Sunday

A major clean-up is underway as homes were deluged, bridges destroyed, roads blocked and towns cut off as flash floods devastated parts of England. Reeth, in North Yorkshire, has been badly hit by the floods and the Bishop of Ripon, Helen-Ann Hartley has been one of those helping farmers and villagers as they try to get on top of the aftermath.The Salvation Army have been brought in by Coronation Street writers to help writers with a story-line about human trafficking and modern slavery. Andrew Wileman from the Salvation Army’s Anti-trafficking and Modern Slavery team tells William how the public are often the first to alert authorities to potential victims and how the Salvation Army help those caught up in the crime.Facial hair. It’s a personal thing. Beards may be ‘in’ right now but the history of hairy faces hasn’t always been harmonious. Having the wrong beard at the wrong time in religious history could be a matter of spiritual life or death. The anonymous Christian commentator The Church Mouse has chron

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme presented by William Crawley.

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme presented by Edward Stourton.

At the height of the English Civil War, the City of Chester was not only scarred by battle, it was also devastated by plague. One house, at 9, Watergate Street, was spared, it is still known as ‘God’s Providence House’. In 1652 a special oak relief carving was made to commemorate this building. Now, 367 years later, it has just turned up in a house-clearance sale in Shropshire and it goes to auction on Wednesday. Edward talks to the man who identified the carving Jeremy Lamond.The Archbishop of Capetown Thabo Makgoba met with Nelson Mandela in his home in 2009, in response to the request of his wife, Graça Machel. This moment marked the beginning of a moving relationship between southern Africa’s Anglican leader and Mandela until his death in 2013. We hear how this relationship influenced the Archbishop."To fail at safeguarding casts a stain over every good thing the church does" those were the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury told the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA): this week. This

Sir Stephen Cleobury – Director of Music at King’s College Cambridge – conducts his final Choral Evensong this Sunday. He talks to Emily about his 37 years at King's.The spotlight is once again on Ampleforth College over safeguarding as the Independent Schools Inspectorate published a Progress Monitoring Report highlighting failures at the school. Head teacher Deirdre Rowe will be leaving after just ten months in post. The Tablet’s Liz Dodd explains why Ampleforth is “in turmoil”.Nazir Afzal, the former CPS prosecutor, talks to Emily about his role as a mediator at the Anderton Park [School] dispute about teaching LGBT rights and what the way forward should be.In this celebratory year of the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak, Dr Jasjit Singh and Mahmood Awan discuss the impact of the Guru's poetry and writings on literature. Producers Amanda Hancox David Cook.Photo Credit Kevin Leighton

It's the biggest music festival in the world with more than 200,000 people expected to visit Worthy Farm in Somerset. It's renowned for its spectacular line up of musicians, but there is also a spiritual element to Glastonbury - and even a religious presence. The Reverend Chris North, has been volunteering for the past fifteen years in the Sanctuary Tent at the Festival.Senior Bishops in the Diocese of Blackburn have spoken out about their concerns over safeguarding in the Church of England. In a letter the Bishops of Blackburn, Lancaster and Burnley, along with other senior clergy in the Diocese, say the Church of England needs to look again at its culture and structure, and understand that safeguarding is not just about ticking boxes. The BBC's Donna Birrell has been speaking to the Bishop of Burnley, the Right Reverend Philip North, who told her that the Church is complacent in thinking safeguarding failures are "historic".A law allowing parents to withdraw their children from religious education should b

Hindu spiritual leader BK Shivani described as “the very modern face of India's ancient Raja Yoga” this week she arrives in the UK to start a European Tour. Raja Yoga is known as the ‘yoga of the mind’ and BK Shivani’s has a vast following of almost 4 million on social media. She's expected to fill venues across the UK. Edward Stourton has been speaking to her ahead of her visit. Also in the programme how religious groups in Hong Kong have been at the forefront of protests and are science and religion really in conflict with one another? Nick Spencer speaks to Edward about his upcoming three part Radio 4 series exploring the relationship between the two.Producers: Rajeev Gupta Peter Everett Editor: Amanda Hancox

Two years after Grenfell we hear about the role that faith plays in the lives of those still fighting for justice and overcoming the trauma of the worst UK residential fire since the Second World War. We hear why the Archbishop of Dublin has called for an end to gangland-style funerals and why some fear his statement could put local priests at risk. And as a new helpline for Jewish women suffering sexual abuse is launched, we hear from the head of Jewish Women's Aid about the cultural and religious reasons why Jewish women take over 11 years to seek help.For more information about the helpline please find the link at the bottom of the programme page. Producers: Catherine Earlam Helen LeeEditor: Amanda Hancox

As the Cricket World Cup gets underway, Sarah Fane, founder and director of Afghan Connection a charity working to improve the lives of young Afghani's through cricket tells William about the extraordinary story of the rise of Afghanistan as a cricketing force.Commemorations are taking place for the 75th anniversary of D-Day on 6th June 2019. Of the countless sacrifices made on that day some of the lesser known stories were those of the military chaplains. Sarah Meyrick has researched the role of the military chaplains for her recently published book, The Restless Wave, and tells William some of their stories.Ahead of the second anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, the Bishop of Kensington Graham Tomlin talks about his report on the legacy of the tragedy and the social issues it continues to raise. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has published a research report on child sexual abuse in religious institutions, based on accounts shared by survivors at its Truth Project. We hear from survivor

Asia Bibi's lawyer, Saif-ul Malook, was named Secularist of the Year this week by the National Secular Society. This week he returns to Pakistan after forfeiting his asylum in the Netherlands in order to fight another blasphemy case. He tells us why.Diarmaid MacCulloch joins us to explain why is he so concerned at a British Academy report this week warning that Theology and Religions courses are at risk of "disappearing" from universities.And a US pastor baptising people in the online world of virtual reality explains why the idea could catch on.

In her day, Queen Emma was a powerful political figure who married two successive Kings of England and was the mother of Edward the Confessor. Experts believe that they have found her bones in a mortuary chest at Winchester Cathedral. Replicas of those bones now form the centrepiece of a new exhibition exploring the relationship between monarchy, power and the church. Trevor Barnes has been to investigate.Panorama presenter Jane Corbin discusses the suspension of The Bishop of Lincoln.Two years after the Manchester Arena bomb took the lives of 22 people, David Walker - the Bishop of Manchester – talks about healing and remembrance in the city.BBC White House correspondent Tara McKelvey discusses controversial new anti-abortion legislation in the US.It is Stonewall’s 30th Birthday on 24th May. Its CEO Ruth Hunt talks about her faith and how the organisation is working towards greater inclusion for LGBT people in all religions.The government’s rejection of a definition for ‘islamophobia’ this week prompted wide

Walking pilgrimages are increasingly capturing the popular imagination; Bernadette Kehoe joins pilgrims on a new pilgrimage route in Kent. The ‘Augustine Camino’ winds its way from the Anglican Cathedral in Rochester to the Catholic shrine of St Augustine. Jean Vanier, the Catholic theologian and founder of the L’Arche communities, died this week. We pay tribute to his life and work with John Sargent, national director of L’Arche UK and Tim, an adult with learning difficulties and a member of L’Arche Manchester who knew him. The first Muslim to row for Team GB, Double Olympian Mohamed Sbihi. He tells our reporter Tusdiq Din how he has coped with Ramadan over the recent years where the demands of his faith and those of an elite athlete have found a compromise.Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner and Professor Neil Lawrence (Professor of Machine Learning at Sheffield University) discuss ethical and religious perspectives on Artificial Intelligence.Azeem Wazir says he will be killed if he is deported back to Pakistan

Ramadan begins tomorrow and for the next month, Muslims will fast every day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam as is Zakat - the compulsory giving of a proportion of your wealth to charity. We hear from young Muslims about the importance of giving.Today the Pope sets off on a visit to Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia. Why is he visiting countries in which fewer than 1% are Catholic?In January the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt launched a review into Christian persecution around the world and how effective the Foreign Office is in supporting those affected. The review is led by the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen. He talks to Edward about his findings.The Archbishop of Cape Town - Thabo Makgobo - discusses the South African Elections. The King of Thailand is crowned over a three day ceremony. We look at the religious significance of the coronation for the country.Sister Katrina Alton is the first 'new' sister of St Joseph of Peace for 30 years. She tells Edwar

Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bombings left at least 250 dead and more than 500 wounded. One week on we examine the history behind Sri Lanka's religious tensions and speak to a Catholic leader as churches across the country remain shut in fear of further attacks. After so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, we ask if this is now the terror group will operate now its territory has been defeated. The Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, talks to Edward Stourton about the news that Northern Ireland's politicians have agreed to begin talks to try and restore the devolved government at Stormont after the journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead by the New IRA.Producers: Harry Farley Carmel LonerganEditor: Amanda Hancox

How was the date of Easter decided in the West? Michael Carter, Monastic Historian at English Heritage explains why Whitby Abbey played a crucial role. Ethirajan Anbarasan from the BBC's Sihala service gives the latest on the bombing of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka where hundreds have died. Cardinal Vincent Nichols head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales joins Emily live to discuss issues effecting the Catholic Church. Rosie Dawson reports from New York where an alliance of Christians have been following their own version of the Stations of the Cross in an attempt to highlight the suffering of victims of sex trafficking. And why are people drawing similarities between the Easter story and the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral? Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield and Father Aidan Troy, Parish priest of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Paris, discuss it.Producers: Rajeev Gupta Helen LeeEditor: Amanda HancoxPhoto Credit: English Heritage

This weekend Sikhs all over the UK and the world are celebrating Vaisakhi. It marks one of the most important religious, historical dates in the Sikh calendar. William Crawley will be talking to Dr Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Senior Lecturer in Sikh Studies at the University of Birmingham. The hit BBC sitcom Fleabag has reignited a debate about priestly celibacy. Alex Walker quit the priesthood when he fell in love with his now wife. He talks about his life , the show and how the portrayal of the priests story line have been received. Jo Frost from the Evangelical Alliance and Lorraine Cavanagh from Modern Church discuss whether you need to believe in the Easter story in order to be a Christian.. And award winning rapper Guvna B talks about the current influence of religion in black music.Producers: Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke-RowbothamEditor: Christine MorganPhoto Credit: Sikh Press Association.

Sunday morning religious news and current affairs programme.

William Crawley discusses an unlikely alliance forged in the battle for Brexit when he discusses the relationship between the Protestant DUP and devout Catholic Jacob Rees Mogg with Professor Jon Tonge and journalist Mary KennyIt is exactly 60 years today since the Dalai Lama arrived in India having fled the Chinese authorities in Tibet disguised as a soldier. Krishna Das, Reuters’ Chief Correspondent, discusses his legacy and how his successor may be chosen. The Bishop of Salisbury - Nick Holtem - talks about the Church of England's response to the anxiety created by Brexit.Producers: Helen Lee and Harry Farley Editor: Christine Morgan

The Home Office says they are investigating after an official used Bible quotes to argue Christianity is not a peaceful religion in a bid to refuse an Iranian convert asylum. Was this a rogue incident or is it part of a wider pattern?Sam Brownback is the US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. He speaks to us about China, Pakistan and Asia Bibi.And in India violence against Dalits, or those who are the lowest caste, persist. Rahul Joglekar visits one Dalit artist in Mumbai who is trying to change perceptions with a designer range of leather goods.Producers: Harry Farley and Peter Everett Editor: Amanda Hancox

Experts at Creswell Crags in Nottinghamshire thought the hundreds of markings covering the walls of caves were Victorian graffiti. Now they are believed to be Britain's largest collection of 'witch markings' from 16th - 18th centuries to protect people from the dark forces of the underworld. Reporter Harry Farley went to see them. The head of China’s state-sanctioned Protestant Church claims Western forces are trying to use Christianity to “subvert” the Chinese government and the Governor of Xinjiang province says the ‘re-education camps’ for Muslim Uighurs are reducing terrorism. Edward Stourton discusses religion in China with Maria Jaschok and Edmond Tang. In response to the New Zealand Mosque attacks, Edward speaks to the Bishop Christchurch. Samayya Afzal, Community Engagement Manager for the Muslim Council of Great Britain and Dr Rosemary Hancock of the University of Notre Dame in Sydney Australia discuss Islamophobia and what lies behind it.Producers Carmel Lonergan Helen LeeEditor Amanda HancoxPhoto