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Intense attacks on Ukraine shatter hopes for peace talks

Freezing cold queues for basic food supplies

"I wrap my baby in a blanket... and when it gets extremely cold, I try to carry her in my arms more often, so she can warm up from my body heat." - Mariana, Ukrainian mother Postponed talks between US, Ukraine and Russian envoys are due to get underway in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 4 February. Meanwhile, life for Ukrainians, in sub-zero temperatures, is made harder by unrelenting attacks. The one-w... Read More


Cuba: Oil sanctions will hit the poorest and weakest warn bishops

A service taking place in a demolished church in Floro Perez, Holguin Diocese, Cuba. Image © ACN

Church leaders have warned that Cuba will suffer "social chaos and violence" if fuel blockades are introduced. The Catholic Bishops of Cuba united at the weekend to direct a message to "all Cubans of good will" especially those who make decisions on the behalf of the Caribbean country. Relations between the USA and Cuba have become tense following Donald Trump's order, on 29th January 2026, to san... Read More


Ian Linden: Turning ploughshares into swords

Pope Francis meets Italian Red Cross volunteers. Image: Vatican Media Divisione Foto

At a rough estimate, the Church runs 3,100 hospitals and 15,000 clinics in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). From Pope John XXII's Mater et Magistra in 1961 to Pope Leo's Fratelli Tutti in 2020, the Church has consistently called the rich nations to action: supporting the poorest, engaging their citizens in development, reducing indebtedness, extending the outreach and effectiveness of the Cat... Read More


Una Voce International and Latin Mass Society voice concern at news of SSPX ordinations

Una Voce International and the Latin Mass Society have expressed their concern the announcement by the Superior General of the Society of St Pius X (SSPX), Fr Davide Pagliarani, that the SSPX will carry out Episcopal consecrations on 1st July this year. In a statement today, (Tuesday 3 February) they say: "Our ardent wish, shared by many Catholics of good will, is for the canonical regularisation ... Read More

UK Benedictine Monks assist Australian school restoring statue of Our Lady and Child

A touching collaboration between two Roman Catholic institutions has brought together a monastic community in the United Kingdom and a rural school in Australia to restore a cherished statue of Our Lady and the Child Jesus. Benedictine monks of St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth responded generously when Michael Green, Principal of Mt Carmel School in Yass, New South Wales, sought help to repair his ... Read More


Gospel in Art: Whoever humbles himself will be exalted

The Lindau Gospels, Latin manuscript with jeweled gold cover,   780-880 © The Morgan Library, New York

3 February 2026 Matthew 23:8-12 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'You are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will ... Read More


Pope tells religious: You are witnesses to Jesus even when weapons roar

A moment before the Mass. Image Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass on the 30th World Day for Consecrated Life today, praising consecrated men and women for living out their faith even in the most difficult of circumstances, and inviting them to be 'leavens of peace' and 'signs of hope.' "Through your commitment to follow Christ more closely - sharing in his self-emptying and in his life in the Spirit - you can show the world the way t... Read More


Liverpool: School celebrates Feast Day of its patron saint

Whole school Mass for Feast of St John Bosco

Students and staff at St John Bosco Arts College, Croxteth, recently came together to celebrate and honour its school's patron saint, St John Bosco. Founder of the Salesians, St John Bosco is the patron saint of young people known for his dedication to education and inspiring children by captivating their interests in a loving and kindly manner, building strong relationships through respect and un... Read More


What ethical and moral principles guide your behaviour?

Leela M Ramdeen

Leela Ramdeen, Consultant, Trinidad and Tobago Catholic Commission for Social Justice & Attorney-at-Law writes: Albert Camus's statement is noteworthy. He said: "A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world." As a Catholic, there are a number of guiding ethical and moral principles that exist to guide my behaviour. They influence how I make decisions and how I live my life. We a... Read More


Plater Trust seeks part-time Grant Administrator

Recruiting Now! Could you join us in our Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in action mission to make a positive difference for vulnerable people? An exciting opportunity has opened up at the CPT for a part-time administrator to come on board. If you want to be part of our grant making mission, and care about values driven educational social action, lay leadership and applied research projects, then w... Read More


Fr Matthew Carlin appointed Vice Rector of Pontifical Scots College, Rome

Fr Matthew Carlin

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr Matthew Carlin as Vice Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome. Fr Matthew, a priest of the Diocese of Paisley, will take up this important role in the coming months, assisting the Rector in the formation of Scottish seminarians preparing for priestly ministry. He succeeds Fr Nick Welsh, whose dedicated service... Read More


Gospel in Art: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Candlemass Day,  by Marianne Stokes,  1901  © Tate Britain, Londonpel-readi

Gospel of 2 February 2026 Luke 2:22-32 When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, 'Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord') and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, 'a pair of turtle-doves... Read More


Presentation of the Lord - Reflection with Canon Robin Gibbons

Rembrandt

February 2nd 2026 One of my liturgical losses is that of the period between the Epiphany and the Presentation, Candlemas! The Anglicans keep these Sundays as Epiphanytide or Sundays after Epiphany which keeps our deep and ancient tradition of Christmas lasting until the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - which in some way helped keep a light burning in our minds and prayers during the let down ... Read More


Pope Leo joins Cuban Bishops calling for dialogue with US

Photo by JF Martin on Unsplash

Amid a rise in tension between Cuba and the United States, Pope Leo XIV has called all parties to "sincere and effective dialogue," for the good of the Cuban people. Speaking at the Angelus on Sunday, the Pope expressed "great concern" over the situation. "I join the message of the Cuban Bishops, inviting all those responsible to promote sincere and effective dialogue, in order to avoid violence a... Read More

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