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Scottish Bishops call for Human Dignity and Common Good to shape Programme for Government

As the Scottish Government prepares to publish its Programme for Government, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, has called for human dignity and the common good to be placed at the heart of its priorities. In a statement published today, Bishop Keenan urges the Government to judge its policies particularly by their impact on the poorest and most vulnerable. Bisho... Read More


Ian Linden: 'Suicidal empathy' and Catholicism

Dr Ian Linden

Right-wing extremist ways of bringing religion and ethics into politics seem to be gaining ground. Reform's recent attempt to redefine empathy is a further example. They are all interlinked so this gambit is particularly dangerous. If they weren't connected, Catholic Social Teaching would be all good intentions and no action. Gad Saad invented the term 'suicidal empathy'. He spent a decade in Conc... Read More


Children in war are more than a security crisis, warn African church leaders

As lightning illuminates the sky behind them, a man speaks during a nighttime prayer vigil for peace in Nakubuse, a small village near Kuron in South Sudan. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/WCC

Across Africa, churches are stepping up aid for children affected by civil wars and conflicts, as crises rise on the continent. South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria State especially has been plagued by cattle raiding and child abduction in recent years. The Catholic Church-sponsored Holy Trinity Peace Village, centered in Kuron, has worked for years to foster reconciliation and peace between the regio... Read More


Hospice founder discusses challenges of providing gold standard palliative care

Dr Karen Groves MBE

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will have its crunch vote and second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, 11 September. A diverse range of people, not just Catholics, have raised their voices in opposition to this Private Members' Bill that seeks to legalise assisted suicide. Our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has said that now is not the time for this debate and it would be ... Read More

Gospel in Art: First clean the inside of the cup and the plate

Meissen Porcelain Cup and Saucer , painted and decorated by Johann Gregor Höroldt, 1724-25 © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Gospel of 25 August 2026 Matthew 23:23-26 At that time: Jesus said, 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharise... Read More


Bishop Nowakowsi issues message of hope on 35th anniversary of Ukrainian independence

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, has released a statement marking the 35th anniversary of Ukrainian independence which occurred on 24 August, in 1991. Recalling those days, Bishop Nowakowski said: "There was once again a sense of hope that a peaceful and prosperous future was within reach." The current ongoing conflict with Russia has presen... Read More


Archbishop Paul Gallagher begins visit to Russia

Archbishop Paul Gallagher

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, arrived in Moscow yesterday for a mission focused on dialogue and peace. During his visit Archbishop Gallagher will have with meetings with Russian authorities, representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Catholic community. Today, Tuesday 25 August, the Archbishop will meet S... Read More


Ireland: The enterprising nun who started a mill

Mother Agnes Morrogh-Bernard

On the banks of the River Moy in Co Mayo stands one of Ireland's most remarkable industrial success stories. Foxford Woollen Mill, now known simply as FOXFORD, has survived more than 130 years of economic upheaval, changing fashions, technological transformation and even the threat of closure. At the heart of its story is an extraordinary woman: Mother Agnes Morrogh-Bernard, a Catholic nun who bel... Read More


Scotland: 890th Anniversary of Melrose Abbey marked with historic Mass

Celebrants with representatives of the Cistercian Order, church leaders and local dignitaries

More than 300 people attended a special Mass on Friday, 21st August to celebrate the 890th Anniversary of the foundation of Melrose Abbey by the Cistercian Order. Melrose Abbey is one of Scotland's most famous and historic Abbeys, the ruins (the Abbey was mostly destroyed by Henry VIII in the 'Rough-Wooing') are said to be the resting place of Robert the Bruce's heart. The Mass, held in the ground... Read More


Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Saint Bartholomew Flayed by Marco d'Agrate,1562, Marble © Milan Cathedral / Alamy

Gospel of 24 August 2026 John 1:45-51 At that time: Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.' Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom t... Read More


Nigeria: Bishop condemns lynchings in northern Nigeria

Nigerian community leaders come together to discuss issues.  Image: © ACN

Following a series of brutal mob killings, a bishop in Nigeria has hit out at the growing scourge of rough justice in the country. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop Gerald Musa of Katsina condemned mob violence, saying: "Human life is sacred - there can be no lynching in a civilised society". Bishop Musa highlighted cases where those accused of offences have been killed without t... Read More


Church of England sends message of solidarity to Ukraine

Kyiv

The Church of England has shared a message of solidarity and prayer with the churches and people of Ukraine as the country marks the 35th anniversary of its independence, under the shadow of war. The Bishop of Worcester, Hugh Nelson, shared a message from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, as he joined Ukrainian church leaders, other religious leaders and government officials at the na... Read More


Pope Leo visits San Marino and Rimini

Pope in San Marino - Image: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Republic of San Marino on Saturday, August 22, for a half-day pastoral visit, followed by a visit to the Italian city of Rimini in the afternoon. During the day Pope Leo XIV delivered a strong, passionate message calling for peace, dialogue, and mercy to counter a global culture that "rearms minds, words, and nations". In his address to civil authorities in San Marino,... Read More


Appeal from 'A Jerusalem Voice for Justice'

Israeli solider searches boy's school bag in Hebron. The boy is a member of one of the few remaining Palestinian families to live in the old centre of Hebron. Palestinians who do not live there are not allowed enter. Photo: Alan Whelan.

On Monday, August 24, 2026, "A Jerusalem Voice for Justice: an ecumenical witness for equality and a just peace in Palestine/Israel" issued an appeal: "For Gaza, the West Bank, and the Christian presence in their land". The appeals reads as follows: "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1) We, the undersigned, cannot remain silent in t... Read More

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