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Dr David Ryall, Director of Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS UK), called for solidarity with refugees and a renewed commitment to Christian welcome during his opening keynote speech at the Association of Provincial Bursars (APB) Conference, held in Hertfordshire from 5 to 7 October. Addressing representatives of religious congregations, Dr Ryall highlighted the challenges facing people seeking sanct... Read More

Archbishop Timothy P Broglio has issued a statement forbidding Catholics from taking part in the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, due to be life-streamed. The full statement follows: In addition to supporting and subscribing to the statement by my brothers the Bishops of Texas, it is my duty to express my disapproval of what is proposed regarding the execution of the terrorist Hasan in the ... Read More

The proportion of deaths in Belgium caused by euthanasia has more than doubled over a five-year period, reaching 4% of all deaths in 2025, according to a report from the Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia released earlier this month. According to a report released every two years as required under Belgian euthanasia law, there were 2,445 euthanasia deaths in 2020, acco... Read More

Gospel of 13 October 2026 Matthew 5:1-12a At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are ... Read More

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to be admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital "late in the morning" on Tuesday, 13 October, for surgery to remove a localized nodule in his lung. According to the Prefecture of the Papal Household, all of the Pope's audiences have been cancelled due to his hospitalisation for the week through to Tuesday, 20 October. The Pope announced his upcoming operation during the Angelus... Read More

Usama Nicola writes in Bethlehem Updates: In Palestinian culture, the olive tree is more than a source of food and income. It is a living symbol of identity, family, and connection to the land. Every autumn, as the hills turn golden and families gather to harvest olives, the countryside comes alive with stories, laughter, and shared labor. For generations, the olive season has shaped not only the ... Read More

Over 180 pupils and staff from 14 Catholic primary schools joined together for the annual Mission Together Mass, at St Theodore's Parish, Hampton on Thames, Westminster Diocese. Presided over by Archbishop Richard Moth, and concelebrated by Fr Philip Baptiste, Mission Together's Diocesan Director in Westminster, the Mass united schools from the dioceses of Westminster, Southwark, and Arundel and B... Read More

A daytime drone strike by Russia destroyed the front of CAFOD partner Caritas-Spes Ukraine's humanitarian support centre in Odesa. Mercifully, no visitors or staff were injured. Henry Wilson Smith, CAFOD Acting Emergency Programme Manager for Ukraine, said: "With civilians experiencing the mostly deadly period of the war since 2022, this attack was a stark reminder of the risks humanitarian worke... Read More

There are lots of things to enjoy when on pilgrimage: the beautiful countryside, the rich encounters, the food, fellowship and fun; even walking long distances. And there's a pleasing simplicity about life on the pilgrim path. There was also, on the 'Let us Walk' pilgrimage, lots of singing and a highlight of the week for me was a musical evening we shared in a pub in Greenwich, where we'd arrived... Read More

Catholics in Fundraising has assured the Holy Father of its closeness in prayer following the announcement that Pope Leo XIV is to undergo surgery to remove a nodule from his lung. The organisation's trustees have pledged their prayers for the Holy Father, his medical team and all those caring for him during this period. The announcement comes only weeks after the Holy See highlighted the work of ... Read More

Gospel of 12 October 2026 Luke 11:29-32 At that time: When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, 'This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with the men of this g... Read More

Christians For Palestine took part in the 37th national demonstration in London on Saturday, protesting the third year of ongoing genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing being carried out in the West Bank and southern Lebanon. Before joining the march, the Christian bloc met for ecumenical prayers in Victoria Embankment Gardens, led by Rev Sam Fletcher from the Anglican Chaplaincy at Exeter Universi... Read More

This weekend, 10/11 October, parishioners at Our Lady of the Rosary in Staines, were invited to bring their pets to Mass for a special blessing. This is an annual tradition close to the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. This year there were many dogs and cats as well as several smaller pets: rabbits, guinea pigs and a tortoise. Parish Priest Fr Philip Dyer-Perry said: "We recognise that for many, pet... Read More

Religious and Associates of JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) Links met on zoom and in person at the FCJ centre for Spirituality and Eco-justice in London on Saturday 10 October to hear about problems associated with the global mining industry and the ways in which Catholic communities and organisations are responding to them. Mining was chosen as the subject of the gathering because... Read More