Sunday Folgen

The pope's tour of DRC Congo and South Sudan culminates with a Mass in Juba, with the archbishop of Canterbury and the moderator of the Church of Scotland. Sister Orla Treacy and student Sarah Adut tell Emily Buchanan about their nine day walking pilgrimage to join the Pontiff. In our series on Ukraine, one year on from the Russian invasion, we hear from father Sergiy Berezhnoy. The Ukrainian orthodox priest and chaplain to the 42nd Battalion of the Defenders of Kyiv, describes some of the challenges of the past year and his hopes for the future. A new report from L’Arche - the international Christian community bringing together those with and without learning disabilities - reveals it's founder, the late Catholic theologian Jean Vanier, used the community as a cover for a mystical sexual sect. Emily speaks with one of the report's authors, to the community's current CEO and to two of its members, about how it moves on from here. Cross-bench peer Frank Field has spent much of his adult life campaigning against poverty and for social reform. Underpinning his political thinking is his Christian faith, as he explains to Emily on the publication of his memoir Politics, Poverty and Belief. The ancient spiritual practice of chanting is now a category in the music industry's Grammy Awards. Emily speaks to chant musician Sean Johnson, of the Wild Lotus Band, about this genre’s coming of age. As the Church of England's legislative body prepares to meet, Emily asks the bishop of London, the Rt. Revd Sarah Mullally, about the way forward on the most divisive issue, the recommendation from bishops to allow clergy to bless same-sex civil marriages. Producers: Jill Collins and Katy Booth Production co-ordinator: David Baguley Editor: Helen GradyPhoto Credit: Lakshmi Grace Designs

A teddy bear that was found washed up on a beach has been given a new lease of life and is now providing support to children and people living in care homes. The bear was restored by the Reverend Canon Eleanor Rance and its journey from discarded toy to "therapy bear" generated a global response on social media. The bear, named Sinbad, is used to help people to reflect on issues like brokenness and second chances. Reverend Rance tells us that people have found resonance in how he was washed up on a beach and then given a new start. What's the trick to writing a really inspiring sermon? How can clergy keep their congregation listening? Pope Francis has suggested that Catholic homilies are often a disaster and recently repeated his call for them to be no longer than eight to ten minutes long. Quality is another consideration. Edward Stourton explores the issue with Quentin Letts, parliamentary sketch writer for the Times and drama critic of the Sunday Times and Revd Dr Alycia Timmis, Priest in Charge of the Northleach Benefice in the Anglican Diocese of Gloucester.Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Bara'atu Ibrahim Presenter: Edward Stourton

It's been a tough week for the Church of England. The announcement that same sex marriages will remain banned in the Church though blessings for civil marriages of same sex couples would be allowed has been criticised by people on both sides of the debate. We hear from the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell who says he will take part in blessing services even though the Archbishop of Canterbury says he won't.The story of Fr Isaac Achi who was burned alive by bandits in his home in Nigeria has reverberated around the world this week and raised the question - how dangerous is it to be a Christian in Northern Nigeria? William talks to Illia Djadi from the missionary charity Open Doors and Abuja based security analyst Dr Kabir Adamu. Music has the power to change a mood, but what about its ability to change your life? Ismael Lea South shares the story of how listening to Hip Hop in the 90s inspired him to convert to Islam. As part of our series on faith in prisons, William speaks to Rachel Treweek, Bishop to Prisons in England and Wales, who believes that the majority of female prisoners shouldn’t actually be locked up.And it's robots v rabbis as we try out a new development in AI technology called Chat GPT that can be used to write sermons and prayers.Producers: Catherine Murray & Jill Collins Production co-ordinator: Liz Poole Editors: Helen Grady and Tim Pemberton