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African Synodal Theology: A Tall Tree Is as Strong as Its Roots. Agbonkhianmeghe E Orobator , SJ. Publisher: Orbis, New York The invention of the imagined social reality of geographies far from European corridors of power has always been challenging for Catholicism's central institutions: Pope Leo X (1475 -1521) kept a pet Indian elephant in the Vatican Gardens, which fascinated Rome, and is said ... Read More

Heart and Soul, on the BBC World Service recently broadcast this programme about Lourdes. Presenter John Laurenson to hears pilgrim stories and meets Dr Giana Monami whose job is to investigate imiracles. Her 'Bureau de Constatation' brings the cold analysis of science to claims of instant, otherwise-inexplicable, permanent healings. There have been 72 so far. Dr Monami talks about her investigati... Read More

Several Jesuit schools are coming together this month to take part in mock 'mini-COP' conferences to raise awareness of climate change. In an initiative run by international development organisation Jesuit Missions, pupils from Stonyhurst College, Wimbledon College, St Aloysius College, and St Ignatius College will discuss key climate issues and the impact these have on communities around the wor... Read More

The City of New York honoured Venerable Rose Hawthorne, foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, on 1 October 2026 by co-naming a section of East 68th Street in Manhattan 'Rose Hawthorne Way.' The designation recognises her dedication to people living in poverty with incurable cancer and the mission of free care continued by her sisters. The stretch between First and York avenues lies besi... Read More

Matthew 5:1-12a At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirs... Read More

On Friday, Pope Leo XIV appointed two new Under-Secretaries of the General Secretariat of the Synod, for a five-year term. They are Father Giacomo Costa, SJ, from Genoa, formerly a Consultor of the General Secretariat and Special Secretary of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, and Sister Elena Massimi, FMA (Daughter of Mary Help of Christians - Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco... Read More

'A society that excludes half of its wisdom cannot build a complete future.' The World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO), in collaboration with Catholic Action Malta (Azzjoni Kattolika Maltija, AKM) and with the support of the Maltese Episcopal Conference, brought together 92 participants for its IV Meeting with Women of the Middle East and the Mediterranean: 'Women: A Safe Haven for... Read More

All Saints - 'The power of gentleness and the gentleness of power' NT Wright We deserve to treat our spiritual lives better, we deserve to discover the gentleness and humility of Jesus by learning again and again to really listen to his presence in the 'Word', primarily in the Scriptures. I write this with a sense of almost desperation at the noise and almost truths spouted at us by Christians ... Read More

Gospel of 31 October 2026 Luke 14:1, 7-11 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honour, saying to them, 'When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honour, lest someone more distinguished than... Read More

Christians worldwide have been called on to support one of its oldest communities in the Holy Land to ensure its survival. On a visit to London this week, Parish Priest Fr Bashar Fawadleh warned that the beleaguered Christians of the historic West Bank village of Taybeh can not carry the responsibility of saving its Christian heritage alone. The Palestinian priest warned that sustained attacks on ... Read More

In Ethiopia, much of what is left of the native highland forest stands around churches. Organizers of the new Church Forest Academy count about 35,000 church forests, from one hectare to 19,000 hectares in size. From 27 October to 3 November, faith leaders and practitioners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria are learning how these forests survived. They are also exploring how the ... Read More

Christians in South Sudan look to the United Kingdom to support their peacebuilding efforts and front-line aid work. British Parliamentarians heard a message of hope and resilience from representatives of faith groups and civil society at a meeting at Westminster this week. Churches remain central to civil society despite continuing conflict, climate shocks, and daunting humanitarian challenges. T... Read More

Pope Leo has voted in the US midterm elections. Earlier this month, Pope Leo XIV requested a postal ballot to vote in the upcoming United States midterm elections. The Will County Clerk's Office in Illinois verified that the Chicago-born pontiff submitted a request for an absentee ballot on 3 October 2026. Pope Leo remains registered to vote in the Chicago suburb of New Lenox, Illinois, under h... Read More

Spirituality Squared - the latest book by Prof Mgr Vladimir Felzmann, was launched last night in an event at Our Lady of Victories Parish Hall, Kensington. In an exclusive article for ICN here - Fr Vlad writes. There are three motivators that have caused me to write this book: 'Spirituality Squared'. The first is a desire to clarify in my own mind what I really think about my relationships, my sp... Read More