In the coastal town of Folkestone, historians and archaeologists are celebrating a remarkable find. It dates from 7th Century and is thought to be the earliest verified remains of the English Saint Eanswythe – one of the first converts to Christianity in England. The BBC's Religion Editor, Martin Bashir, reports from Folkestone. Andrew Billen from The Times unpacks the dispute between the Dean of Christ Church College and the some of the academic staff that has cost over £2.5 million in legal fees and created damaging divisions. Italy is in lock-down as the entire nation has been quarantined to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Rome is a place of pilgrimage for millions of people but the Vatican and St Peters Square is closed to the public. Emily talks to Christopher Lamb, Tablet’s Rome correspondent, about the latest news and how coronavirus might impact Easter celebrations. Producers: Carmel Lonergan David Cook Editor Amanda Hancox

Sunday

The Bones of Saint Eanswythe; Christ Church College Dispute; Coronavirus and the Vatican

Sophia Smith Galer reports on religious apps, in the first of a three part series for the BBC World Service Heart and Soul on religion in the digital age. To mark International Women’s Day we hear from three young women about what their faith means to them in 21st century Britain. And the BBC’s Laura Bickers tells Edward why a South Korean religious sect is being investigated over its links to the high number of Coronavirus confirmed cases in the country. Producers: Catherine Earlam, Helen Lee Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

Digital Religion; International Women's Day; Coronavirus and a South Korean Religious Sect

The Vatican “Secret” archives will be opened on Monday – what new findings might emerge about Pope Pius X11 war time dealings? Historian David Kertzer and Lisa Billig,the American Jewish Committee's representative to the Holy See, talk about what they expect to discover. L'Arche communities around the world support people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them. Last week a community report concluded that it's founder Jean Vanier abused six adult women. Emily Buchanan talks to Professor Irene Tuffrey Wijne, a member of the Community, and Rev Hilary Ison on how churches and communities can be helped to come to terms with trauma. Andrew Selous MP became the Second Church Estates Commissioner last month. Appointed by the Crown, on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Second Church Estates Commissioner’s role is to act as a link between the Church of England and Parliament and to represent church concerns in the House. He discusses his new role and takes issue with a new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group demanding the removal of religion from all activities in the House of Commons. The religious violence which has been happening in Delhi since last weekend has shaken the capital. Rahul Tandon explains the background to the latest violence. Producers: Carmel Lonergan Rosie Dawson Editor: Amanda Hancox

Vatican "Secret" Archives; Coping with Trauma and Dehli Religious Riots

One of England's largest 'doom' paintings has been restored in St Thomas's Church, Salisbury. These medieval paintings depict the moment when Christ judges souls to send them to either Heaven or Hell. Over the years many were painted over or damaged. William Crawley talks to Rev Kelvin Inglis about what the restoration of the Salisbury 'doom' painting has revealed. As the government announces more measures to crackdown on illegal schools, many of which have a religious character, we hear from Ruth Wareham from Humanists UK about the work they have been doing to uncover the scale of the issue and what more needs to be done. And the BBC’s White House reporter Tara McKelvey reports on Michael Bloomberg and asks if he can count on a block vote from the Jewish community as he strives to secure the Democrat nomination in the race for the Presidency. Producer: Catherine Earlam Peter Everett Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

Doom Paintings, Illegal Schools; Bloomberg and the Jewish Vote

Christian rap and grime artist Guvna B travels to the US to explore the fusion of gospel music and hip-hop The Church of England may have to pay out hundreds of millions of pounds to compensate survivors of sexual abuse following a unanimous vote at this week's General Synod. The Church's incoming Lead Bishop for Safeguarding, Rt Rev Jonathan Gibbs, put forward an amendment calling for serious money to be committed for redress and for a safeguarding policy reshaped by survivors. So is this really a new chapter for safeguarding in the Church of England? William speaks to Donna Birrell who was following the debate. This week Westminster Council turned down a planning application for a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens close to the Houses of Parliament. The Council said it contravenes rules on size, design and location. But aside from the planning issue there is a divide within the Jewish community as to whether the memorial should be built at all. We hear from Baroness Ruth Deech and Journalist Justin Cohen. Producers: Carmel Lonergan Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Amanda Hancox Photo Credit: Hillsong Church London

When Gospel Meets Hip-hop; Safeguarding; National Holocaust Memorial

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was scheduled to come to the UK for an 8 city tour beginning in May. As all the venues say they have cancelled his bookings Edward asks him why people appear to be uncomfortable with his visit and how he plans to respond. A clandestine operation carried out by one of the world’s most secretive intelligence agencies used a fake diving resort on the coast of Sudan to evacuate the ‘lost tribe’ of black Jews in Ethiopia. The true story of a remarkable rescue mission is told in a new book, Red Sea Spies by BBC Middle East journalist Raffi Berg. The Academy Awards will be held in Hollywood on Sunday night and The Two Popes is up for two awards with Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins both nominated. Stephen Brown, film critic on the Church Times, explains why there appears to be a mini boom in religious themed films. Producers: David Cook Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

Franklin Graham; Faith and Film; Red Sea Spies

The Church of England’s has its first official football team, founded by an ex-professional from Iran who is now a priest in Sunderland. Emily talks to Rev. Pauya Hedari, captain and founder of the newly-formed Archbishop of Canterbury FC, about this team that will be made up exclusively of priests. Ten years ago the case of a young Christian woman in Pakistan made headlines when she was sentenced to death for blasphemy. Her case was so controversial that two Pakistani politicians were later killed for publicly supporting her and criticising the country’s blasphemy laws. The lawyer Saif ul Malook represented Asia Bibi from 2014 until she was freed from death row. He tells Emily Buchanan about the threats he continues to face. How can St Benedict’s sixth-century Rule, work for the present day and the challenges we face? In his book “The Way of St Benedict” Rowan Williams explores the importance and influence of Benedict's Rule for modern times. Producers: Carmel Lonergan Catherien Earlam Editor: Amanda Hancox Photo Credit: Keith Blundy

Church of England football; Lawyer to Asia Bibi; The Rule of Benedict

To mark 75 years of liberation from the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp Frank Bright and Ziggy Shipper both survivors of the camp talk about their experiences. A loaf of bread based on an ancient recipe in the Old Testament has become the latest nutritional in thing. Victoria Beckham posted a picture of her breakfast of smashed avocado on a slice of toasted Ezekiel bread and others have been following suit. Sunday’s David Cook bakes some Ezekiel bread and Vanessa Kimble tells William Crawley about its prophesised nutritional value. The Eye As Witness is a new virtual reality exhibition exploring the political and moral motives for witnessing and recording the Holocaust. Reporter Vishva Samani went along to give it a try. Should the teaching of religion and Sex Education be compulsory in school? William Crawley discusses the reaction to the Welsh Government's decision to make the teaching of both mandatory in all schools. Producers: Rajeev Gupta and David Cook Series Producer: Amanda Hancox Photo Credit ; Adam Soller

Remembering the Holocaust; RE in Wales; Ezekiel Bread

The true story of a Catholic, Austrian peasant farmer, who refused to pledge allegiance to Hitler but was let down by the Church is the subject of the film, A Hidden Life, out in cinemas this week. Bishop John Sherrington joins Sunday to discuss whether the film sheds new light on the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Nazis. This week came news that researchers in the US have created the first living machines by assembling cells from African clawed frogs into tiny robots that move around under their own steam. To discuss the possible ethical implications of this William Crawley is joined by Rev Dr Malcolm Brown, Director of Mission and Public Aﬀairs for the Church of England, and Dr Yaqub Chaudhary, Research fellow in Experimental Science at The Cambridge Muslim College. And Sunday's David Cook reports on allegations of bullying at a flagship London synagogue. Producers: Catherine Earlam Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

A Hidden Life, Xenobots, Synagogue Leadership Row

Edward Stourton with the week's religious and ethical news.

Australian wildfires; China's religious prison camps; a 12th C Monk's diet

Farah Jarral looks at the spirituality of the Bee. Long before we understood the ecological importance of the bee, it was already a precious symbol for many faiths and communities for centuries. Against a back drop of horrendous fires and floods engulfing the parts of the world, Celebration Earth is being launched. It’s an invitation to community groups, faith groups and large organisations to come together to celebrate the earth and help combat Climate change. Emily Buchanan discusses this new initiative with the conservationist Martin Palmer; Dr Chetna Kang, psychiatrist and Hindu priest and Munadiah Aftab, climate change campaigner for Islamic Relief UK. Also legal expert Joshua Rozenberg looks at the implications of a landmark employment tribunal case which this week has ruled that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief and ethical vegans should be entitled to similar legal protections in the workplace as those who hold religious beliefs. Producers Carmel Lonergan Catherine Earlam Editor Amanda Hancox

The Spirituality of Bees; Celebration Earth and Ethical Veganism.

In the autumn of 1620, 102 passengers set sail from England aboard the Mayflower. Many of those sailing were Puritans, looking for the freedom to practice their religious ideas. Others wanted a fresh start in the New World. The treacherous journey took 66 days and as the Pilgrims established their new colony they battled harsh winters, disease and internal dissent. As the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s journey is about to be commemorated, Emily Buchanan explores the Pilgrim’s journey, their relationship with Native Americans and discovers how their political and religious beliefs helped shape modern America. Producers: David Cook Dan Tierney Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

The Mayflower - 400 years

As we approach Christmas, Emily Buchanan has been to Bethlehem to speak to the Christian community living there. The new Archbishop of York, Rt Rev Stephen Cotterell joins Edward Stourton live to to talk about his plans for his new role. Sue Peart was the Editor of the Mail on Sunday YOU magazine but in 2018 she stepped down from her post and a few months later her mother passed away. Struggling to cope, Sue kept the Samaritans number by her bedside “just in case”. When her life got back on track she decided to volunteer for Samaritans. She talks about the challenges of manning their phones at Christmas. For 37 years, Sir Stephen Cleobury was musical director of one of the world’s most famous choirs - King’s College, Cambridge. He died recently and the Sunday programme pays tribute to his work. Producers: Rajeev Gupta Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Amanda Hancox

Christians in Bethlehem; New Archbishop of York; Catholic Abuse law change

Director Fernando Meirelles discusses his film The Two Popes. The role that religion played in the election has been described as unprecedented and worrying. Edward Stourton hears why with journalist Sunny Hundal and author Ben Ryan. And how to have a green and sustainable Christmas. Producers: Catherine Earlam Carmel Lonergan Series Producer: Amanda Hancox

Two Popes, A Green Christmas, and God and the Election

Megan Phelps-Roper’s grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church. The church is notorious for its preaching against gay people, Jews, Muslims and for picketing the funerals of American soldiers and the American Holocaust museum. Megan has now changed her views and her life. She tells us what made her preach hate and what led to her eventual transformation. A new Netflix documentary charts the rise and fall of one of the worlds foremost Yoga “Gurus’” Bikram Choudhury. The film first traces how Choudhury built his “Bikram” empire of hot yoga studios, training celebrities and amassing devotees. However Bikram has been accused by some followers of sexual assault and his empire appears to be unraveling. Journalist Julia Henderson, a former Bikram devotee herself, uncovered some of the allegations against him and speaks to Edward about what she found. A couple who were rejected by their local adoption service because of their Indian heritage have won their legal discrimination battle. Sandeep and Reena Mander sued The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council after they were turned away from Adopt Berkshire three years ago. We hear their reaction to decision And Professor Keith Brown, Director of The National Center for Post-Qualifying Social Work and Professional Practice speaks to us about his new report on how Christian organisations can be better prepared when working with the vulnerable people in need of care. PRODUCERS: RAJEEV GUPTA PETER EVERETT EDITOR: AMANDA HANCOX

Bikram Yoga Film; Eco Mosque and Megan Phelps-Roper

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week

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Sunday

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