Sunday Folgen

Although the West is alarmed by President Putin's military intervention in Syria, he has widespread support at home. We report on why the Russian Orthodox church has called it a "holy war" and the country's Inter-religious council has also backed the action.It's one hundred years since a Norfolk nurse was executed by the Germans for helping prisoners of war escape from Occupied Belgium. Kate Adie reflects on the world-wide impact of the death of Edith Cavell.More than half of the 27,000 people infected with the Ebola virus in West Africa come from Sierra Leone, and while the medical crisis is easing, the long term effects on the communities affected are only now beginning to emerge. Kati Whitaker presents the first of two special reports for the programme this week. Photo Credit Layton Thompson / TearfundThe art of a good homebrew owes a lot to medieval monasteries. The recipe still used by the monks at Ampleforth Abbey dates back to the 17th century. Andrew Fletcher reports on what they might have to teach the burgeoning microbreweries today.Nigerian Archbishop Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso, says calls on the Catholic Synod on the Family to discuss gay marriage are a distraction imposed by the Western media. Meanwhile, Professor Joel Baden suggests that the Synod should take seriously Biblical texts which honour childlessness.When loved ones die, the last thing grieving relatives need are additional financial burdens. Church Action on poverty claims that the cost of a funeral has risen by nearly 80% in the last 10 years and are calling on clergy to help to reduce the impact of " funeral poverty."Presenter Edward StourtonProducer Rosie Dawson Peter EverettEditor Amanda Hancox.

The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, this week summoned the 37 heads of the worldwide Anglican Communion to a summit meeting to be held in January. Edward Stourton speaks to canon Dr Chris Sugden and rev Colin Coward about what the move could mean for the Communion and the Church of England..As pope Francis arrives in Cuba, Bob Walker reports on the turbulent history of Communism and the Catholic Church in the country. Pope biographer Paul Vallely and fr James Keenan, director of the Jesuit Institute, Boston College, look ahead to the Pontiff's upcoming visit to the US.Hazel Southam reports from the African Biblical Leadership Initiative in Malawi, which has been discussing responses to the migrant crisis and corruption.As the Dalai Lama gives a rare address to thousands of people in London this weekend on the subject of compassion, Alexander Norman, director of the new Dalai Lama Centre for Compassion in Oxford, explores how the centre will seek "to change the way we think about ethics".Young people from the new Community of St Anselm explain why they have chosen to live for a year at Lambeth Palace at the invitation of the archbishop of Canterbury. The Psychoactive Substances Bill, which proposes a blanket ban on legal highs, has led to fears that use of incense in churches could be outlawed. Edward visits an incense-loving church for reaction.Producers: Dan Tierney Peter EverettEditor: Amanda Hancox.

Edward speaks to the archbishop of Vienna, cardinal Christoph Schonborn about the migrant crisis in Europe.In the second part of the series exploring the work of individuals who have devoted themselves to working for others of different faiths in their communities, there is a profile of Bradford Pentecostal pastor Benjamin Ayesu.Pope Francis announced this week that all priests can grant forgiveness for the 'sin of abortion' during the Holy Year of Mercy. Professor Anthea Butler has been looking at the reaction in the US to Pope Francis's statement.Rt Rev James Newcombe, Bishop of Carlisle, talks about the Church of England's opposition to the proposed change to the law on assisted dying. This is not, he says, an attempt to 'push' a religious viewpoint. He is worried that a change would have serious detrimental effects on individuals and society.As the Queen becomes the longest reigning monarch in British history, the dean of Westminster, rev Dr John Hall, and Church historian, Diarmaid MacCulloch, reflect on how she has conducted herself in her role as supreme governor of the Church of England.Rev. Dr Keith Clements explains how the two years spent in England by German Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer, influenced his ministry before his execution in 1945.This week Cardinal Vincent Nichols took the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, to meet the pope for the first time. Reporter Charles Carroll was with them.Photo credit Mazur/www.catholicnews.org.ukProducers Carmel Lonergan Peter EverettEditor Amanda Hancox.