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Gospel of 7 November 2024 Luke 15: 1-10 The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. 'This man' they said 'welcomes sinners and eats with them.' So he spoke this parable to them: 'What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after th... Read More

Rev Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, writes: Mysterious God your ways are sometimes hard to fathom and your purposes amid the turmoil of life are sometimes hard to perceive. Bless America. Be close today to those who behold the election result with dismay. Be with migrants who fear hostility and deportation. Uphold women who anticipate disrespect and feel their we... Read More

This month, as we remember our war dead, I also recall the animals killed in war. Here in London, near Hyde Park, we have a monument to all the animals that served, suffered and died alongside the British, Commonwealth and Allied forces in the wars and conflicts of the 20th century. Here we learn that an astounding eight million horses and countless mules and donkeys died in the First World War. T... Read More

Leading global maritime charity Stella Maris has announced the revival of its port chaplaincy service in the Northwest of England after an absence there of almost 10 years. The charity has appointed Merseyside born-and-bred Christopher Reynolds to the role with immediate effect. Christopher will initially cover the ports of Liverpool, Fleetwood, Maryport, Whitehaven and Barrow, with a view to expa... Read More

Lord Alton of Liverpool made the following remarks at a Hearing in the UK Parliament yesterday attended by Marie Rimmer MP, Han Fei, Hui Li, Tian Xin, Professor Baroness Finlay, with contributions to the Hearing from David Matas and Eleanor Stephenson, lawyers specialising in international human rights law and international criminal law. This year marks 25 years of persecution against Falun Gong p... Read More

Andrew Jackson, Chief Executive of Pax Christi UK has expressed concern at the huge amount of money allocated to military spending in the UK government's recent Budget. He told ICN: "For anyone hoping that the new Labour Government might choose different priorities when it comes to military spending, the recent Budget was a deep disappointment. "Whilst all the indications had been that Labour wou... Read More

Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament held its Annual Conference and AGM in Leicester last weekend. Members and supporters were welcomed to 'a place with strong Christian foundations and strong foundations in the work of peace.' Christian CND members from around the country gathered with people working for peace in Leicester, including a member of Leicester CND. Dr Dan Cordle, the keynote spe... Read More

The Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinic Council has issued the following letter, entitled: 'Speak truth: these atrocities are crimes against humanity'. As rabbis we have taken on a sacred responsibility to protect our ancient tradition, to support our community, and to offer moral leadership amid crisis. We find ourselves in a horrifying historical moment. Many of us have parents, grandparents and gre... Read More

Gospel of 6 November 2024 Luke 14:25-33 Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. 'If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 'And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, wo... Read More

The Bishop of Leeds wrote a pastoral letter on assisted suicide for the people of his diocese that was read in churches and chapels on Saturday, 2 November and Sunday, 3 November 2024. "Many of us have experienced the distress of seeing our loved ones endure some degree of pain or suffering when they have been mentally infirm, severely ill or dying," wrote Bishop Marcus Stock. "Our natural desire ... Read More

Responding to the news that Israel's parliament has voted to ban the work of UNRWA - the UN's Palestinian refugee agency - Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD's Country Programme Representative for the Middle East, explains why the decision matters. She said: "We are deeply concerned about how people will be able to access essential services if this decision comes into force. "If you're a child in Gaza, it... Read More

Hundreds of activities will be happening in more than 20 countries on 20th November as part of #RedWednesday - Aid to the Church in Need's flagship campaign for those oppressed for their Christian Faith. The charity is organising awareness raising and fundraising events in hundreds of cities - across all continents except Antarctica - during which churches and other buildings will be lit up red. I... Read More

The Royal Mail is celebrating Christmas 2024 with a series of five special stamps, featuring original illustrations of cathedrals from across the UK. Cardinal Vincent Nichols is delighted that Westminster Cathedral is one of them! "We're so proud because it means that the image will be seen by many, many people," he said. "I hope that seeing the image, they'll understand that a church is a place w... Read More

Santa Marta Group has welcomed the UK government's commitment to tackling human trafficking and people smuggling, following a speech by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Interpol annual general assembly in Glasgow on Monday, 4 November. The Prime Minister said he would target "gangs forcing the vulnerable into modern slavery or prostitution" and would double funding for the UK's border security a... Read More