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Millions of Christians have been forced from their homes by conflict, extremism and religiously motivated violence, according to a major new report which warns that some of Christianity's oldest communities face an increasingly uncertain future. Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith, on Tuesday, 27 Octob... Read More

The UK Government's Autumn Budget 2026 was unveiled today, 28 October, with Chancellor John Healey announcing measures affecting tax, pensions, benefits, savings and more. Several faith groups, Catholic organisations and individuals have issued their first comments. SVP The St Vincent de Paul Society (England and Wales) has welcomed measures in the Chancellor's Autumn Budget aimed at easing pressu... Read More

On 28 October 2026, in New York, His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Z EL Kassis, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement under Agenda Item 46, "International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space," in the Fourth Committee of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Archbishop El Kassis emphasized that outer space is a common good ... Read More

Students from St John Plessington Catholic College, Bebington, have been honoured with a prestigious national award, recognising the exceptional care and commitment they have demonstrated to drive positive change both locally and globally. Over the past two academic years, students at St John Plessington, a proud member of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT), have worked together on ... Read More

Students at St John Bosco Arts College Sixth Form in Croxteth, Liverpool, have been exploring life beyond the classroom in a series of trips, visits and workshops, immersing themselves in hands-on careers experiences to develop new skills and prepare for post-18 opportunities. Since the start of the academic year, students have explored a range of career pathways during external trips, visited hi... Read More

David Neuhaus SJ's Conquest or Leaven is a deeply personal and challenging reflection on Christianity, Palestine/Israel, and the role of the Catholic Church in a land scored by conflict. Not an easy read, situated as it is within an ongoing genocide, it is made warm and engaging by Neuhaus's style featuring lots of personal anecdotes and biography. The heart of the book, however, is a penetrating ... Read More

The brother of murdered religious freedom advocate Shahbaz Bhatti has told UK Parliamentarians that, since his assassination, the growing influence of extremists in Pakistan has created a climate of fear preventing religious minorities from defending their rights. Peter Bhatti called for a UK Parliamentary inquiry led either by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee or the Joint Committee on Human R... Read More

Gospel of 28 October 2026 Luke 6:12-19 In these days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon ... Read More

In a video message sent to participants in the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi today, Pope Leo XIV urged all participants to join him in being "unarmed instruments of the Lord's peace," stressing that "war can never be waged in the name of God." "War can never be waged in the name of God. For us believers, 'to fight in the name of religion means attacking religion itself.' There is no su... Read More

Ellen Teague, well known for her work with Independent Catholic News, The Tablet and many other journals and organisations, has been given the Recognition of Service Award from the Diocese of Westminster. The Award, a medal and a certificate, were presented by Bishop James Curry on behalf of Archbishop Moth on Thursday 22 October. Bishop Curry explained that this is offered to acknowledge Ellen's ... Read More

Fr Joe Ryan (Acting Chair) writes: I would like to announce that Anna Blackman has accepted the position of General Secretary of Pax Christi England and Wales. For many years Anna has been dedicated to peace-making and nonviolence inspired by Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching. She has been involved with Pax Christi Scotland, and now based in England is a member of Pax Christi England and ... Read More

New research into the Gunpowder Plot has uncovered previously unexplored motives behind the involvement of Guy Fawkes and his fellow York Conspirators. The Gunpowder Plot is the infamous failed plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 - and the historic reason behind the UK's Bonfire Night tradition which is celebrated every year on 5 November. A new exhibition: 'The Gunpowder Plot: York's... Read More

Three UN conferences meet in 2026 on three crises: desertification, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Jocabed Solano, an Indigenous Gunadule theologian from Panama, does not see three. "The world calls these climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification, but for us they are one wound," she said in Yerevan, Armenia, on 20 October. She was speaking at the Faith Hub, a space for faith ... Read More

As Israelis head to the polls today, Verity Johnson, CAFOD's Head of Middle East region, issued the following statement: "Whatever the election outcome, international pressure on Israel must stay strong. Entire neighbourhoods in Gaza have been destroyed, and whole communities are being displaced in the West Bank. The dire warnings from the Israeli government of even further escalations of violence... Read More