Ruth Peacock

Ruth is the leader of the Religion Media Centre project and oversees its work. After studying theology and teaching RE, she trained as a journalist on a local paper, freelanced in print and radio and then joined the BBC, working in many news departments, including the main newsgathering desk. She also worked on the BBC’s move into the new W1 building and studied organisational change.

Written Content

Religion news 26 March 2026

Sarah Mullally: A church for the whole nation and for the world; Warm applause for first female Archbishop of Canterbury; Bishop condemns attacks on Lebanon; Ban political abuse of religion campaign holds meeting in parliament

Religion news 25 March 2026

Installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, today – a service with ‘women’s voices right the way through’; Anglican Futures rebukes backers of ‘liberal’ Mullally’s installation; King Charles becomes first patron of Jewish Community Security Trust; £4.725 million for St James’s Piccadilly

Religion news 24 March 2026

Arson attack on four Jewish charity ambulances- ‘horrific antisemitic attack’, investigated by counter terror police; ‘Leading Women’ CofE mentoring group propelled Sarah Mullally to high office; Cafod urges immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank; ‘Boys Town’ priest on way to sainthood

Timeline: the six-month road to Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally will be installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at the cathedral on Weds 26 March at 3pm, the first woman to hold this role. It marks the start of her ministry – six months after her appointment was announced.

Religion news 23 March 2026

Archbishop Sarah Mullally completes six day pilgrimage to Canterbury, preparing for installation; Prince of Wales wishes for a “strong and meaningful bond” with the CofE; Pope Leo says wars are a scandal to the entire human family; Bishop says public iftar in Trafalgar Square “a moment of hospitality”

Religion news 20 March 2026

Nick Timothy’s ‘act of dominion’ charge is ‘megaphone dog whistle’; Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed due to security concerns; Ramadan ends for most British Muslims today; Graves more than 100 years old could be re-used

Religion news 19 March 2026

Lords fail to overturn decriminalising abortions up to birth; Church leaders in Scotland call for better palliative care; ‘Historic opportunity’ for Religious Education in new cohesion agenda; Nigeria aide rejects Christian genocide claims

Scottish parliament voting

Religion news 18 March 2026

Scottish parliament rejects assisted dying; Sarah Mullally will vote in the Lords today on decriminalising abortion, breaking into her pilgrimage to Canterbury; Pope Leo meets author critical of Opus Dei; Faith leaders say ‘slow down’ reform of refugee legislation

Religion news 17 March 2026

St Patrick’s Day vigil walk with Catholic and Anglican Archbishops of Armagh; Archbishop calls for end to law decriminalising abortion up to birth; MPs call for more time for the assisted dying bill; Quakers’ silent protest against police raid on Meeting House; Open Iftar in Trafalgar Square as Ramadan approaches its close

Religion news 16 March 2026

Pope appeals for ceasefire in the Middle East; Christians at heightened risk as war continues; Series of global antisemitic attacks; Sarah Mullally’s six day pilgrimage to Canterbury; Scottish parliament prepares to vote on assisted dying