Latest News

As a matter of urgency, Christian campaigners have forwarded this request from ICAHD.UK: Please write to your MP to request that they attend the parliamentary debate on Israel/Palestine scheduled for 16.30 on Monday, 16th December and demand that the UK uphold international law by immediately calling Israel to account. There is mounting evidence of Israel's gross violations of international law. C... Read More

Gospel of 14 December 2024 Matthew 17:9a, 10-13 As they were coming down the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, 'Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?' He answered, 'Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognise him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at ... Read More

In a letter to his diocese on Wednesday, Cardinal Blase J Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, advises against solo kneeling to receive Communion. He points out that the Second Vatican Council called for "the full, active and conscious participation of all the baptized in the celebration of the Eucharist to reflect our belief that in the sacred liturgy the faithful become the Body of Christ that they r... Read More

At a European Consultation on just peace in Warsaw, experts from across Europe explored the notion of just peace and listened to the voices of churches in Ukraine sharing their insights on true peace and justice amid the realities of the ongoing war. Organized by the Conference of European Churches in cooperation with the Polish Ecumenical Council, the consultation took place from 9-11 December a... Read More

Sister Simona Brambilla, Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and María Lía Zervino, a member of the Dicastery for Bishops, are among the appointments made by Pope Francis to the XVI Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat. The four papal appointees are no longer required to be bishops. On 13 December, Pope Francis appointed members o... Read More

Pupils from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Chelsea visited the Houses of Parliament, last Tuesday, attending a reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Opera with English National Opera (ENO). The school is one of the Lead Schools for Music in the Tri-Borough (Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith and Fulham). Twenty pupils have recently performed at the Lon... Read More

Christian leaders have welcomed assurances from those controlling Syria, that believers will have a future in the country, after it was seized by rebel forces including jihadist militias last weekend. Armenian Catholic Bishop Georges Assadourian of Damascus told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that he met with the rebel leaders in the capital's Four Seasons Hotel, which they have made their headq... Read More

The Bishops of Ireland discussed the humanitarian crisis in the Holy Land during their Winter Meeting in Maynooth last week, and unanimously decided to become signatories to an Open Letter: Embracing our Faith: A Call to Speak out on the Holy Land. Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, said: "My signing of the letter is an expression of solidari... Read More

Gospel of 13 December 2024 Matthew 11:16-19 At that time: Jesus said to the crowd: 'To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to their playmates, "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn." 'For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man came eati... Read More

ICN was set up on a voluntary basis in May 2000 in response to Tertio Millennio Adveniente, which called for lay people to play a more active role in the work of the Church. Our aim is to offer daily reports of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. Our audience has grown over the past 23 years and we now have hundreds of thousands of unique readers - with more jo... Read More

Christians For Palestine will be joining other peace groups at a rally in Parliament Square, on Saturday, 14 December, at 2.45pm. Campaigners will bring toys and flowers to leave as part of a commemorative action. Stop the War president, Brian Eno, author and poet Michael Rosen, actor Sarah Agha will be among the speakers. At 4.30pm there will Carol Singers for Palestine at the corner of Parliamen... Read More

In the coming days many MPs will be attending a carol service or Nativity play in their constituency. As they hear the Christmas story of a baby born two thousand years ago, we must hope that they will consider how babies born today in their own communities are faring. It is a distressing fact that, no matter how much their parents love them and strive to do the best for them, many infants in the ... Read More

In his message released today for the 58th World Day of Peace, which will be marked on 1 January 2025, Pope Francis reflects on the central theme of the upcoming Jubilee of Hope and reiterates his pressing appeal for debt forgiveness, reminding us that we are all "debtors" to God and one another. Forgive us our trespasses This year's message is dedicated to the theme 'Forgive us our Trespasses: Gr... Read More

Bishop Challoner Catholic School in Tower Hamlets hosted a heart-warming Advent celebration last Wednesday, with two very special guests-Rocky and Taffy, the donkeys. Organised by Sixth Form students with support from the chaplaincy team, the event brought together pupils, local schools, and the wider community to share in the joy and hope of the season. Children from the St Francis Family Centre ... Read More