Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
Sunday, 20 September is Home Mission Sunday. It’s the day in the Church’s calendar when we pray for and support the vital work of evangelisation throughout England and Wales.
In a short filmed message, speaking on behalf of the Bishops, the Right Reverend Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth, emphasised that many more people should come to know ‘the God who made them’.
“The cry of displaced children rises to God today,” Pope Leo said in his Message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which the Church observes on September 27th. The Pope’s message was released today by the Holy See Press Office.
This year’s day features the theme “Even just one of these children,” from the Gospel according to St. Matthew.
Archbishop John Sherrington, the Archbishop of Liverpool and Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Bishops’ Conference, has offered his gratitude and thanks to those who wrote to their MPs to stop the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill progressing through parliament. Archbishop Sherrington also expressed his gratitude to disability rights groups and legal and healthcare professionals for raising a collective voice to uphold “the dignity and sanctity of every life.”
MPs voted 286 to 270 – a majority of 16 – against the Bill at its second reading in the House of Commons, following a debate in which MPs on both sides shared heartfelt personal accounts.
The Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, Mark O’Toole, has welcomed the decision by MPs to reject the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, calling the outcome a victory for the dignity of every human life and for all who campaigned to protect the vulnerable.
MPs voted 286 to 270 – a majority of 16 – against the Bill at its second reading in the House of Commons, following a debate in which MPs on both sides shared heartfelt personal accounts.
The result marks a reversal from the previous vote on the legislation, which passed its third reading by 314 votes to 291 last year before ultimately falling in the House of Lords. A number of MPs who had previously supported the Bill changed their position, abstained, or were absent this time, tipping the balance against it.
Following the vote against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill last week, Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) reflects on its impact and ways forward.
Many Catholic organisations, led by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, have been vocal in opposing iterations of the assisted dying bill which have come before UK Parliament in the past two years. CSAN released a statement when the Bill was first proposed in 2024, which you can read here, including our reasons for campaigning. Although we are relieved at the outcome which stops the Bill’s progression, we have a responsibility to make space for compassion, understanding and nuance within this discourse to avoid the traps of polarisation.
Delegates from across Europe gathered from 14-17 September 2026 in Bildungshaus Schloss Puchberg, an adult education centre in Wels, Austria, for a symposium on synodality organised by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE).
The symposium was hosted by CCEE in partnership with the Research Group of the Department for Synodality at the Catholic Private University Linz and the European Taskforce of the CCEE.
Representing England were Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Fr Francis Higgins, Alex Shelton-Bourke and Avril Baigent.Bishop Hudson, the Bishop of Plymouth, reflects on the key themes, discussions and insights that emerged during the Symposium.
On the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate, which opened a new chapter in relations between Catholics and believers of other faiths, three Vatican Dicasteries publish a Note entitled A Journey of Hope, renewing the call to counter fundamentalism, protect religious freedom, and build coexistence founded on fraternity.
At the time, it was a turning point in relations between Catholics and Jews and with believers of other faiths, as well as a beacon of hope in the aftermath of the Second World War.
On 16 September 2026, trustees and collaborators from Catholics in Fundraising CIO (CiF) presented a copy of the recently published Catholic Generosity report to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in St Peter’s Square following the Holy Father’s General Audience.
Presenting the report to Pope Leo, John Green, Chair of the charity, noted how the report spoke of the importance of making the Church’s teaching on wealth, stewardship, philanthropy, ethical investment and estate planning more widely known amongst Catholics.
Pope Leo has sent a telegram to Rome’s Chief Rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, with a message for the whole Jewish community for the feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
“I hope that these celebrations may be an occasion of abundant blessings from the Almighty and a source of joy.” That was the Pope’s greeting, in a telegram addressed to Rome’s Chief Rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, and “the entire dear Jewish community” on the occasion of the forthcoming solemn celebrations of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
Bishop John Arnold, Lead Bishop for Environmental Issues for the Bishops’ Conference, has issued a statement halfway through the Season of Creation highlighting how the world’s violent conflicts are impacting on our common home. Bishop Arnold also reminds us that we all have a part to play: “We must never assume that changing our own hearts and our own behaviour will have no impact.”
On 11 September 2026, the Nuncio met with survivors while visiting a Medaille Trust safe house gifted to the charity by the Archdiocese of Liverpool. During the visit he heard firsthand of the difficulties facing survivors in the UK to be recognised and supported to rebuild their lives and the work and contribution of Catholic volunteers and projects.
Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has issued a statement decrying the violence engulfing the Holy Land and stating that the two-state solution should “remain the goal of all people of good will.”
St Peter’s Residence is a ‘gold standard’ care home for the elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Vauxhall, London.
In these days, when MPs in parliament are considering legalising assisted suicide, places like St Peter’s offer an alternative approach by providing round-the-clock care and compassionate accompaniment until one’s last breath.
We are proud to provide high-quality professional photography to take our viewers on a journey to the transcendent - to Jesus Christ. Our Flickr photo galleries showcase the life and witness of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Total views of our photos have surpassed 100 million. These images are free to use for non-commercial purposes - the only request is that a simple credit is run: Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.
Our podcast this month focuses, in the main, on evangelisation and how we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ across our lands. We celebrate ‘Home Mission Sunday’ each year on the Third Sunday in September – 20 September in 2026 – so it’s prophetic that we welcome our regular studio guest Abbot Hugh Allan into the studio to talk about this important day when we pray for the work of evangelisation and support it in any way we can.
20 September 2026
Those with long memories will be familiar with Home Mission Sunday. It is the name given to the day we ask our parishes to pray for the work of evangelisation and to support this vital work through a second collection. A few years ago, this day was re-named Evangelii Gaudium Sunday after Pope Francis's Apostolic Exhortation ‘The Joy of the Gospel'. Now, in 2026, we revert to using the original name.
On Home Mission Sunday the bishops of England and Wales ask the faithful across our countries to look for ways in which we can all do our part in sharing the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus Christ. Resources, prayers and more can be found in our special section.
20 September - 26 September 2026
The World Council of Churches (WCC) and Pax Christi England and Wales are offering resources and prayers for the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2026, which runs from 20-26 September.
27 September 2026
The Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for them as they face many challenges; and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers.
1 September - 4 October 2026
The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, celebrated on 1 September, is the official start of the Season of Creation, a time of sustained prayer and action which lasts a month and four days. During this season we are encouraged to pray and engage in community events in order to deepen our relationship with God, our neighbour and the earth we share, being ever more attentive to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
26 October 2026
Everyone is welcome to this conference, Hosted by St Mary's College Twickenham, on the rapid development of AI and the recent publication by Pope Leo XIV of the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.
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.
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: 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.”
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