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 8 February 2023

All aid agencies appeal for Syria; Church of England same sex debate and vote today; All Souls withdraws payments to the diocese in protest; Private members bill could challenge same sex marriage ban; One in five UK Muslim women never attend mosque

Religion news 7 February 2023

Islamic Relief on the ground in earthquake zones of Syria and Turkey; Declassified archives say Patriarch Kirill “was a KGB agent”; Welby says the church has a history of imposing unity and controlling others; The RE teacher who became a podcast sensation

Religion news 6 February 2023

Same sex marriage decision week at CofE general synod; Pope, Archbishop and Moderator denounce criminalisation of homosexuality; Appeal for UK to observe International Day to Combat Islamophobia; Court challenge in India to BBC Modi film ban

Religion news 3 February 2023

Development agencies urge government to invest in peace in South Sudan; Polarising legacy of Cardinal George Pell erupts at his funeral; Express marriages in UAE overturn traditional Islamic law; You can sweat but don’t swear in a gym that used to be a church

Justin Welby in the Lords

Religion news 2 February 2023

Archbishop: Disestablishment preferable to church split; South Sudan church says Welby’s peace mission is peace not doctrine; EU appoints anti Islamophobia coordinator; Imbolc festival marks first signs of Spring

Religion news 1 February 2023

Pope calls for renewed efforts to end violence in DR Congo; Historic ecumenical visit to South Sudan; 100 police officers dead in mosque suicide bomb attack; Lack of diversity in medical textbooks affects health care

Religion news 31 January 2023

Baby boomers have raised the least religious generation ever; LSE wipes out Christianity from its calendar; The Pope sets off on historic peace mission to Africa; Imposing new mosque next to M6 in Preston given go ahead

Gillian Keegan, Education Secretary

Religion news 30 January 2023

Church school leaders should keep schools open during strikes; Faith leaders protest for justice after death of Tyre Nichols; Canada appoints anti Islamophobia champion