Sunday

Dom Gervase Hobson-Matthews was a monk who trained and taught at the Benedictine run Downside Abbey. During WW2 he served as a chaplain to the 1st Artillery Division. He kept a diary that chronicled his experience helping troops to withdraw from the beaches of Dunkirk where he was killed in June 1940. Days before his death, he rejected an opportunity to return home. To mark the 80th anniversary of...

Award-winning fitness instructor Lavina Mehta is doing special exercise classes online for the elderly South Asian community in this country. She is joined every day by her 72-year-old mother-in-law Nishaben Mahendra Mehta who translates Lavina’s instructions into Gujarati and does all the exercises as well. This week, President Trump announced that the Navajo Nation - which includes vast stretche...

On VE Day 75 years ago the bells of churches and cathedrals across the country were rung in celebration. Anniversary events will be very different this year as many of them have been cancelled as people adhere to rules that prohibit mass gatherings. Using archive and contemporary recordings from some who were there in May 1945 we remember the moment when the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany...

As protests to end the lockdown continue across some states in America, Edward Stourton speaks to two Christian pastors in Virginia who have responded differently to the stay-at-home order. Our correspondent in India reports on claims that Hindu nationalists are exploiting Covid-19 to ramp up prejudice against Muslims. Mud Orange – a new ‘creative agency’ launched at the start of this year's Ramad...

There’s no Passion play on the streets of Chester this year, so the city’s Mystery Plays go online for the first time. In an exclusive interview with the papal biographer and journalist Austin Ivereigh, Pope Francis has given an insight into his life under lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the BBC's Middle East...

The Covid pandemic has created ‘battlefield’ conditions for UK doctors who may soon have to make very difficult decisions about who to prioritise for life-saving treatment. Edward Stourton discusses the underlying ethical principles with Dominic Wilkinson, Professor of Medical Ethics at Oxford University; and Rev Dr Brendan McCarthy, National Adviser on Medical Ethics for The Church of England. Ur...

As the UK adapts to the social restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, Edward Stourton looks at the impact it is having on grieving families at funerals. How do you greet people in a time of social distancing? Shaunaka Rishi Das, Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, tells Edward about the Hindu greeting known as the Namaste. Yahya Birt and the Bishop of Bradford, Toby Howarth pay tr...

The landscape for all faith communities has changed dramatically this week. The doors to churches, mosques, temples and cathedrals closed as communities do their bit to try and keep worshipers safe and reduce the spread of the coronavirus. But keeping those communities together and supporting them through a time of national crisis is proving to be challenging. Joining Edward Stourton to discuss ho...

In the coastal town of Folkestone, historians and archaeologists are celebrating a remarkable find. It dates from 7th Century and is thought to be the earliest verified remains of the English Saint Eanswythe – one of the first converts to Christianity in England. The BBC's Religion Editor, Martin Bashir, reports from Folkestone. Andrew Billen from The Times unpacks the dispute between the Dean of...

Sophia Smith Galer reports on religious apps, in the first of a three part series for the BBC World Service Heart and Soul on religion in the digital age. To mark International Women’s Day we hear from three young women about what their faith means to them in 21st century Britain. And the BBC’s Laura Bickers tells Edward why a South Korean religious sect is being investigated over its links to the...

The Vatican “Secret” archives will be opened on Monday – what new findings might emerge about Pope Pius X11 war time dealings? Historian David Kertzer and Lisa Billig,the American Jewish Committee's representative to the Holy See, talk about what they expect to discover. L'Arche communities around the world support people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them. Last week a commu...

One of England's largest 'doom' paintings has been restored in St Thomas's Church, Salisbury. These medieval paintings depict the moment when Christ judges souls to send them to either Heaven or Hell. Over the years many were painted over or damaged. William Crawley talks to Rev Kelvin Inglis about what the restoration of the Salisbury 'doom' painting has revealed. As the government announces more...

Christian rap and grime artist Guvna B travels to the US to explore the fusion of gospel music and hip-hop The Church of England may have to pay out hundreds of millions of pounds to compensate survivors of sexual abuse following a unanimous vote at this week's General Synod. The Church's incoming Lead Bishop for Safeguarding, Rt Rev Jonathan Gibbs, put forward an amendment calling for serious mon...

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was scheduled to come to the UK for an 8 city tour beginning in May. As all the venues say they have cancelled his bookings Edward asks him why people appear to be uncomfortable with his visit and how he plans to respond. A clandestine operation carried out by one of the world’s most secretive intelligence agencies use...

The Church of England’s has its first official football team, founded by an ex-professional from Iran who is now a priest in Sunderland. Emily talks to Rev. Pauya Hedari, captain and founder of the newly-formed Archbishop of Canterbury FC, about this team that will be made up exclusively of priests. Ten years ago the case of a young Christian woman in Pakistan made headlines when she was sentenced...

To mark 75 years of liberation from the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp Frank Bright and Ziggy Shipper both survivors of the camp talk about their experiences. A loaf of bread based on an ancient recipe in the Old Testament has become the latest nutritional in thing. Victoria Beckham posted a picture of her breakfast of smashed avocado on a slice of toasted Ezekiel bread and others have been...

The true story of a Catholic, Austrian peasant farmer, who refused to pledge allegiance to Hitler but was let down by the Church is the subject of the film, A Hidden Life, out in cinemas this week. Bishop John Sherrington joins Sunday to discuss whether the film sheds new light on the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Nazis. This week came news that researchers in the US have create...

As the Australian wildfires intensify, Rev Dr Stephen Robinson, coordinator of the New South Wales Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network updates Edward on the situation they are facing as they assist people hit by the disaster. In China, it's estimated that there are a million Muslims held in detention camps across the country. Human Rights Watch claim Uighurs and other ethnic Muslims have been loc...

Farah Jarral looks at the spirituality of the Bee. Long before we understood the ecological importance of the bee, it was already a precious symbol for many faiths and communities for centuries. Against a back drop of horrendous fires and floods engulfing the parts of the world, Celebration Earth is being launched. It’s an invitation to community groups, faith groups and large organisations to com...

In the autumn of 1620, 102 passengers set sail from England aboard the Mayflower. Many of those sailing were Puritans, looking for the freedom to practice their religious ideas. Others wanted a fresh start in the New World. The treacherous journey took 66 days and as the Pilgrims established their new colony they battled harsh winters, disease and internal dissent. As the 400th anniversary of the...

As we approach Christmas, Emily Buchanan has been to Bethlehem to speak to the Christian community living there. The new Archbishop of York, Rt Rev Stephen Cotterell joins Edward Stourton live to to talk about his plans for his new role. Sue Peart was the Editor of the Mail on Sunday YOU magazine but in 2018 she stepped down from her post and a few months later her mother passed away. Struggling t...

Director Fernando Meirelles discusses his film The Two Popes. The role that religion played in the election has been described as unprecedented and worrying. Edward Stourton hears why with journalist Sunny Hundal and author Ben Ryan. And how to have a green and sustainable Christmas. Producers: Catherine Earlam Carmel Lonergan Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

Megan Phelps-Roper’s grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church. The church is notorious for its preaching against gay people, Jews, Muslims and for picketing the funerals of American soldiers and the American Holocaust museum. Megan has now changed her views and her life. She tells us what made her preach hate and what led to her eventual transformation. A new Netflix documentary charts the rise and...

In the aftermath of the attack on London Bridge Southwark Cathedral will have clergy available to listen and talk. Emily asks the Dean of Southwark Cathedral, Andrew Nunn, what the response has been from the community. The dean will also talk about how they will navigate through the weeks building up to Christmas as its the first Sunday in advent and what the plans are. Ahead of UN climate confere...

This week the Rt Rev Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin became the first black woman to be consecrated a bishop in the Church of England. The former chaplain to the speaker of the House of Commons joins Emily Buchannan. A new report released by the Church of England paints a damning picture of the Church's record on anti-Semitism. The report urges Christians to not only be repentant for the “sins of the past”...