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Gospel in Art: I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets

Moses Presenting the Tablets of the Law by Philippe de Champaigne, 1648   © Milwaukee Art Museum

Gospel of 11 March 2026 Matthew 5:17-19 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments ... Read More


Catholic Union talk: Always be prepared to give the shirt off your back

John Studzinski CBE

John Studzinski, author, philanthropist and thought leader addressed members and supporters of the Catholic Union at a pub talk last night. Chaired by Catherine Pepinster, the event was extremely well attended with attendees having the opportunity to buy signed copies of John's book, A Talent for Giving. John Studzinski CBE said: "Last night's pub talk was an opportunity to discuss the creativity... Read More


Lebanon: Priest killed by Israeli tank leaves 'profound wound in the heart of the Church'

Father Pierre El Rai. Image: © ACN

Pope Leo and the head of the Maronite Church have both condemned the deadly attacks on Lebanon, after a priest was killed there yesterday. Father Pierre El Rai lost his life in Qlayaa on Monday, 9th March, as he sought to help parishioners whose house had been attacked by an Israeli tank. The 50-year-old Maronite priest had rushed to the house in the mountainous area of his parish with some young ... Read More


Fleur Brennan RIP

Fleur (wearing a CND ring?) and Colin

A large congregation gathered at Holy Apostles, Pimlico last Monday for the Requiem Mass of a much-loved parishioner: Fleur Bridget Brennan, who died on 18 February 2026. The Mass was celebrated by Canon Pat Browne, with Parish Priest Canon Chris Vipers and Fr Charles Soyombo. Nicholas Lane played beautiful organ music. Matthew Wright read the following eulogy: "Fleur was born in 1941, at the heig... Read More

Scotland's Catholic Bishops challenge Scottish Government over conscience rights

Scottish Bishops Conference

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland has expressed deep concern over the Scottish Government's response to proposed amendments to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. The amendments, tabled by John Mason MSP and Paul O'Kane MSP, seek to introduce provisions allowing organisations-including hospices, care homes, and faith-based institutions-to exercise conscientious objectio... Read More


Film: War does not have the last word - A Chronicle of the Christian Community in Gaza

The documentary produced by KTO Télévision Catholique titled 'La guerre n'aura pas le dernier mot' (War Doesn't Have the Last Word) traces the life of Christian communities in Gaza Strip, Jenin, and Taybeh during the recent war on Gaza, presenting testimonies from those who remain as well as from members of the community who now reside outside Gaza. The viewer is immersed in a landscape of destr... Read More


UK: Former Commonwealth Secretary-General to speak at religious freedom conference

Baroness Scotland with Fr Dominic Robinson, ACN (UK) Ecclesiastical Assistant (© ACN)

Baroness Patricia Scotland, former Secretary-General to the Commonwealth of Nations, is to give a keynote address at a landmark conference in London addressing increasing challenges to religious freedom around the world. A panel discussion "Dare to Believe - Is Religious Freedom under growing threat around the world", a hybrid event, is taking place at 3pm on Sunday, 19th April 2026 at Farm Street... Read More


Ian Linden: The Church & wars in the Middle East

Dr Ian Linden

"I don't need international law", Trump told the world in January; his "own morality", his "own mind" was all that he needed to formulate foreign policy. Trump's mind and morality do not inspire confidence. No reasonable person in a democracy would willingly agree to tolerate or endorse lawlessness within their own nation-state, so why is lawlessness between States once more acceptable? If law... Read More


Gospel in Art: How often do I forgive my brother? Seven times?

The Confessional, by Sir David Wilkie, 1827,  Oil on canvas  © National Galleries of Scotland

Gospel of 10 March 2026 Matthew 18:21-35 At that time: Peter came up and said to Jesus, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 'Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was ... Read More


Lebanon: Israeli strike kills Maronite priest

Speaking on Friday Fr Pierre said: 'All religions together call only for peace' - Screenshot

A Maronite parish priest, Father Pierre Al-Rai, was killed and at least five people were injured this afternoon by an Israeli strike on the Christian-majority village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon. Fr Pierre al-Rahi, had stayed in the village, defying an Israeli order to leave, in order to protect his parishioners. Three days ago, Father Pierre welcomed the Lebanese government's declaration that a... Read More


Canada: Bishops call for prayers for peace in Middle East

photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a Statement Calling the Catholic Faithful to Prayer for Peace in the Middle East. The statement affirms that we cannot remain indifferent to an armed conflict that risks escalating into a prolonged war. "Faced with rising tensions and the risk of escalating war, we invite the People of God in Canada to pray for ... Read More


Newman Schola to sing Faure Requiem at St Mary's Hampstead

The Newman Schola will be performing Allegri's haunting Miserere mei, movements from the Tenebrae by Victoria and culminating with the Fauré Requiem at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, Hampstead, London, on Saturday, 21 March from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Founded in 2021, the Newman Schola has performed in both concert and liturgical settings up and down the country, as well as releasing its first recordin... Read More


Joint Ecumenical statement on widening conflict in Middle East

Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth

The World Council of Churches, Middle East Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Methodist Council, Mennonite World Conference, Christian Conference of Asia, and ACT Alliance join in expressing their deep concern regarding the humanitarian and social impacts of the widening conflict in the Middle East, and the threat it poses to the peace and s... Read More


Good Shepherd Sisters statement on crisis in Iran and Middle East

Families are arriving at shelters with absolutely nothing. Image:  Good Shepherd Sisters

A sudden escalation of conflict in Lebanon has displaced over 500,000 people in just over one week. The Good Shepherd community is actively responding to the crisis. They are ensuring the safety of our evacuated staff and sisters in Beirut while delivering urgent medical and psychosocial support to thousands of displaced individuals through the Saint-Antoine Dispensary and Good Shepherd mission. T... Read More

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