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 13 February 2026

CofE ‘Living in Love and Faith’ project on sexuality is closed down – but discussion continues; Church ‘must resource interfaith work’; Epstein and Bannon discussed ‘taking down’ Pope Francis; British Muslim Trust launch event

Religion news 12 February 2026

CofE clergy will be trained to deal with mental health; Synod agrees new CofE safeguarding structure, with new charity and leader; Pew Research finds white evangelicals constant in support of Trump; Hindus ‘devastated’ as council sells only temple in East Anglia

Religion news 11 February 2026

Archbishop of Canterbury sets tone for her leadership of the CofE; Buddhist monks’ pilgrimage of peace ends in Washington DC; Spike in antisemitic incidents after Manchester synagogue attack; St Bride’s celebrates 650th anniversary of Guild of St Bride

Religion news 10 February 2026

Hong Kong Catholic media tycoon Jimmy Lai, sentenced to 20 years; Low-fee high achieving Islamic schools at risk from rising costs; Bishop defends CofE £100m reparations fund amid Synod backlash; Free faith security training rolling out this month

Religion news 9 February 2026

Bishops warn the cross must not be used to intimidate; British Interfaith delegation visits new UK Ambassador to the USA; Southern Baptists say racist tweet depicting the Obamas was ‘inexcusable’; Michaelangelo Sistine chapel sketch fetches £17million at auction

Religion news 6 February 2026

PM’s call for renewal of British values is lost amid Mandelson row; Trump – ‘I’ve done more for religion than any other president’; Pagan prison chaplain needed in Norwich; Italian priest and social media influencer leaves priesthood

Religion news 5 February 2026

Archbishop of Canterbury makes oath of allegiance to the King; New project explores faith and identity in England; Catholic priest in Gaza pleads for war to stop; Memorial service for BBC broadcaster Sir Mark Tully

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