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 February 2026

Vatican declines to join Trump’s Board of Peace; Bishop of Blackburn calls for conversation on national identity; Latin Mass breakaway group will consecrate bishops despite Vatican objections; Next Bishop of Durham is local Archdeacon

Religion news 19 February 2026

‘Ashes to Go’ – clergy mark shoppers with the sign of the cross on Ash Wednesday; New Moon has been sighted over Britain and Ramadan has begun; King Charles supports Jewish backed refugee jobs fair; All Nations Christian missionary college moving out of Gothic estate in Hertfordshire

Religion news 18 February 2026

US civil rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson has died aged 84; BBC leaders speak of ‘huge importance’ of religious broadcasting; Lent – a time of spiritual renewal and reflection; Royal Observatory live astronomy show to seek the crescent moon

Religion news 17 February 2026

Ramadan and Lent due to start tomorrow, depending on the moon; Man who burned Quran prepared to flee to the US if convicted again; Caribbean archbishop backs CofE’s ‘Project Spire’ reparations for slavery; Traitors star Harry Clark presents documentary on visit to Rome

Religion news 16 February 2026

New Catholic Archbishop of Westminster urges church to “speak into the public square”; Board of Deputies ‘deep concern’ at lifting of Palestine Action ban; Scientist questions whether point of death is an instant moment; The Imam and the Rabbi promoting understanding in Manchester

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