Sunday

With less than a month before the referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, there's a debate growing about the role religious leaders should take when they engage with political issues. Jasvir Singh from the London Faiths Forum and journalist Quentin Letts discuss the role of religion in politics.Professor Mona Siddiqi tells Edward about the review of Sharia law in the UK that the Government has asked her to lead.Why are some historic buildings owned by the Church of Scientology lying empty after they were purchased ten years ago? Geoff Bird has been to see one of the properties in Manchester.In York, the Minster will be the setting for the 2016 Mystery Plays for only the second time in their 700 year history. Kevin Bocquet reports from the final rehearsals.We report on a ground-breaking study which explores links between religion and HIV disease progression. Gail Ironson is Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami.Tom Smith, lecturer in International Relations at Portsmouth University, explains why the Philippine's President elect has called the Catholic Church the 'most hypocritical institution' in the country and says he doesn't need the religion to show his deep Christian faith. Christian and Muslim forces are engaged in a bloody conflict in Africa whilst radical Buddhists in Myanmar attack the Islamic minority. Rabbi David Saperstein is the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. He discusses with Edward the future of religious freedom.Bells from over 100 church towers will ring out simultaneously for BBC Music Day. The organiser Mike Orme and the youngest participant, 11yr old Lewis, tell us about their bell ringing passion.Producers; David Cook Helen LeeSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Pope Francis has said that he is open to the possibility of ordaining women as deacons. Are the ranks of the Catholic Church's all-male clergy really going to open up to female members?Next week, two ministers battle it out in the annual Sermon of the Year Competition. They talk to Edward Stourton about their ministry and go head to head in Sunday's very own battle of the sermons.Hazel Southam reports from Jordan on a trauma healing programme that is being offered to tens of thousands of people who have fled the wars in Syria and Iraq.On Thursday, Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan is giving a speech to the Saltire Society in Glasgow in which he will argue that 20th and 21st century composers have never given up their search for the sacred in an increasingly secular society. He explains to Edward his reasons for this belief.Last February, Charles Maung Bo became Myanmar's first-ever cardinal. For many years he has spoken out against the persecution of religious minorities in his country and now that there is a new civilian government, he is carving out a role for himself as peacemaker between different ethnic groups and the Buddhist majority.On the 1st May, the residents of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray became aware of a wildfire on the outskirts of their city. Two days later they had to evacuate. Rev Donalee Williams is the minister of Fort McMurray's First United Church she explains how she is supporting her dispersed congregation.As the Archbishop of York's six month Pilgrimage across the Diocese of York is about to finish, Bob Walker caught up with John Sentamu to discover what he has learnt from his time on the road.Producers: Helen Lee David Cook Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

"The more we understand religion, the better able we are as a result to engage religious actors, the more effective our diplomacy will be in advancing the interests and values of our people".US Secretary of State John Kerry said this in a speech last month. Shaun Cassey is his Special Representative on religion in global affairs, he talks to Edward Stourton about his goal to achieve this.The BBC's Reagan Morris reports on the elderly nuns who are taking on pop superstar Katy Perry, as well as the Los Angeles Catholic hierarchy.How much has the anti-Semitism row cost Labour votes in the recent elections? Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg discusses this with Edward Stourton and whether the party can rebuild their relationship with the Jewish community he represents.Many people have a will but how many have considered their digital legacy? Ahead of Dying Matters Awareness Week Kevin Bocquet reports on the growing issue of dealing with death in the online world.The Bloody History of Bible Translations - Harry Freedman discusses his new book about those who have dared to translate the word of God.According to U2's Bono Christian contemporary music should explore more difficult themes because he is convinced that God wants people to be honest and open about how they truly feel. Three of Britain's contemporary worship composers share their thoughts on whether this fairly reflects the genre.Conservative statements about the role of women and other aspects of contemporary society published on some mosque websites were this week. Edward Stourton discusses what it means with Dr Shuruq Naguib, from at the University of Lancaster and Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, of the Muslim Council of Britain.Producers: Catherine Earlam Amanda Hancox.

As two Labour politicians are suspended for making anti-Semitic remarks, William Crawley asks if we have a clear understanding of what anti-Semitism is. David Feldman - Pears Institute for the study of Antisemitism and Claire Fox from the Institute of Ideas debate.If Leicester City win at Manchester United on Sunday they will have won the Premier League against all the odds. Bob Walker hears how fans of all faiths have been brought together by this epic journey.There have been protests in Turkey after a senior politician suggested that the country should have a religious constitution. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.Professor Anthea Butler remembers the American peace activist, poet and Jesuit priest Fr Daniel Berrigan who has died at the age of 94.An international group of bishops, priests and nuns have written to Pope Francis urging him to change the Vatican's "medieval" practices for investigating unorthodox views. Fr Brian Darcy tells us why he signed the letter.Butterfly and Blood is a musical performance inspired by the diary of musician and Auschwitz survivor Fania Fenelon. Artist Marika Klambatsea explains how she has reclaimed the songs tainted by Nazi brutality.On the eve of Ascension Day, an ancient ceremony takes place in Whitby. Trevor Barnes discovers how a proposal to fix the date of Easter could spell the end of this annual event.Jutta Henner from the Bible Society explains why there has been an increase in the number of Muslims converting to Christianity in Austria. Here in the UK, some Muslim refugees are also converting to Christianity. The Rev Eghtedarian tells William his story.Producers: David Cook Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

For 1000 years, Ashkenazi Jews have been forbidden to eat foods classed as 'Kitniyot' (e.g. rice, corn, beans, legumes) during Passover. But now authorities in the US have lifted this ban which means that Ashkenazi Jews can eat a variety of foodstuffs from Sushi to Popcorn. Charles Carroll reports.This week, the Foreign Office issued advice for LGBT people travelling to the US because of new 'religious freedom' laws allowing individuals and institutions to deny services to LGBT customers on religious grounds. Concerns have been raised about the All Party Parliamentary Group on RE which has removed the promotion of non religious world views from its remit. Kevin Bocquet investigates.For a number of years, he was referred to as 'The artist formerly known as Prince' but did you know that he was also formerly known as a Jehovah's Witness? Not many people in the UK were aware that pop superstar Prince - who died this week - was a member of this church or that his music reflected his Christian faith.The Vatican has suspended the audit of its finances by PricewaterhouseCoopers because it says that "certain aspects" of the auditing arrangements need to be analysed. Does this signal the end of the Pope's attempt to make Vatican finances more transparent? Edward Stourton talks to the Pope's biographer, Paul Vallely.ISIS has stunned the world with its savagery but how can its rise be explained? In his new book - 'ISIS: A History' - Fawaz Gerges sheds new light on these questions. He talks to Edward Stourton.Producers: Helen Lee Catherine EarlamSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

Presenter William Crawley hears reaction to Pope Francis' visit to Lesbos, and explores the significance of the joint approach to the migrant crisis by the Catholic and Orthodox churches.Ahead of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, Trevor Barnes reports on the religion of Shakespeare's England, and the influence of the Bible on his language.This week's Channel 4 documentary "What British Muslims really think", has been heavily criticised by members of Muslim communities for putting across what they see as a skewed picture of Islam in Britain. The programme's executive producer Samir Shah and author and activist Shelina Janmohamed discuss.Liz Leonard examines the current religious landscape of Scotland, in light of the recent Scottish Social Attitudes survey which suggests that most people in Scotland are 'not religious'.What is it like to live in Britain as a member of the persecuted Ahmadi Muslim sect? Author Adil Khan profiles the history and beliefs of Ahmadis following the discovery of leaflets in a South London Mosque calling on them to be killed. The three Christian denominations which run the Church in Jerusalem, believed to be on the site of Jesus' tomb, have reached an agreement to carry out much-needed repair work. Archaeologist Martin Biddle explains the rich history of the shrine.Producers: Dan Tierney Peter EverettSeries producer: Amanda Hancox.

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.