Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
The Bishops had a one-day plenary assembly on Saturday, 18 April, followed by a week of ongoing formation that concluded on Thursday, 23 April. The gathering took place at Convento Palazzola, the Venerable English College's villa and retreat house just outside Rome. The English College is a seminary that prepares men for the priesthood.
The Bishops of England and Wales have elected Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster, as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. He succeeds Cardinal Vincent Nichols, his predecessor in Westminster, who served as President from April 2009. Archbishop Moth said:
“It’s a real privilege to be in this position and I really pray that, with my brother bishops, I’ll be able to serve the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
“We look at the challenges in the world around us and that very often shapes our priorities. But it’s not just about being reactive, it’s about having a real consciousness that the Gospel message is an eternal message, the fact of God’s love for us all, that’s something that’s unchanging, and it’s about bringing that message into the world."
“We stand in solidarity with the Holy Father in his sustained witness and unshakeable commitment to the Gospel of Peace.
“We embrace our responsibility to act as bridge-builders and peacemakers and call upon the faithful, whom we serve in the dioceses of England and Wales, to join us in redoubling our prayers and advocacy for peace and justice.
“We pray that the leaders of all peoples at war open their minds and hearts to the dialogue and encounter necessary to attain a peace which disarms and endures."
On Wednesday 23 April, the bishops of England and Wales gathered in St Peter’s Basilica to celebrate the Holy Mass as part of their Spring Plenary meeting, which took place at the English College’s Convento Palazzola just outside Rome.
The Mass was presided at by Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster, preached the homily.
The Mass took place in the Choir Chapel of St Peter’s Basilica. The Relics of St. John Chrysostom are housed under the altar of the Choir Chapel, which can be found on the left side of the nave of the Basilica.
As the Committee Stage of the Terminally Ill (Adults) End of Life Bill is concluded in the House of Lords, I wish to express gratitude to all those Parliamentarians who have worked tirelessly to preserve the dignity of every human life and ensure that end-of life care remains rooted in compassion and respect until the natural end of life. In both principle and practice, along with many other experts and professionals, Catholics and others have opposed this deeply flawed Bill. I am also deeply thankful to all who have supported Parliamentarians in so many ways, including lobbying, with work, or prayer and writing to parliamentarians
On Sunday 26 April, the Catholic Church marks Good Shepherd Sunday, also known as Vocations Sunday, which was first launched by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
In a video recorded in the Chapel at The English College’s Convento Palazzola just outside Rome, Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Bishop of Plymouth, reflected upon his own journey to the priesthood.
“This is a very special place for me because it was in this place, in this chapel, that I took my first solemn action towards ordination as a priest because I was ordained deacon in this chapel by one of my predecessors, Bishop Cyril Restio of Plymouth.”
Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Chair of the Department for International Affairs and Bishop of Plymouth, and Bishop Jim Curry, Vice-Chair of the Department for International Affairs and Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, have issued a statement to mark the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Armernian Genocide Remembrance Day is held annually to commemorate the victims of the Armenian genocide of 1915, a series of massacres and starvation of 1.5 million Armenians.
On 22 April, a special event took place at the Sacro Convento of Saint Francis in Assisi to mark the launch of the Italian edition of Harmony, the book written by His Majesty The King.
The British Ambassador to the Holy See, Christopher Trott CVO, attended the special event, during which he read a message from His Majesty The King, reflecting on the importance of environmental stewardship and care for creation.
King Charles’ message focused on St Francis, “that, ‘richest of poor men’ who abounded with such insight and spiritual wisdom.”
On Sunday, 19 April, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales held a Holy Hour to pray for the promotion of a culture of life in our lands.
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!
26 April 2026
In 1964, Pope Paul VI, launched the Vocations Sunday, which since then we celebrate on the fourth Sunday of Easter, also called as Good Shepherd Sunday. This year it is on the 26 April 2026, which marks the 63rd Anniversary of World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
As Catholics and people of God we all know that God is calling us and has a plan for each of us. He called each of us by name through our Baptism to holiness. He continues to call and cry out to us each day to be his disciples, some to the married life, some to the priesthood or the diaconate, some to religious life or to live as kind single people. Everybody is called! What is God calling you to?
Along with the whole Church, let us pray for vocations today. Let us take time to stir the hearts and minds of the people around us to think about the topic of Vocation. The National Office for Vocation invites you to talk and encourage children, young people, grandchildren, students, family members to respond generously to the calling of the Lord.
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.
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.
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.
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.
St George's Roman Catholic Church