Sunday Folgen

Pope Francis has said that he is open to the possibility of ordaining women as deacons. Are the ranks of the Catholic Church's all-male clergy really going to open up to female members?Next week, two ministers battle it out in the annual Sermon of the Year Competition. They talk to Edward Stourton about their ministry and go head to head in Sunday's very own battle of the sermons.Hazel Southam reports from Jordan on a trauma healing programme that is being offered to tens of thousands of people who have fled the wars in Syria and Iraq.On Thursday, Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan is giving a speech to the Saltire Society in Glasgow in which he will argue that 20th and 21st century composers have never given up their search for the sacred in an increasingly secular society. He explains to Edward his reasons for this belief.Last February, Charles Maung Bo became Myanmar's first-ever cardinal. For many years he has spoken out against the persecution of religious minorities in his country and now that there is a new civilian government, he is carving out a role for himself as peacemaker between different ethnic groups and the Buddhist majority.On the 1st May, the residents of the Canadian city of Fort McMurray became aware of a wildfire on the outskirts of their city. Two days later they had to evacuate. Rev Donalee Williams is the minister of Fort McMurray's First United Church she explains how she is supporting her dispersed congregation.As the Archbishop of York's six month Pilgrimage across the Diocese of York is about to finish, Bob Walker caught up with John Sentamu to discover what he has learnt from his time on the road.Producers: Helen Lee David Cook Series Producer: Amanda Hancox.

"The more we understand religion, the better able we are as a result to engage religious actors, the more effective our diplomacy will be in advancing the interests and values of our people".US Secretary of State John Kerry said this in a speech last month. Shaun Cassey is his Special Representative on religion in global affairs, he talks to Edward Stourton about his goal to achieve this.The BBC's Reagan Morris reports on the elderly nuns who are taking on pop superstar Katy Perry, as well as the Los Angeles Catholic hierarchy.How much has the anti-Semitism row cost Labour votes in the recent elections? Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg discusses this with Edward Stourton and whether the party can rebuild their relationship with the Jewish community he represents.Many people have a will but how many have considered their digital legacy? Ahead of Dying Matters Awareness Week Kevin Bocquet reports on the growing issue of dealing with death in the online world.The Bloody History of Bible Translations - Harry Freedman discusses his new book about those who have dared to translate the word of God.According to U2's Bono Christian contemporary music should explore more difficult themes because he is convinced that God wants people to be honest and open about how they truly feel. Three of Britain's contemporary worship composers share their thoughts on whether this fairly reflects the genre.Conservative statements about the role of women and other aspects of contemporary society published on some mosque websites were this week. Edward Stourton discusses what it means with Dr Shuruq Naguib, from at the University of Lancaster and Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, of the Muslim Council of Britain.Producers: Catherine Earlam Amanda Hancox.

As two Labour politicians are suspended for making anti-Semitic remarks, William Crawley asks if we have a clear understanding of what anti-Semitism is. David Feldman - Pears Institute for the study of Antisemitism and Claire Fox from the Institute of Ideas debate.If Leicester City win at Manchester United on Sunday they will have won the Premier League against all the odds. Bob Walker hears how fans of all faiths have been brought together by this epic journey.There have been protests in Turkey after a senior politician suggested that the country should have a religious constitution. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.Professor Anthea Butler remembers the American peace activist, poet and Jesuit priest Fr Daniel Berrigan who has died at the age of 94.An international group of bishops, priests and nuns have written to Pope Francis urging him to change the Vatican's "medieval" practices for investigating unorthodox views. Fr Brian Darcy tells us why he signed the letter.Butterfly and Blood is a musical performance inspired by the diary of musician and Auschwitz survivor Fania Fenelon. Artist Marika Klambatsea explains how she has reclaimed the songs tainted by Nazi brutality.On the eve of Ascension Day, an ancient ceremony takes place in Whitby. Trevor Barnes discovers how a proposal to fix the date of Easter could spell the end of this annual event.Jutta Henner from the Bible Society explains why there has been an increase in the number of Muslims converting to Christianity in Austria. Here in the UK, some Muslim refugees are also converting to Christianity. The Rev Eghtedarian tells William his story.Producers: David Cook Peter EverettSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox.