Latest News

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

In his Message for the 2026 World Day of Peace, Pope Leo XIV addresses the escalation of war, rearmament and fear in international relations, and reiterates the Church's opposition to deterrence based on military force. He calls for disarmament, dialogue and the conversion of hearts as necessary conditions for a lasting and unarmed peace. As the Church observes the World Day of Peace on 1 January,... Read More

Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, the former Archbishop of Caracas and one of the most prominent figures in the Venezuelan Catholic Church, was prevented from leaving Venezuela for Bogotá, Colombia, on 10 December. From Bogotá, Cardinal Porras Cardozo was due to fly to Madrid, Spain, and onto Toledo to participate in a ceremony in which he would be appointed the role of Spiritual Prote... Read More

A concept of National Security that denies action to combat climate change, demands drastic cuts in international aid, and rejects all but narrow national interest, marked the first months of Donald Trump second Presidency. The publication of the 'National Security Strategy of the United States of America', November 2025, formalised this as US foreign policy. For many Europeans, it is a shocking a... Read More

A new blog on Eminens Doctrina states today: For the first time in history, the coat of arms (or shield) of a major American prelate will contain an element allusive to St Oscar Romero when Bishop Ronald A Hicks is named Archbishop of New York, as exclusively reported earlier in the week by Religión Digital, the influential Spanish language religion portal. If Bishop Hicks follows protocol, when ... Read More

Gospel of 18 December 2025 Matthew 1:18-24 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lor... Read More

Today, Wednesday, 17 December, Pope Leo XIV received a telephone call from Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, as Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas and Jews mark the festival of Hanukkah. According to the Holy See Press Office, the conversation came in light of the recent terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia. Pope Leo reiterated the "Catholic Church's ... Read More

Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop Richard Moth have released a statement affirming what the coming of Christ at Christmas means to Catholics, expressing their shared concern at societal tensions and division in our communities, something that does not "reflect the spirit or message of Christmas." The Chair of the Department for Dialogue and Unity, and Chair of the Department for Social Justice... Read More

This pilgrim way follows St John Henry Newman's spiritual path, from Evangelicalism, through High Anglicanism and finally to Catholicism. Newman (1801 - 1890) was an English Catholic theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet. He was an Anglican priest, and after his conversion to Catholicism, became a cardinal. He was an important figure in the religious history of England in ... Read More

The following tribute was given to Fr John Buckley by his niece Marian Williamson, during his Requiem Mass on Saturday, 6 December at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Ann in Cork. Good morning, everyone, and welcome. I would like to thank you all for being here today to join us in celebrating Father John's life in Christ. Father John was born in Dominic Street in Cork on the 12th of May, 1939. He ... Read More

A catechist in Mozambique has described ministering to people who have lost loved ones kidnapped and beheaded by jihadist groups. Adérito Benjamin Monteiro, 29, recounted horror stories shared by communities in northern Mozambique where he and other Christian teachers work in situations of great poverty and danger, tending to people who have witnessed extreme violence. Around 300 families, many o... Read More