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Fourth Sunday in Advent This Sunday we come to the turning point of our year when the shortest day lifts its head to face the mid-winter darkness down, and we count the days to longer light and the coming of hope in the new life that will appear. The readings of this last Advent Sunday echo that yearning. Isaiah tells us of God's gift to the despondent King Ahaz, that Ephraim and Syria will not de... Read More

Church leaders have appealed for Israel to allow child cancer patients to leave Gaza for desperately-needed treatment. At the present time, Israeli authorities prevent patients with cancer and other life-threatening conditions from reaching hospitals in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, facilities that are less than an hour away by road. The Patriarchs and Head of the Churches in Jeru... Read More

At a time of enduring national crisis, often emerging from public leadership built on straw, something hopeful happened last Friday: There was a recalibration of depth into and across the foundations and mission of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Let me explain. Over the years I have enjoyed working alongside a number of Bishops: As a teenager Bishop Anthony Emery of Portsmouth inspi... Read More

Gospel of 20 December 2025 Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!' But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeti... Read More

His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Latin Patriarcal Vicar, Mgr William Shomali and a small delegation, arrived in Gaza today for a pastoral visit to the Holy Family Parish, on the eve of the Christmas celebrations. During his visit, His Beatitude will review the current situation of the parish, including the humanitarian response, ongoi... Read More

All over the world Christians gather for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve but in Burkino Faso they cannot take the risk. For the 10th year running, Christmas Masses in the sub-Saharan country will take place before nightfall. Bishop Théophile Naré of Kaya, north-central Burkina Faso, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) "The celebrations will begin early to avoid having to move around at night." C... Read More

Since news of the appointment of Bishop Richard Moth as the new Archbishop of Westminster was released this morning, many messages of congratulation have been arriving. Aid to the Church in Need Dr Caroline Hull, director of Aid to the Church in Need (UK), said: "I am delighted to learn of Bishop Moth's appointment as the new Archbishop of Westminster. His help and support of the work of ACN has b... Read More

Bishop Challoner Catholic School in Tower Hamlets welcomed The Jubilee Icon on Thursday 18 December as part of its tour of the Diocese of Westminster. The Mass brought together parish and primary and secondary school communities in a shared act of worship rooted in hope, justice and renewal, as we bring our Jubilee Year celebrations to a close. The visit centred on a shared Mass celebrated by Fr K... Read More

Guests at Farm Street Jesuit Centre homeless lunch in Mayfair were in for a treat yesterday when they were entertained with a concert by singer Patricia Hammond and instrumentalist Matt Redman and seasonal readings by Gabrielle Lister and Kenneth Michaels from CaAPA - the Catholic Association of Performing Arts. Kenneth read a very heartwarming piece from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Pa... Read More

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has today, 19 December, appointed the Right Reverend Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster. Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Southwark on 3 July 1982, Archbishop-elect Moth has served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015. Prior to that, he was the Catholic Bishop of the Forces from 2009 to 2015. Archbishop-elect Moth will become the 12th Archb... Read More

Gospel of 19 December 2025 Luke 1:5-25 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced... Read More

Sami El-Yousef, Chief Executive Officer, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, writes: There was great hope when the ceasefire was declared in Gaza about two months ago that the war ended and we are on a path to a peaceful resolution. As the details of the peace plan unfolded and as 58% of Gaza remained controlled by the Israeli army with new borders established, and as violent settler attacks continue... Read More

The Scottish Parliament is currently considering amendments to the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill, which would seek to change the current religious opt-out provisions in Scottish schools. A spokesperson for Scotland's Catholic Bishops said the Church is disappointed and confused with the Scottish Parliament Equalities, Hum... Read More

A Latvian seafarer who had to spend several months in hospital in Glasgow received one of the best gifts he could get for Christmas - after a long and difficult recovery, he will be discharged tomorrow (19 December) and will be home in time for Christmas with his family. The 44-year-old, who had been working out of Cairnryan for many years, collapsed earlier this year from a massive heart attack a... Read More