UK & Ireland

In a pastoral letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Nottingham, Bishop Patrick McKinney urgently calls for Catholics to write to their MPs to share their concerns ahead of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, 11 September. The letter, that was read at all Sunday Masses in the Diocese of Nottingham over the weekend of 8-9 August, raised the Bishop's key concerns be... Read More

Eighteen men considering whether God may be calling them to the priesthood have gathered for a day of prayer, conversation and discernment in Milton Keynes. The Vocations Discernment Day, organised by the Diocese of Northampton's Vocations Director, Fr Pius Amoako, yesterday, brought together men from across the Diocese at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Milton Keynes. The day was an opportunity... Read More

Archbishop John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark, has issued a message warning of the dangers of a renewed attempt by some MPs to legalise assisted suicide, urging each of us to make our voices heard in opposition to this deadly proposal. In his message, Archbishop Wilson describes the proposed legislation as "a terrifying and deadly law: a law whose ultimate purpose is to end human life". The Arch... Read More

Sunday 9 August, was the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. On September 13, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The UN tells us that: "There are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries. They represent 5,000 different cultures...Indigenous Peoples make up less than 6% of the glob... Read More

St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth, near Guildford, is presenting three fascinating public events this autumn. Members of the public of all faiths and none are welcome. Discover the Meaning of the Roman Catholic Mass Benedictine monk Fr John Seddon OSB continues his seven part series exploring the beauty, meaning and mystery of the Mass, based on the teachings of Bishop Robert Barron. Remaining talks... Read More

For nearly 200 years, the soaring spire of St Muredach's Cathedral has stood as Ballina's most recognisable landmark, rising above the River Moy and serving as both a place of worship and a symbol of the town's enduring heritage. Generations of residents have celebrated baptisms, marriages and funerals within its limestone walls, while countless visitors have paused to admire one of the finest exa... Read More

The final stages of a sponsored walk marking 125 years since the Catholic Association (CA) first made its pilgrimage to Lourdes will conclude in the Diocese of East Anglia this weekend. The CA Lourdes 125 Sponsored Walk is raising funds to celebrate the milestone anniversary, with organisers aiming to raise £1,250. Having reached the halfway point towards the fundraising target, supporters are be... Read More

Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Healthcare for the Bishops' Conference, has once again raised his voice in opposition to the controversial puberty blockers trial after a High Court judge ruled that children as young as 11 can be recruited to take part. "It is particularly alarming to see that the clinical trial prescribing puberty blockers to children, run by King's College London, is going ahe... Read More

Talented youngsters at a Coventry primary school received a standing ovation after their dance talents brought plenty of smiles to people living with dementia and their families. Pupils at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, visited the Dementia Partnership Hub in Holbrooks during the last week of term, impressing the audience with a series of energeti... Read More

An extraordinary Catholic church in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, considered one of the finest early-20th century churches in England, has been upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* listed status by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), on the advice of Historic England. The upgrade is in recognition of its remarkable architectural and historic significance. The Roman Catholic ... Read More

Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, has reflected on the reintroduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, calling it "a matter of grave concern for all of us." Archbishop Longley said: "The dignity of human life and the precious gift of human life is very important, and indeed the preservation of life is something which is at the heart of what we share in common as... Read More

Centuries after the martyrs of the Reformation made their final journeys through the streets of London, a historian is set to follow their route once again, to shine a light on their remarkable stories. Author, journalist and broadcaster Joanna Bogle will lead a special guided 5km river walk 'In the Footsteps of the Martyrs' in London at 2.30pm on Sunday, 13th September in support of the Catholic ... Read More

A wonderful celebration was held at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception in Farm Street, Mayfair on Saturday, for the Catholic Women's League 120th anniversary. Rt Rev Bishop Philip Moger, Bishop Emeritus of Plymouth and Spiritual Advisor to the CWL was the Chief Celebrant. More than 240 members from across the UK, and representatives from other Catholic women's organisations attended th... Read More

On Saturday, 19 September next, on Saint Patrick's Campus in Dublin City University, Drumcondra, Dublin, the Catholic Historical Society of Ireland will host its annual conference, entitled, 'Irish Catholic Spaces: Pasts and Futures." According to committee member Professor John McCafferty of UCD's School of History, and chair of the Irish Manuscripts Commission: "In a time when the many spaces cr... Read More