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 2 April 2025

US State department ‘monitoring’ Bournemouth abortion buffer zone case; Faith groups ‘horrified’ by police raid on Quaker meeting house; Sir Simon Schama warns of toxic antisemitism in popular culture; Giant white prayer loop sculpture set for summer construction

Religion news 1 April 2025

BBC broadcasts first Eid-ul-Fitr live from Bradford; British move to end disputes over Eid moon sightings; Cardinal speaks of ‘churning despair’ in Myanmar; Tate Britain returns painting looted by Nazis

Religion news 31 March 2025

“Mystifying and deeply alarming” failures of Justin Welby; Eid-Ul-Fitr celebrations this weekend; Ramadan said to generate £13billion to UK economy; Quakers demand an apology after Met Police raid on a meeting house; Nishkam charities in Birmingham celebrate 50th anniversary

Religion news 28 March 2025

The church experience of long covid, with emergency online worship now a fixture; New police powers to prevent protests near mosques and synagogues; Yorkshire villagers outraged at 15th century church tower painted white

Religion news 27 March 2025

Christians slam Spring statement as ‘lacking compassion and care’; US Methodists dealing with financial and emotional disaster from Trump’s policies; Most non-religious people in Britain were brought up as Christians

Religion news 26 March 2025

Isle of Man passes assisted dying bill; Doctors tell of moment Pope Francis nearly died; King’s visit to meet the Pope is postponed; Moonies ‘dissolved’ in Japan

Religion news 25 March 2025

Islamophobia definition will protect right to criticise religion; Faith leaders unite in call against child poverty; Court case in Japan to decide Unification Church future; Churches urge legal action against climate change

Religion news 24 March 2025

Pope Francis makes first public greeting and blessing from hospital; Board of Deputies tells BBC to act on editorial demands by 12 April; Fifth anniversary of online church services since Covid; Chinese Bible sold for £56,280

Religion news 21 March 2025

Cottrell condemns Israeli action as ‘callous and unnecessary’; Eco-friendly, community based Ramadan season in Britain 2025; Church leaders discuss climate change in Brazil, ahead of COP30; Brits are kinder than they think