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Gospel of 5 February 2026 Luke 9:23-26 At that time: Jesus said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words... Read More

During his weekly General Audience, held in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Leo XIV warned against "fundamentalist or spiritualist readings" of Scripture, and spoke of the Church's mission to proclaim the Word of God in language that touches human hearts. Scripture reveals God's desire to be close to His people, Pope Leo said as he continued his catechesis series on the Second Vatican Council. He focussed... Read More

Dear Readers, You may have noticed we had a technical problem recently which led to the website being down for a couple of days. It was worrying but everything is now up and running again - I'm glad to say. It was encouraging to receive so many messages from readers with good wishes and prayers. Thank you all very much! Jo Siedlecka Read More

The Amos Trust will be hosting a webinar: Free Marwan Barghouti, on Tuesday, 10 February, 2026 at 6pm (UK) Marwan Barghouti has been unjustly imprisoned by Israel for over two decades, convicted in a trial by a court he did not recognise. Despite his imprisonment, poll after poll shows he's Palestine's most popular leader. A powerful symbol of unity and a long-time advocate for freedom and dignit... Read More

Ahead of the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul S Coakley, has urged policymakers to "courageously pursue diplomatic negotiations to maintain New START's limits." "I call on people of faith and all men and women of good will to ardently pray that we, as an international community, may develop th... Read More

A Catholic priest in Gaza is pleading for the war to stop as the strip continues to sink into a deeper humanitarian and health crisis. Gaza's only Roman Catholic parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about the "very serious" situation situation caused by dire living conditions and ongoing violence. Despite the ceasefire called on 10th October 2025, authoriti... Read More

Margaret and Barry Mizen MBE gave a special Catholic Union Pub Talk on 2 February, the feast of Candlemas, at which their son Jimmy was remembered and the concept of forgiveness discussed and explored. Jimmy was murdered in 2008 one day after his sixteenth birthday. Chaired by Catherine Pepinster, journalist, the event was incredibly moving, but rather than feeling sorry for their family, Margaret... Read More

The Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology warmly invites you to our upcoming Postgraduate Open Afternoon - an excellent opportunity to discover how postgraduate study in theology, spirituality, and pastoral care can enrich your life, faith, and career. Come and join us for this engaging online event on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, starting at 3pm (UK time). Whether you're considering advancing you... Read More

Gospel of 4 February 2026 Mark 6:1-6 At that time: Jesus came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, 'Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and J... Read More

"I wrap my baby in a blanket... and when it gets extremely cold, I try to carry her in my arms more often, so she can warm up from my body heat." - Mariana, Ukrainian mother Postponed talks between US, Ukraine and Russian envoys are due to get underway in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 4 February. Meanwhile, life for Ukrainians, in sub-zero temperatures, is made harder by unrelenting attacks. The one-w... Read More

Church leaders have warned that Cuba will suffer "social chaos and violence" if fuel blockades are introduced. The Catholic Bishops of Cuba united at the weekend to direct a message to "all Cubans of good will" especially those who make decisions on the behalf of the Caribbean country. Relations between the USA and Cuba have become tense following Donald Trump's order, on 29th January 2026, to san... Read More

At a rough estimate, the Church runs 3,100 hospitals and 15,000 clinics in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). From Pope John XXII's Mater et Magistra in 1961 to Pope Leo's Fratelli Tutti in 2020, the Church has consistently called the rich nations to action: supporting the poorest, engaging their citizens in development, reducing indebtedness, extending the outreach and effectiveness of the Cat... Read More

Una Voce International and the Latin Mass Society have expressed their concern the announcement by the Superior General of the Society of St Pius X (SSPX), Fr Davide Pagliarani, that the SSPX will carry out Episcopal consecrations on 1st July this year. In a statement today, (Tuesday 3 February) they say: "Our ardent wish, shared by many Catholics of good will, is for the canonical regularisation ... Read More

A touching collaboration between two Roman Catholic institutions has brought together a monastic community in the United Kingdom and a rural school in Australia to restore a cherished statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus. Benedictine monks of St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth responded generously when Michael Green, Principal of Mt Carmel School in Yass, New South Wales, sought help to repair his ... Read More