Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
A Private Members’ Bill on assisted suicide – so-called assisted dying – has been reintroduced to the House of Commons. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will have its Second Reading and vote on Friday, 11 September 2026.
Our clear principled objection to this Bill remains and we renew our call for Catholics and people of goodwill to unite in prayer and compassionate action. Archbishop Richard Moth, President of the Bishops’ Conference, explains our strong opposition to this legislation:
“The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which aims to legalise assisted suicide has returned to the House of Commons, and Members of Parliament will vote on its Second Reading on 11 September. This bill is wrong in principle. It is also deeply flawed and, if passed, could lead to vulnerable people feeling pressured into ending their lives.
“The Bill has a serious lack of protection for health and social care staff and risks putting many wonderful hospices and care homes in the position of no longer being able to operate.
“I urge you to write to your Members of Parliament to petition them to vote against the Bill at Second Reading.”
More InformationTake Action: Contact your MP
Archbishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has expressed his deep disappointment that the Terminally III Adults (End of Life) Bill will return to parliament in autumn:
“I am deeply disappointed that the previously unsuccessful Terminally III Adults (End of Life) Bill is being reintroduced in the House of Commons. It is likely to be debated in September.”
In 2026, Marriage Care celebrates its 80th anniversary. Initially established to help couples experiencing relationship breakdown after the Second World War, Marriage Care has adapted over the decades.
Roger Carr-Jones, Chair of Marriage Care and Marriage and Family Life Coordinator for Westminster Diocese explains:
“Over the last 60 to 70 years, there has been a significant change in understanding of how relationships work. We’ve moved from a functional model – the man does this, the woman does that – to understanding that it’s relational, and we see that also reflected in changes in Church teaching, particularly since the Second Vatican Council.”
An immersive audio visual experience in Westminster Cathedral is wowing audiences this summer. Luminiscence, a ground-breaking take on the concept of son et lumière, is a 360° video projection concert that narrates the story of London and the iconic Neo-Byzantine mother church of the Diocese of Westminster.
Voiced by Paddington and Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville, this 50-minute performance is more than just a light show, it uses 24 laser projectors, which bring the Cathedral to life in breath-taking ways with colour and imagery, culminating in a vision of what the Cathedral may one day look like fully covered in mosaics. The stunning visuals are blended with live performances of the great composers brought to life by the Lux Aeterna choir.
Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Safeguarding for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and Sister Una Coogan CJ, the Lead Religious for Safeguarding for the Conference of Religious, have responded to the publication of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA)’s thematic review of survivors’ experiences of safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
A major renewable energy project has been completed at the Solihull headquarters of the Columban Missionaries in Britain, with 116 solar panels now generating clean electricity as part of the charity’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability.
The new system, which became operational on 9 June 2026, is expected to generate around 52 MWh of renewable electricity each year, reduce the organisation’s reliance on grid electricity by more than 70%, and cut annual carbon emissions by over 7.2 tonnes. Any excess electricity generated will be exported back to the National Grid.
Nurturing one’s marriage is not a seasonal endeavour. Hard work and commitment are needed on a daily basis to keep the ship sailing straight. Summer, however, presents the opportunity to take a little time off for rest and recouperation – family time when, for a few precious weeks, we can hit the reset button after the rigours of the first six months of the year.
As we enter the summer months, it seems appropriate to focus this episode of At the Foot of the Cross on rest and recuperation.
Once again, we’re joined by Abbot Hugh Allan O.Praem, our Director of Mission, who joins us to discuss the theology of rest and how his Norbertine community recharge their batteries to stay close to the Lord. As he says, it’s more Peckham than Benidorm.
12 July 2026
Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. The number of crews abandoned by their employers is still at a record high. Many are stillbeing denied the right to leave their ships for even a short break away from the relentless noise andpressure onboard.
10 October 2026
There are two main strands to the Adoremus National Eucharistic Congress in 2026.
In London, there will be a representative gathering of the Church with bishops, priests, and people. No less important is how Adoremus is marked in our parishes throughout England and Wales. Local Masses, processions of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Hours will unite these local events with the national gathering. Footage from the London event will be made available to enable remote participation.
18 October - 23 October 2026
The Jesuit Institute is offering this online week of guided prayer for those who have been affected by the scandal of Clergy Abuse in the church. Whether you have been affected directly or indirectly by this issue, this week will offer you safe space to prayerfully reflect on and explore your relationship with God as you are experiencing it in your life just now.
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.
Deadline: 15 September 2026
Christian Art are delighted to launch a national Catholic schools Art Competition in the lead-up to Adoremus this October, organised by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. A key feature of Adoremus will be the Blessed Sacrament prayerfully processed from Southwark Cathedral to Westminster Cathedral, so we invite young people to reflect creatively on themes such as the Blessed Sacrament, the presence of Jesus, and the beauty of our cathedrals.
Deadline to register interest: 31 July 2026
An ecumenical partnership between the Bishops’ Conference ‘God who Speaks’ project, St John’s Waterloo, and Art + Christianity, has made an open call for artists, graphic designers and illustrators from across the UK to design a cover for any of the 73 books of the Bible.
Titled Divine Designs: Between the Covers this art competition and exhibition celebrates creativity and innovation, and seeks to promote a greater visual awareness and understanding of the Bible today.
“From cover to cover, we are celebrating the Bible,” said Fleur Dorrell, Biblical Apostolate Manager for the Bishops’ Conference. “In 73 books – from Genesis to Revelation – the Bible is the greatest story ever told. Our passion is to bring each book alive through the medium of art in this unique competition and exhibition.”
Today, people seeking asylum in the UK are facing laws and policies that deny their dignity. Families are kept apart. People are forced into poverty and isolation. Many live in fear, unable to rebuild their lives even after being recognised as refugees.
As Christians, we cannot accept a system that treats people as problems to be managed rather than neighbours to be welcomed. Together, we can build a society that welcomes, protects, and stands alongside people seeking safety.
St George's Roman Catholic Church