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You need to fall back on words such as evil and wicked, not much used these days, to describe the Israeli Government's banning from Gaza of some 37 humanitarian NGOs after a re-registration process. That ban ends, and sums up, a year in which not even clever propaganda and disinformation could disguise the true purpose of IDF brutality. But Palestinian national self determination was not the only ... Read More

Gospel of 1 January 2026 Luke 2:16-21 At that time: The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glo... Read More

January 1st 2026 That the first day of the New Year should be dedicated to Mary the Holy Mother of God, and on the Octave Day of Christmas, is another gentle reminder of her place in the story of salvation-especially as we celebrate the great Nativity feasts, which are so rich in colour, story, and personalities. Today we find her given to us by the Church to be revered as the Mother of God, a tit... Read More

At the final General Audience of 2025 today, Pope Leo XIV invited pilgrims to give thanks for the past, seek forgiveness, and entrust the journey ahead to God's mercy. He recalled that the last few months have been marked by events of contrasting significance. "Some of them joyful," he said, "such as the pilgrimage of so many of the faithful on the occasion of the Holy Year; others painful, such ... Read More

Fifteen years ago this month, in December 2010, with two UK colleagues, I joined an international group of Human Rights Observers in Jerusalem as part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. We were each to go to one of seven placements in the West Bank to live alongside Palestinian communities under threat from Israeli settlers and the occupation forces and to work with... Read More

'And so this is Christmas' remains a festive favourite, 55 years after the song was written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. One day last week I heard it on the car radio three times! Its impactful words and catchy melody remind that whilst we are able to comfortably celebrate Christmas and the New Year, others aren't so lucky. The refrain, 'War is over if you want it,' prompts reflection, especially ... Read More

The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has encouraged people to be signs of peace for each other, and for the world, during 2026. Speaking at Mass in Armagh to welcome in the New Year, Archbishop Martin echoed the words of Pope Leo XIV who, in his 1 January message for the 59th World Day of Peace, calls for a peace that is "unarmed and disarming." Archbishop Martin observed the custom... Read More

Shortly before Christmas, Israel announced that it will ban 37 major aid organisations working in Gaza from tomorrow, January 1, 2026. The ban is being introduced because Israel allege the organisations failed to meet 'new and stringent requirements', including disclosing staff details and complying with new registration rules. Over the last few weeks, heavy rains and floods in Gaza have inundated... Read More

Gospel of 31 December 2025 John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whos... Read More

The carol, 'In the bleak midwinter' by Christina Rosetti is regularly in the top 10 of the vote for nation's favourite carols. Verse 5, however is frequently omitted - its the one which says: Enough for him, whom cherubim Worship night and day, A breastful of milk And a mangerful of hay; AI tells me that, 'This verse describes the intimate and humble nature of the Incarnation' but suggests that th... Read More

As the Jubilee of Hope draws to a close, Fides publishes its annual report on Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers who were violently killed worldwide in the past 365 days. The news about the lives and circumstances of these individuals' violent deaths offers a glimpse into everyday life in contexts often marked by violence, misery, and a lack of justice. These are often witnesses and missio... Read More

Since the current conflict in Ukraine started in February 2022 the Diocese of East Anglia has generously supported the Ukrainian people through prayer, giving to emergency appeals and welcoming refugees. To find out more about the current situation in the country Caritas East Anglia and CAFOD in East Anglia invite you to a talk from CAFOD's Ukraine Emergency Programme Officer Henry Wilson Smith ... Read More

A Royal nanny and the businessman who rescued Celtic FC are among the Catholics named In the 2026 New Year Honours list. The Catholic recipients include: Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, MVO: The long-serving nanny to Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order. She is widely recognized as a devout Catholic. Fergus McCann, CBE: The businessman and ... Read More

Chile has joined the swing to the right in Latin America - Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, and Ecuador - with its presidential election two weeks ago, by electing a far-right candidate, José Antonio Kast. Kast is a hardline conservative who has praised General Augusto Pinochet, Chile's former right-wing dictator whose US-backed coup ushered in 17 years of military rule marked by torture, disa... Read More