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3 weeks ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Maira Butt
BBC broadcasts first Eid-ul-Fitr live from BradfordAfter the sighting of the crescent moon on Sunday night, Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast,” which marks the end of Ramadan, was broadcast live by the BBC yesterday morning, a first for British terrestrial TV. The service came from Bradford Central Mosque, a city where a third of the population is Muslim.
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3 weeks ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Catherine Pepinster
“Mystifying and deeply alarming” failures of Justin WelbyThe former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has given an interview to the BBC about his resignation in November, following a review which said he should have done more to stop the serial abuser John Smyth. In a comment which made the headlines, he said he would forgive John Smyth, if he were alive – Smyth died in 2018 a year after Channel 4 exposed his abuse of more than 100 young men, beaten until they bled in his garden shed.
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3 weeks ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Maira Butt |Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Catherine Pepinster
By Maira ButtAs Ramadan comes to an end, many families across the UK eagerly await an announcement that the crescent moon has been sighted, which will mark the end of one of the holiest months in Islam. When the sun sets, Muslim commmunities enjoy a meal to break their fast, not knowing whether it will be their last. Once the declaration is made, and this is expected anytime over the next 24 hours as moonwatchers scan the skies, preparations are swiftly underway.
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4 weeks ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Maira Butt |Catherine Pepinster
The church experience of long covid, with emergency online worship now a fixtureChurches and cathedrals across Britain have embraced a digital revolution, accelerated by the Covid pandemic, and have broadcast thousands of online services which have developed into church prayer groups, pastoral counselling and theological debates.
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4 weeks ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Maira Butt |Catherine Pepinster
Spring statement slammed as ‘lacking compassion and care’Christians Against Poverty, which offers debt advice to lift people out of poverty, says more people may be pushed into deeper debt because of the welfare cuts outlined in the Chancellor’s Spring statement. Chief executiveStewart McCulloch is urging the government to reconsider in order to protect the most vulnerable.
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1 month ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Maira Butt |Catherine Pepinster
Isle of Man passes assisted dying billThe Isle of Man has become the first part of the UK and Crown dependencies to pass an Assisted Dying Bill. It means that adult Isle of Man residents who are of sound mind, are terminally ill, have twelve months or fewer to live, and have a clear and settled wish to die, can apply for assisted dying. Members of the Legislative Council, the upper chamber, agreed amendments to cut the residency criteria from five years to 12 months for someone to be eligible.
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1 month ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Catherine Pepinster |Maira Butt
Islamophobia definition will protect right to criticise religionThe government’s Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group has published terms of reference which say: “Any proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression – which includes the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and/or the beliefs and practices of adherents”.
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1 month ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Catherine Pepinster |Lianne Kolirin
Pope Francis makes first public greeting and blessing from hospitalPope Francis has appeared in public for the first time since his hospitalisation for double pneumonia on 14 February. Seated in a wheelchair, he appeared at the balcony of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, before leaving for home at the Vatican. With a rasping voice still recovering from his extensive treatment, he said faintly “Thank you to everyone”, gave his blessing and then a “thumbs up”.
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1 month ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Catherine Pepinster |Maira Butt
Cottrell condemns Israeli action as ‘callous and unnecessary’The Archbishop of York, Stepehen Cottrell, has condemned the recent action by Israel on Gaza, as callous and unnecessary, and a devastating and reckless blow. In a statement, the Archbishop, who is the interim leader of the Church of England, said: “It is so clear that there is no military solution to this situation: only dialogue and diplomacy will lead to justice and peace.
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1 month ago | 
religionmediacentre.org.uk | Ruth Peacock |Oliver Bowring |Lianne Kolirin |Catherine Pepinster
Wales ‘in danger of losing its religious identity’The study of religion is in danger of being erased in Wales, with the nation’s last remaining full theology department facing closure and increasing numbers of schools cutting religious education. Cardiff University’s announcement that it is considering cutting its theology department, has caused alarm across the churches, with a warning that it would be a “disaster” if closure goes ahead.
