Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
Archbishop John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool and Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Bishops’ Conference, has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham's call for palliative care services to be properly funded.
The Prime Minister has stated that palliative care and social care funding need to be "fixed" so that vulnerable people can have "peace of mind" about the care that they receive towards the end of their life.
Archbishop John Sherrington said: "It is highly significant that the Prime Minister has confirmed his position about the need for proper palliative and social care ahead of the Second Reading of the fundamentally flawed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in September. People who are dying are vulnerable and need compassionate care and spiritual accompaniment until their last breath."
Bishop Peter Collins, the Bishop of East Anglia, has called the reintroduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill a "watershed moment for our country", and has called for greater resources to be directed towards palliative care services.
In a video message, Bishop Collins echoes the voices of his brother bishops, saying that "the Bill is fundamentally flawed, lacking adequate reflection and sufficient scrutiny."
Among the several problematic issues identified in the draft legislation, Bishop Collins explains: "The Bill leaves many matters unresolved regarding its practical application and its profound implications for those who are disabled or vulnerable. Rather than any consideration of assisted suicide, our society should surely be addressing the need to establish and resource a universal provision of palliative care across the country."
The parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza, Fr Gabriel Romanelli, has renewed his appeal for urgent humanitarian assistance, warning that the situation in the Strip has deteriorated to the point where even the word "disastrous" is no longer sufficient to describe it.
"When people say the situation here is disastrous, believe me: it really is disastrous - if anything, it calls for an even stronger word," the Argentine-born priest says in a video message shared by the parish's social media channels and in remarks to the Italian Catholic news agency SIR. Fr Romanelli describes a daily struggle in which even short journeys have become increasingly difficult. Most of the parish's vehicles are no longer usable because spare parts are unavailable.
Bishop Mark Davies has written to the Catholics of the Diocese of Shrewsbury asking them to urge their MP to vote against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The Bill, that seeks to legalise assisted suicide, will have its second reading and vote on Friday, 11 September.
“As Christians we oppose medical killing in principle,” writes Bishop Davies. “The sanctity of human life is one of the great gifts which Christianity brought to human civilisation.” Calling on Catholics to be 'resolute' and 'tireless' in standing up for the value and dignity of every human life, Bishop Davies points out that the Bill also threatens the most vulnerable and that, instead, we should point out the need for adequate provision of palliative care, seen in "the wonderful work of our hospices.”
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.”
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Abbot Hugh Allan joins us again this month for an episode of At the Foot of the Cross that amplifies the Bishops’ call for Catholics, and those of goodwill who stand against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, to contact their MPs to ask them to vote against making assisted suicide law. The Bill’s Second Reading and vote takes place on Friday, 11 September 2026.
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.
6 - 9 August 2026
Every year, on 6 and 9 August, we remember the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In an increasingly fragile world, where the nuclear threat has once again become a tangible reality, this commemoration is not only a moment of mourning, but a genuine call to conscience.
13 September 2026
Education Sunday is marked this year on 13 September - just after the new academic year starts. The theme for 2026 is drawn from its Gospel reading of Matthew 18:21-35: I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
1 October 2026
Laudato si’ calls for education to promote environmental citizenship; an education which is, by its very nature, a lifelong journey of formation. Pope Francis suggested that education is designed not merely to promote knowledge but also to “instil good habits”. In this sense, education is a way of shaping how we live in relationship with God, Creation and one another.
Held to celebrate the Season of Creation, this webinar will explore the theme chosen by the World Council of Churches, “Immersion in Living Water”, through the lens of education – not as something confined to schools or academia, but as a lifelong journey of formation, ecological conversion, and daily habits and actions.
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 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.”
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.
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