Holy Hour for the Dignity of Life

Sunday 19 April – 4:30pm

Join with the Bishops of England and Wales to pray a Holy Hour for the dignity of all human life as peers in the House of Lords continue to debate whether to make Assisted Suicide law.

On Sunday, 19 April at 4:30 pm (UK time), the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales will hold a Holy Hour to pray for the promotion of a culture of life in our lands.

We are asking the parishes and Catholic communities of our two nations to unite and hold a Holy Hour on the same day as the Bishops.

Even just one of these children – announced as title of World Migrants Day

The Catholic Church’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees will focus this year on minors on the move, recalling the duty to welcome each one of them as the Gospel teaches us.

“Even just one of these children” is the theme that Pope Leo XIV has chosen for the 112th edition of the day, which will be marked on Sunday, 27 September 2026.

The decision was announced Thursday by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Pope Leo XIV: A pilgrim in Africa

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, outlined the Apostolic Journey that Pope Leo XIV will undertake from 13 to 23 April in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.

Briefing journalists during a press conference on Thursday, he illustrated the visit which spans four countries over eleven days and will include addresses in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Among the main themes he will address are those of peace, migration, the environment, young people and the family. Bruni also highlighted the fact that no special security measures are planned.

Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia: Ensure your vote counts in Senedd Election

Archbishop Mark O’Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, has written to Catholics in Wales urging them to vote in the upcoming Senedd Election, which will take place on Thursday, 7 May.

The Senedd is the Welsh Parliament where decisions are made about many aspects of life in Wales, like health, education, housing, transport, and the environment. Members of the Senedd (MSs) play a crucial role in checking Welsh Government plans and spending, and suggest improvements to make things better for everyone in Wales.

In his letter, Archbishop O’Toole calls on Catholics to “participate actively in these elections and to fulfil their civic duty by voting for candidates who will best uphold the dignity of the human person and the common good.”

Archbishop Sherrington announces theme for Day for Life in Annunciation reflection

Archbishop John Sherrington has announced the theme for this year’s Day for Life in a reflection for the Feast of the Annunciation.In his contemplation on the Virgin Mary’s ‘Yes’, Archbishop Sherrington calls to mind that:

“God chose to enter the world as an unborn child, embracing the fullness of human existence from its earliest stage. His coming reveals that at every point of development, the child in the womb is a unique and irreplaceable human person. This truth is now even reflected in certain civil procedures such as the granting of baby loss certificates to bereaved parents who lose a little one during pregnancy.

”Turning towards the Day for Life, Archbishop Sherrington announced:

“This same truth will form the theme of the forthcoming Day for Life, which will take place on Sunday, 21 June. The day will invite us to reflect on the humanity of the unborn and to acknowledge with compassion the deep grief experienced by parents who lose a child before or shortly after birth.”

Safeguarding bishop encourages support for DBS Faith in Safeguarding campaign

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is running a national campaign called Faith in Safeguarding to help faith communities and faith-based organisations better understand the legal duty to make barring referrals – the requirement under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 to notify DBS when someone is removed from a role due to safeguarding concerns.

The Faith in Safeguarding campaign raises awareness of the legal duty to refer – the process organisations must follow by law when there are safeguarding concerns about individuals in regulated activity, increasing understanding of when referrals must be made, how the process works, and why it matters.

The Art (and Music) of Dying Well

The life, Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus have provided rich and provoking subject matter for composers and artists for many hundreds of years, so for this joint Catholic News/Art of Dying Well podcast we’re joined by priest and art afficionado Father Patrick van der Vorst.

Where do we start with the ebullient Fr Patrick? Three years a priest, but in a former life he was a head auctioneer, entrepreneur, Belgian TV personality, and an investment-securing Dragons’ Den contestant!

Contact a Peer to oppose Assisted Suicide

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has passed through the House of Commons and is now with the House of Lords. Our clear principled objection to the Bill remains. The House of Lords has a responsibility to scrutinise the Bill in depth and reject it if necessary.

Unlike MPs, Members of the House of Lords do not have constituents, meaning there is not a Peer whose job it is to represent you based on the area of the country in which you live. For this reason you should take some time to think about which Peer you will write to and why, such as whether you have a personal or professional connection with them, or you have professional expertise in medicine or healthcare.

Please visit this link for full guidance to help you write to a Peer.

Our Common Home: Engaging Politicans

13 April 2026

With the May local elections fast approaching, now is an important time to let politicians know your views on climate and justice. Following a meeting with the Catholic Diocesan Environment Leads of England and Wales, an alliance of organisations has come together to offer parishioners guidance on key environmental issues and to help them engage local politicians in dialogue about defending our common home and safeguarding the dignity of all our brothers and sisters.

National Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse 2026

5 May 2026

The National Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse takes place every year on the fifth Tuesday of Easter. In 2026, the day is marked on Tuesday, 5 May.

The theme for this year’s Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse looks at the scourge of domestic abuse which causes pain and fear that prevent its victims from living the life Jesus came to bring.

Immediately before the much-loved part of this verse from the Gospel of John, we hear Jesus’s words: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” This is how abuse feels to those who experience it – their dignity and value as a unique child of God is stripped away and destroyed.

2026 Senedd Election

7 May 2026

The Senedd Election will take place on Thursday, 7 May 2026. Ahead of the election, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has issued a document outlining the work of the Catholic Church in Wales as well as the Catholic community’s main policy requests.

The Senedd is the Welsh Parliament where decisions are made about many aspects of life in Wales, like health, education, housing, transport, and the environment. Members of the Senedd (MSs) play a crucial role in checking Welsh Government plans and spending, and suggest improvements to make things better for everyone in Wales. More official information, including how to register, here.

Conference: Dignity of Workers in the 21st Century

15 May 2026

Cartias Social Action Network (CSAN) has opened bookings for a one-day symposium reflecting on the enduring relevance of Rerum Novarum (1891) and its vision for the dignity of work in the 21st century.

Now, 135 years after Pope Leo XIII’s landmark social encyclical, we gather to examine how its principles speak into contemporary economic realities: automation, the gig economy, low pay, migration, social care, and the future of work.

Come and study with the Maryvale Institute

The Maryvale Institute offers a full range of programmes for every ability, from easy short courses to a five-year PhD programme. Want to deepen your faith? Thinking about getting more involved with your parish, Catholic organisation or Diocese? Would you like to teach in Catholic institutions? One of these courses may be for you.