Religion Media Centre
@relmedcentre.bsky.social
Independent and impartial - providing the media with information, context and expert comment
The Dean of Salisbury says he can see a glimpse of the divine even in the season’s tackier trappings: 'Christmas jumpers are tasteless. And here’s the thing. God is tasteless too.' Report by @kayaburgess.bsky.social:
God wants us to wear tacky Christmas jumpers, says Dean of Salisbury
Very Rev Nicholas Papadopulos says God is ‘tasteless’ and does not make aesthetic judgments even when it comes to the most lurid festive knitwear
www.thetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:31 PM
The Dean of Salisbury says he can see a glimpse of the divine even in the season’s tackier trappings: 'Christmas jumpers are tasteless. And here’s the thing. God is tasteless too.' Report by @kayaburgess.bsky.social:
Jewish Representative Council of Ireland has expressed concern over plans to rename Herzog Park in south Dublin, warning the move could be seen as “an attempt to erase our Irish Jewish history.”
Herzog Park denaming ‘will be seen as anti-Semitic’, says Taoiseach
Dublin city councillors proposed to strip former Israeli president’s name from Rathgar park
www.irishtimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Jewish Representative Council of Ireland has expressed concern over plans to rename Herzog Park in south Dublin, warning the move could be seen as “an attempt to erase our Irish Jewish history.”
Religion news 1 December 2025
➡️ Pope Leo appeals for peace on Turkey-Lebanon visit
➡️ Badenoch: ‘you can argue that welfare spending is un-Christian’
➡️ Herzog Park renaming plan ‘disgraceful’
➡️ Christmas with a grumpy owl and tasteless festive jumpers
➡️ Pope Leo appeals for peace on Turkey-Lebanon visit
➡️ Badenoch: ‘you can argue that welfare spending is un-Christian’
➡️ Herzog Park renaming plan ‘disgraceful’
➡️ Christmas with a grumpy owl and tasteless festive jumpers
Religion news 1 December 2025 - Religion Media Centre
Pope Leo appeals for peace and unity on his five day visit to Turkey and Lebanon; Badenoch: ‘you can argue that welfare spending is un-Christian’; Proposal to rename Herzog Park in Dublin criticised a...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Religion news 1 December 2025
➡️ Pope Leo appeals for peace on Turkey-Lebanon visit
➡️ Badenoch: ‘you can argue that welfare spending is un-Christian’
➡️ Herzog Park renaming plan ‘disgraceful’
➡️ Christmas with a grumpy owl and tasteless festive jumpers
➡️ Pope Leo appeals for peace on Turkey-Lebanon visit
➡️ Badenoch: ‘you can argue that welfare spending is un-Christian’
➡️ Herzog Park renaming plan ‘disgraceful’
➡️ Christmas with a grumpy owl and tasteless festive jumpers
Pope Leo XIV urged the people of Turkey to be a source of stability and dialogue in a world riven by conflict. He warned of a “heightened level of global conflict” and said “a third world war is being fought piecemeal… The future of humanity is at stake.”
Pope Leo warns that conflicts are endangering humanity on first overseas trip | CNN
Pope Leo XIV warned of “conflict on the global level” in an impassioned address to civic leaders and lawmakers in Turkey, against the backdrop of several wars in the region.
edition.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Pope Leo XIV urged the people of Turkey to be a source of stability and dialogue in a world riven by conflict. He warned of a “heightened level of global conflict” and said “a third world war is being fought piecemeal… The future of humanity is at stake.”
Religion news 28 November 2025
➡️ Pope starts visit to Turkey with warning of third world war
➡️ UK interfaith leaders chart the future of multi-faith collaboration
➡️ Bishop of Chelmsford ‘bitterly regrets’ LGBTQ+ people have been failed by the church
➡️ Pope starts visit to Turkey with warning of third world war
➡️ UK interfaith leaders chart the future of multi-faith collaboration
➡️ Bishop of Chelmsford ‘bitterly regrets’ LGBTQ+ people have been failed by the church
Religion news 28 November 2025 - Religion Media Centre
Pope starts visit to Turkey with warning of third world war; UK interfaith leaders chart the future of multi-faith collaboration; Bishop of Chelmsford ‘bitterly regrets’ LGBTQ+ people have been failed...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Religion news 28 November 2025
➡️ Pope starts visit to Turkey with warning of third world war
➡️ UK interfaith leaders chart the future of multi-faith collaboration
➡️ Bishop of Chelmsford ‘bitterly regrets’ LGBTQ+ people have been failed by the church
➡️ Pope starts visit to Turkey with warning of third world war
➡️ UK interfaith leaders chart the future of multi-faith collaboration
➡️ Bishop of Chelmsford ‘bitterly regrets’ LGBTQ+ people have been failed by the church
'Light the World' charity-gift vending machines return to Spitalfields & Birmingham for Christmas. Shoppers tap to buy items like food parcels or clean water kits from charity partners. Run by the LDS Church, the global scheme has raised $50m since 201: ow.ly/AIV350XyyNm
November 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
'Light the World' charity-gift vending machines return to Spitalfields & Birmingham for Christmas. Shoppers tap to buy items like food parcels or clean water kits from charity partners. Run by the LDS Church, the global scheme has raised $50m since 201: ow.ly/AIV350XyyNm
Pope Leo's visit to Turkey and Lebanon will include a service marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed; and Mass by the waterfront at Beirut Port, where an explosion killed 220 people. Catherine Pepinster explains:
Explainer: Pope Leo XIV makes first international trip to Turkey and Lebanon - Religion Media Centre
By Catherine Pepinster How significant is this papal visit? It is the first trip abroad for Pope Leo since he was elected pontiff in May, succeeding Pope Francis. He will have an important role suppor...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Pope Leo's visit to Turkey and Lebanon will include a service marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed; and Mass by the waterfront at Beirut Port, where an explosion killed 220 people. Catherine Pepinster explains:
Religion news 27 November 2025
➡️ Faith response to the budget
➡️ Pope Leo starts first international visit in Turkey
➡️ More time allocated for Lords debate on assisted dying bill
➡️ ‘Light the World’ charity vending gift machines launch for Christmas
➡️ Faith response to the budget
➡️ Pope Leo starts first international visit in Turkey
➡️ More time allocated for Lords debate on assisted dying bill
➡️ ‘Light the World’ charity vending gift machines launch for Christmas
Religion news 27 November 2025 - Religion Media Centre
Faith response to the budget:; Pope Leo starts first international visit today in Turkey; More time allocated in the Lords for debate on assisted dying bill; ‘Light the World’ charity vending gift mac...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Religion news 27 November 2025
➡️ Faith response to the budget
➡️ Pope Leo starts first international visit in Turkey
➡️ More time allocated for Lords debate on assisted dying bill
➡️ ‘Light the World’ charity vending gift machines launch for Christmas
➡️ Faith response to the budget
➡️ Pope Leo starts first international visit in Turkey
➡️ More time allocated for Lords debate on assisted dying bill
➡️ ‘Light the World’ charity vending gift machines launch for Christmas
Christmas and New Year religious programming schedules include Princess of Wales carol service, Christmas meditation by the Bishop of Washington Mariann Budde, and New Year message from the next Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally
BBC unpacks a ‘rich and reflective’ array of religious programming this Christmas
Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year message is back on the festive schedule
www.churchtimes.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Christmas and New Year religious programming schedules include Princess of Wales carol service, Christmas meditation by the Bishop of Washington Mariann Budde, and New Year message from the next Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally
Lamorna Ash charts the invoking of Christianity by the British right, from establishment figures to Unite the Kingdom, and suggests that “powerful backers and strategists on the US Christian right increasingly see Britain as fertile ground for its movement”
Is British politics immune to US-style rightwing Christianity? We’re about to find out | Lamorna Ash
Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson are increasingly espousing Christian ‘values’, and a wealthy US legal group is becoming influential – this could have dire consequences, says author Lamorna Ash
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Lamorna Ash charts the invoking of Christianity by the British right, from establishment figures to Unite the Kingdom, and suggests that “powerful backers and strategists on the US Christian right increasingly see Britain as fertile ground for its movement”
Religion news 26 November 2025
➡️ Jewish Labour peer says Nigel Farage should come clean and apologise
➡️ National Trust 'denies permission' to film St Cuthbert’s Cave
➡️ Christmas and New Year TV and radio schedules
➡️ Jewish Labour peer says Nigel Farage should come clean and apologise
➡️ National Trust 'denies permission' to film St Cuthbert’s Cave
➡️ Christmas and New Year TV and radio schedules
Religion news 26 November 2025 - Religion Media Centre
Jewish Labour peer says Nigel Farage should come clean and apologise; National Trust denies film-maker permission to use St Cuthbert’s Cave; London faith based volunteers ‘creating a city where everyo...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Religion news 26 November 2025
➡️ Jewish Labour peer says Nigel Farage should come clean and apologise
➡️ National Trust 'denies permission' to film St Cuthbert’s Cave
➡️ Christmas and New Year TV and radio schedules
➡️ Jewish Labour peer says Nigel Farage should come clean and apologise
➡️ National Trust 'denies permission' to film St Cuthbert’s Cave
➡️ Christmas and New Year TV and radio schedules
Fr Sion Hughes Carew, a Lincoln parish priest, faces a disciplinary after crashing the bishop’s car while three times the limit following a celebratory birthday drink. Driving barefoot, he hit a Skoda then rolled into a wall.
Drunk priest crashes bishop's car into Archers' Clarrie Grundy's Skoda
In front of his own parishioners, Father Sion Hughes Carew, 40, was handcuffed and arrested before being thrown in the cells, while the bishop's car was left wedged in a garden wall.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Fr Sion Hughes Carew, a Lincoln parish priest, faces a disciplinary after crashing the bishop’s car while three times the limit following a celebratory birthday drink. Driving barefoot, he hit a Skoda then rolled into a wall.
A coalition of 18 faith organisations is calling on the Chancellor to tax the super-rich, make capital gains tax the same rate as income tax, and resource HMRC to close the tax gap, when she delivers the budget on Wednesday
Faith groups call for bold tax reforms to rebuild country - JustMoney Movement
A coalition of 18 faith organisations, coordinated by JustMoney Movement, has released a joint statement urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise and reform taxes on wealth in Wednesday’s Budget.
justmoney.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:08 AM
A coalition of 18 faith organisations is calling on the Chancellor to tax the super-rich, make capital gains tax the same rate as income tax, and resource HMRC to close the tax gap, when she delivers the budget on Wednesday
Religion news 25 November 2025
➡️ Faith organisations urge Chancellor to tax the super-rich
➡️ Catholic bishop ‘disappointed’ with outcome of COP30
➡️ Anger at protests outside Jewish synagogue in London
➡️ Over the limit priest crashes bishop's car
➡️ Faith organisations urge Chancellor to tax the super-rich
➡️ Catholic bishop ‘disappointed’ with outcome of COP30
➡️ Anger at protests outside Jewish synagogue in London
➡️ Over the limit priest crashes bishop's car
Religion news 25 November 2025 - Religion Media Centre
Faith organisations urge Chancellor to tax the super-rich; Catholic bishop ‘disappointed’ with outcome of COP30; Anger at protests outside Jewish synagogue in London; Over the limit priest crashes bis...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Religion news 25 November 2025
➡️ Faith organisations urge Chancellor to tax the super-rich
➡️ Catholic bishop ‘disappointed’ with outcome of COP30
➡️ Anger at protests outside Jewish synagogue in London
➡️ Over the limit priest crashes bishop's car
➡️ Faith organisations urge Chancellor to tax the super-rich
➡️ Catholic bishop ‘disappointed’ with outcome of COP30
➡️ Anger at protests outside Jewish synagogue in London
➡️ Over the limit priest crashes bishop's car
New academic course on moon sighting for British Muslims to learn how to sight the crescent moon, which marks the start and end dates of Islamic festivals. Aims to help decide agreed dates for festivals in Britain. Report by @hyphenonline.com:
UK moon sighting course could spell end of ‘moon wars’
Working with Cambridge and Leeds universities, the Moonsighters Academy will train people to call the start of Ramadan and Eid
hyphenonline.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
New academic course on moon sighting for British Muslims to learn how to sight the crescent moon, which marks the start and end dates of Islamic festivals. Aims to help decide agreed dates for festivals in Britain. Report by @hyphenonline.com:
Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani says the Archbishop of Canterbury has one of Britain’s 'impossible jobs' due to 'inhumane' expectations. She told @kayaburgess.bsky.social she was uncomfortable being the bookies’ favourite for the role and is happy in Chelmsford.
Archbishop of Canterbury faces ‘inhumane’ expectations, bishop says
The Right Rev Guli Francis-Dehqani, who was tipped to replace Justin Welby, describes the role as one of Britain’s ‘impossible jobs’
www.thetimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani says the Archbishop of Canterbury has one of Britain’s 'impossible jobs' due to 'inhumane' expectations. She told @kayaburgess.bsky.social she was uncomfortable being the bookies’ favourite for the role and is happy in Chelmsford.
Religion news 24 November 2025
➡️ Nations’ favourite assembly hymn: Shine Jesus Shine
➡️ Pope urges swift action after 315 children kidnapped in Nigeria
➡️ US clerical revolt could ‘shame and tame’ Trump
➡️ Moonsighting course to decide British lunar dates
➡️ Nations’ favourite assembly hymn: Shine Jesus Shine
➡️ Pope urges swift action after 315 children kidnapped in Nigeria
➡️ US clerical revolt could ‘shame and tame’ Trump
➡️ Moonsighting course to decide British lunar dates
Religion news 24 November 2025 - Religion Media Centre
The nations’ favourite school assembly hymn – Shine Jesus Shine; Pope urges swift action after 315 children kidnapped from a Catholic school in Nigeria; Moonsighting academic course launched to help B...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Religion news 24 November 2025
➡️ Nations’ favourite assembly hymn: Shine Jesus Shine
➡️ Pope urges swift action after 315 children kidnapped in Nigeria
➡️ US clerical revolt could ‘shame and tame’ Trump
➡️ Moonsighting course to decide British lunar dates
➡️ Nations’ favourite assembly hymn: Shine Jesus Shine
➡️ Pope urges swift action after 315 children kidnapped in Nigeria
➡️ US clerical revolt could ‘shame and tame’ Trump
➡️ Moonsighting course to decide British lunar dates
Christian tech company Breeze Translate creates QR-code system to live-translate church services for Christmas, to ensure that "whether a visitor speaks Farsi, Spanish or Mandarin, they can understand the message of hope in their local church"
Breeze Translate — Real-Time Translation for Church Services
Break down language barriers in your church with Breeze Translate. Real-time translation services for church services, sermons, and community events. Affordable, simple, and supports hundreds of langu...
breezetranslate.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Christian tech company Breeze Translate creates QR-code system to live-translate church services for Christmas, to ensure that "whether a visitor speaks Farsi, Spanish or Mandarin, they can understand the message of hope in their local church"
Report finds a third of Catholic priests ordained from 1992 to 2024 were former Anglican clergy. Prof Stephen Bullivant said there was “unequivocally a surge” in conversions following a vote in 1992 to allow women to become CofE vicars.
New Research Explores Experiences of Clergy Transitioning between Christian Denominations in Britain
New Research Explores Experiences of Clergy Transitioning between Christian Denominations in Britain
www.stmarys.ac.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Report finds a third of Catholic priests ordained from 1992 to 2024 were former Anglican clergy. Prof Stephen Bullivant said there was “unequivocally a surge” in conversions following a vote in 1992 to allow women to become CofE vicars.
Religion news 21 November 2025
➡️ One-third of Catholic priests since 1992 were ex-Anglicans
➡️ British Jews shift from Labour and Tories for Greens/Reform
➡️ Orange hearts to show support for refugees
➡️ QR code enables live translated Christmas services
➡️ One-third of Catholic priests since 1992 were ex-Anglicans
➡️ British Jews shift from Labour and Tories for Greens/Reform
➡️ Orange hearts to show support for refugees
➡️ QR code enables live translated Christmas services
Religion news 21 November 2025 - Religion Media Centre
Third of Catholic priests in England from 1992-2024 were former Anglican clergy; British Jews abandon Labour and Tories for the Greens and Reform; Orange hearts on posters, Christmas trees and biscuit...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Religion news 21 November 2025
➡️ One-third of Catholic priests since 1992 were ex-Anglicans
➡️ British Jews shift from Labour and Tories for Greens/Reform
➡️ Orange hearts to show support for refugees
➡️ QR code enables live translated Christmas services
➡️ One-third of Catholic priests since 1992 were ex-Anglicans
➡️ British Jews shift from Labour and Tories for Greens/Reform
➡️ Orange hearts to show support for refugees
➡️ QR code enables live translated Christmas services
Former faith minister Lord Khan says people are frustrated by delays to an Islamophobia definition. He has no hard feelings about losing his job and is 'busier than ever,' focused on interfaith work and community cohesion. @mairabutt.bsky.social reports:
Islamophobia definition has taken ‘far too long’ says sacked faith minister Khan - Religion Media Centre
Former faith minister Lord Khan says people are frustrated by the delay in publishing a defintion of Islamophobia. He held no ill feelings for being sacked and has become even busier since, with work ...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Former faith minister Lord Khan says people are frustrated by delays to an Islamophobia definition. He has no hard feelings about losing his job and is 'busier than ever,' focused on interfaith work and community cohesion. @mairabutt.bsky.social reports:
UK Supreme Court rules that Christian focused RE in Northern Ireland schools is unlawful and amounts to indoctrination as it is not conveyed in 'an objective, critical, and pluralistic manner'. A review and study point to worldviews approach.
Christian-focused RE lessons in Northern Ireland judged 'unlawful' - Religion Media Centre
UK Supreme Court has ruled that Christian focused religious education in Northern Ireland schools, is not conveyed in 'an objective, critical, and pluralistic manner', amounting to indoctrination.
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
UK Supreme Court rules that Christian focused RE in Northern Ireland schools is unlawful and amounts to indoctrination as it is not conveyed in 'an objective, critical, and pluralistic manner'. A review and study point to worldviews approach.
Religion news 20 November 2025
➡️ Christian focused RE in N Ireland judged unlawful
➡️ Archbishop of York: Israel committed ‘genocidal acts’
➡️ Lord Khan - Islamophobia definition has taken ‘far too long’
➡️ $2.4 trillion Halal economy showcased at ExCel
➡️ Christian focused RE in N Ireland judged unlawful
➡️ Archbishop of York: Israel committed ‘genocidal acts’
➡️ Lord Khan - Islamophobia definition has taken ‘far too long’
➡️ $2.4 trillion Halal economy showcased at ExCel
Religion news 20 November 2025 - Religion Media Centre
Christian focused Religious Education in Northern Ireland judged unlawful; Archbishop of York says Israel has committed ‘genocidal acts’; Lord Khan - Islamophobia definition has taken ‘far too long’; ...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Religion news 20 November 2025
➡️ Christian focused RE in N Ireland judged unlawful
➡️ Archbishop of York: Israel committed ‘genocidal acts’
➡️ Lord Khan - Islamophobia definition has taken ‘far too long’
➡️ $2.4 trillion Halal economy showcased at ExCel
➡️ Christian focused RE in N Ireland judged unlawful
➡️ Archbishop of York: Israel committed ‘genocidal acts’
➡️ Lord Khan - Islamophobia definition has taken ‘far too long’
➡️ $2.4 trillion Halal economy showcased at ExCel
While the Home Secretary unveiled asylum reforms to MPs, the UN HIgh Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, spoke in Westminster Abbey of the obligation to people fleeing war and persecution, who 'must not be turned back or left to die'. Catherine Pepinster reports:
On the day tough asylum reforms are launched, UN commissioner pleads: don’t abandon refugees to die - Religion Media Centre
UN High Commissioner for Refugees says obligation to help refugees fleeing war or persecution is being challenged as never before, in a debate that has become politicised and manipulated for electoral...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
While the Home Secretary unveiled asylum reforms to MPs, the UN HIgh Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, spoke in Westminster Abbey of the obligation to people fleeing war and persecution, who 'must not be turned back or left to die'. Catherine Pepinster reports:
Religion news 19 November 2025
➡️ Decline in marriages and steep decline in religious ceremonies
➡️ Pope criticises 'disrespectful treatment' of migrants in the US
➡️ Robust argument over theory of a ‘Quiet Revival’
➡️ Holocaust survivor dies aged 95
➡️ Decline in marriages and steep decline in religious ceremonies
➡️ Pope criticises 'disrespectful treatment' of migrants in the US
➡️ Robust argument over theory of a ‘Quiet Revival’
➡️ Holocaust survivor dies aged 95
Religion news 19 November 2025 - Religion Media Centre
Decline in marriages and steep decline in religious ceremonies; Pope criticises disrespectful treatment of migrants in the US; Robust argument over theory of a ‘Quiet Revival’; Holocaust survivor dies...
religionmediacentre.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Religion news 19 November 2025
➡️ Decline in marriages and steep decline in religious ceremonies
➡️ Pope criticises 'disrespectful treatment' of migrants in the US
➡️ Robust argument over theory of a ‘Quiet Revival’
➡️ Holocaust survivor dies aged 95
➡️ Decline in marriages and steep decline in religious ceremonies
➡️ Pope criticises 'disrespectful treatment' of migrants in the US
➡️ Robust argument over theory of a ‘Quiet Revival’
➡️ Holocaust survivor dies aged 95