Wave of Hope offers 26 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope. We also have a special reflection for Christmas Day. Read more or watch the latest reflection below.
Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop Richard Moth have released a statement affirming what the coming of Christ at Christmas means to Catholics, expressing their shared concern at societal tensions and division in our communities, something that does not “reflect the spirit or message of Christmas.”
The Chair of the Department for Dialogue and Unity, and Chair of the Department for Social Justice of the Bishops’ Conference respectively, Archbishop Longley and Bishop Moth describe our participation in Advent and the celebration of Christmas as “our lived response in opposition to those who seek division.”
The statement presents hope, joy, peace, and love as the incarnational antidote to these divisions. Read more.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, has written to UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to express his heartfelt sympathy to, and prayers for, the Jewish community after the devastating terror attack that targeted a Hanukkah celebration on the Sydney beach.
Decrying the senseless act of violence, Cardinal Nichols hoped that some comfort could be taken from the “solidarity from people of all backgrounds who stand with you against violence and antisemitism.” Read more.
Our Lead Bishop for the Holy Land, Bishop Jim Curry, has appeared as a guest on the December 2025 episode of Middle East Analysis, a podcast series that examines the complex religious, political and socio-economic realities of the region covering the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf States.
This is very much a podcast of two parts. The first dedicated to more political themes, the second an appropriately spiritual take on the coming of Christ at Christmas. Read more.
Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the Department for Social Justice for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has welcomed the government’s decision to scrap the two-child cap on Universal Credit payments. Read more.
The Most Reverend Mark O’Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia is calling on Catholics and people of goodwill living in Wales to write to their member of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, to oppose assisted suicide. Members of the Senedd will be asked to decide whether Wales should give its consent to Westminster’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — a law that would legalise assisted suicide. Read more.
Guidance to help you write to a Peer to oppose the Bill seeking to legalise assisted suicide as it passes through the House of Lords. Unlike MPs, Members of the House of Lords do not have constituents, meaning there is not a Peer whose job it is to represent you based on the area of the country in which you live. For this reason you should take some time to think about which Peer you will write to and why – such as whether you have a personal or professional connection with them, or you have professional expertise in medicine or healthcare. We also suggest three key points that can be emphasised in your letter to a Peer.
Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed Saint John Henry Newman, the most recently canonised saint from England and Wales, the 38th Doctor of the Church.
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.
Visit our ‘News‘ section for our full archive.
Photos from recent events can be found on our Flickr photo channel.
Press releases, news, statements and more. Learn more
Profiles of our diocesan bishops and retired bishops. Learn more
This section keeps at the forefront those iconic, important events that remain a little longer in our memories. Learn more
In this section you can find out more about the Pope, the Vatican and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Learn more
The Catholic Church in England and Wales is made up of 22 dioceses. Learn more
