Sunday

Football seems to have united England - at least temporarily. And there's a lot of faith involved both on and off the pitch. William talks to Rabbi Alex Goldberg, chair of the England Football Associations Faith Network, about the example being shown by Gareth Southgate's team and how we might keep the momentum going after Sunday's game.What does the title Reverend mean to you? A mark of respect for the office, or a contribution to an unwanted culture of deference which damages the church? Titles for the clergy such as Reverend, Most Reverend and The Venerable have been used for more than 500 years. But the Church of England now considering dropping them in favour of simple job titles. We discuss what purpose they serve with the rector who wants to get rid of them and the priest who thinks they serve a purpose. The Methodist Church has become the largest religious denomination in Britain to permit same-sex marriages, with the first marriages expected in the Autumn. William will talk about this momentous chan

Following a two year refurbishment, the Manchester Jewish Museum has just reopened. The former Spanish and Portuguese synagogue is now resplendent in its original colours and the new extension houses a gallery that takes visitors on a journey through Manchester’s diverse Jewish history.Next week, visitors to the Hampton Court Flower show (opening 6th July) will be able to sit in the Communication Garden which has been designed by Amelia Bouquet in support of Mental Health UK. Amelia talks about the health benefits of gardening.When Sozan Miglioli is not performing his duties as a Buddhist Monk at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Centre, he becomes a ‘Fire Monk’. Now that wild fires are raging near his monastery in California, he describes his fire prevention techniques to Emily Buchanan.Producers: Helen Lee Louise Clarke-RowbothamEditor: Tim Pemberton

Marco Pontecorvo, a director best known for his award winning work on television, including Rome and Game of Thrones, talks to Sunday about his new film Fatima. It tells the story of three Portuguese shepherds who reported visions of the Virgin Mary more than a hundred years ago. Jewish TikTok video makers say measures to protect them against anti-Semitism on the app are actually stopping them speaking about their faith. BBC digital journalist, and TikTok user, Sophia Smith-Galer tells William what's going on.And an exclusive interview with the first Black female president of the Methodist Conference ahead of a momentous vote on same-sex marriage. William discusses the vote with Reverend Sonia Hicks as well as her hopes of what she'll achieve in post.Photo Copyright Republic Film Distribution 2021Editor: Gill FarringtonProducers: Carmel Lonergan Olive Clancy

It was called 'Project Pearl' and the mission was to smuggle a million bibles into China. On a moonlit night 40 years, vast crates containing the bibles were unloaded on to the sand in Shantou. It was a covert operation and Paul Estabrooks was there. He tells Emily how they managed to avoid capture by the Chinese authorities and what was driving them to get so many bibles into the country.As the easing of COVID restrictions allow more people to attend a wedding, we investigate claims from couples who say the civil registrar system is failing to meet the growing demand for statutory ceremonies. If a couple wish to be married in a non-religious service they may have to take a low cost civil ceremony to ensure their marriage is legal. Julia and Jordan tell us that they were told to buy a more expensive wedding packages from their local authority if they wanted to have the legal paperwork in time for their humanist ceremony. Andrew Copson, the Chief Executive of Humanists UK tells us why he believes there is now

What will you be doing on Sunday afternoon? You could look to Cornwall where the G7 will draw to a close and a group of young Christians will meet at Truro Cathedral. There they will bless a wicker boat to be carried in relay to Glasgow in time for the UN Climate Change Conference in October. Edward Stourton asks if they can really hope to change minds with the trip and finds out why they're carrying the boat. Or maybe you'll spend your Sunday afternoon doing something else entirely. As England takes to the pitch for its first Euros encounter, Edward speaks to the Bishop of Willesden who includes Wembley in his diocese. How does this football loving cleric feel about the Euro's theme song which talks about broken churches and broken dreams. Is football the only answer?Also in the programme, the race against time to save some extraordinary murals in a London Church. The now flaking paintings are by the German Jewish artist Hans Freibusch who was exhibited in Hitler's infamous "degenerate art" exhibition of 19

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

A new cycle network is being launched this morning linking all 42 English Cathedrals across a 2000 mile route. A group of cyclists are setting off from Newcastle Cathedral this morning. Clare MacLaren is the Canon for Music and Liturgy at Newcastle Cathedral and Sean Cutler from Northumbria University pulled the route together.Gordon Brown leads a group of religious leaders asking for G7 leaders to prioritise vaccines for developing countries ahead of the G7 summit. The Dalai Lama and Rowan Williams are among the other signatories to a letter asking the UK to use its chairing of G7 to make the difference on the global vaccine campaign. The ancient marriage ceremony known as handfasting can be traced back to Celtic and Druid ceremonies. It may even be where the phrases ‘tying the knot’ and ‘bound for life’ originate. The Pagan Federation is campaigning for couples to be legally married by the Pagan ceremony. Sarah Kerr is President of the Pagan Federation.Producers: Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke-RowbothamEdit

What should the role of churches of all denominations be as the country emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic? More than 5,500 people including non-church members, congregations and church leaders have provided their testimony on the human cost of the pandemic when places of worship were closed and unable to play their usual role as crisis centres and places of comfort. We hear how two people made a contribution to their communities and the leader of the research, Dr Dee Dyas from the University of York tells Edward that churches and other places of worship have a unique opportunity to play a key role in the nation's recovery.As the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire took hold on Friday, both Israel and Hamas declared victory. But continuing unrest at the Al-Aqsa mosque on Friday suggests that the underlying issues remain as unresolved as ever. We return to the region and hear from two Jerusalemites who have lived through these perilous past few days, Abeer Zayyed, a volunteer at the Al Aqsa mosque and Rabbi Ron Kron

In October 2019 the LA-based musician Natalie Bergman was about to go on stage at Radio City Music Hall New York for a career defining concert with her band Wild Belle. Then she took a call the San Francisco coroner - her father and stepmother had just been killed in California when a drunk driver crashed into their taxi. She cancelled the tour and went into a hibernation of grief that led her to rediscover her faith on a silent retreat at a monastery in New Mexico. Her album Mercy, tells the story of that time.The Church of England has a long and sometimes complicated history. This year more than ever, church communities worried about memorials and statues with links to slavery or other distasteful events of the past. This week the Church of England published official guidance for parishes and cathedrals to help them deal with the problem. We hear from Novelette-Aldoni Stewart who worked on the new guidelines, from former Lord Mayor of Bristol Cleo Lake who has had to adjudicate on such issues in the past an

Can an arranged marriage be modern? How much of a say do the daughters and sons have? After 10 years of research, Raksha Pande from Newcastle University has discovered two new types of arranged marriage, distinct from those of previous generations. William Crawley explores a range of views and experiences among young British Asians. In 2008, the former professional footballer and Match of the Day pundit Gavin Peacock gave up a thriving media career to become a church minister in Canada. It was the culmination of a faith journey that began in the 1990s as player for QPR, Newcastle and Chelsea. He tells his story in his new autobiography, ‘A Greater Glory: From Pitch To Pulpit’.Thousands of school children across the country will be taking part in what is hoped to be a record for the greatest number of people participating in a simultaneous fitness workout. The ‘Body and Soul’ charity project, organised by the Reverend Steve Chalke and fitness instructor ‘Mr Motivator’ aims to encourage a reconnection of our

Pilgrimages are having a moment, with new paths in Scotland, around Durham and between the Cathedrals of England. The famous international ways from Camino de Santiago and Via Francigena have risen massively in popularity too, stalled only by the pandemic. We'll hear the highs and lows of our listeners' pilgrim tales and discuss the attraction with travel writer Sarah Baxter. Just what is it about walking for days on end that works for people and do you have to be religious to benefit?This week Northern Ireland marks the centenary of the state’s foundation after the partition of Ireland. The anniversary comes just weeks after renewed sectarian tensions. After the recent violence, the Irish President Michael D Higgins said education separated along Catholic and Protestant lines can no longer be justified - 93% of schoolchildren in Northern Ireland are separated by faith. We'll be talking to the headteacher and a parent from a school that will be one of the first to teach protestant and catholic children side b

On Friday, President Biden will mark his first 100 days in office. Each day he has received a letter written by a religious scholar about a pressing issue of the day. William is joined by the founder of '100 Days, 100 Letters' Rabbi Andrea Weiss. The issue of racism has become a common theme over the early days of this presidency and in the week of the conviction of the former policeman Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd Andrea shares some of the letters that explore the divisons and rifts many Americans are trying to resolve. Also we hear from Patrick Ngwolo the lead pastor at Resurrection Houston who knew George Floyd as a friend.The long awaited report from the Church of England's Archbishops' Anti-Racism Taskforce was released this week. It aims to bring about 'a change of culture in the life of the church.' But does it go far enough and what is being done differently to ensure the recommendations are acted on? We hear from a former race advisor to the church and two members of the taskforce,

Are you feeling stressed by the pandemic? You could try Sufi meditation to music. Sufism is a form of Islamic mysticism that emphasises introspection and spiritual connection but the meditation can work whether you are of other faiths, or none. When the pandemic began the Sufi music group Zendeh Delan decided to create Sufi-inspired music to aid meditation and broaden its appeal. The result is an album fusing Persian with western orchestral instruments and it is now being used in hospitals and clinics. We talk to musician Omid Asgari about what he calls "the music of the soul" and to clinical psychologist Dr Saloumeh Bozorgzadeh about how she uses it in her practice. As the United States mourns the victims of the shooting at Indianapolis, Emily talks to Jennifer Hubbard, mother of six year old Catherine, who was one of twenty children and six adult staff members who died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012. It is one of the deadliest mass shootings in US history. Jennifer tells Emil

Following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, William Crawley looks back on his life and reflects on his faith with Bishop Graham James, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, historian Coryne Hall and the writer Martin Palmer.Also in the programme, as violence returns to the streets of Northern Ireland, how significant is this moment and do religious leaders have any influence on events? With the Catholic Bishop Noel Treanor, and the Presbyterian Moderator, Dr David Bruce.And the musicologist Michael Spitzer, author of the new book 'The Musical Human: A History of Life on Earth', explores how music was fundamental to our evolution and its relationship to religious and spiritual beliefs across the world and across time.Producers: Dan Tierney and Rosie Dawson.

The singer and musician Harry Connick Junior is a Grammy and Emmy winning star. He's sold more than 28 million records worldwide and is in constant demand for concerts internationally. So when Covid struck, he found himself with time on his hands. The result is a new album Alone with My Faith.Last December, the Conservative MP Fiona Bruce was appointed the Prime Minister's Global Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. In her first broadcast interview since being appointed, she tells William her priorities for the job.The actor Sir David Suchet has played many roles from Poirot to Dr Who. His latest performance goes live on Easter Sunday when he reads the whole of St John’s Gospel from Westminster Abbey. The world premiere - as it has been billed - will be released on the Abbey’s website at 4pm on Easter Sunday.Producers: Carmel Lonergan Olive ClancyEditor: Tim PembertonPhoto Credit: Georgia Connick

The English National Opera and BBC Two are going ahead with a full rendition of Handel's Messiah over Easter. The soprano Nadine Benjamin and the conductor Laurence Cummings tell Emily Buchanan why this socially distanced performance means so much to them.After a tense week in which a Batley school used an "inappropriate" image of the Prophet Mohammed, we discuss how you strike the balance between teaching controversial subjects and promoting respect and tolerance. Emily Buchanan is joined by teacher and campaigner Ayesha Ali-Khan and Andrew Copson, Chief executive of Humanists UK.And the Sikh Women's Action Network, which helps Sikh survivors of domestic abuse, says calls during lockdown more than doubled. Emily Buchanan hears one survivor's story and talks to the co-founder and Executive Director of SWAN Sahdaish Pall about what they are doing to help.

I've Forgotten Now Who I Used To Be is an album from Ghana's so called Witch Camps. The Italian-Rwandan film maker Marilena Delli Umuhoza and the Grammy award winning producer Ian Brennan recorded music made by women accused of witchcraft and ostracised. Most are guilty of nothing more than being older, destitute or of having disabilities. The couple specialise in documenting the music of the marginalised from prisoners in Malawi to genocide survivors in Rwanda. It is, they say, the music of pure emotion - join us to hear it and how it was made.The right to protest should be on an equal footing with the right to communal worship under lockdown rules. That's the view of the Joint Committee on Human Rights this week, and they've called on the Government to take urgent action accordingly. Is protest really as sacred as worship? And if so where do we draw the line on what is acceptable behaviour in the name of a cause we truly believe in? William Crawley discusses the ethics of protest with two women of faith and

In this episode of Sunday we hear the little known Jewish history of one of the most influential protest songs of the 20th century 'Strange Fruit' and how it came to be performed by Billie Holiday, which is the subject of the film 'The United States vs Billie Holiday' currently streaming on Sky Cinema. Former prison inmate now prison chaplain, Jonathan Aitken takes us inside HMP Pentonville, as he describes a year of prison chaplaincy during the pandemic which he says has led to some ground-breaking and long overdue reforms. ‘If you’re not religious, say so!’ – that is the request of a campaign launched this week by Humanists UK. They want people who are "not in any meaningful sense religious to tick the ‘no religion’ option on the 2021 Census". Ed Stourton is joined by the Chief Executive of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson, and also Nick Spencer of religion and society think tank Theos to discuss the Census, religion and the none-religious.Producers:Catherine Earlam Louise Clarke-Rowbotham

Sister Norma Pimentel is one of the most important advocates for immigrants in the United States. For over three decades, she has been working to support migrants seeking refuge in the U.S. along Texas border with Mexico and as Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, she directs efforts to provide shelter, food, sanctuary and comfort to people often treated as less than human. Last year she made Time magazine's list of the100 most influential people and her work has earned her the moniker of “the Pope’s favourite nun.”It is estimated that 71% of victims of modern day slavery are women and girls. For the past six years, former police officer Karen Anstiss has been running Caritas Bakhita House - a place of safety for women escaping human trafficking which is supported by the Catholic Church. Karen talks about her work and how we can help the victims of modern day slavery.On 3rd January this year, Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben became the first female chaplain to the US House of Re

Sixty of the country’s black majority churches have joined forces to support the Covid vaccination programme. Pastor Agu Irukwu, head of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which is operating a pop-up vaccination centre, talks to Ed Stourton about what they are doing to tackle vaccine hesitancy. Pope Francis is due to visit Iraq this Friday. It will be the pontiff's first international trip since the start of the pandemic, but the Pope is said to be intent on going. Dr Elizabeth Monier, University of Cambridge, explains why the trip is so significant to Iraq's small Christian population. Should it be allowed for graves to be decorated and personalised to remember those we have lost? Ed Stourton hears the story of Lynsey Dent who was asked by her local diocese to remove toys and other mementoes from the grave of her two children because they were in violation of Church of England churchyard regulations. And Brendan Day, secretary and executive officer for the Federation of Burial & Cremation Authorities,