Sunday Folgen

In a special edition of the programme from Hampton Court Palace, Edward Stourton goes back to Christmas 1516 to explore the religious, political and social climate of the time.Tracy Borman, joint Chief-Curator with Historic Royal Palaces tells Edward that 1516 was a good year for Henry VIII. His first child, Mary, had been born and the Christmas celebrations he hosted were described as the most extravagant ever seen. But England and large parts of mainland Europe were about to change forever as the Protestant Reformation that was to begin in Germany in 1517 spread. Trevor Barnes reports how the printing press acted as a catalyst, enabling the distribution of newly translated versions of the New Testament undermining the authority of the Pope and the Catholic church.Fr Anthony Howe, Chaplain to the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court shows Edward his copy of a 1515 Sarum Missal with the name of the Pope scribbled out, demonstrating how liturgy changed in England following the split from Rome.The broadcaster and early music expert Catherine Bott explores Henry's musical tastes and discusses some of the carols that would have been heard at the time.Edward gets a taste of a traditional Christmas dish, Plum Possett and discovers what else would have been on the table for people to feast on with food historian Ivan Day.Dr Matthew Champion from Birkbeck, University of London explores how the religious calendar shaped peoples' lives and then discusses with Tracy Borman some of the key factors which led to the reformation in England.Producer: David Cook Series Producer: Amanda HancoxThe Boar's Head Carol, In dulci jubilo & Lulling My Liking were performed by St Martin's Voices directed by Andrew Earis.Photo: Nick Wilkinson/newsteam.co.uk.

Composer Bob Chilcott remembers his starring role in the Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College Cambridge in the 1960s. For three years running, he was the chorister chosen to open the service with a solo rendition of the first verse of Once in Royal David's City.A report from religious think tank Theos argues that it is wrong to measure this country's religious commitment by the numbers who go to church. Edward talks to its author Nick Spencer.His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, comments on the bombing and murder of 25 people in St Peter's Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo.Trevor Barnes asks whether traditional Christmas is in decline because of political correctness and the impact of immigration on British churches. Author Mark Forsyth explores the religious roots of today's Christmas traditions.Father Roger Dawson, Director of the St Beuno's Jesuit Spirituality Centre in North Wales, talks about the new Martin Scorsese film Silence.William Crawley meets Belfast's 'Black Santa', the Very Rev John Mann, as he starts his annual marathon fund raising stint on the steps of St Anne's Cathedral. It's the 40th anniversary of this Belfast Christmas tradition.Kevin Bouquet has been to meet a family of Syrian refugees who are being looked after by the Catholic Charity Caritas and their new community in Flixton.Producers: Helen Lee Catherine EarlamSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.

After a 2 year search the Canadian sculptor, Tim Schmalz, has finally found a UK home for his life size sculpture of Jesus sleeping on a park bench. The Rt Rev David Walker, Bishop of Manchester tells Edward why he has backed the placing of the statue outside St Ann's Church in the city centre.Singing Carols are good for your health say the British Lung Foundation. Matthew Hamilton, the Choral Director of the Halle Choir, sits at the piano, sings a few Carols and puts this theory to the test. Rev Charlotte Bannister-Parker takes a personal look at the stigma and fear of violence suffered by gay Christians in South Africa. Rt Rev Bethlehem Nopece, Bishop of Port Elizabeth in South Africa responds. An order to seize church property owned by the Council of Assemblies of God churches has been issued by the Iranian government. They say that this branch of the largest global Pentecostal denomination is funded by the CIA to infiltrate the Islamic world. Mansour Borji from Article 18 explains.Sunday has been given exclusive access to Bakhita House, a support centre for trafficked women formed from a partnership between the Catholic Church and the Metropolitan Police. Kati Whitiker reports.This week, Angela Merkel called for a ban on full-face veils and has said that Sharia law and "parallel societies" should not be allowed in Germany. She also vowed that she would not allow another huge influx of migrants. Why does Europe's matriarch and moral conscience appear to have turned on Germany's Muslim refugees? Dr Katharina Karcha, from the University of Cambridge, talks to Edward about Angela Merkel's speech.Producers: Carmel Lonergan David CookSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.