Sunday Folgen

What is the case for offering clemency to people in jail? This week, the Pope called on world leaders to make a gesture of clemency to prisoners in the run up to Christmas. For some, it represents an opportunity for healing for both the perpetrator and the victim, but for others it is a step too far. Why shouldn't prisoners simply serve their full sentence? We discuss the issue with former cabinet minister and ex-prisoner, the Rev Jonathan Aitken and former prison governor Brendan O’Friel. The UK is facing a wave of strikes, including action by "key workers" such as nurses and ambulance drivers. What is the moral and religious basis for the "right to strike" and what are its limits, if it seriously disrupts the lives and welfare of others?In a week when the reality of people seeking asylum led to tragic consequences and the Government announced new measures to stop illegal Channel crossings, we speak to Lord Carlile, who is leading an independent commission, exploring ways of improving the current asylum system. As the battle for the Christmas Number One heats up, we speak to the unlikely duo of a Church of Scotland minister Rev Neil Urquhart and Roman Catholic Priest, Father Willie Boyd, aka The Shoes Brothers, about their newly released single ‘Jesus Rock’ and why they hope it will bring communities together. Producer: Jonathan Hallewell Presenter: Emily Buchanan Editor: Helen Grady(Image courtesy of Limelight Media).

As the UK faces severe weather warnings, there are still predictions that one in four people will not be able to afford their heating bills this year. More than 4,500 religious and community organisations have signed up to the Warm Welcome campaign, offering free, safe, warm spaces for the public. Yesterday Edge Ministries, one of those organisations, held a free Christmas fair and we hear from the organisers.In Iran, the first execution of a demonstrator has taken place. Mohsen Shekari was found guilty by a Revolutionary Court of "enmity against God", according to state media, and then hanged. Activists have described the proceedings as a "show trial without any due process". Protestors against the Iranian regime have been demonstrating since September after the death of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old woman who was held in custody by morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab - or headscarf - "improperly". But there's also now uncertainty over the status of this force, which enforces its dress code, after a senior official suggested that it had been disbandedIf you've suffered a bereavement, Christmas can be a particularly difficult time of year. But a signposting charity is training hundreds of churches across the UK to offer support courses. AtaLoss, which was set up by Yvonne Tulloch when she lost her husband, has devised The Bereavement Journey course. We hear from Yvonne, and a trainer and a participant on a course in Southport in Merseyside, and get some advice on how to help the bereaved at this time of year. And we're following our exploration of the emotional power of your favourite carols. You may think you know the carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night", but think again ! We explore the countless different versions with the folk singer Kate Rusby.Presented by William Crawley. Produced by Julia Paul and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham. Editor: Helen Grady

The British raid of 1897 on Benin City in the Southern Nigerian State of Edo, saw thousands of looted items end up in galleries and Museums across the UK. One recipient was the Horniman Museum and Gardens in South-East London. Only this week, they returned six out of seventy-two items, to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The remainder will remain on loan for now. Among those items returned are two Benin Bronze Plaques from the Royal Palace of Benin. The BBC’s Peter Macjob tells William Crawley about the spiritual significance of these Plaques for the community of Benin.This week’s Census results drew out some surprising revelations including a ten-fold rise in those identifying themselves as Shaman. But one particular statistic which grabbed a lot of media attention was that for the first time, fewer than half of people in England and Wales described themselves as Christian. William asks what determines whether Britain is or is not a Christian country with guests Dr Scot Peterson, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Oxford, and Rt Revd Dr. Helen-Ann Hartly, Bishop of Ripon. All through Advent we are teaming up with BBC Radio 3 Saturday Breakfast to bring you some of the nation’s favourite Christmas Carol’s. This week Presenter Elizabeth Alker meets with one of the original members of The Temptations, Otis Williams, to discuss ‘Silent Night’. And we want to hear from you, what's your favourite Carol and why is it so important to you. Email us at Sunday@bbc.co.ukPhoto: Benin Bronze plaque of Oba Orhogbua (circa 1550-1578) holding a staff representing authority and power and with Iwu, royal tattoos. Photo Credit: Horniman Museum and Gardens Producers: Jill Collins and Helen Lee Editor: Tim Pemberton