Advertisement Daughters of CharityICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

UK & Ireland

News from United Kingdom & Ireland covering parishes, dioceses, religious orders, community groups, homelessness, moral & political issues and pilgrims. See our UK & Ireland Parishes Links page for relevant links.


How Eucharistic adoration transformed a university chaplaincy

Photo: Archdiocese of Southwark

By putting Eucharistic adoration at the heart of his ministry, Father Mark Wharton has helped students encounter Christ in daily life. Shortly after he was ordained in 2022, Father Mark Wharton was asked to be the Catholic Chaplain at the University of Kent. When he arrived, the number of students engaged was minimal. Mass attendance was around five people, at best. The picture looked bleak and Fr... Read More


Bishop John Sherrington celebrates Installation Mass for new Rector of Mater Ecclesiae College

Image M Mazur CBCEW

Last Thursday, 13 March, Bishop John Sherrington celebrated the Installation Mass for Mgr Paul McPartlan as the new Rector of Mater Ecclesiae College at St Mary's University, Twickenham. The ceremony marked the transition of leadership following Mgr McPartlan's appointment, confirmed by the Holy See in October 2024. Cardinal Vincent Nichols was also in attendance. In his homily, Bishop Sherrington... Read More


Care Not Killing responds to RCGP decision to adopt neutral position on Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Photo by Olga Kononenko on Unsplash

The Royal College of General Practitioners' (RCGP) has decided to adopt a neutral position on Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia. Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing described the decision as disappointing, but unsurprising. He commented: "This is disappointing, but unsurprising as doctors' groups continue to wrestle with how to respond to multiple attempts to introduce assisted suicide and ... Read More


Holy Sites, Holy People: A Lenten Journey

Fr Fadi Diab

Brendan Metcalfe, CEO, Friends of the Holy Land writes: Friends of the Holy Land are pleased to present 'Holy Sites, Holy People: A Lenten Journey' - a series of spiritual videos created by the Christian communities in Palestine. The series comprises six videos, each of which features a holy site in the Palestinian Territories. The videos are introduced by Fr Fadi Diab who as well as being the Rec... Read More


London: Jerusalem Bishop to speak about challenges and hopes of Christians in the Holy Land

Bishop William Shomali

Friends of the Holy Land are pleased to present Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine speaking on how the war and ceasefire conditions are affecting the daily life of Christians in the Holy Land, particularly in his pastoral area, Jerusalem and Palestine on Monday 31st March from 12pm at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8EP. Bishop... Read More


Southwark: Hundreds of fledging Catholics welcomed at St Georges Cathedral

Archbishop John Wilson with some candidates and their sponsors at St George's Cathedral. Credit: Archdiocese of Southwark

St George's Cathedral in Southwark was completely full on Saturday, 8 March, as hundreds of people due to be baptised or received into the Church, with their sponsors, godparents and loved ones, gathered to prepare for their reception into the Catholic Church next month. Over 450 adults completing the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) were welcomed by Archbishop John Wilson at St Geor... Read More


Southwark: Come and experience a touch of the Lord this Lent!

Touching the Hem of Jesus' Garment is special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament developed by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, to help increase people's experience of the healing power of Jesus in his Eucharistic presence. This ministry began in the Friars' work among young people and has gradually spread through the Church. The name recalls the gospel story when the woman with the issue of bl... Read More


London: St Patrick's Party for Christians in the Holy Land

Our Lady of Victories Church in Kensington High Street invites you to their annual St Patrick's Party on Saturday 15 March at 7pm. There will be music, an Irish dance display, drinks, hot buffet and a prize raffle. This charity event is supporting Christians in Bethlehem and Gaza. Book your £25 ticket now by calling: 077468 47126 or at church after Sunday Mass. LINK Our Lady of Victories: https:... Read More


Cardinal Nichols welcomes more than 500 for Rite of Election

Image: Diocese of Westminster

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has welcomed the largest number of candidates and catechumens to the Diocese of Westminster's Rite of Election since 2018. Today, Saturday 8 March, Westminster Cathedral was filled with over 1200 people gathered to celebrate the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, a key milestone in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Among the attendees were... Read More


Webinar: The Heart of Good Health: Supporting the Whole Person in Local Communities

Las Casas Institute

The Heart of Good Health: Supporting the Whole Person in Local Communities - A Webinar hosted by the Las Casas Institute, Blackfriars, Oxford will take place on Thursday 3 April from 6.30 - 7.45pm. As the personal, social and economic costs of current approaches to healthcare rise, causing distress to patients and healthcare professionals, this webinar brings together experts and concerned individ... Read More


Ireland: Church to observe Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse

'Candles of Atonement' will be lit in diocesan cathedrals and churches throughout Ireland  as a powerful reminder to the faithful of the need for atonement, repentance, and the light of hope amidst darkness. CCO archive

Dioceses around Ireland will observe the annual 'Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse' tomorrow, 7 March, coinciding with the first Friday of Lent. This significant day of prayer was initiated by Pope Francis and has been marked in Irish dioceses since 2017. On the 'Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse', parishes across the country will light Blessed Candles as a powerful reminder to the faithful... Read More


Salford: Final recommendations of Diocesan Synod

Bishop John Arnold. Image ICN/JS

A two-year process of prayerful discernment and dialogue has come to a close with the end of the Diocese of Salford's Synod. The Rt Rev. John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, announced a diocesan synod in 2023 to assess the needs and challenges of the local Church in a post-pandemic world. Over the past two years, thousands of people across the diocese have responded and engaged with the synod process... Read More


SVP appoints new CEO

The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) has announced the appointment of Kate Nightingale as its new Chief Executive officer (CEO) following a successful period as interim CEO. Kate brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the role, having worked with the SVP for over 13 years, 10 of those as Deputy CEO. During her time with the charity, as well as serving as Deputy CEO, Kate ... Read More


Romero Week 2025

St Oscar Romero, wiki image 1978

This month marks the 45th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Oscar Romero. There will be a variety of services, events and talks in London, Leeds,Liverpool and St Albans to commemorate his life and legacy. There are three main speakers this year: Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald MAfr OBE, Sister Gemma Simmonds CJ and Father Luis Orlando Perez SJ. Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald is an expert in Christian-Mu... Read More

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon