Sunday

For many years concerns have been raised over the eroded pilgrim path of Croagh Patrick; from where the fifth century Saint Patrick allegedly banished the snakes from all Ireland. Tracey Logan visits a new kind of path built near the summit using only materials found on the mountain, will the path still feel sacred? Labour MP Diana Johnson debates the benefits of her ten-minute rule bill to decriminalise abortion the bill with Conservative MP Fiona Bruce. To mark the centenary of the end of World War One, BBC Radio 2’s Faith in the World Week asks who are the peace makers today? The Mobo award winning rap artist Guvna B has been finding out by visiting a Christian charity in a busy London A&E who help victims of knife crime and gang violence. As the global safeguarding conference in London on tackling exploitation and harassment in the aid sector finishes, Edward talks to Debbie Ariyo from Africa United against Child abuse (Afruca) about what can be done to ensure the safeguarding of people in need.Prod

Former Olympic champion Tommie Smith speaks to Rajeev Gupta about how his Christian faith inspired his iconic fist raised protest on the podium at the Mexico City Games 50 years ago this week.A court in Turkey has freed US pastor Andrew Brunson in a case that badly strained ties between the US and Turkey. We bring you the latest on his release.As the canonisation of the assassinated archbishop Oscar Romero takes place, Edward talks to CAFOD's South America regional manager Claire Dixon live from Rome.Reporter Trevor Barnes has been to a hand to hand food packaging event at the St Laurence's Church, Catford as they prepare food parcels to be sent out to Africa in time for World Food Day.PRODUCERS: RAJEEV GUPTA HARRY FARLEY SERIES PRODUCER: AMANDA HANCOX

As Archbishop John Sentamu announces his retirement, we look at the significance of the role of Archbishop of York in the Church of England. Trevor Barnes visits the winners of the first Green Health Awards, a collaboration of health care professionals and churches. The morality of killing with Drones - Dr Peter Lee, author of "Reaper Force: Inside Britain's Drone Wars" talks to William Crawley about the ethical and moral issues facing drone pilots. And why is Manchester celebrating Syria?Producers: Amanda Hancox and Dan Tierney

When four girls were killed by a racist bomb in an Alabama Baptist Church 1963,the late Welsh artist John Petts raised funds for the Church and created a stain glass window depicting Jesus as black. Now the window is in need of protection. Theodore Ted Debro Trustee, a Church Trustee, tells Edward why. A letter by the Italian astronomer Galileo challenging the official view of cosmology has been discovered 405 years after it was written. Dr Anna-Marie Roos sheds light on the significance of the letter. A ComRes survey for BBC Local Radio on miracles reveals three in five (62%) British adults believe that some form of miracle is possible today. Chris French,Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths College, and Yujin Nagasawa, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Birmingham discuss the findings. The Indian courts have made a number of ground breaking rulings over the past few weeks including a landmark decision lifting a Hindu temple's ban on women entering. The BBC's James Clayton tells us more. Voters

Sunday reveals the results of the biggest ever UK survey into how people of different faiths cope with death, dying and bereavement. Co-op funeral care Managing Director David Collingwood and theologian Douglas Davies discuss the results.The Archbishop of Canterbury has been accused of 'hypocrisy' this week for his criticism of Amazon, a company the Church of England has shares in. Edward Stourton asks Catherine Howarth of Share Action, how far investors can influence the behaviour of companies.Bob Walker speaks to Nobel Peace prize winner and former Liberian Prime Minster Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who delivered a keynote address at Rising, a global peace forum held at Coventry Cathedral this week. Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, arrives in the UK next week for a three day event in Blackpool, prompting protests from LGBT activists and churches. Edward Stourton looks at what Franklin Graham believes and why he's such a controversial figure. Ahead of the first national Cathedral's conference in Manch

Sara Alfageeh, an American illustrator and comic fan, annoyed by the tight costume worn by Marvel's Muslim superhero Dust she redesigned the niqab hero's attire and her designs have gone viral online.Rabbi Jonathan Sacks gives his first broadcast interview after his comments on Jeremy Corbyn and anti-Semitism and he talks to Edward about his new Radio 4 series "Morality in the 21st Century".The Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox Churches are in a tug of war over the status of the Ukrainian Church. Writer and journalist Jonathan Luxmoore discuses who the likely winner will be. Three years after David Cameron pledged 20,000 Syrians could seek refuge in the UK Bob Walker reports on the faith organisations helping many refugees to start again.Vatican commentators Austen Ivereigh and Edward Pentin discuss the letter sent by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano calling for Pope Francis to resign.Yasmin Qureshi MP talks to Harry Farley has he continues his series with politicians of faith.Cardinal Vincent Nichols tells Edward

As hundreds of people take part in the annual pilgrimage in the French city of Valenciennes, John Laurenson joins the pilgrims to find out why pilgrimages are becoming so popular in secular France. Usama Hasan, Head of Islamic Studies at Quilliam, gives his reaction to the release of Amjem Choudary.And where politics and morality clash - Edward discusses the cut in funding for Palestinian projects by the US Administration with Nigel Varnell of Embrace the Middle East and Sarah Elliott from Republicans Overseas. Franklin Graham talks to Sunday about his controversial visit to Blackpool. And the heart-felt appeal from a mother who wants more people of Asian heritage to register as stem cell donors. Producers: Carmel Lonergan and Lissa Cook Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

As Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing comes to an end, the BBC's White House reporter Tara McKelvey talks to William about his religious background and how it might appeal to the religious conservatives.Should Religious Education be renamed Religion and Worldviews and include non-religious perspectives such as Humanism and atheism? A major commission on RE has urged the Department for Education to do just this. William discusses it's findings with Rev John Hall, Dean of Westminster Abbey and chair of the commission.The Visible Recovery Movement is an alternative to 12 step fellowship programmes for those with addiction. Rosie Dawson went on a recovery walk in Shrewsbury to find out more.Professor Alison Scott-Baumann from SOAS tells William about the biggest research study ever of Muslim students in British universities.As the Archbishop of Canterbury warns of the need for the wealthy to be taxed more, theologian Dr Ian Paul and Andy Walton from the Centre for Theology and Comm

William Crawley presents a special programme from Phoenix Park, Dublin: Pope Francis is in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families. What sort of welcome will Pope Francis receive amid global allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church? Over fifty thousand people are expected, and William Crawley will give a taste of the atmosphere as people flock to Dublin from across Ireland and beyond. He will look at the importance of Pope Francis's visit for Catholics in Ireland and examine how the Church in Ireland has changed since Pope John Paul II visited in 1979; a time when the church had much more influence on society and political life. The Pope will also visit the town of Knock. Rajeev Gupta went along to look at the history of this famous shrine and explore the importance of Pilgrimage. The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin gives his thoughts on the tensions and problems the Catholic Church is facing in Ireland and where he sees its future.Pope Francis met privately with 8 survivors of clerical and institutio

We reflect on the deep Christian faith and gospel roots of Aretha Franklin with music, archive and the reflections of biographer David Nathan. American pastor Andrew Brunson is at the heart of a trade war between Turkey and the US. Emily Buchanan talks to Pastor Ryan Keating, who was himself deported from Turkey on charges of being a threat to national security about the place of Christianity in Turkey today. A report at the UN this week claimed that China is holding a million Muslim Uighurs in detention in Xinjiang province. The BBC's China correspondent John Sudworth talks to Emily Buchanan. Carol Monaghan is the SNP MP for Glasgow North West. She talks to Harry Farley about wearing her faith on her sleeve for our series on faith in Westminster. Ahead of the Pope's visit to Ireland a debate is raging over whether the World Meeting of Families is too exclusive and conservative or too liberal and inclusive. Martin Pendergast and Anthony Murphy join the programme to discuss that question. As more and more case

Hundreds of people have died after a devastating earthquake hit the Indonesian Islands of Lombok and Bali this week. As Hindus on the islands start making preparations for the cremations of loved ones, Maria Bakkalapulo reports on the rituals and the significance of food during the ceremonies.The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) accused two Catholic schools of allowing abuse to go unchecked for 40 years. They say both Ampleforth and Downside have blocked efforts to reform their structures. But how did safeguarding in these schools run by religious orders go so badly wrong. We start our series looking into how MP's with a faith balance religious beliefs and political life. This week Harry Farley meets Labour's Slough MP Tanmanjeet Dhesi at his local Sikh gurdwara.Wim Wenders' docu-film Pope Francis - A Man of His Word is out in the UK this week. Richard Fitzwilliams reviews the film with Emily Buchanan followed by an interview with director Wim Wenders himself.Only 2200 out of 550,000 GCSE h

Poonam Taneja reports on the Empire of the Sikhs exhibition, a rare collection of stunning objects and works of art that reveal the remarkable story of the Sikh Empire and the European and American adventurers who served it. BBC Religious Affairs Editor Martin Bashir looks ahead to this week's review by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) of the case of Peter Ball, the former Bishop of Gloucester, who was imprisoned in 2015 for abusing young men. Following the publication of new Vatican guidelines on what it means to be a consecrated virgin, Edward Stourton speaks to Elizabeth Rees who explains what life is like as a consecrated woman.Secunder Kermani reports on the influence of Sufi mystics on the outcome of the upcoming Pakistan elections. Jasvinder Sanghera tells Edward Stourton why her forced marriage campaign group Karma Nirvana is handing out spoons at a school to help tackle the summer holiday spike in forced marriage cases. Following a debate in the House of Lords of a bill calling

We are familiar with yoga and mindfulness but now there's growing interest in an old Chinese practice called Qigong. 5000 years old, it was used by Kung Fu masters to increase their strength. One of the best known Malaysian Chinese Grandmasters is Wong Kiew Kit. Emily Buchanan met him to learn more about this ancient practice. The Church of England has announced plans for 100 new churches in England. The Bishop of Burnley, Philip North and Rector of Holy Trinity Guildford Robert Cotton discuss the future shape of church and whether the church has it's priorities right. This week the Labour Party will formally adopt its new 'anti-Semitism code' - a definition of what does and does not amount to anti-Semitism when it comes to disciplinary proceedings against its members. But the wording of the code has been heavily criticised. Kevin Bocquet reports.Professor Eamon Duffy talks to Emily about his new book, Royal Books and Holy Bones.Cardinal Vincent Nichols visited the Jesuit Refugee Service this week, who are ca

The government announced plans to end conversion therapy this week after a survey showed most instances of attempted conversion therapy occur in a religious context. Harry Farley reports on the impact of this controversial practice and what it might mean for religious organisations that carry it out. Trevor Barnes is at the Church of England's General Synod in York reporting on the key issues and debates. Members of the General Synod are being urged to "strengthen the hand" of the Church's National Investing Bodies in discussions with fossil-fuel companies, by voting to increase the threat of disinvestment. Dr Darrell Hannah and the Bishop of Salisbury Nicholas Holtam discuss the amendment. From disgraced politician, to prison inmate, to prison chaplain, the Reverend Jonathan Aitken talks to Edward Stourton about his spiritual journey. Antony Gormley and Rowan Williams, two of the world's leading contemporary thinkers, in-conversation about the interface between art and theology following at the Royal Academy

The nave of Chester Cathedral has been transformed into a huge theatre set for the performance of medieval mystery plays which take place in the city every five years and are running now. Rosie Dawson has been to a rehearsal.Nigel Lawson once likened the NHS to a religion; Trevor Barnes explores whether people think the NHS is a religion. After several years of mental illness, Guy Stagg set off one morning, from London, to walk to Canterbury. This led him to follow the paths of the medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem and he explains how this walk of over 5000 miles has helped his recovery.The chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis accompanied the Duke of Cambridge on his historic tour of Israel and the Palestinian territories. The Chief Rabbi talks to Edward about the trip and the wider significance of it. Does the church attract narcissistic personality types in leadership roles? Some new books on the topic suggest this is certainly the case. Edward discusses with Mark Vernon, former priest and psychotherapist and Andre Spic

Police are treating the vandalism of a Jewish cemetery in Manchester this week as a hate crime. It follows a spate of other attacks on religious sites across the UK. Dr Chris Allen, Associate Professor in Hate Studies at Leicester University, explains why these attacks are happening now.Armed police officers have arrested at least 20 Jehovah's Witnesses in raids across Russia this week. Anastasia Golubeva explains why Jehovah's Witnesses are seen as an extreme organisation in Russia. Choristers from Hereford cathedral will make a historic trip to the Vatican to become the first Anglican cathedral choir to sing at a Papal Mass for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Harry Farley has been to meet them.A UK judge has ordered the declassification of documents expected to shed light on Britain's involvement in the storming of Sikhism's holiest site in 1984. The Sikh Federation's Davinder Singh and the BBC's Mark Tully talk to William about those events. In the week that President Trump did a U-Turn on the administ

Is this what God Looks Like? Psychologists at the University of North Carolina have put together a photo-fit image of what American Christians think God looks like - it's younger and more feminine than the Sistine Chapel's version.Bishop Joe Aldred and Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin join Edward to discuss how the churches responded to the Windrush generation and how it shaped worship in the UK today. Austria's government has begun the process of closing down several mosques and expelling imams. Austrian Muslims say the process is illegal and victimising the community. Reporter Bethany Bell in Austria explains.Dina Brawer will become the first Orthodox British woman to be ordained a rabbi, known as a Rabba, at an ordination ceremony on Monday. Trevor Barnes asks what influence could she have on Orthodox Judaism.Vicky Beeching began writing songs for the church in her teens. But this poster girl for evangelical Christianity lived with a debilitating inner battle: how to reconcile her faith with her sexuality. She talks

Thirty years since the start of construction began on the largest regeneration project Britain has seen in modern times - Canary wharf - the area's former vicar and now Bishop of Salisbury, Nicolas Holtham, returns to find out what's changed and meet some old friends still working in the community. The Government have announced funding to increase security at places of worship at risk of hate attacks. It comes in the same week a mosque and Gurdwara were fire bombed in Leeds. Home Office Minister Baroness Williams talks to Edward Stourton about how the new funding will help and we also hear from Director of Just Yorkshire Nadeem Murtuja. The man known as the Vicar of Baghdad has been cleared by the Metropolitan Police of paying Isis to free Yazidis slaves. Canon Andrew White joins Edward Stourton to reflect on the investigation and its impact on him. The Chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum, Mohammed Amin, discusses what he sees as his parties failure to take action on Islamophobia. Journalist Konstantin

On Monday religious think tank 'Theos' will publish a report, on how faith based organisations responded to the fire in Grenfell Tower. Report author Amy Plender, Muslim Aid's Jehangir Malick, and the Rev Mike Long from Notting Hill Methodist Church talk to Edward about what lessons can be learned.There's scant reference to Phoebe in the New Testament. A former slave who became a wealthy deacon in the 1st Century Christian church she was entrusted by Paul to take an epistle to Rome. She is the subject of a new story by the scholar and theologian Paula Gooder.To mark National Volunteers week David Cook explores a scheme run by Manchester Cathedral that has helped over 900 long term unemployed people improve their chances of finding work.Later today church goers across the country will be given access to an app specially designed to help them notice tell-tale signs of exploitation of workers with the increasing number of hand car washes. The data they gather will then be shared with the National Crime Agency wh

It's a year since the bomb attack on the Manchester Arena. In the aftermath, the actions of one young Muslim man captured the imagination of artist Ghislaine Howard. Her paintings of Baktash Noori offering hugs to strangers near St Anne's Church have just gone on display there. David Cook has been hearing their story.Dan Hett's brother Martyn was one of the 22 people killed in the Arena. He tells Edward why he is the lead signatory of a letter that urges the public to play an active role in the fight against terror. The Bishop of Manchester David Walker and Gorton MP, Afzal Khan join Edward to discuss what has happened since to strengthen community cohesion in the city. All of Chile's 34 Roman Catholic bishops have offered Pope Francis their resignations in the wake of a child abuse scandal and cover-up. Roman Catholic journalist Austen Ivereigh tells us what's prompted the decision and it's impact on the hierarchy of the Church.Bishop Michael Curry, who gave the address at the royal wedding, is the presiding