Emily Buchanan presents the final edition of Radio 4's Sunday programme of 2023, and brings together a panel of guests from different faiths to discuss the stand out events of the last year and also look forward to the issues and stories they expect everyone will be talking about in 2024.
New figures from the charity Shelter indicate a sharp rise in homelessness. More than 300,000 people are thought to have spent this festive season without a proper home. We speak to the Anglican Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, who regards this as a moral scandal.
In recent days Russia has intensified its attacks across Ukraine, in a significant escalation of the war. We return to Zhanna Bezpiatchuk, a reporter with the BBC Ukraine Service, who was one of the first people we spoke to after Russia's full scale invasion in February 2022. She reflects on nearly two years of conflict, how it's affected her life and the importance, during wartime, of her personal faith.
A spontaneous memorial garden has sprung up close to the Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead. People have been leaving notes and trinkets in memory of friends and family who have died. We hear from Professor Anne Whitehead who’s been documenting the development of this new "shrine". She reflects on how the sculpture has taken on a new and spiritual dimension.
Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Rajeev Gupta Editor: Tim Pemberton
Ukrainian refugee visa delays; Eid prayers at Blackburn Rovers; On the frontline of the cost of living crisis.
French election; Ukrainian refugees; Abuse within the church
Sikh scripture rescue, Patriarch Kirill profile, Muslim footballers during Ramadan
Sikh scriptures; The church in wartime; Interfaith dialogue during Ramadan
'Good versus evil' in Ukraine, Taliban U-turn on girls' education, The Merchant of Venice
Religious images in wartime; Inviting a refugee into your home; Russian Orthodox Christians split over war
The Pope's envoy to Ukraine; The Point of Prayer; Shorter organists' battle for adjustable benches
Russian Orthodox response to Putin; Ukraine's Chief Rabbi in exile; The Christian radio station broadcasting defiantly from Kyiv
Special programme on the faith response to Ukraine
Media nuns, Empty churches, Jewish internment
President Putin and the Orthodox Church; Liberated Slaves; Religious Matchmakers
Licoricia Jewish statue unveiled; Hong Kong Christians and Forgiveness
Painting icons, Bloody Sunday, and religion in the Metaverse
Mary Beard's Forbidden Art; The Mormons and Tonga; Gordon Brown
Joe Biden's First Year Report; Chaplaincy; Where Do We Draw Our Moral Compass From?
Faith-inspired public art; 100th online church service; Pagan extremism
Archbishop Desmond Tutu's life and legacy, It's a Wonderful Life, Volunteering
Angels, Churches and Omicron and Dorothy Day
12/12/2021
The Pope in Greece; Columba - a post-Brexit saint; Religious Chart Toppers
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