Religion Media Centre

The story of “The Jesus Army”, a cult founded in 1987, where members lived in a commune and evangelised on the streets from a double decker bus, is told in a BBC documentary this weekend. Investigators found 1:6 six children were sexually abused bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00…

Daniel Singleton, CEO of Faith Action which pioneered Faith Covenants, says they should dovetail with new Civil Society Covenants. enabling government at all levels to work with “the eyes, ears and voice of the people”, on projects for change faithaction.net/blog/policy-an…

Religion news 25 July 2025 ➡️Faith Covenants must 'dovetail' with new Civil Society Covenant ➡️Churches urge reform of ‘failing’ criminal justice system ➡️Story of the Jesus Army told in BBC documentaries ➡️Crowdfunding campaign to buy Cwm Rhonda chapel religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/religion-…

British families of victims in the Air India crash have received the wrong remains in a botched repatriation process which disrespects Hindu cremation rites bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Scottish government tells couple who bought a church near Dumfries, to re-instate medieval church bells linked to the Knights Templar, but they warn the bells won't be safe until the building is secured. @Daily_Record report: dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-new…

Religion news 24 July 2025 ➡️Archbishop of York says action needed now against ‘barbaric assault’ on Gaza ➡️Christians urge government to abandon fossil fuels ➡️Air India crash repatriation blunder disrespects Hindu rites religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/religion-…

Look ahead to a meeting next week of 1,000 Catholic priests and friars from all over the world, who have emerged as social media influencers, preaching the gospel on TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. Report by @GiuffridaA theguardian.com/world/2025/jul…

Religion news 23 July 2025 ➡️Cardinal urges end to ‘morally unacceptable’ Gaza war ➡️Jesuit Refugee Service slams UK detention system ➡️Church of England newspaper halts publication–for now ➡️Bishop of Southwark’s face ‘smashed like cornflakes’ in crash religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/religion-…

Explainer by @reglash on the Druze, the secretive religious and ethnic group involved in intense clashes with Bedouin in southern Syria, which left more than 1000 dead religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/explainer…

The Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox, is to chair an inquiry into the 1984 Orgreave clashes between police and pickets during the miners' strike. He said he did not “underestimate the weight of expectation or the significance of the task ahead”. sheffield.anglican.org/inquiry-to-unc…

Government takes action on Islamophobia, after record rise in reported cases, appointing the British Muslim Trust to monitor anti-Muslim hate crime, engage with commmunities and publish regular reports. @itsmairab reports religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/governmen…

Religion news 22 July 2025 ➡️British Muslim Trust to monitor anti-Muslim hate crime ➡️Bishop of Sheffield to chair Orgreave inquiry ➡️Hillingdon reverses street preaching ban ➡️Explainer on Druze in Syria, as fragile peace maintained religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/religion-…

The government has appointed the British Muslim Trust to monitor anti-Muslim hate crimes across the UK, engage with communities and publish reports, aiming to support victims and 'help shape a more inclusive, united Britain for all'. @itsmairab reports: religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/governmen…

Hundreds of human remains in the grounds of St Mary the Virgin church in Happisburgh, north Norfolk, may have to be exhumed and reburied because the churchyard is at risk of falling into the sea. Report by @nthnorfolknews northnorfolknews.co.uk/news/25304949.…

The consultation on a new definition of Islamophobia has closed after an intense public debate with fears it will limit free speech. The review group must report back to the government by the end of August. Factfile by @itsmairab here: religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/factfile-…

Religion news 21 July 2025 ➡️MP warns of ‘dangerous’ ideology replacing Christianity in Britain ➡️Consultation closes on Islamophobia definition ➡️Teachers seek government help to tackle antisemitism ➡️Mass exhumation feared as Norfolk cliff erodes religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/religion-…

The music of the 12th century Abbess and Saint, Hildegard of Bingen, is influencing  experimental and feminist artists from jazz to alt-pop. The Guardian's Jennifer Lucy Allan speaks to musicians who say it is 'a perfect accompaniment to life'. theguardian.com/music/2025/jul…

King Charles opened a new wing in his name at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, which will host the “King Charles III Programme” to promote deeper interfaith understanding. He called the Centre a “beacon of Islamic scholarship” in a fractured world. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Religion news 18 July 2025 ➡️Three killed as Israeli strikes hit Gaza’s Catholic church ➡️US Church urges action after synod Gaza appeal ➡️King opens new wing at Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies ➡️Hildegard of Bingen’s music inspires today's artists religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/religion-…

Humanists UK calling on Bible Society to retract its findings of a “Quiet Revival”, saying survey results are unreliable, doubting method of design and weighting. Bible Society stands by its survey and is confident it reflects the reality on the ground. humanists.uk/2025/07/15/rel…