Statement from Archbishop John Sherrington on the upcoming Third Reading of the Assisted Suicide Bill

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted suicide, is fast approaching its decisive vote in the House of Commons which will likely take place on either the 13 or 20 of June. The Catholic bishops of England and Wales oppose this flawed bill both in principle and in practice.

Oppose Assisted Suicide

In early September 2024, when parliament returned and a Bill on assisted suicide – so-called assisted dying – started its passage through the House of Lords, our Lead Bishop for Life Issues, Archbishop-elect John Sherrington, called for Catholics to unite in prayer and compassionate action.

That call is renewed now, urgently, as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, has passed through Second Reading and is now at Report Stage, which started on Friday, 16 May. The Third Reading and vote is likely to take place on Friday, 13 June or 20 June, at which time a decision will be made on whether to legalise assisted suicide and make this Bill law.

We need you to contact your MP now – even if you have already done so in the past – to voice your opposition.

Pope Leo prays society will defend a civilisation founded on ‘authentic love and genuine compassion’

Pope Leo XIV has sent a special message to Catholics and people of goodwill celebrating Day for Life on Sunday, 15 June, to assure them of his spiritual closeness at this time.

The Pope’s message was conveyed by the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in a letter to the Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Archbishop John Sherrington.

Catholic Church welcomes additional Free School Meals for children in poverty

The Catholic community has responded in support of the Government’s announcement on Wednesday 4 June to increase the entitlement of Free Schools Meals to children in households that receive universal credit.

Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service, said: “Our schools serve some of the most deprived communities in the country, with school staff going above and beyond to alleviate child poverty.

The 2025 National Jubilee Walking Pilgrimage of Hope opens for day pilgrim registration

The Pilgrimage of Hope is a national walking pilgrimage for England & Wales with four main Ways converging at the Cathedral of St Barnabas, Nottingham, on Saturday 13 September 2025, the eve of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is an initiative of the Hearts in Search of God project.

The Ways start at the Catholic cathedrals in Cardiff, Leeds, Norwich and London and will bless our nations with a Sign of the Cross. The routes use established hiking routes and are off road as much as possible. A small group of ‘perpetual pilgrims’ will walk the full distance of each Way, with up to 20 day pilgrims joining for day stages. There are potential feeder routes to the four main Ways from all the other Catholic cathedrals of England & Wales. It is now possible for pilgrims to register for day stages.

Saint Charles Lwanga Reflection

Charles Lwanga (1 January 1860 – 3 June 1886) was a Ugandan convert to the Catholic Church who was martyred with a group of his peers and is revered as a Saint. Charles Lwanga’s feast day was celebrated on Tuesday 3 June.

Jane Onoo, a parishioner of the Nigerian Catholic Chaplaincy England & Wales has written a reflection on our Ugandan Saint.

Day for Life

Sunday 15 June

The Church teaches that life is to be nurtured from conception to natural death. In England and Wales, Day for Life is celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year. This year it falls on 15 June.

The theme is Finding meaning in Suffering – Hope does not Disappoint. It is inspired by Romans 5:5-6. St Paul invites us to see that Christian hope is not just naïve optimism but, rather, an unshakeable trust in the power and presence of God who is with us always. This hope can endure the darkness of human suffering and even see beyond it.

Oppose the two-child cap policy

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales continues to be seriously concerned about the implications of the current two-child policy on Universal Credit payments for vulnerable, larger families.

Introduced in 2017, the policy has been undermining the financial security of families with three or more children. Such families often have no choice but to make claims for Universal Credit as a result of common, but unpredictable, life events, such as job loss or the onset of disability. The majority of families affected by the two-child policy are working families.

The UK Government is reviewing the cap as part of the work of the newly formed Child Poverty Taskforce. Please use the online form to take action, contact your MP, and make your voice heard on this important issue.

WeBelieve – A Festival of Catholic Life

25 – 28 July 2025

WeBelieve is a feast of Catholic faith, ‘ever ancient, ever new’. The festival programme is drawn from the rich traditions of the Church and the legacy of a pivotal network of evangelists. Venue and stream schedules are coming soon!

Mission Adviser

We are looking for a Mission Adviser to work with a dynamic and committed team working collaboratively with colleagues supporting the Bishops of England and Wales to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ passed to us through Holy Scripture and the magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Mass of Installation of John Sherrington as Tenth Archbishop of Liverpool

Photos from the Mass of Installation of John Sherrington as the Tenth Archbishop of Liverpool, held on Tuesday 27 May.

Evening Prayer on the Eve of the Installation of the Tenth Archbishop of Liverpool

Photos from the Evening Prayer held on the eve of the Installation of the Tenth Archbishop of Liverpool, John Sherrington, Monday 26 May.