Religion news 6 March 2026
➡️ BBC committed to universal public service ‘representing the whole of the UK’
➡️ Westminster Quaker Meeting House raided again by Metropolitan Police
➡️ Gafcon pulls back from rival Archbishop of Canterbury plan
➡️ Royal support for Holi celebrations in Leicester
Report by @hyphenonline.com on Iranians in the UK fearing for loved ones in Iran, as US and Israeli bombing escalates
05.03.2026 10:03 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Religion news 5 Mar 2026
➡️ Iranian diaspora in the UK ‘fearing for their relatives’ as attacks continue
➡️ Church abandons process to find interim Bishop of Bangor
➡️ Government launches review of antisemitism in schools & colleges
➡️ Politicians support British Muslims at Iftar events in Westminster
The green paper on the BBC Charter Review is up for public consultation, and in this Religion Media Centre briefing, faith leaders and media commentators discuss how religious broadcasting will develop in a time of technological and societal change
04.03.2026 08:21 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
Religion news 4 March 2026
➡️ Archbishop of York concerned at place of religion across BBC and ‘appalling lack of religious literacy’
➡️ The Bishop of Guildford Andrew Watson has died after a short illness
➡️ Trump ‘anointed by Jesus to attack Iran and cause Armageddon’
That's all from today's RMC Briefing on the BBC Green Paper and the future of religious broadcasting. Thanks to our guests for a lively discussion, which you will be able to watch/listen to on our website later today.
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Rabbi Romain also noted that there has been "a lot of diminution of trust in the BBC, certainly from the Jewish community. They had to make all staff train in antisemitism, and there have been many own goals since ... the BBC is a valuable institution, but it needs to do much more religiously."
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Head of the Rabbinic Court of Reform and Liberal Judaism
@rabbiromain.bsky.social highlighted the consequences of the last census results — religion diminishing in the country, which "could be an excuse for lessening religious broadcasting, whereas actually we are still a multi-faith society"
We heard from Mejindarpal Kaur of United Sikhs: "the reason BBC lost viewership, apart from all the other reasons of digitisation, is viewers were not listened to. We all know that no one does anything unless it entertains them, whether it's TikTok or BBC News. And religion can be very entertaining"
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Anna McNamee added, "there is a lack of religious literacy in society generally, and the BBC does reflect society ... I'd personally like a more religiously engaged BBC, one that connects better with minority communities in the UK. The feedback we have is not very good in that regard."
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Executive Director of the Sandford St Martin’s Trust, Anna McNamee, said, "religion was there at the founding of the BBC, and it continues to be a part of its remit and what it does. And for those things, I am grateful. That said, there has been a downward trajectory." 1/2
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Archbishop Stephen Cottrell continued, "it's difficult to fight for religious broadcasting, but it is a precious bulwark against polarisation, intolerance, prejudice and chaos. Religion is a vital part of how millions of people in Britain today get their belonging, values, purpose, and identity."
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell "celebrates and supports, generally speaking, what the BBC is doing." But like Roger Bolton, he raised concerns about how much the religious output has decreased, and the "sometimes appalling lack of religious literacy in so much of the BBC."
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Bishop John Arnold said that religious broadcasting is "absolutely necessary, and where it does exist, I think it's generally done very well — I appreciate the variety that it offers, both in theological terms, but also through dramas, entertainment, pilgrimages etc."
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Roger Bolton highlighted the catastrophe over the past 15 years in the provision of religious broadcasting: "Peak hours of TV between 2011-2022 fell by 85% output overall, the BBC fell by 65%, Channel 4 and 5 are virtually zero ... We're at a crisis point, so we needed this widespread debate." 2/2
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Roger Bolton joined the discussion. He believes there is a mismatch between the importance of religion to people throughout the country, and the amount and way it is represented in the media. So the discussion goes beyond just the BBC 1/2
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Alison Green flagged the fear that any major changes (e.g. to the license fee, or reduced funding) will reduce what can be produced, and massively impact the audiences that will get to see the content." 2/2
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Our host Torin Douglas introduced Alison Green, Head of Digital at CTVC: "The religious content that the BBC broadcasts is absolutely necessary - what CTVC are currently making for the BBC spans a huge age range, and a huge audience" 1/2
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0The Green Paper addresses trust funding, competition and public service to the nation. There are questions around the regulatory framework, representation and religious literacy, which we hope to explore today with our panel.
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0The government's Green Paper on the BBC Charter Review will shape the corporation for the next 10 years, and the current consultation closes a week today 10 March 2026. At a time of rapid technological and societal change, it seeks answers on how the BBC can adapt and be secured for the future.
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0We understand the BBC is unable to take part in today's briefing as it is too soon in the Charter review process, and the BBC is yet to respond officially to the green paper consultation.
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Our media briefing today explored the BBC Green Paper and the future of religious broadcasting. We were joined by Torin Douglas, Stephen Cottrell, Anna McNamee, Alison Green, Bishop John Arnold, & Roger Bolton.
03.03.2026 14:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Join our online media briefing at 12:00 today on the BBC and the future of religious broadcasting. Guests include Torin Douglas, Stephen Cottrell, Anna McNamee, Alison Green, Bishop John Arnold, and Roger Bolton.
Request the link from: info@religionmediacentre.org.uk
Religion news 3 Mar 2026
➡️Middle East crisis ‘triggers massive displacement in Lebanon’
➡️Chief Rabbi appeals for miracle of Purim to be re-enacted in Iran
➡️Gafcon to launch alternative Anglican Communion this week
➡️Briefing today 'The BBC Charter review and the future of religious broadcasting'
The Jewish festival of Purim begins this evening, marking the biblical story of Esther and Jewish survival in ancient Persia. It's celebrated with joyful parties, fancy dress, festive meals and community celebrations. Find out more in our factsheet by Lianne Kolirin:
02.03.2026 15:04 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Report by @theosthinktank.bsky.social on “A Theology of Investment” suggests a theological approach to wealth regards money 'not as personal possession, but as one of the many resources we are called to steward well', a mechanism for human and global flourishing, in relationships and in creation.
02.03.2026 12:21 — 👍 1 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1
Religion news 2 March 2026
➡️ Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader and top religious authority, is dead
➡️ Faith leaders warn against war and urge peace
➡️ Theos report urges theology-led rethink of investment and wealth
Religion news 27 Feb 2026
➡️ Jersey votes to allow assisted dying
➡️ ‘Catalogue of failures’ led to bishop’s promotion despite sex abuse allegations
➡️ Super mosque building project paused due to £4million shortfall
➡️ Bake Off star lost brand deals when people ‘clocked’ she was Muslim
Religion news 25 Feb 2026
➡️ Senedd votes in favour of assisted dying in Welsh NHS
➡️ 'Angry prayer' in service to commemorate fourth anniversary of Ukraine war
➡️ Report finds police and council failings in 2022 Leicester unrest
➡️ Listed Places of Worship grant scheme runs out of money
Religion news 24 Feb 2026
➡️ YouGov to run latest ‘Quiet Revival’ survey this year
➡️ Reform UK leader says churches should not be converted into mosques
➡️ Public can ensure good journalism which seeks the truth by ‘engaging with the media’
➡️ Gothic cathedral in Barcelona completed after 140 years
