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Gospel in Art: Saint Agnes, Virgin, Martyr

The Eve of St Agnes (The flight of Madeline and Porphyro),  by William Holman Hunt, 1847 - 1857 © Alamy / National Museums fo Liverpool, UK

Gospel of 21 January 2026 Matthew 13:44-46 At that time: Jesus said to the crowd: 'The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bou... Read More


Pope Leo's Message for World Day of the Sick

Pope Leo encourages reflection on the figure of the Good Samaritan, ahead of the World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated this year at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace in Chiclayo, Peru. In his Message, released today, Pope Leo notes that this image "is always relevant and essential for rediscovering the beauty of charity and the social dimension of compassion" and helps further "direct our ... Read More


Cardinal Koch: 'Ecumenism is a tool of peace for the world'

Cardinal Kurt Koch

As part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, explores Pope Leo XIV's invitation to walk the path of ecumenism. Asked about Pope Leo XIV's call for efforts toward unity and commitment to world peace to go "hand in hand," Cardinal Kurt Koch emphasized the role of Christian Churches. "Ecumenism can assist society if it ... Read More


New report shows systematic abuse in Israeli prisons

Today (Tuesday 20 January),the Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem, released new figures and testimonies revealing the extent of violence employed against Palestinians in Israeli prisons, which function as a network of torture camps: systematic abuse, including physical and psychological violence, inhuman conditions, deliberate starvation and denial of medical treatment, resulting in many d... Read More

Holy Land: Bishop Curry praises courage of beleaguered Christian community

Bishop Jim Curry in West Bank - Screenshot

Bishop Jim Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops' Conference, has offered his reflections as the Holy Land Co-ordination pilgrimage passes its halfway point. During their visit the Bishop delegates have learned of the struggles of Bedouin tribes in the West Bank and celebrated Mass with local Christians in Palestine's only fully Christian town - Taybeh. They have listened to Jewi... Read More


Scotland: Catholic author brings worldly wisdom to the classroom

Elaine McGinlay with The Wisdom of the River

A Catholic charity worker has recently become an author of a children's book, which explores how communities flourish. Mum of one Elaine McGinlay has worked for the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund for 12 years and is their Education Officer. She has written a children's book drawing on more than a decade of work in development education. Elaine was inspired to write the book - The Wisd... Read More


Vespers for Week of Christian Unity at Westminster Cathedral with Cardinal Vincent and Dr Rowan Williams

© Mazur/cbcew.org.uk

This evening, 20 January at 5.30pm, Cardinal Vincent Nichols will preside at Solemn Pontifical Vespers in Thanksgiving for the Proclamation of St Cardinal and Dr Rowan Williamsas Doctor of the Church, and to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Vespers will be sung by the joint choirs and clergy of St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Cathedral, with an address from the former Archbishop o... Read More


International bishops group visit Holy Land

Bishops 2025 visit - Image Aboud HLC

An international delegation of Catholic bishops and an Anglican bishop, is currently undertaking its annual pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The theme of the 2026 visit is: 'A Land of Promise: Encounter and Dialogue with People of Hope.' Delegates from the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) and the Anglican Church are taking part, alongside representatives of Cat... Read More


Gospel in Art: Saint Sebastian, Martyr

Saint Sebastian by Ricardo Motilla, 2008 © Wikimedia / Art and History Museum of Guanajuato,  León, Mexico

Gospel of 20 January 2026 Mark 2:23-28 One Sabbath the Lord was going through the cornfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck ears of corn. And the Pharisees were saying to him, 'Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?' And he said to them, 'Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he en... Read More


Pope encourages Neocatechumenal Way leaders to be witnesses of unity

Pope Leo XIV meets  Kiko Argüello, co-founder of the Neocatechumenal Way  @Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV met with leaders of Neocatechumenal Way on Monday morning. He thanked them for their witness and work in spreading the Gospel around the world and encouraged them to promote unity and avoid rigidity and moralism. "Strive forward in joy and humility, without closing yourselves off, as builders and witnesses of communion," he said. "The Church accompanies you, supports you, and is gra... Read More


Justice and the Prince of Peace: A Christian witness against tyranny

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Wiki Image

With Trump's quasi-invasion of Venezuela and removal of the President from Office, Pope Leo XIV spoke with vigour on 4th January whilst delivering the Angelus prayer for paths which, ' lead to the overcoming of violence and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country, ensuring the rule of law enshrined in its constitution'. His voice is richly informed... Read More


Three Cardinals issue rare joint statement on morality of US foreign policy

Cardinal Blase J Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington and Cardinal Joseph W Tobin, CSsR, archbishop of Newark today issued a strongly worded statement measuring US foreign policy against the principles set forth by Pope Leo XIV in his January 9, 2026 address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited the Holy See. Commenting on the statement, Cardinal... Read More


Text: Cardinal Nichols at 80th Anniversary of UN Inauguration

Image: Methodist Central Hall

Given on 17 January 2026 at Methodist Central Hall for a Service of Thanksgiving on the 80th Anniversary of the Inaugural Meeting of the United Nations. Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, It is a great privilege to stand before you today in this Hall, where exactly eighty years ago the seeds of a fresh global framework were sown. On 10... Read More


Birmingham: CJM MUSIC celebrates 30 years with landmark 'Born for This' Anniversary Production

CJM MUSIC will mark its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a landmark performance of Born for This, its acclaimed musical retelling of the Way of the Cross, at Symphony Hall on Wednesday 25 March 2026. Born out of the music ministry partnership of Jo Boyce and the late Mike Stanley, CJM MUSIC has spent three decades creating music and liturgical resources and offering training and events that serve sc... Read More

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