Sunday

As President Putin calls an Easter Truce, Emily Buchanan talks to writer Nadikya Gerbish celebrating Easter in Western Ukraine. We hear from aid worker George Antone, also marking Easter in the midst of war in Gaza's only Roman Catholic parish. Muslim groups in Birmingham on the spiritual urge to help keep Birmingham clean as the bin strike continues. Hear how a theology lecturer in the US is familiarising his students with dead bodies to prepare them for a life in ministry. Father Ted turns 30 and we talk about it's impact on Irish society with Lissa Evans who produced the comedy classic and academic Prof Eugene O'Brien.

Archive on 4 is available on BBC Sounds featuring previously unheard tapes of Kenneth Williams reading Bible stories. They were recorded by a young James Jones, now the retired Bishop of Liverpool when he was a young producer working for a Christian charity, charged with getting new recordings that would bring new audiences to Christianity. The tapes explore Williams's talent in bringing these well-known stories to life and 'open a window into his soul', exploring his own relationship with faith through the people who knew him. Edward Stourton discusses Kenneth Williams' faith with Mark Oakley who is the dean of Southwark Cathedral, and James Jones, the former bishop of Liverpool. Also on the programme; the founder of the first secure school for young offenders with a faith ethos, says the spiritual health of teenagers needs addressing. Steve Chalke says schools in his Oasis group use an holistic approach to address bad behaviour. According to a new Teacher Tapp survey commissioned by the BBC, more than a third of secondary school teachers say they’ve seen misogynistic behaviour from a pupil in their school in the last week. But while Steve Chalke argues that a faith ethos in a school can help, are some religious beliefs part of the problem? As Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza, six UN aid agencies have this week appealed for a ceasefire and the resumption of urgently needed aid deliveries. We hear from Muslim Aid, which has worked with aid workers in the strip for the last 19 years. Meanwhile Jewish people around the world are celebrating the start of Passover – but in Israel some of the hostages who’ve been released say it’s hard to celebrate this festival of freedom when 59 hostages are still in captivity. The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews gives us the view from the British Jewish diaspora. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Amanda Hancox Studio Managers: Sam Smith & Nat Stokes Editor: Tim Pemberton

Cardinal Charles Bo talks to Sunday about the devastation in his home country of Myanmar. William talks to Dr Leah Payne, an expert in female Pentecostalism about President Trump's controversial faith advisor Paula White-Cain. We get a first look at a mysterious medieval scroll that's gone on display in York, having been tucked away in a cupboard in the city's Bar Covent. Comedian and actor Omid Djalili tells us about his latest stand-up tour called Namaste, which is inspired by his Baha'i background. PRESENTER: William Crawley PRODUCERS: Catherine Murray and Katy Davis EDITOR: Chloe Walker STUDIO MANAGERS: Jack Morris and Kelly Young

Justin Welby has given his first interview, since he resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury because of a failure to act over the serial abuser John Smyth. Dr Welby admits in an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg he 'got it wrong' because he was 'overwhelmed' by the scale of the problem. However, he says clearly that as Archbishop, there are 'no excuses'. The Sunday programme speaks to theologian and journalist Andrew Graystone who battled for years to bring the truth of John Smyth's crimes to light. Thousands of people have died in Myanmar and more have been injured following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that was also felt in neighbouring countries. Hundreds of people are believed to be trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings - including at least 50 construction workers who are unaccounted for after a high-rise was flattened by the earthquake in Bangkok. We get an update from BBC Correspondent Nick Marsh, who's in Bangkok, and discuss the relief efforts underway with Stefano Disperati who is delivering humanitarian programmes funded by the British NGO Muslim Aid. 60 years ago this week, a whirling Julie Andrews burst onto our cinema screens in the UK and claimed her place in cinema history. The Sound of Music became an historic box office smash and won 5 Oscars including best picture. The portrayal of convent life, the religious music and spiritual themes were all part of its charm. But few might know that was because of the real life religious sisters who advised Rodgers and Hammerstein - the famous duo who wrote it. So who were they and how did they become the film's secret weapon? Julie Etchingham speaks to Ian Bradley, Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History at St Andrew's University - he's writing a book on the theology of musical theatre, due out this year. Presenter: Julie Etchingham Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Saba Zaman Production Coordinator: Liz Poole Studio Managers: Helen Williams & George Willis Editor: Chloe Walker

A controversial Ramadan TV series banned in both Iran and Iraq explores the possible origins of the schism between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims. We hear from Dr Sayed Ammar Nakshawani- Prophet Muhammad institute for Islamic Studies PMIIS and Khaled Salah, Egyptian Journalist and writer of the Moawiya series . Government figures show that there have been 14,000 social work assessments linked to witchcraft accusations since 2015 in the UK. But what is abuse linked to spirit, possession and witchcraft and why is it happening? Amrit Kaur- Sarangi player and vocalist, explains why she’s hoping to inspire other female Sikhs to learn a classical instrument. Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital- reporter Colm Flynn takes us through his upcoming plans and recovery. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Davis and Catherine Murray Studio Managers: Mike Smith and Tom Parnell Editor: Tim Pemberton

Downing Street's virtual summit of Ukraine allies may have given those countries a greater sense of unity, but the war continues in Ukraine and President Putin is still prevaricating over the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US and accepted by Ukraine. William Crawley explores how morally justified it would be to say 'no' to a ceasefire, with journalist and author Lucy Ash. Also on the programme, in his Times column for this year's Ash Wednesday, Giles Coren tells the story of his own waning atheism and gradual embrace of Christian faith. Though Giles was raised in a Jewish home he had “no Hebrew classes, no Jewish environment, no bar mitzvah”. He shares how he finds comfort within the traditions of English Anglicanism. The Dalai Lama, the 89-year-old spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, is worried that his successor could be chosen by the Chinese government. In his new memoir, he says he will choose to be reincarnated in a successor outside China, and instructs his followers to reject any successor chosen by China. Tibetan Buddhism now faces a very awkward possible future - with two competing Dalai Lamas. To discuss this on the Sunday programme is Professor Robert Barnett, one of the world's leading experts on Tibetan history. Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Amanda Hancox Studio Managers: Amy Brennan and Sam Mills Production Coordinator: Kim Agostino Editor: Chloe Walker

Ronald Reagan, Republican president and hero of right wing cold warriors, once famously described the Soviet Union as the Evil Empire. Today many conservative Christians on America's political right apparently admire the current Kremlin regime and, indeed, its leader Vladimir Putin. We have had to come to terms with all sorts of ideological summersaults during the crisis over Ukraine over the past couple of weeks, and this one is surely among the most bewildering and disorientating. To help us understand it, Edward is joined by Dr Katherine Kelaidis, author of Holy Russia, Holy War. On the National Covid Day of Reflection, Edward speaks to actress Sophie Myles about losing her father in the early days of the pandemic and how she'll remember him. The Pope may have been recovering from pneumonia in hospital but he's still managed to publish a book on his love of literature. 'Viva La Poesia' has come out in Italy. We hear from Italian writer Alessandro Zaccuri (The Windhover is read by Catherine Philips from Downing College, Cambridge and taken from 'In Our Time' on March 21st 2019 )

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

Jewish and Muslim leaders have signed an historic agreement which they hope will transform community relations in the UK. But does the Reconciliation Accord go far enough? Ludovic Mohamed Zahed is an Islamic scholar and cleric who is challenging conventional understandings of his faith and has written a new book about his journey as a gay imam. The acclaimed Manchester Rock Band Doves have reunited with their new album Constellations For The Lonely, which is due to be released in February 2025 - with the latest single taking some saintly inspiration. Saint Teresa draws on lead singer Jimi Goodwin's Irish catholic heritage and connection with Teresa's story. The Church of England's General Synod opened last Monday to headlines reporting that the church would be banning gluten-free communion wafers and non-alcoholic wine. But another question remains: why is actual alcohol and wheat required by some churches in the bread and wine of communion while not being important for others? PRESENTER: William Crawley PRODUCERS: Katy Davis and Linda Walker EDITOR: TIM PEMBERTON STUDIO MANAGERS: Simon Highfield and Jonathan Esp

Former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell talks to Edward Stourton about the move to dismantle USAID after Vice President JD Vance accused it of 'spreading atheism'. We hear from author Christopher Gasson and his poll of Gen Z and their views on religion which suggests a majority describe themselves as 'fairly spiritual'. Independent safeguarding is the big topic at General Synod this week. Madeleine Davies of the Church Times tells us about the debates already underway about the best way to keep people safe in the C of E. And the public are being asked to give their views on the qualities needed in the next Archbishop of Canterbury. If you have any thoughts let us know - sunday@bbc.co.uk, @BBCR4SUNDAY on social media.

It has been yet another tumultuous week for the Church of England, which has seen another bishop resign and yet more pressure on the interim leader, Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. Julie Etchingham speaks to the Archdeacon of Liverpool, the Venerable Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, who signed the letter asking her Bishop to step aside, and hears from Alicia Kearns, Shadow Minister for Safeguarding and Preventing violence against women and girls who is calling for a Royal Commission to look at safeguarding in the Church. Dr Rowan Williams, theologian and former Archbishop of Canterbury, has written a new book called 'Discovering Christianity: A Guide for the Curious'. He speaks about the themes of the book, the current situation with the Church of England and his thoughts on the discussions around Christianity at the top of US politics. There have been encouraging scenes in Israel and Gaza this weekend with a far more orderly handover of hostages from Hamas. The Rafah crossing was also opened, allowing the evacuation of Gazans needing medical care into Egypt. We hear the latest on the ongoing situation. Presenter: Julie Etchingham Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim and Linda Walker Studio Mangers: Carwyn Griffith and Jonathan Esp Editor: Dan Tierney

Emily Buchanan hears reaction from the US to the biggest religious news story of the week: Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde and her sermon addressed to President Trump at the National Prayer Ceremony. It's the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day and we're live at Auschwitz-Birkenau ahead at the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp. A new book of previously unpublished work by Jack Kerouac chronicles 'The Buddhist Years' As the writer of On the Road and The Dharma Bums, which turned many people onto Buddhism, we'd love about a writer that got you interested in religion or spirituality. Email Sunday@bbc.co.uk And we hear from George Antone, an aid worker from the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. He's been sheltering with 500 other members of the parish since the start of the war and keeping in touch with Sunday. Correspondent Nick Beake has the latest on the ceasefire. PRESENTER: EMILY BUCHANAN PRODUCERS: CATHERINE MURRAY & SABA ZAMAN EDITOR: TIM PEMBERTON

Ed Stourton and guests, from the Middle East and the UK, reflect on the start of the Gaza Ceasefire. Pope Francis has brought out a memoir - "the first by a sitting pontiff" according to the publishers. Two Catholic writers with contrasting views on Francis’ papacy review the book for us. And the American Evangelical leader Franklin Graham speaks to ‘Sunday’ ahead of his prominent role at Donald Trump’s second Presidential inauguration. Presenter: Ed Stourton Producers: Dan Tierney and Bara'atu Ibrahim Editor: Chloe Walker

This week France marked the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which had a history of lampooning Muslim leaders, including the prophet Mohammed. To discuss the long term impact of these events we are joined by Nabila Ramdani, a writer and commentator known for her strong views on the position of Muslims in France. ‘Nobody Wants This’ is a lauded new Netflix series that tells the story of a rabbi falling in love with an agnostic sex podcaster. Rabbi Deborah Blausten from Finchley Reform synagogue in North London tells us how the show has sparked conversations about interfaith marriage in her community. Nazir Afzal was the former Chief Crown Prosecutor who led successful prosecutions in landmark sexual abuse cases. He responds to Elon Musk’s calls for a national grooming gangs inquiry. Churches, synagogues and a mosque are among the thousands of buildings damaged in wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles. We hear stories from various faith communities. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Davis and Saba Zaman Editor: Tim Pemberton Studio Managers: Helen Williams and Liam Juniper

The six days of public ceremony to mark the passing of former President Jimmy Carter are underway in the US. Emily Buchanan hears from David Coffey, former General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain about the importance of Mr Carter's faith to his Presidency and life out of office. Among those honoured by the King at New Year is Gordon Hay from Aberdeenshire. He tells Sunday about why he chose to translate the whole Bible into the Scots dialect of Doric. Justin Welby's tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury officially ends this week. With his replacement possibly not in place until Autumn, Emily chairs a discussion on the year ahead for the Church of England and what it needs from a new leader.

In this last ‘Sunday’ of the year, Emily Buchanan looks back at 2024 and forward to 2025. 2024 has been a record breaking year for one of the world's busiest pilgrimage routes - the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The rising numbers of pilgrims, as well as the soaring summer temperatures, mean more people are considering ‘coolcation’ pilgrim trails in countries like Norway. Will they catch on? ‘Wicked’ has been one of the biggest movies of the year. Emily speaks to Gregory Maguire, the Catholic writer whose novel inspired the hit stage musical and new start-studded film. What was it like writing the backstory of the notoriously evil Wicked Witch of the West? And astronaut Barry 'Butch' Wilmore will be seeing in the New Year in space, having been stranded on the International Space Station since June. He won’t return until well into 2025, and worshippers at his Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas have been keeping a close watch on the situation. Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Dan Tierney and Saba Zaman Editor: Tim Pemberton.

As Christmas draws near, this week’s Sunday brings the latest religious stories shaping the news agenda. Pope Francis is about to release his autobiography – the first by any pontiff. Among its revelations is a startling account of how UK intelligence foiled an assassination plot during his 2021 visit to Iraq. Colm Flynn, who accompanied the Pope on that trip, shares his insights into the dramatic events. At Great Ormond Street Hospital, the fallout from disgraced surgeon Yaser Jabbar has cast a shadow over its vital work. Yet, amid the challenges, lead chaplain Dorothy Moore Brookes is bringing comfort and joy to families spending Christmas far from home. We join her on the wards to witness the impact of her work. Gold has always been more than a precious metal – it carries deep spiritual significance and a cosmic story. Alan Ereira, author of A History of Gold: How It Shaped Humanity, traces its journey from interstellar collisions to its role in empires and its environmental legacy today. In Gaza City, where the conflict rages on, aid worker George Antone describes life in the compound of the Holy Family Church. With homes destroyed and hope tested, 500 parishioners prepare for their second Christmas in exile. And after a tumultuous few weeks for the Church of England – with Archbishop Justin Welby stepping down and safeguarding allegations swirling around his successor – we ask Bishop Michael Ipgrave of Lichfield what lies ahead for the embattled institution. Presented by Emily Buchanan Producers: Rajeev Gupta & Katy Davis Editor: Chloe Walker

The people of Syria have been celebrating again this weekend, with many protestors outside the largest mosque in Damascus deriding the former president, Bashar al-Assad, as a "Zombie". With a sense of relief that Assad is now gone, there is anxiety too about what might follow. William Crawley explores how the new regime will affect the religious make up of the country with Makram Rabah, Assistant Professor of History at the American University in Beirut. This week, the justice secretary has said that even under the government's plans to open 14,000 more prison places, they could still run out of space over the next few years. Oasis Restore school opened in the summer and aims to transform the justice system for young people by focusing on education and therapy, rather than punishment and retribution. The Founder, Baptist Minister Steve Chalke, says ‘The philosophy behind everything we do here is not, ‘What have you done wrong?’ but, ‘What’s happened to you?’ For generations, a story has been told in Liverpool's Catholic community about a local man, wounded in the first world war, who went to Lourdes and returned with a miracle. Now, a hundred years after that previously paralyzed man, Jack Traynor, shocked everyone by carrying his own bags off the train at Lime Street Station, the Archbishop of Liverpool has officially recognised his healing as a miracle. Sunday hears from Alex Taylor Jack's great-great grandson, as well as Dr Kieran Moriarty, a British physician who reviewed the original case files and gave evidence to a canonical commission. Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Catherine Murray Studio Managers: Nat Stokes & Sam Mills Editor: Tim Pemberton

Notre-Dame is reopening to the public after 5 years of renovation, following a devastating fire in 2019. But the cathedral is much more than a building - and many secular minded people in France would say that it's much more than a cathedral too. We hear from our Paris Correspondent, Hugh Schofield and commentator Agnes Poirier, author of "Notre Dame - the Soul of France". The Archbishop of Canterbury has apologised for causing distress after Church of England abuse survivors criticised his House of Lords farewell speech. Jane Chevous, the co-founder of Survivors Voices joins the programme. The position of women in Afghanistan took another turn for the worse this week as women and girls have told the BBC they've been banned from nursing and midwifery courses. PRESENTER: Edward Stourton PRODUCERS: Katy Davis and Bara’atu Ibrahim STUDIO MANAGERS: Carwyn Griffith and Simon Highfield EDITOR: Chloe Walker

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week