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The Religious Freedom Data Center reported a significant increase in Christian harassment cases throughout Israel, Judith Sudilovsky writes in OSV News. According to founder Yisca Harani: "more than 88 incidents have already been documented this year" as of early June 2026, with the trajectory suggesting the total will surpass the previous year's 181 cases. Incidents include spitting, verbal abuse... Read More

Forty one years of faithful presence and peacemaking was celebrated in Battersea Park on Saturday, 20 June, as people of all faiths and none gathered at the London Peace Pagoda. An initiative of the Nipponzan Myhoji Japanese Buddhist order, the Pagoda was completed in 1985 and since then Rev Gyoro Nagase, who helped to build it, has maintained it and organised many peace events in its shadow. Ther... Read More

Gospel of 21 June 2026 Matthew 10:26-33 At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: 'Have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both so... Read More

Usama Nicola writes in Bethlehem Updates: A few days ago, I participated in a discussion session about the mother-of-pearl craft in Bethlehem. I left with a completely different appreciation for this tradition, which I had often seen displayed in souvenir shops and on household shelves without fully understanding the history, skill, and identity hidden within each piece. The gathering was far more... Read More

The growth of secularism in the last century has resulted in the role of the Christian Churches in television coverage of history often being written out of the script. This is noticeable in otherwise well-made TV and radio documentaries, much less so thankfully in historical scholarship. The three episodes of James Rogan's Free Nelson Mandela, screened on Channel 4 in mid-June, provide a study of... Read More

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 1. Jeremiah speaks for our time. What a relief it is to hear those clear words of the prophet Jeremiah telling us not to listen to the babble of dissonant religious voices. It fills me with a new energy, because far too much, and too often in out present social media world , all kinds of people are allowed to say the most outrageous things about faith, cite script... Read More

Gospel of 20 June 2026 Matthew 6:24-34 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is n... Read More

Family, friends, fellow Jesuits and parishioners packed St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle, on Saturday 13 June, as Christopher Brolly SJ was ordained to the priesthood by the Rt Rev Stephen Wright, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. The celebration brought together members of the Society of Jesus from across the British Province and beyond, including Jesuits and friends who travelled from Boston, where... Read More

Pope Leo today welcomed participants in the first Borgo Laudato si' Dialogue. Participants had gathered at Borgo Laudato si' in Castel Gandolfo for two days of discussions on some of the most pressing issues facing humanity today, including artificial intelligence and its impact on human dignity, healthy ageing, sports diplomacy, and environmental sustainability. The initiative is part of the bro... Read More

The Church of England has apologised for its role in historical adoption practices, particularly in mother and baby homes. Mothers and adoptees who came into contact with these homes have described the profound and lasting impact of these experiences. Published alongside new research into these homes, the apology recognises the impact on people affected and sets out the Church's commitment to lis... Read More

The parents of Leah Sharibu have joined Voices for Justice (V4J), a global collaborative community advocating for those targeted for their religious beliefs, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict by calling for justice for all of 'Nigeria's Leahs'. Leah Sharibu was abducted from Government Girls Science and Technical School in Dapchi, Yobe State, when she... Read More

This year, 2026, marks the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Martyrs Shrine in Midland, Ontario, Canada. It also marks the 400th anniversary since Jesuit Father Jean de Brebeuf landed in Huronia, the Land of the Hurons (now the Wendat First Nation) in 1626, to establish a mission. Over the next 23 years they learnt the local languages, studied the local history and culture and made many con... Read More

Gospel of 19 June 2026 Matthew 6:19-23 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 'The eye is th... Read More

Pope Leo XIV has approved the beatification of 20 priests martyred in hatred of the faith during the Spanish Civil War and recognised the heroic virtues of five Servants of God whose lives were marked by missionary zeal, charity, prayer, and faithful service to the Church. The Pope gave his approval during an audience on Thursday, 18 June, with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicaste... Read More