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Letter of Pope Francis to Catholics in Holy Land

Church of the Holy Family

Pope Francis wrote this letter to Catholics in the Holy Land on the eve of the Triduum. Dear brothers and sisters, For some time, you have daily been in my thoughts and prayers. Now, on the eve of this Easter that for you is so overshadowed by the Passion and, as yet, so little by the Resurrection, I feel the desire to write to you and to tell you how close you are to my heart. I embrace all of yo... Read More


Gospel in Art: Maundy Thursday - At the moment you do not know what I am doing

No. 301 (Reds & Violet over Red/Red & Blue over Red), Mark Rothko, 1959 © Alamy Images / MOCA Gallery, LA California

Gospel of 28 March 2024 John 13:1-15 It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was. They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Fa... Read More


Palestinian musicians join London band in new Easter single

Dying Son Artwork b.png

Palestinian multi-instrumentalists Charlie Rishmawi and Miguel Khair have joined forces with London band Ooberfuse in this poignant musical lament: Dying Son, highlighting one mother's devastating grief at the loss of her child. More than 13,000 children have been killed in Gaza in the past five months - thousands more are missing under the rubble or suffering from starvation. Hal St John, from... Read More


BBC series follows celebrity pilgrims across North Wales

Bishop Brignall with celebrity pilgrims

On Good Friday, 29 March, the BBC screens the first of three hour-long episodes of its series 'Pilgrimage' following seven celebrity pilgrims, of differing faiths and beliefs, on a spiritual journey across North Wales. This, the sixth series of BBC Two's 'Pilgrimage', takes the well-known personalities along the North Wales Pilgrim's Way. The route celebrates Celtic early Christian saints, and con... Read More

Pope writes meditations for Good Friday Way of the Cross

Pope Francis in prayer during Via Crucis at the Colosseum  image: Vatican Media

This year, Pope Francis is writing his own Via Crucis' meditations for the Way of the Cross this Good Friday at Rome's iconic Colosseum, the Holy See press office announced yesterday. Each year for the annual tradition of the Via Crucis, presided over by Pope Francis in Rome's Colosseum on the evening of Good Friday, different people are entrusted with writing the meditations. This year however, ... Read More


Book: The Hopeful Activist

The modern world can be an overwhelming place to live - everywhere we look, it seems like a new issue needs our attention. The good news is that many people want to do their part in addressing these issues to make the world a better place. But how? The Hopeful Activist is a guide for all those who feel called to create positive change in their society but aren't quite sure where to start. Featurin... Read More


UK church leaders decry 'tragedy of immense proportions' in Sudan

...Sudanese boy with cross... Image: ACN

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and Bishop Paul Swarbrick, Lead Bishop for Africa, have written to the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference as war rages in Sudan. A conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023, and has resulted in 12,000 casualties, an estimated nine m... Read More


Liverpool: Catholic school hosts Iftar meal for Muslim community

The Academy of St Francis of Assisi in Kensington, Liverpool, held its first-ever Iftar meal for Muslim students and families within the school community. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe fasting from dawn until sunset, culminating in the breaking of the fast at sunset with a meal known as Iftar. The Iftar dinner provided an opportunity for members of the school c... Read More


Former priest jailed after conviction for historic sexual abuse

Michael Hobbs, a former priest of the Diocese of Westminster, was sentenced, on 25 March 2024, at the Old Bailey, to 12 years' imprisonment, following conviction of non-recent sexual abuse. Westminster Diocese said in a statement: 'The Diocese of Westminster is deeply sorry for the hurt that he caused to his victims, their families and the wider community, and acknowledges the gravity of the abuse... Read More


Gospel in Art: Wednesday of Holy Week - Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus

Betrayal of Christ, fresco by Giotto di Bondone, 1305. Scrovegni Chapel, Padua © Alamy Images

Gospel of 27 March 2024 Matthew 26: 14-25 One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, 'Where do you want us to make th... Read More


Myanmar: Cardinal Bo issues Holy Week appeal for peace

Cardinal Bo

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, President of the Myanmar Bishops' Conference, urges the faithful to fervently pray together and work toward peace "in this wounded world." In a pastoral message entitled 'Embracing the Dawn of Peace: A Call to End the Long Nights of Conflict and Fear' Cardinal Bo implores Almighty God to "dispel the darkness of conflict and usher in a new dawn of hope and harm... Read More


Safe Haven 4 Donkeys featured in award winning documentary

Safe Haven 4 Donkeys was established in 2000 to provide a sanctuary for abandoned and abused donkeys in the Holy Land.The charity also focuses on educating and advising local communities on animal welfare and providing veterinary care and support. Situated in Israeli village Gan Yoshiyya, close to the West Bank, the sanctuary now provides shelter and lifelong care for around 200 unwanted, and ofte... Read More


Joanna Lumley gives exclusive interview to student reporters

As well as being a brilliant actress and comedienne, Dame Joanna Lumley, has always devoted her energies to caring for others. Compassion in World Farming, Survival International, the Tibet Campaign, and the Ghurkas are just a few of the good causes she has supported. In this exclusive interview with Luke Burt and John Munoz Ospina, she speaks about her life - including describing a recent documen... Read More


Webinar: Animal rights a key issue in care of the environment

Image: Catholic Action for Animals

Bishop John Arnold of Salford, bishops' conference lead for England and Wales on the environment, spoke about animal rights and importance of respect for biodiversity when he addressed a webinar on 21 March, 'Introduction to Animal Rights from a Faith Perspective: New Insights into Animal Agriculture.' He said: "animals are an intrinsic and essential element in the much wider complex of nature". H... Read More

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