On Sunday 26 October, representatives from six different religions will come together at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham to mark the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate. The national celebration of Nostra Aetate‘s diamond jubilee includes Sung Vespers with reflections from Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Christian representatives, and a panel discussion on death literacy research exploring challenges faced by faith communities in end-of-life care settings.
Nostra Aetate – ‘In Our Time’ – was a ground-breaking declaration of the Second Vatican Council focusing on the Catholic Church’s relations with non-Christian religions. Read more.
Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Nicholas Hudson as new Bishop of Plymouth
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Right Reverend Nicholas Hudson as the new Bishop of Plymouth.
On hearing of his appointment, Bishop Hudson, Bishop-elect of Plymouth said:
“I am deeply grateful to Pope Leo XIV for appointing me; and I do not take lightly the trust he has placed in me. I am aware how long the clergy, religious and laity of Plymouth Diocese have waited for a bishop. I come with a desire to listen and to learn. I hope we can apply all the strengths of synodality to discern together ways to deepen the diocese’s outreach, mission and presence to the people of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. I look forward greatly to meeting all who belong to the diocese.” Read more.
In this episode of At the Foot of the Cross, Abbot Hugh Allan joins us again as we discuss the Gaza peace deal and the way forward for the Holy Land. Abbot Hugh also reflects on Pope Leo’s first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, and how we can best serve the poor, marginalised and vulnerable people in our communities.
Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te (I have loved you), sees the love of Christ incarnated in love for the poor, in caring for the sick, opposing slavery, defending women who experience exclusion and violence, making education available to all, accompanying migrants, charitable giving, working for equality and more. Read more.
Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the Department for Social Justice of the Bishops’ Conference has welcomed Pope Leo’s first Apostolic Exhortation and encouraged its application across England and Wales. Read more.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a press release on Thursday, 9 October, in response to the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan with a view to ending the war in Gaza.
“The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem welcomes with joy the announcement of an agreement that envisages a cessation of the attacks in the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of the hostages, as well as that of Palestinian prisoners. The Patriarchate ardently hopes that this accord will be fully and faithfully implemented, so that it may mark the beginning of the end of this terrible war.” Read more.
As the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is being considered at length in the House of Lords, we reiterate our firm opposition to the bill in principle and in practice. Despite being described by proponents as the safest of its kind, the bill remains unworkable. It puts the safety of our healthcare institutions, professionals, and patients at risk. Read more.
Pope Leo XIV will officially proclaim Saint John Henry Newman, the most recently canonised saint from England and Wales, the 38th Doctor of the Church during Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints, which will be celebrated in Saint Peter’s Square on Saturday, 1 November in the context of the Jubilee of the World of Education. Read more.
We have a useful section of articles explaining exactly what a ‘Doctor of the Church’ is and why Saint John Henry Newman’s teaching and wisdom not only resonated with his contemporaries, but still illuminates, instructs and inspires us today. Articles available:
What is a Doctor of the Church?, Faith, Reason, Conscience and Truth, Development of Doctrine, Sensus fidelium: Newman and the people of God, Education: Moral and intellectual ‘under one roof’, Scripture, the Fathers and Ecumenism, and Newman and Ecclesiology.
The Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has published a document on taxation called Render Unto Caesar. It offers perspectives on taxation from Catholic social thought and teaching. Read more.
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