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 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

Religion news 13 March 2026

Vehicle rammed into synagogue in Detroit, setting it ablaze; Catholic university backs away from Peter Thiel’s lectures on the Antichrist; Ramadan ‘boosts local economies and strengthens community cohesion’

Religion news 12 March 2026

Mixed reaction to new anti-Muslim hatred definition; Bishop Rob Wickham named faith representative on new Civil Society Council; Tom Holland designated ‘Bede Librarian’ at Durham Cathedral; BBC announces sixth ‘Faith & Hope’ season of religious programmes

Religion news 11 March 2026

Muslim organisations raise concerns over new anti-Muslim hatred definition; Conference on Christian revival after ‘post-war liberal consensus breaks down’; US faith leaders’ online prayer vigil for peace in the Middle East; Sarah Mullally bound for the Garden of England

Religion news 10 March 2026

New definition of anti-Muslim hate ‘will not bring in blasphemy law by back door’; Call for action to tackle biased media reporting of British Muslims and Islam; Bangor review calls for charity merger after cathedral spending row; Film about ‘the first hymn’ to be shown in UK cinemas