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Pope on Middle East: 'What harms them, harms all humanity'

After praying the Angelus, Pope Leo once again appealed for an end to violence around the world, urging everyone to persevere in prayer because "we cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, innocent victims of these conflicts." Despite the rainy weather in Rome, thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square to recite the Angelus with the Holy Father. Following th... Read More


Holy See Statement at 70th Commission on Status of Women

On 17 March 2026, in New York, HE Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a Statement at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women. In his remarks, he underscored the urgent need to strengthen access to justice for all women and girls. Archbishop Caccia emphasized that true access to justice requires more than legal frameworks; it de... Read More


Does science pose a threat to today's Catholicism?

Dr Gareth Leyshon delivered a fascinating Catholic Union webinar exploring whether science posed a threat to today's Catholicism. Chaired by Prof Peter Hindmarsh, Chair of the Catholic Union Charitable Trust, the event was extremely well attended and provided much for attendees to think about. Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon, Astrophysicist, Catholic Priest of the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia and parish ... Read More


Holy Hour for the dignity of life

Join with the Bishops of England and Wales to pray a Holy Hour for the dignity of all human life as peers in the House of Lords continue to debate whether to make Assisted Suicide law. On Sunday, 19 April at 4.30pm (UK time), the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales will hold a Holy Hour to pray for the promotion of a culture of life in our lands. We are asking the parishes and Catholic communiti... Read More

Film: DJ Ahmet

Ahmet (Arif Jakup) - a 15 year old boy from a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia copes with a dignity beyond his years in an oppressive situation in the opening scenes of this delightful debut feature film from writer/director Georgi M Unkovski. Ahmet's over-strict father has taken him out of school to look after the family sheep. He is also caring for his little brother Naim (Agush Agushev) ... Read More


British public overwhelmingly rejects 'forced participation' and private profiteering" in Assisted Dying bill

A major new polling from British Polling Council member Whitestone Insight released released on Friday reveals deep public concern over the 'Assisted Dying' bill currently under parliamentary scrutiny, with the British public coming out strongly against "forced participation" for medical staff and the entry of for-profit companies into the service. It found by a clear margin of nearly 3-to-1 (61 p... Read More


Eyewitness report from Lebanon: 'surrounded by the sound of war'

An escalation of bombing raids has meant that Pat Gaffney has received fewer updates from her friend in Lebanon. In the past week the situation has become even more nerve wracking for the family. Messaging her friend, Pat wrote: "life sounds very grim yet you manage to keep a sense of proportion - important for the children! They are lucky to have you as a mother. Being 'surrounded' by the sounds... Read More


Gospel in Art: Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead

Jesus Christ raising Lazarus from the dead, Catacombs of Callistus, Rome © Christian Art

Gospel of 22 March 2026 John 11:1-45 At that time: The sisters of Lazarus sent to Jesus, saying, 'Lord, he whom you love is ill.' But when Jesus heard it he said, 'This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer i... Read More


Catholic student celebration in York

Mass at York Oratory

More than 200 Catholic university students from across the North of England and Scotland gathered in York on 14 February for an evening that united faith, friendship, and joyful celebration. The event began with the Holy Vigil Mass at York Oratory, where students from a wide range of universities came together in prayer. Attendees had travelled from cities across the North, including Aberdeen, Gla... Read More


Sunday Reflection with Canon Robin Gibbons: 22 March 2026

Fifth Sunday of Lent The dramatic story of Lazarus that John shares with us, is the seventh and final sign Jesus performed before his passion and death. Quite simply it reveals Jesus as 'the resurrection and the life' as the promised messiah and son of God who is victorious over death, but also demonstrates for us his humanity and love rooted in the setting of his own friendship with Martha, Mary... Read More


WCC gravely concerned over report showing Russia has abducted thousands of Ukrainian children

23 May 2022, Ukrainian children in Romashka sports complex, Zolotaya Kosa, SW Russia near border with Ukraine. There are several hundred children there mostly taken from orphanages

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay has expressed grave concern over the findings of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine regarding the deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. "Such actions deprive children of their families, language, culture, and homeland, inflicting deep psychological and spiritual harm," said Pillay. "The... Read More


Ian Linden: The quiet faith of Gordon Brown

Anger and apathy, Bankers and BREXIT, Corruption and COVID, the ABC of Britain's decline, has determined our recent history. The Venerable Bede wrote in the 8th century that history should record the "evil of wicked men" to avoid sin, while describing the "good things of good men" to encourage virtue. James Macintyre's insightful and balanced Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose, Bloomsbury 2026, fal... Read More


Bethlehem Update: A Day of Love, A Story of Strength

Poster by Nabil Anani.

Usama Nicola writes in Bethlehem Updates: Today, (21 March) we celebrate Mother's Day in Palestine and across the Middle East, a day of love, gratitude, and family warmth. Yet this year it carries a deeper weight. I send my heartfelt love and prayers to my precious mother, my beloved wife, my mother-in-law, my sisters in law, my brothers' wives, and to all the incredible mothers everywhere. May ... Read More


Gospel in Art: Nicodemus said: Do we judge a man without first hearing him

The Descent from the Cross  by Peter Paul Rubens. Painted 1612 - 1614,  © The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal), Antwerp

21 March 2026 John 7:40-52 At that time: When the crowd heard these words of Jesus some of the people said, 'This really is the Prophet.' Others said, 'This is the Christ.' But some said, 'Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?' So there was a division among the people ... Read More

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