Sunday

BBC Radio 4

4.0 (21)
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

6 DAYS AGO

Justin Welby, safeguarding and the future of the Church of England

After a tumultuous week in the Church of England, Emily Buchanan looks at the legacy that Justin Welby will leave behind, how the church can stamp out abuse in future, and what's needed from the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Plus, an interview with Robert Harris, author of Conclave, on the Oscar-tipped movie of the same name.

44 min
NOV 10

Trump victory; Church of England abuse cover up; Guildford’s new Rabbi

In this week’s US election, Donald Trump secured the backing of 80% of white evangelical Christian voters. We hear insights from Rev. Robert M. Franklin, Jr., a senior fellow at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, and Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals. John Smyth ran Christian summer camps in Dorset during the 1970s and 1980s. His “horrific” and violent abuse of over 100 boys and young men was concealed by the Church of England for decades, according to a new report. Edward Stourton speaks with Andrew Graystone, author of Bleedings For Jesus: John Smyth and the Cult of the Iwerne Camps, and Dr Joanne Grenfell, Area Bishop of Stepney and safeguarding lead bishop for the Church of England. Guildford, Surrey, has had a Jewish community for centuries, though it has lacked a rabbi since the expulsion of Jews from England 750 years ago. Now, change is afoot as Alex Goldberg has recently been appointed the town’s new rabbi. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Davis & Amanda Hancox Studio Managers: Amy Brennan & Helen Williams Editor: Rajeev Gupta

43 min
NOV 3

Religion and the US Election

Edward Stourton presents a special US edition of 'Sunday' from Atlanta, in which he reports on the religious vote from the Bible Belt battleground state of Georgia. With unique access to a broad spectrum of faith communities, he gets analysis on the role of religion in the election. Producers: Dan Tierney (in Atlanta) Catherine Murray Peter Everett Saba Zaman Studio managers: Amy Brennon John Cole Jack Morris Editor: Tim Pemberton

43 min
OCT 27

UK Prisoner release; Nuns on the bus; Assisted dying

Julie Etchingham takes a look at the religious and ethical issues issues of the week.

44 min
OCT 22

Modern slavery; Nabateans; Toulouse minotaurs

Suspected victims of modern slavery are waiting years before their cases are dealt with, whilst waiting for a Home Office decision. On Friday, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Philips announced that the Home Office will hire 200 staff to clear a backlog of UK modern slavery cases. Sunday hears from Major Kathy Betteridge the Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army. Adventurer, writer and TV presenter Alison Morrison speaks about the discovery of a secret tomb underneath the Treasury Monument at the World Heritage site of Petra in Jordan, where more than a million people visit annually. The tomb contained 12 ancient skeletons and various artefacts dating back to the Nabataean people around two thousand years ago. A team including researchers from the University of St Andrews made the discovery using remote sensing equipment, while on a separate study looking at how to control flood waters at the site. Alison speaks about the significance of the discovery. The Archbishop of Toulouse- Monsignor Guy de Kerimel- called a mass to clean the city and protect it from dark forces within. He’s taken a public stand against a street art parade planned through the city at the end of month. Three massive metal minotaur's, guided remotely by dozens of technicians, will amble through the city over a three day period. It’s the presence of one Lilith that has infuriated some of the Catholic community. Half woman half scorpion in mythology she was Adam’s first wife and associated with evil and luring the weak into obscurity. Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Peter Everett Studio Mangers: Chris Hardman & Helen Williams Editor: Tim Pemberton

44 min
OCT 14

Church to Mosque; England's new Cardinal; Last Christians of Gaza

Edward Stourton is in the chair with a debate on what to do with empty churches, as the Church of England blocks plans to allow one in Stoke-on-Trent to become a mosque. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom - an organ of the Federal government based in Washington - has published a report on the Chinese government's efforts to control the country's religions including reports of crosses and images of Jesus and Mary being taken down in churches and replaced with pictures of the Chinese President Xi Jinping. Bond Director Lee Tamahori famous for 'Die Another Day' tells us about his latest blockbuster starring Guy Pearce. 'The Convert' is a film about a missionary and his misgivings about converting Maori tribes to Christianity in 1800's New Zealand. Fr Timothy Radcliffe talks about his surprise at being appointed a Cardinal, his journey to becoming an esteemed preacher and his thoughts on the regalia that comes with being a 'red hat'. Sunday hears from George Antone, one of the last Christians of Gaza who has been in touch with the programme for the past year as he and hundreds of Catholics seek refuge in the Holy Family Church in Northern Gaza. As military action intensifies in the region, George tells us about his fears for the future.

44 min
SEP 29

Theology of Hezbollah; Abortion buffer zones; Sacred Sikh music

As Hezbollah confirms the death of its leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on Beirut, hear about the religion and politics behind Hezbollah from Fawaz Gerges - Professor of International Relations and Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies at the LSE. And William talks to Myriam Shwayri from the Al-Khafat Foundation about efforts to evacuate disabled adults and children from areas affected by explosions in the city. Abortion clinic 'buffer zones' have come into force in Scotland with similar areas on the way for England and Wales by the end of October. William talks to two women on either side of the debate. 'He was ebullient, generous-hearted, kind to many, and an inspirational figure. But alongside that, hiding in plain sight, was someone who manipulated and controlled others, bullied and sought to abuse his power.' That is how Mike Pilavachi, the disgraced Anglican priest and former leader of the Soul Survivor church and festivals, is described in the latest report into the scandal. We hear from Richard Scorer, head of abuse law at Slater and Gordon solicitors, about the ‘Independent Review into Soul Survivor’ led by Fiona Scolding KC. Sikh sacred music, also known as Kirtan, has officially become part of the musical examination system in the UK. This has all been pioneered by Harjinder Singh, a music teacher from Birmingham who set up an academy to teach young people how to play traditional stringed Indian instruments. PRESENTER: WILLIAM CRAWLEY PRODUCERS: CATHERINE MURRAY & KATY DAVIS STUDIO MANAGERS: KELLY YOUNG & SIMON HIGHFIELD EDITOR: CHLOE WALKER

44 min
SEP 23

CofE Bishops on Israel; Hezbollah pagers; Sugarcane

Four senior Church of England bishops have accused Israel of acting above the law in the West Bank. In a letter sent to The Observer newspaper, they have called on the UN to move beyond strongly worded resolutions and they say there is little distinction between state and settlor violence. The bishops say the letter has been prompted by the forceful dispossession of a Christian family from their ancestral land outside Bethlehem. Emily Buchanan speaks to one of the signatories, Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun. Our correspondent Hugo Bachega gives us the latest about the situation in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has confirmed that two senior commanders were killed in a strike on the capital Beirut on Friday. Since then Israel has claimed to have hit hundreds of Hezbollah rocket launchers while Hezbollah in turn has fired rockets into Israel's northern region. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said the earlier pager and walkie-talkie explosions which killed 39 people and wounded 3000 violated international humanitarian law. A new documentary investigates abuse and death at an Indian residential school in Canada run by the Catholic Church between 1891 to 1981. As production of the film developed, Julian Brave NoiseCat’s (one of the Directors), own story became an integral part of the film. Emily Buchanan speaks to Julian and his co-director Emily Kassie. Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Alexa Good Studio Managers: Amy Brennan & Mitchell Goodall Editor: Tim Pemberton

44 min

See All (449)

out of 5

21 Ratings

A needed coverage on religious news

05/13/2019

Mo Sena

Love listening to the different main religious stories of different faiths. But, the interviewees are often cut short in midsentence and rushed to finish their sentences. Why not cut down a little on the number of stories but allow for more in depth reportage?
Yes!

07/08/2018

Organa57

I love having a place to go for religion news!
Wonderful program

12/22/2009

Lord Watson

What a simply wonderful program. I listen to it weekly without err. The guests are respected but held to account and the entire feel is controlled yet open. Good job
No.

10/04/2010

accordian theif

No.