's Caroline Bilton has been following the story. The Protestant Reformation is often dated to 31st October 1517 when Martin Luther is supposed to have nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg. But would the Reformation have happened without Luther? Dr Linda Briggs and Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch discuss.Producers: Catherine Earlam Helen Lee Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Monsignor Nizar Semaan of the Syriac Catholic Church speaks to Edward Stourton about the hopes and fears of displaced Iraqi Christians as the operation to retake Mosul from the so-called Islamic State continues.The link between freedom of religion or belief and the prevention of violent extremism was the subject of a conference hosted by the Foreign Office this week. Trevor Barnes went along to hear the arguments.This half term, an estimated 13 thousand meals will be served to children who would usually have free school lunches. Rachel Warwick, founder and director of 'Make Lunch', the Christian Charity behind the scheme, explores the notion of 'holiday hunger' and the impact of the rising cost of living on the UK's poorest households.The political machinations of the Vatican have inspired HBO's new 10-part series, 'The Young Pope', starring Jude Law. The Tablet's arts editor Joanna Moorhead and Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith from the Catholic Herald discuss the continuing appeal of the Church as a subject for film-makers and authors. Tensions between the Chinese government and the country's expanding Christian population remain acute and many Chinese Christians meet and worship in secret. Danny Vincent has been travelling round China to find out why.Journalist Steve Cannane shares some of the revelations from his new book about Scientology.And Radio 2's Faith in the World Week explores the theme of beauty and our relationship with it. The Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek speaks to Sunday about the work she is doing with young people on the subject of body image and self-esteem.Producers: Dan Tierney David CookEditor: Christine Morgan.