UK & Ireland

Campaign group Care Not Killing has welcomed the comments from the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, saying that we should fix palliative care before considering assisted dying. Speaking at a London care home earlier today, he was asked about the assisted dying debate and commented, "personally I think there is something that needs to happen first and that's the fixing of the funding for palliative... Read More

This episode from All Kinds of Catholic is the first of two brought to you from the We Believe Festival, recorded over the weekend by Theresa Alessandro. Listen in to hear about the goodness, truth and beauty of our faith, expressed at the festival though liturgy, talks, music, dance and being together. Pod guests explain why they came, what they found, and how their faith is sustained in daily l... Read More

The WeBelieve Festival was held at the magnificent grounds of St Mary's College, Oscott for the second year running from 24th to 27th July 2026. St Mary's College, Oscott is deeply intertwined with the revival of Catholicism in England. In July 1852 the first synod of Catholic Bishops in England in over two hundred years gathered at Oscott. It was at this synod that Fr John Henry Newman preached... Read More

Bishop Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth has issued the following statement about 'The Society of St. Pius X' (SSPX). Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is with sorrow and a heavy heart that I write to you today. On 1st July, against the express directive of the Holy Father, and so without a papal mandate, four priests of the Society of St Pius X, the SSPX, were ordained bishops at Écône in... Read More

IACS Secretary General Robert Ashdown has been appointed Chair of Trustees of Stella Maris UK , the official maritime charity of the Catholic Church. Robert, who previously served for nine years as a Stella Maris trustee, succeeds Capt Esteban Pacha, who is stepping down after eight years as Chair of Trustees. Robert's maritime sector experience and long engagement with Stella Maris ensures conti... Read More

As Andy Burnham starts work as our new prime minister, he will have a huge list of priorities to address as he hopefully hits the ground running. But, as a charity that supports people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, Caritas Salford is keen to make sure that the core issues affecting the lives of those people aren't lost in the mix. With almost one in th... Read More

We have just had a memorable weekend of Catholic summer conferences and festivals in England. (Perhaps next year the organisers could discuss dates in advance to avoid such big diary clashes!) People are still coming home from: 'One heart, one voice' - the National Network of Pastoral Musicians Conference in Highgate House, Northampton and the National Justice and Peace Network Conference at Swanw... Read More

A schoolboy who first took up rowing to complete his Duke of Edinburgh award has set himself the challenge to row 500 kilometres (310 miles) to support persecuted Christians around the world. Anselme Decouttere, 14, has so far rowed 280 km (175 miles) while balancing his studies at Dame Alice Owen School in Potters Bar. Inspired by the work of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), he is taking part in ... Read More

lBristol Quakers have apologised for their role in trafficking enslaved African people. More than half a million people were forcibly carried across the Atlantic in Bristol ships. The impact of the economy of trafficking and enslaving African people is still felt in Bristol today, Quakers say, in the trauma and inequality suffered by descendants of enslaved people and in the city's wealth. Bristol... Read More

Care Not Killing has expressed deep disappointment following the decision by the Tynwald in the Isle of Man to formally sign off on their assisted dying bill - meaning two small islands have changed their laws despite serious safety concerns. The group believes the legislation breaches the UK's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights - including Article 2 (right to life) and Arti... Read More

The Bishop of Plymouth, Rt Rev Nicholas Hudson, Canon John Deeny, Episcopal Delegate for Caritas Diocese of Plymouth, and Simon Giarchi, the Diocese's Head of Caritas, met the King during the visit he and the Queen made to Blandford Forum last Thursday. During the visit, the King and Queen visited stalls showing the work of charities from across Dorset. The King spoke at length with Bishop Nichola... Read More

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) has invited the new Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Andy Burnham, and his team to discuss how government, faith groups and charities can work together to build flourishing communities. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Raymond Friel OBE, Chief Executive of CSAN, offers the support and practical experience of the network's 50 member organisations, united by a commit... Read More

On his first morning as the UK's new Prime Minister, yesterday, Andy Burnham visited The Passage to learn more about their work supporting people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in London. During the visit, Burnham joined members of The Passage's Engagement and Outreach Team as they met people sleeping rough in the Victoria area. Together, they spoke with individuals currently slee... Read More

Thousands gathered this weekend for the Our Lady of Mount Carmel procession in Clerkenwell, central London, thought to be the oldest post Reformation outdoor expression of the Catholic faith in England. In bright sunshine, people came from all over London and beyond to 'Little Italy' for the procession, the Benediction and Mass at St Peter's Italian church, and to sample the Italian food and drink... Read More