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Webinar: Free Marwan Barghouti - Palestine's Nelson Mandela

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


US Bishops call expiration of nuclear arms pact 'unacceptable'

Archbishop Paul S Coakley

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


Catholic priest: 'The war is far from over for 2.3 million inhabitants of Gaza'

Young Gaza parishioner at prayer. © ACN

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


Catholic Union Pub Talk: Peace and Changemakers

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

Postgraduate Open Afternoon: Explore Theology, Spirituality & Chaplaincy

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 in Art: How are such mighty works done by his hands?

The Fortune Teller,  by Georges de La Tour, 1630 © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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


Intense attacks on Ukraine shatter hopes for peace talks

Freezing cold queues for basic food supplies

"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


Cuba: Oil sanctions will hit the poorest and weakest warn bishops

A service taking place in a demolished church in Floro Perez, Holguin Diocese, Cuba. Image © ACN

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


Ian Linden: Turning ploughshares into swords

Pope Francis meets Italian Red Cross volunteers. Image: Vatican Media Divisione Foto

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 Latin Mass Society voice concern at news of SSPX ordinations

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


UK Benedictine Monks assist Australian school restoring statue of Our Lady and Child

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


Gospel in Art: Whoever humbles himself will be exalted

The Lindau Gospels, Latin manuscript with jeweled gold cover,   780-880 © The Morgan Library, New York

3 February 2026 Matthew 23:8-12 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'You are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will ... Read More


Pope tells religious: You are witnesses to Jesus even when weapons roar

A moment before the Mass. Image Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass on the 30th World Day for Consecrated Life today, praising consecrated men and women for living out their faith even in the most difficult of circumstances, and inviting them to be 'leavens of peace' and 'signs of hope.' "Through your commitment to follow Christ more closely - sharing in his self-emptying and in his life in the Spirit - you can show the world the way t... Read More


Liverpool: School celebrates Feast Day of its patron saint

Whole school Mass for Feast of St John Bosco

Students and staff at St John Bosco Arts College, Croxteth, recently came together to celebrate and honour its school's patron saint, St John Bosco. Founder of the Salesians, St John Bosco is the patron saint of young people known for his dedication to education and inspiring children by captivating their interests in a loving and kindly manner, building strong relationships through respect and un... Read More

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