Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
The last Christian town in the West Bank, Taybeh, has been declared a closed military zone by the Israeli army. The army, the IDF, says that this is to address ongoing attacks by illegal settlers on the town. Bishop James Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops’ Conference, has expressed his concern at the move.
“I was deeply alarmed to hear that Taybeh has been declared a closed military zone prohibiting Israelis, foreign nationals, and journalists from entering. It is claimed that this is designed to prevent attacks on residents by Israeli settlers, but it is far from clear that this move will achieve that objective. The Israeli government must find a way of protecting the legitimate communities from settler violence whilst allowing citizens to go about their normal business."
An extraordinary Catholic church in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan – Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s constituency – has been upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* listed status by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), on the advice of Historic England.
Built between 1925-1930 and considered one of the finest early-20th century churches in England, St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith church has walls of pink and buff Darley Dale and Parbold stone which are carved with a variety of Norman-style detail including grotesque faces of angels and demons and decorated arches – no two carvings are the same. Most striking of all is the spiky stone conical roof of the circular stair tower.
Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Healthcare for the Bishops’ Conference, has once again raised his voice in opposition to the controversial puberty blockers trial after a High Court judge ruled that children as young as 11 can be recruited to take part.
"It is particularly alarming to see that the clinical trial prescribing puberty blockers to children, run by King’s College London, is going ahead. Over 220 children, some as young as 11, are currently being recruited for the trial. We have previously expressed our concerns about this trial and its potential impact on children. Gender dysphoria is a condition that can have a profound impact on young people today and on their families."
Archbishop John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark, has issued a message warning of the dangers of a renewed attempt by some MPs to legalise assisted suicide, urging each of us to make our voices heard in opposition to this deadly proposal.
In his message, Archbishop Wilson describes the proposed legislation as “a terrifying and deadly law: a law whose ultimate purpose is to end human life”. The Archbishop warns that, if passed, it would undermine the God-given right to life of elderly and vulnerable people, and could leave many grandparents, parents and loved ones feeling that death is their only remaining choice.
In a pastoral letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Nottingham, Bishop Patrick McKinney urgently called for Catholics to write to their MPs to share their concerns ahead of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, 11 September.
The letter, that was read at all Sunday Masses in the Diocese of Nottingham over the weekend of 8-9 August, raised the Bishop’s key concerns beyond the Church’s consistent principled stance against the Bill: the widespread opposition from many professional bodies involved in healthcare, the impact on the established legal order, broadening criteria in places where assisted suicide is law, the redefinition of care and the relationship between medical professionals and patients, and the need to first fix the funding of palliative care and social care – as Prime Minister himself has highlighted.
Bishop James Curry, Lead Bishop for Freedom of Religion and Belief, has written to the Prime Minister to ask him to follow the lead of his predecessors in doing everything possible to secure the release of Jimmy Lai. Mr Lai, a British citizen, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison under the Hong Kong government’s national security laws which have been widely condemned.
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
MESSAGES - ASSISTED SUICIDE
Assisted Suicide legislation could initiate ‘paradigm shift’ in how we value and protect life
Proper care is the right alternative to killing by assisted suicide
Archbishop Longley urges strengthening of palliative care services
Be 'resolute' and 'tireless' in valuing every human life and opposing assisted suicide
Stop fundamentally flawed bill and focus on palliative care
Archbishop welcomes Prime Minister’s support
for palliative care
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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.
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: 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: 21 September 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.”
We are looking for a Partnerships and Public Affairs Officer help deliver the partnerships and public affairs strategy of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, including the Catholic Education Service (CES). The role requires a someone who can deliver a particular focus on engagement with Government and Parliament in both Westminster and Cardiff.
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) is recruiting a Board Secretary and Religious Life Groups Coordinator committed to the ongoing development of the independent safeguarding inspectorate of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding and experience of supporting a committed and dynamic Board and liaising with Catholic Religious Life Groups.
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