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UK & Ireland

News from United Kingdom & Ireland covering parishes, dioceses, religious orders, community groups, homelessness, moral & political issues and pilgrims. See our UK & Ireland Parishes Links page for relevant links.


Stratford-upon-Avon: Icons of St Benedict and St Gregory to be blessed at special service in medieval Guild Chapel

An earlier icon of St Benedict by Father Alex Echeandia

The Catholic parish of St Gregory, Stratford-upon-Avon, has commissioned a Benedictine monk, Fr Alex Echeandia, from Lurin monastery in Lima, Peru to write two icons of St Benedict and St Gregory. On Thursday 3 September, the Feast of St Gregory, they will be blessed at a special service in the medieval Guild Chapel in Stratford together with an icon of Christ Pantocrator, which will be installed ... Read More


When love needs First Aid

Photo by Hans Ott on Unsplash

The summer can be a time of heightened stress for married couples. Pressures around work, family routines, finances, and expectations can quietly build, and if left unattended they often lead to emotional disconnection, resentment, and a noticeable rise in separation enquiries. When we face a physical emergency, we instinctively know where to turn for help. Yet when the hurt is within our relation... Read More


Catholic Medical Association statement on new Assisted Suicide Bill

The Catholic Medical Association have issued the following statement on the re-introduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) is dismayed by the re-introduction of the flawed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and by the possibility of it being pushed through the Lords using the Parliament Acts. The House of Commons failed to amend and m... Read More


'Assisted Suicide legislation could initiate 'paradigm shift' in how we value and protect the sacredness of every human life'

Bishop Patrick McKinney

In a pastoral letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Nottingham, Bishop Patrick McKinney urgently calls for Catholics to write to their MPs to share their concerns ahead of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, 11 September. The letter, that was read at all Sunday Masses in the Diocese of Nottingham over the weekend of 8-9 August, raised the Bishop's key concerns be... Read More


Northampton: 18 men gather to discern a possible call to priesthood

The group at St Augustine's in Milton Keynes.

Eighteen men considering whether God may be calling them to the priesthood have gathered for a day of prayer, conversation and discernment in Milton Keynes. The Vocations Discernment Day, organised by the Diocese of Northampton's Vocations Director, Fr Pius Amoako, yesterday, brought together men from across the Diocese at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Milton Keynes. The day was an opportunity... Read More


Proper care is the right alternative to killing by assisted suicide, says Archbishop Wilson

Archbishop John Wilson - Screenshot

Archbishop John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark, has issued a message warning of the dangers of a renewed attempt by some MPs to legalise assisted suicide, urging each of us to make our voices heard in opposition to this deadly proposal. In his message, Archbishop Wilson describes the proposed legislation as "a terrifying and deadly law: a law whose ultimate purpose is to end human life". The Arch... Read More


Honouring the World's Indigenous Peoples

Leela Ramdeen

Sunday 9 August, was the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. On September 13, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The UN tells us that: "There are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries. They represent 5,000 different cultures...Indigenous Peoples make up less than 6% of the glob... Read More


Chilworth: From Sacred Mystery to Poetry and the Silver Screen

St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth

St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth, near Guildford, is presenting three fascinating public events this autumn. Members of the public of all faiths and none are welcome. Discover the Meaning of the Roman Catholic Mass Benedictine monk Fr John Seddon OSB continues his seven part series exploring the beauty, meaning and mystery of the Mass, based on the teachings of Bishop Robert Barron. Remaining talks... Read More


St Muredach's Cathedral: The Gothic landmark that has watched over Ballina for two centuries

For nearly 200 years, the soaring spire of St Muredach's Cathedral has stood as Ballina's most recognisable landmark, rising above the River Moy and serving as both a place of worship and a symbol of the town's enduring heritage. Generations of residents have celebrated baptisms, marriages and funerals within its limestone walls, while countless visitors have paused to admire one of the finest exa... Read More


Invitation to support final stage of CA Lourdes Anniversary Walk

The final stages of a sponsored walk marking 125 years since the Catholic Association (CA) first made its pilgrimage to Lourdes will conclude in the Diocese of East Anglia this weekend. The CA Lourdes 125 Sponsored Walk is raising funds to celebrate the milestone anniversary, with organisers aiming to raise £1,250. Having reached the halfway point towards the fundraising target, supporters are be... Read More


Bishop voices opposition as court allows children to be recruited for puberty blockers trial

Bishop Paul Mason

Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Healthcare for the Bishops' Conference, has once again raised his voice in opposition to the controversial puberty blockers trial after a High Court judge ruled that children as young as 11 can be recruited to take part. "It is particularly alarming to see that the clinical trial prescribing puberty blockers to children, run by King's College London, is going ahe... Read More


Coventry: Pupils' lively dance show brings joy to centre for people with dementia

One of the amazing routines

Talented youngsters at a Coventry primary school received a standing ovation after their dance talents brought plenty of smiles to people living with dementia and their families. Pupils at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, visited the Dementia Partnership Hub in Holbrooks during the last week of term, impressing the audience with a series of energeti... Read More


Wigan: Unique Catholic church given Grade II* listed status

An extraordinary Catholic church in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, considered one of the finest early-20th century churches in England, has been upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* listed status by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), on the advice of Historic England. The upgrade is in recognition of its remarkable architectural and historic significance. The Roman Catholic ... Read More


Ask your MP to vote No on Assisted Suicide

Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, has reflected on the reintroduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, calling it "a matter of grave concern for all of us." Archbishop Longley said: "The dignity of human life and the precious gift of human life is very important, and indeed the preservation of life is something which is at the heart of what we share in common as... Read More

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