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The National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales (NJPN) has organised a public webinar 'Shining a light on Racism in England' on Thursday, 5 February. It aims to name the reality of racism, reflect on its roots and consequences, and explore how we can act together for justice. NJPN suggests that despite strong equality laws, evidence shows that racism continues to shape lives through: -... Read More

The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, has written to headteachers across the Diocese of Westminster to commend their schools' exceptional achievements and encourage the continued sharing of effective practice. In her letter, the Secretary of State praised the strong outcomes achieved by disadvantaged pupils during the 2024/25 academic year, noting that many schools' perf... Read More

Care Not Killing has welcomed the defiant comments from Peers debating the Assisted Dying Bill today, that they will not be rushed or bullied into passing an unsafe law that threatens the lives of vulnerable people. Dr Gordon Macdonald, Chief Executive of Care Not Killing, commented: "It looks increasingly likely that attempts to strong-arm peers into passing an unsafe bill with threats of using t... Read More

With global tensions rising and "reckless actions" triggering dangerous consequences, UN Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday called for renewed efforts on peace, justice and sustainable development as he outlined his priorities for 2026 - the final year of his tenure. 2026 "is already shaping up to be a year of constant surprises and chaos," he told journalists in New York. Mr. Guterres,... Read More

Many Christians could not celebrate Christmas last year. They were not all in remote villages or small towns. Even in metropolitan cities, some fellow believers spent a day in a police station on New Year's Day. But hope is of the essence; it is vital to acknowledge the gravity of recent years without surrendering to despair. Researchers studying the situation of the Christian community in India s... Read More

Gospel of 30 January 2026 Mark 4:26-34 At that time: Jesus said to the crowd: 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the har... Read More

Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has appealed for a Holy Hour for peace as a step toward national healing, as the country faces tremendous tensions. Nearly 69,000 people have been arrested by masked immigration enforcement men. Three protesters have been killed. "Your faith matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of ju... Read More

Join Margaret and Barry Mizen in conversation with Catherine Pepinster at 6.30pm on Monday 2 February in Victoria. Booking is essential. Margaret Mizen, Founder of the Mizen Foundation, says: "I am looking forward to the Catholic Union's Pub Talk, there is much to be discussed as it is through education, early intervention, and engagement, that we strive to address the root causes of violence. Our... Read More

This year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity concluded on Sunday. The theme 'One Body, One Spirit' (Ephesians 4:4), was an opportunity for Christians across the world to work and pray for the unity of the Church. In the Diocese of Westminster, the week was marked by parish events, a Diocese-led ecumenical pilgrimage and Solemn Vespers in the Cathedral. The ecumenical pilgrimage, led by James Hol... Read More

A young Christian girl from Nigeria has started school thanks to an award won by her father and has promised to "pray for all those" who helped realise her dream. Nearly 19 million children are not at school in Nigeria, according to UN reports, and until now eight-year-old Angela Yahaya was one of them. Last November her father, Tobias, was the recipient of Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Ne... Read More

Donald Trump does not, in my opinion, deserve any more airtime than he already gets. I am incensed at many of his irrational decisions (and obvious need for power and recognition). In particular, his deployment of ICE agents throughout mostly Democratic states, and the resulting tragic and unnecessary murder of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last weekend, brought out my disgust and anger. The United S... Read More

Anyone attending a church in the UK knows that in almost every community, the clergy and volunteers are confronted by the enormous unmet needs of homeless people. Some churches keep their doors open all winter, offering a safe, heated space for people to sleep during the day. Others provide food or vouchers, referring "the unhoused" to the relevant council services or charities. A few provide prac... Read More

Gospel of 29 January 2026 Mark 4:21-25 At that time: Jesus said to the crowd, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.' And he said to them, 'Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measur... Read More

Following the celebration of its 25th anniversary earlier this week, Nikki Dhillon Keane, founder of Signs of Hope, offers a personal reflection on the evolution of our counselling service for the Deaf community. On 26 January, an unlikely mix of Deaf psychotherapists and counsellors, clergy, Caritas Westminster staff and well-wishers gathered together to celebrate 25 years of the Signs of Hope Co... Read More