Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
NEWS
Our political leaders have a duty to prioritise dialogue and seek peaceful solutions, say Bishops
UN Disarmament Week, marked from 24-30 October, is recognised internationally as an opportunity to increase awareness around weapons control and disarmament.
Disarmament has become a central theme in the papacy of Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo has extended the idea beyond a focus solely on weapons, reminding us to disarm our words, disarm technology, and seek an ‘unarmed peace’ through dialogue and conversation.
As UN Disarmament Week draws to a close, the lead bishops for Conflict and Peacebuilding, Bishop Nicholas Hudson and Bishop William Kenney, have issued a statement:
PGlobal report warns that violence and extremism are fuelling a Christian exodus
MILLIONS of Christians have been forced from their homes by conflict, extremism and religiously motivated violence, according to a major new report which warns that some of Christianity’s oldest communities face an increasingly uncertain future.
Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith, on Tuesday, 27 October, which concluded that Christian persecution has significantly worsened in more than half of the countries surveyed within the last two years.
10th Anniversary of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain
The Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain marked its 10th anniversary on 17 October. Cardinal George Koovakad presided over the solemn Holy Qurbana, in the presence of Mar Joseph Srampickal, Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, Religious and Faithful from across the Eparchy. A momentous celebration of 10 years of faith and God's abundant blessings.
Pope Leo XIV’s appointment as Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel, Windsor is “symbol of hope”, says Archbishop of Westminster
Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has welcomed the news that Pope Leo XIV has been named a Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The appointment, which was made with the approval of King Charles III, was announced by the Dean and Canons of Windsor announced on Friday, 23 October, on the first anniversay of the historic State Visit to the Holy See, during which the King was welcomed as Royal Confrater of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, in Rome.
Archbishop issues pastoral message to Isle of Man faithful before ‘Assisted Dying’ becomes law on the island
Archbishop John Sherrington, the Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Bishops’ Conference, has issued a pastoral message to Catholics on the Isle of Man expressing his sadness that Royal Assent has been granted to its ‘Assisted Dying’ Bill.
Bishop Swarbrick marks “deeply painful milestone” after ten years of Cameroon crisis
Bishop Paul Swarbrick, Bishop of Lancaster and Lead Bishop for Africa, has issued a statement marking ten years since the beginning of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon.
“Ten years of division and suffering is a deeply painful milestone: a decade marked by loss, trauma, insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. Schools have been targeted in the conflict,so children have missed significant periods of their education. The consequences, sadly, will be felt for generations to come."
We cannot be indifferent to religious persecution, says bishop for Freedom of Religion and Belief
Bishop James Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Lead Bishop for Freedom of Religion and Belief, has issued a statement to mark International Freedom and Belief Day, which falls on 27 October 2026.
“Jesus told his apostles: ‘Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations.’ As Christians, we have a duty to proclaim the Gospel and make the faith known to others. Just as Christians were persecuted in the early Church, today nearly 400 million Christians live in tangible fear of persecution for living the faith. Nor can we be indifferent to the plight of other people of faith and beliefs who are also persecuted for their sincerely held convictions.
Cardinal Koovakad’s UK visit
Cardinal Koovakad’s UK visit
From 16-22 October 2026, His Eminence Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue made his first official Church visit to the UK to meet with representatives of other religions with a particular focus on the Dharmic religions.
Sikh-Christian dialogue
The final dialogue of his first official Church visit to the UK saw Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad spend the day at the Nishkam Centre in Birmingham, headquarters of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), an international Sikh organisation involved in peacebuilding, heritage and conservation projects which operates a number of gurdwaras in the UK, India and Kenya.
The day was titled Sikhs and Christians together to promote solidarity and service for peace in the world, marked the fifth bilateral Sikh-Catholic dialogue meeting since 2001.
Jain-Christian dialogue
This was the penultimate day of Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad’s visit to the UK. The Cardinal, who is Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, was taking part in his first official Church visit to the UK to meet with the Dharmic faiths.
Tuesday’s events centred on Jain-Christian dialogue, with the theme, ‘Together to promote ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence) for peace in the world’.
Hindu-Christian dialogue
On 19 October, the visit of Cardinal Koovakad continued with meetings with representatives from the Hindu faith.
The Cardinal was met by representatives of the BAPS – Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a major Hindu denomination within the Swaminarayan tradition – and taken through to the entrance of the temple where there was a ceremonial welcome.
The delegation was given a tour of the sacred spaces, housed in Europe’s first traditional Hindu stone temple, followed by a gathering in the main hall where members of the Neasden Temple community shared information and testimonies of their experiences of interreligious dialogue.
Ecumenical event with Jewish representation
Cardinal Koovakad’s visit continued on Sunday 18 October with the celebration of Mass in Westminster Cathedral, at which Cardinal Koovakad gave the homily, followed by an ecumenical gathering with Jewish representation at Westminster Cathedral Hall, titled In Prayer for Peace.
In his homily, Cardinal Koovakad observed: “In a world that is increasingly becoming multi-religious, the promotion of cordial interreligious relations is more necessary than ever.” He reminded the congregation that genuine interreligious dialogue requires faith, love and hope from all sides.
Interreligious gathering and ‘Pledge for Peace’
Representatives from the major world religions gathered in Westminster Cathedral Hall in London on Saturday, 17 October, to meet with the head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue to sign a pledge to work together for peace, underpinned by a shared recognition of the dignity of every human person.
PHOTOS
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PODCAST
Taybeh priest talks about the daily struggles in the only Christian village in the West Bank
Father Bashar Fawadleh is the Latin Patriarch Catholic priest from Christ the Redeemer parish in Taybeh – the last entirely Christian village in the West Bank, Palestine.
He joins us on this Middle East Analysis – Special podcast alongside international lawyer, consultant and analyst Dr Harry Hagopian, and Bishop James Curry who is the Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. We are sharing this podcast on our Catholic News channel.
Christ on the Streets of London | Episode 36
Well we always knew that October would be a very busy month and that’s why this episode of At the Foot of the Cross is creeping in just days before November.
Where to start? In October we celebrated our National Eucharistic Congress – Adoremus. Of the many highlights, surely nobody will forget witnessing Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament held high in procession as thousands of people journeyed from one iconic London cathedral to another – St George’s Southwark, over Lambeth Bridge to Westminster’s Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood.
EVENTS
‘You passed me’ homelessness campaign
To mark its 40th anniversary in 2026, The Cardinal Hume Centre is raising awareness of the homelessness you can’t always see.
The You passed me campaign highlights three experiences you may not realise are examples of homelessness: a child growing up in temporary accommodation, a young person sofa surfing and a care leaver without a secure place to call home.
The people you see in the campaign are actors, not clients. We created their stories by bringing together real experiences of young people, children and families we have supported. We have changed and combined details to protect people’s privacy, but the experiences behind the stories are real.
CSAN launches training collaboration with FLEX ahead of Anti-Slavery Day
Caritas Social Action Network are delighted to be launching a brand new training with FLEX (Focus on Labour Exploitation) for those passionate about taking action on extreme labour exploitation and modern slavery, and organising for dignified work.
World Apostolate of Fatima Symposium
22 November 2026
A day of faith, prayer, and renewal under Our Lady's mantle. Keynote speakers; Sr Angela De Fatima Coelho and Fr Lawrence Lew OP.
Come and study with the Maryvale Institute
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.
CAMPAIGN
Welcome the Stranger: Defend the right to asylum
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.