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 4 February 2026

Unsettling times for the tiny Jewish community in Ireland; Northern Ireland review of Religious Education underway; Plaid leader pledges to protect Muslims in Wales from the far right; Evangelical leader resigns as honorary canon over same sex blessings

Religion news 3 February 2026

Three CofE bishops say international community must protect Palestinians; British Muslims urged to engage in political campaigning to solve community issues; Dalai Lama wins Grammy award for audiobook on meditation; Inquiry after Basilica cherub restoration resembles Giorgia Meloni

Religion news 2 February 2026

Signs of growth in the Church of England; Quiet Revival author defends church growth claims amid polling doubts; Call to drop charges against journalists covering Minnesota church protest; New organisation to counter view that ‘death is annihilation’

Religion news 30 January 2026

‘Quiet Revival’ challenged over polling and AI bot concerns; Archbishop of York cleared of misconduct in David Tudor case; MPs call out rising antisemitism in Holocaust Memorial Day debate; Pressure to provide burial plots for British Muslims

Religion news 29 January 2026

Dame Sarah Mullally confirmed as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury; Methodists in Minneapolis standing against “evil in our midst”; ‘Very difficult’ for assisted dying bill to become law this year; Kim Keon Hee jailed for corruption over gifts from Unification Church

Religion news 28 January 2026

Dame Sarah Mullally legally becomes Archbishop of Canterbury today; Bible chatbots ‘biased’ towards evangelical theology; US churches ‘share common thread’ in collective organisation against ICE raids; Muslim football fans plan charity matches with Palestinian refugees

Religion news 27 January 2026

Religion on the Minneapolis front line – RNS briefing with reporter Jack Jenkins; Muslim Council of Britain’s vision for 2050; Two senior Catholic bishops deeply concerned at prospect of assisted dying bill in Wales; Police ban ‘Walk with Jesus’ UKIP march in Whitechapel

Religion news 26 January 2026

600 faith leaders meet in Minneapolis to resist ICE immigration raids; Soul Survivor named ‘engine of mission’ despite safeguarding scandal; Incoming Archbishop of Canterbury’s safeguarding record praised; Men’s Pilates class at Bradford mosque goes viral on TikTok

Religion news 23 January 2026

Oxford Catholic chaplain’s inappropriate behaviour ‘reported to police’; £92 million heritage church repair fund, but VAT will be charged; Three arrested after Minnesota church service disrupted; Commons speaker hosts Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony

Religion news 22 January 2026

Pope urges media to amplify reconciliation and peace; Princess Royal joins faith leaders lighting candles for peace and unity; Fr Damian Howard steps down from Oxford chaplaincy role; Norfolk church rebuild approved despite fears of revival surge