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 10 December 2024

‘It’s a miracle’ – Liverpool coal haulier healed at Lourdes; GB News accused of hating Islam and Muslims; Antisemitism hits record highs at UK universities.; 2024 Nativity – high-vis shepherds and angels with mobiles

Religion news 9 December 2024

The religious past and present of the Syrian rebel group HTS; Notre Dame re-opens to the world’s gaze; BBC announces programmes on religion and ethics for next year; Two British Indian leaders stripped of their honours

Religion news 6 December 2024

Welby’s “frivolous” farewell speech in the Lords met with criticism; Notre Dame re-opens, restored to former glory; Aim for 1,000 street carol services this Christmas; Catholic bishops say South Korea martial law declaration was “illegitimate”

Religion news 5 December 2024

Religious messages disrupt FA’s rainbow campaign; Civitas report says CofE bureaucracy risks parish existence: Church of England congregations increased in 2023; Commons Bill to add ‘Sikh’ and ‘Jewish’ in ethnicity data

Religion news 4 December 2024

Trust, fear and betrayal at the heart of the assisted dying debate; Bishop Jo Bailey Wells steps back over John Smyth abuse; Community Security Trust reflects on 30 years; Exhibition of men’s fashion at Friday prayers

Religion news 3 December 2024

Wolverhampton ‘Creating Connectons’ in football, media and religion; Catholic Bishop: ‘Britain is no longer a Christian country’; Jewish community leaders urge PM to take action to keep them safe; Scottish Parliament sent an Advent wreath for reflection at Christmas

Religion news 2 December 2024

Assisted Dying: “Don’t ram religious ideas down my throat”; Bishop of Newcastle ‘frozen out’ by fellow bishops for speaking out on safeguarding; Humanists UK poll on bishops in the Lords; World gets first glimpse of restored Notre Dame cathedral

MPs back Assisted Dying

MPs voted to allow Assisted Dying by a majority of 55, after a debate with multiple stories of painful deaths and despite fears of coercion and impact on vulnerable people

Religion news 29 November 2024

Assisted Dying – MPs vote today but outcome unclear; Three more ‘major CofE abuse scandals will break next year’; An evening to remember Beatle George Harrison at Bhaktivedanta Manor; 900 serious conversations with AI Jesus

Religion news 28 November 2024

Deputy PM Angela Rayner meets the Pope; Muslim MP calls for laws to outlaw desecration of religious texts; Assisted Dying bill – 489 MPs undecideds or unknowns; Orthodox and evangelical churches growing, while nominal Christianity declines; The imam and community leader standing for election in Ireland