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Drawing on his extensive experience and journalistic skills, Alf McCreary takes us on a journey of reflection on the unholy alliance between religion and politics, the role of journalists and the importance-and fragility-of truth in a world of 'fake news'. When people talk about the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland, that Irish euphemism for death, suffering, misunderstanding, bitterness, cruelty and... Read More

His Majesty King Charles III will be Patron of the Council of Christians and Jews, it has been announced today. The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ), the nation's first interfaith charity and the leading forum for Christian-Jewish dialogue, has been confirmed as a Royal Patronage following a major review of more than 1,000 charity and organisations to mark the first anniversary of Their Majes... Read More

The Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem writes: May 23rd, 2024 After over 200 days, Israel continues its military operations in Gaza. Israeli air strikes are relentless, killing many indiscriminately and destroying Mosques, residential buildings, ambulances, hospitals, and UN facilities. The little news coming out of Jabalia refugee camp is horrifying. Despite international p... Read More

Gospel of 20 May 2024 John 19:25-34 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, this is your son.' Then to the disciple he said, 'This is your mother.' And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home. After this, Jes... Read More

During his Regina Caeli address from his window of the Apostolic Palace, to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square, on the Solemnity of Pentecost, Pope Francis urged them to ask themselves how well they listen to the Holy Spirit, and offered suggestions on how to better do so, including meditating on the Gospel daily and staying close to the Lord in prayer. Highlighting that in the day's Gospel, ... Read More

Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp writes: More than 200 Talitha Kum delegates from 90 countries gathered in Rome on Saturday for their week-long second General Assembly. The event falls as the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Human Trafficking celebrates the 15th anniversary of its establishment in 2009 under the International Union of Superiors General (UISG). Delegates are meeting o... Read More

Air strikes by the Burmese regular army have hit a Catholic church and a Baptist church in the village of Lungtak, in the town of Tonzang, in the Burmese state of Chin, western Myanmar. The bombardment, which took place between May 11 and 12, also destroyed five houses and villagers have been terrified ever since. Local Fides sources confirm, the affected Catholic church is under the Catholic Dioc... Read More

An invitation has been extended to practising Catholic teachers in the Diocese of East Anglia who do not work in a Catholic school , but who might like to, to hear more about the opportunities available. Director of Schools' Service, Andy Stone, said: "Did you know that the Diocese of East Anglia, along with its two Multi-Academy Trusts, has responsibility for 28 schools across the Diocese? Our ... Read More

Jesuits and Collaborators commemorated the International Day of Living Together in Peace in a two-day seminar on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together at the Shrine Retreat Centre, Veilankanni on 14 and 15 May. The Gandhian Society Villages Association, Devakottai, Our Lady of Health Shrine Basilica, Veilankanni, and Islamic Studies Association joined forces to host the seminar. Ar... Read More

Gospel of 19 May 2024 John 15:26-27, 16:12-15 Jesus said to his disciples: 'When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset. 'I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth... Read More

Councillor Robert Rigby has been elected the new Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster following a vote at Full Council on Wednesday, 15 May. A practising Catholic, the Lord Mayor was educated at Ampleforth as were his two brothers, late father and uncle, and a cousin went on to become a Benedictine monk. The Lord Mayor said: "My education at Ampleforth instilled within me the need to put ot... Read More

In an interview yesterday with L'Osservatore Romano, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, reflected on the impact of the Vatican's new Norms discerning presumed supernatural phenomena on the "Medjugorje case". The Cardinal said: "Regarding Medjugorje, no conclusion has been reached yet, but with these guidelines, we believe it will be easi... Read More

19th May 2024 The Spirit, wonder and memory One of Saint Ephrem the Syrians great hymns is this short one which connects our consumption of the wonder of the Holy Eucharist with the gift of the Holy Spirit we celebrate at Pentecost: "In your bread is hidden the Spirit which cannot be eaten. In your wine dwells the fire that cannot be drunk. Spirit in your bread, fire in your wine: It is a distinct... Read More

Gospel of 18 May 2024 John 21:20-25 Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them - the one who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said to him, 'Lord, who is it that will betray you?' Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, 'What about him, Lord?' Jesus answered, 'If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.' The rumour then went o... Read More