Sunday Folgen

Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem have begun their Christmas celebrations under strict restrictions following a surge in corona virus cases in the occupied West Bank. As Yolande Knell reports, church leaders say Bethlehem will continue with its festivities to try to send a hopeful message to the world.In 2019 Cardinal George Pell was sentenced to six years in prison for 'historical sexual assault offences'. Earlier this year the Australian High Court voted 7-0 to overturn the original convictions. In a frank interview, the man who was once the third most powerful person in the Catholic Church reflects on his time inside jail, what he feels about his past handling of abuse allegations and the man whose accusations put him behind bars for 404 days.And the full choir of Leicester Cathedral have all been booked in for rapid Covid tests on Sunday morning. The Dean, the Very Rev David Monteith tells Edward why it will be such a momentous moment if the choir can sing together for the first time since March.Producers: David Cook Dan TierneySeries Producer: Amanda Hancox

Millions of farmers across India are striking in a dispute with the government over new agricultural laws. The Government says the new law would free farmers from a current system of middlemen, but the farmers believe prices will fall and small farmers will struggle. Indians of many faiths are involved but the majority are Sikh and Sikh communities around the world have been demonstrating, concerned at what might become of the some 146 million farms in India, with an average size of less than 3 acres. Emily Buchanan talks with the BBC’s Rahul Tandon.The covid pandemic has undoubtedly changed the way we work, socialise and even worship. But the uncertainty has - for some - given rise to an opportunity of a spiritual awakening. Ellie Quinn - who is in Istanbul, and Oscar Portar, here in the UK - both found themselves converting to a new religion this year. We hear them in conversation sharing their journey to faith in lock-down. The Christmas tree lights in Durham Cathedral will be switched on this Sunday by a nurse and a doctor from the local hospital to pay tribute to the work carried out by 1000’s of clinicians during the pandemic. Dawn Kempson is a Junior sister at University Hospital of North Durham and Dr Tara Watkiss works in A+E at the same hospital. Emily talks to them about how they have coped this past year.Producers Carmel Lonergan Olive ClancyEditor Amanda Hancox

Police officer Uzma Amireddy has designed a new hijab which allows muslim women to wear the head scarf safely while on duty. We hear why it was important to develop the hijab and how she hopes the new design will be rolled out across the country. As well as church services going on-line this year so has Sunday School. In the Diocese of Hereford, curate Jo Burden invited her group of 8-11year olds to zoom into a virtual world with the popular computer game, 'Minecraft' to learn more about the Bible. And to mark National Grief Awareness Week the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral the Very Reverend Dr David Ison tells Edward the role the cathedral will play and how their online Book of Remembrance can help people remember the sorrows and sacrifices of others who have died during the pandemic. You can add an entry here: www.rememberme2020.ukProducers: David Cook Catherine EarlhamSeries Producer: Amanda Hancox