China's house church crackdown; Franco's Catholic legacy; 'Nunmania'
Across China, unregistered house churches are facing growing pressure from the authorities as the Chinese Communist Party tightens control over religious life. The Chinese Communist Party says citizens enjoy freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law. We've a report from the BBC's Correspondent in Hong Kong, Danny Vincent. Spanish Dictator Francisco Franco died 50 years ago on the 20th of November. We explore the legacy of his system of National Catholicism and how a far right party is gaining popularity in the country today. A religious theme is finding its way into the music charts thanks to the latest album from Rosalia. The Spanish singer herself appears on the cover in the guise of a nun - part of a phenomenon which has now been defined as "nunmania". Sister Gemma Simmonds from the Congregation of Jesus gives her thoughts on the trend.PRESENTER: EDWARD STOURTON
PRODUCERS: KATY BOOTH & KATY DAVIS
STUDIO MANAGERS: AMY BRENNAN & BEN HOUGHTON
EDITOR: CATHERINE MURRAY
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Remembrance Sunday; Metropolitan Hilarion; Sudan
It is Remembrance Sunday, and one of the First World War stories we often refer back to at this time of year is the Christmas truce between British and German soldiers. A story has now emerged of a World War Two truce during one of the bloodiest episodes of the conflict between the United States and Japan. Edward Stourton speaks to Professor Nick Megoran from Newcastle University who researched what happened.Metropolitan Hilarion was once one of the most powerful figures in the Russian Orthodox Church — effectively its foreign minister, as well as a theologian and composer. But in 2022 he was removed from office and sent to serve as the head of the Orthodox church in Hungary - there was widespread speculation he was being punished because he wouldn't endorse the invasion of Ukraine. Then last year he lost that job too, following allegations of spying, sexual misconduct, and financial abuse. He's now talked about all this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Budapest, Nick Thorpe. Despite a recent announcement by the RSF agreeing to a three-month humanitarian truce proposed by the Quad Mechanism (US, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia), fighting continues, with explosions and drone attacks reported near Khartoum and Atbara. Sudan's military-led government said it would be wary of agreeing to a truce as the RSF group did not "respect" ceasefires. The Sunday programme hears the latest from BBC Correspondent Richard Kagoe, as well as the Archbishop of Sudan, Ezekiel Kondo, who has been in the UK this weekend.Presenter: Edward Stourton
Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Jay Behrouzi
Editor: Dan Tierney
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Traitors final; Muslim mayor for New York? Archbishop of Canterbury was my babysitter
If you're one of the millions who've been gripped by The Celebrity Traitors, you'll be counting down the hours to the final on Thursday. The Sunday programme explores the ethical questions about taking part with Anglican Priest Reverend Lisa Coupland who appeared in the third 'civilian' series of the game.
History could be made in New York City on Tuesday with the potential election of its first ever Muslim mayor. Zohran Mamdani's ascent to getting within touching distance of one of the most prominent positions in US politics has been astonishing. Not least in a city where a generation ago in the wake of 9/11, Islamophobia was an unwelcome fact of life. Mamdani has explicitly made his Muslim faith part of his political identity. We speak to former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf - who was the first Muslim to lead a Western democracy and Professor Najam Haider, from the Department of Religion at Columbia University.
With the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury set for the new year, there's already plenty of speculation over what sort of leader Dame Sarah Mullaly might be. One man who can offer a unique and personal insight is a descendant of none other than the Guinness family. If that wasn't seemingly random enough – Jack Guinness knows Dame Sarah Mullaly because she was - for a time in the early 80s - a babysitter for his family at a parish in London.
Presenter: Julie Etchingham
Producers: Katy Davis and Rosie Dawson
Editor: Tim Pemberton
Studio Managers: Phillip Halliwell and Nick Woodsford
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26/10/2025
King Charles and Pope Leo made history in the Sistine Chapel by praying side by side - a first for the leaders of the Church of England and Catholic Church.
In this week's edition of our series on the study of religion, theologian Robert Beckford goes back to school to explore the teaching of RE at GCSE and A Level.
Halloween may be on the minds of trick or treaters, however another festival is celebrated at this time of year - we explore Samhain that's observed by followers of Paganism.PRESENTER: EDWARD STOURTON
PRODUCERS: KATY BOOTH & CATHERINE MURRAY
STUDIO MANAGERS: JOE STICKLER & CHRIS WALKER
EDITOR: CHLOE WALKER
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King and Pope to make history; Canterbury Cathedral graffiti row; Diwali on Roblox
A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with Julie Etchingham.
Canada - english