Sunday

Patriarch Kirill is in the UK to mark 300 years of the Russian Orthodox church in Britain. However his audience with the Queen has been criticised by those who see him as an ally of President Putin at a fractious time for Anglo-Russian relations over Syria. Trevor Barnes reports.In Aleppo, Sister Annie Demerjian and her volunteers risk their lives as they deliver aid to the sick and elderly. She tells Edward how airstrikes make life there unbearable for those unable to leave.Within a year or so, the majority of Catholic Cardinals, who will elect the next Pope, are likely to have been appointed by Pope Francis. Veteran Vatican journalist Marco Politi tells Edward that recent appointments point towards a conclave composed of fewer traditionalists than ever before.Rahul Tandon reports on proposals by the Indian government to end the practice of triple talaq, which allows Muslim men to divorce their wives by saying "talaq" three times.Simon Jenkins has been on a tour of 53 Anglican and Catholic cathedrals. He tells Edward about his favourite buildings and how he went about ranking the cathedrals for his new guide, 'England's Cathedrals'.York Minster has the largest number of bells of any English Cathedral but this week it was announced they are to remain silent. Edward finds out why.While Donald Trump's campaign battles with allegations about his attitude towards women many high profile evangelicals have withdrawn their support. Sociologist Prof Tony Campolo and Jan Harper-Hayes from Republican Overseas give their views on whether evangelical Christians should continue to support Trump.Producers: Amanda Hancox Peter EverettImage: kremlin.ru.

It's the 40th anniversary Prison's Week, a Christian initiative to support all those affected by prisons. As reoffending rates continue to rise Bob Walker reports on the many faith based groups working in this field and explores their effectiveness.As the death toll continues to rise in Haiti following the devastating impact of Hurricane Matthew. Edward Stourton hears from John Hasse of faith-based charity World Vision who is working on the ground in Haiti.Leading Sikh groups have voiced disappointment after Defence Secretary Michael Fallon ruled out creating a Sikh regiment in the armed forces. Jay Singh-Sohal and Gurdinder Singh debate whether a return to Sikh regiments, once revered for their gallantry in battle, would be step forwards or a step back.Devout Catholic and world renowned composer Sir James MacMillan tells Edward Stourton what inspired him to compose a piece of music based on the Stabat Mater, a 13th century poem about the suffering of Mary as she stands at the food of the Cross.Charles Caroll talks to two 'Hibakusha' - survivors of the two atomic bombs that fell on Japan in 1945 - as they docked in London on the Peace Boat, a Japanese ship which carries a message of peace around the world.Rev David Primrose tells Edward Stourton about a trailblazing project to help churches become 'dementia friendly' and the unique role church communities can play in support people living with dementia.Producers: Catherine Earlam Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

It is 80 years since anti-fascist demonstrators took on the police and Oswald Mosley's Black Shirts in the East End of London. Trevor Barnes reports on The Battle of Cable Street.The Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome - The Most Reverend Sir David Moxon - joins William Crawley to celebrate the Centre's 50th anniversary and to talk about his role as the Archbishop of Canterbury's Representative to the Holy See. Rabbi David Rosen - Director of the American Jewish Committee's Department of Interreligious Affairs - pays tribute to the former Israeli Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres. Why is 15 year old Rayouf Alhumedhi campaigning for a hijaj emoji? This week, the Archbishops of Armagh and Canterbury issued a joint statement welcoming the end of a three-year stand-off between Catholic residents and a protestant group who want to march through their neighbourhood. William talks to Professor John Brewer, an expert in post-conflict peace-building in Northern Ireland. Catholic aid agency Progressio is to close after 75 years, we discuss why. Today is Animal Welfare Sunday when children across the country will be taking their pets to church. Samantha Chandler of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals believes that animals go to heaven.Exorcists are reporting a rise in demand for their services. To discuss why this might be the case, William is joined by Myles Dempsey, a Catholic with experience of 'deliverance' and exorcism, and by Professor Les Lancaster, Director of the Alef Trust which offers postgraduate courses in spiritual psychology.Producers: Helen Lee and Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

The Church of England wants to attract a more diverse range of people into the vocations. William Crawley is joined by Rev Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy and Rev David Isiorho to discuss why, despite repeated efforts, the Church remains a predominantly white institution.Trevor Barnes has been delving into the fascinating and sometimes controversial world of religious tattooing.After the bombing of a humanitarian aid convoy in Syria the United Nations has suspended all further aid convoys to Aleppo. William talks to Christine Latif from the Christian aid agency World Vision about the current crisis.500 years ago Venice established the world's first Ghetto. Although it was the place where Jews were forced to live, it became a cultural crossroads. Judi Herman reports on events marking the anniversary.According to theologian Harvey Cox, business and theology aren't so far apart. The Harvard Divinity professor discusses his new book, 'The Market as God', with William.The "biggest and most important" changes in 100 years to cremation laws in England come in to force next week after it came to light that some families were denied their baby's ashes. William Crawley talks to Glen Perkins about what happened to his daughter's ashes and whether the new laws will prevent it happening again.Has Pope Francis finally opened the way for divorced and remarried Catholics to take communion? It might depend on who you listen to. Vatican watcher John Thavis gives us his verdict.The idea of mosques run by women is still something of a novelty in many parts of the world but in China women have been running mosques for over 300 years. Dr Maria Jaschok explains their unique history to William Crawley.Producers: Catherine Earlam and Peter Everett Series Producer: Amanda HancoxTattoo: Anton Ivkin Photograph: Alexander Kuzovlev.

Edward Stourton talks to The Tablet journalist Christopher Lamb about Pope Francis' visit to Assisi 30 years after Pope John Paul II attended the historic meeting for the first World Peace Day; Trevor Barnes looks at the row over mixed-faith weddings in Sikh temples; Jewish students fight the movement for sanctions against Israel; Rahul Tanton tells Edward about the growth of 'cow vigilantes' as the Indian government cracks down on the illicit cattle trade; putting God into London Fashion Week - as the Church of England releases the video "God and Fashion", Edward asks Simon Ward, author of "The Character of Fashion" what God has to do with fashion; Bob Walker walks with Satish Kumar as he sets out on his 50 mile pilgrimage at the age of 80 and are 'human rights' a Christian concept? Nick Spencer and Julian Baggini discuss. Producers; Peter Everett, Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

On 'Ability Sunday', Gordon Gill discusses the churches' attitudes to disability and specifically how congregations can make people with learning disabilities welcome. Reporter Sarah Major talks to disabled people about the difficulties they encounter when trying to attend church services.Kevin Bocquet reports on the £1million fund raised by ultra-orthodox Jews to fight custody cases (and prevent mothers from taking their children out of the faith when they divorce their husbands). Are Church of England bishops too 'safe'? Following the death of the former Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, a number of obituaries have claimed that we will "never see his like again" (i.e. outspoken and willing to question scripture). The Rev Adrian Alker claims that bishops today are too concerned with "putting bums on seats". He is in discussion with the Bishop of Burnley - Philip North.Ahead of the College of Bishops meeting on Monday, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, Bishop of St Asaph talks about his decision to appoint a Chaplain for the LGBT community in North Wales.Following a series of 'mishaps', road builders in Iceland have had to dig out an elfin rock to placate the elves. Terry Gunnell, Professor of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland, talks about Iceland's elfin population and why over half of his countrymen believe in 'the hidden people'.Teresa May has announced that oversubscribed Catholic schools are to be allowed to choose 100% of their pupils on faith grounds. Edward Stourton discusses this decision with Paul Barker, director of the Catholic Education Service. Jonathan Romain explains why he does not agree.Producers: Helen Lee Peter Everett Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

On Sunday, 19 years after her death, Mother Teresa will be canonised at a Mass in St Peter's Square. David Willey is in Rome ahead of the ceremony while Mike Wooldridge returns to Kolkata to report on her legacy. He hears why some people in the Indian city are still critical about her work there.Ahead of a threatened expose in a Sunday newspaper, the Bishop of Grantham says he is gay and in a 30 year relationship. He tells William how he believes the Church should move forward on issues of human sexuality.For the past two years the Church of England has held meetings to allow clergy and laity to talk about their differences on issues around human sexuality. Later this month, at a meeting of the House of Bishops, the church will discuss what to do next. Trevor Barnes hears why some churches are threatening to split and form a 'shadow synod' if the church moves in a 'liberal direction'.In 1959, Ben Hur won 11 Oscars and became a cinema classic so how does the latest remake released this week compare? Film critic Richard Fitzwilliams reviews the latest biblical blockbuster for Sunday.Two thirds of Muslims worldwide are under 30 and have grown up in the shadow of the terror attacks of 9/11. In her new book, Generation M, Shelina Janmohamed tells William how this modern, self empowered generation are shaping the world around them.A poll for BBC local radio reveals there is a shortage of people training to become bell ringers while the demand for bells at weddings and other ceremonies is increasing. We send William off for his first lesson in bell ringing and Kate Flavell from the Central Council of Bell Ringers explains why there is a recruitment problem.Producers: David Cook Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Following a recent landmark trial in the Hague - at which Ahmad al-Mahdi pleaded guilty to destroying most of the architecturally and historically precious mausoleums in Timbuktu - Edward Stourton asks the question: Should acts of cultural destruction during conflict be classed as war crimes?Rahul Tandon reports from Calcutta on preparations to celebrate the canonisation of Mother Teresa.Bob Walker visits Greenbelt - the largest Christian arts and music festival in the UK.Edward talks to a priest about the comfort being offered by the Order of Malta to the victims of the Italian earthquake.In 1706, at the age of 21, George Frederick Handel decided to visit Italy. Internationally renown harpsichord player Bridget Cunningham explains how, despite his strict Lutheran upbringing, Handel managed to charm the Catholic church in Rome.This week, the Columbian government signed a peace agreement with the FARC rebels. Christian Aid's representative in Columbia - Thomas Mortensen - explains to Edward why there is still much work to be done in a country with great social inequality.On Friday, 20 UK faith leaders delivered a letter to the French authorities which contained the names of over 300 unaccompanied refugee children eligible for transfer to the UK. The French authoritiesâ€TM awareness of the individual names of children alone in the camp means that France has a legal obligation to take the children into protection if it starts its demolition of the camp in September. Trevor Barnes reports.Producers: Helen Lee Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

One feature of Usain Bolt's track appearance generally overlooked by sports commentators are his expressions of faith. Does Britain have a problem with religion in sport? Dr Nick Watson and Dr Brian Hennings discuss with Caroline Wyatt, on the last day of the Rio Olympics.Caroline Wyatt talks to the Baptist Pastor, Evan Mawaire, who's taking on the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe.This year marks the 500th anniversary of the year that Martin Luther lit the spark that led to the Reformation. Rosie Dawson reports from the place where it all began - the German town of Wittenberg."Clowning is about comedy and tragedy, death and resurrection." The only Church of England priest who was also a professional clown, Roly Bain, passed away this week. We reflect on his unique ministry.Kevin Bocquet reports on why a planning application for an Eruv in a usually quiet South Manchester suburb is facing opposition when it is something that works well in other parts of the country.A cave on the uninhabited Puerto Rican Island of Mona has revealed new insights into the religious dynamics between the indigenous population and European colonisers. Dr Alice Samson tells Caroline Wyatt about her explorations in the caves.Simon Loveday talks to Caroline Wyatt about his new book and self-proclaimed labour of love, "The Bible for Grown Ups".Editor: Christine MorganProducers: Catherine Earlam David Cook.

This week, it is the anniversary of Elvis's death on August 16th 1977. Ted Harrison - author of a new book called 'The Death and Resurrection of Elvis Presley' talks to Caroline Wyatt about how the cult of Elvis is now taking on some of the characteristics of a religion. The Rev Ravi Holi (Anglican vicar and Elvis impersonator) describes a funeral at which he dressed as 'The King of Rock 'n Roll'.The Rio Olympics are a "huge missed opportunity" to improve the lives of the country's poorest, according to the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD). Cecilia Lorio - CAFOD's Brazil Programme Manager - and Rio based journalist Shannon Sims discuss the possible Olympic legacy on the Brazilian people.The spiritual leader of Bahrain's Shia majority - Ayatollah Isa Qassim - goes on trial this weekend. Opposition activist Zainab al-Khawaja talks about her imprisonment at the hands of the Bahrani authorities. Trevor Barnes reports on the Orthodox Jews who have moved to Canvey Island to create a new community.On Pakistan's Independence day. Iram Ramzan (founder/editor of the website Sedaa - 'Our Voices') and Dr Faaiza Asma (a medical doctor in Derby) discuss the influence of Pakistani Culture in the UK. There is also comment from Dr Niaz Shah (Reader in Law at Hull University and a practising barrister in Pakistan) as the relatives accused of the honour killing of Bradford woman Samia Shahid are due in court in Pakistan on Saturday, 13th August , Producers: Helen Lee Peter EverettEditor: Christine Morgan.