World Communications Day 2023

Please find below a copy of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales message about World Communications Day which this year is on Sunday 21st May.

Prayer card for the coronation of King Charles

The Bishops’ Conference have prepared a prayer card for the coronation of King Charles III, it can be viewed and downloaded here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/prayer-card-Coronation-of-King-Charles-V2.pdf or via the embedded page shown below.

COST OF LIVING CRISIS:

Information from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of England and Wales.

A briefing paper from the Bishops' Conference Department for Social Justice on the cost of living crisis. The briefing looks at the current context and invites a response based on the key principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The briefing can be read here.

HM Queen Elizabeth II

The Bishops' Conference  have a prayers and psalms on their website: Prayers for the Repose of the Soul of HM Queen Elizabeth II - Catholic Bishops' Conference (cbcew.org.uk)

In Memoriam

In her official role as ‘Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England’, the Queen, through her words and actions, always showed herself to be a woman of a deep Christian faith.

Throughout her reign Queen Elizabeth II also ensured a relationship of mutual respect between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was an extraordinary woman who will not be forgotten by her people. May she rest in peace.

Bishop Egan

Evangelii Gaudium (Home Mission): Sunday, 18 September 2022

The Third Sunday in September, formerly called Home Mission Sunday, is now Evangelii Gaudium Sunday.

Named after Pope Francis’ first (solo) Apostolic Exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel, the day offers the Catholic community in England and Wales the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of our faith and our commitment to witness to the fullness of life in Christ. Fr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission at the Bishops’ Conference, tells us more about the day (below) and how you can support this important work. Evangelii Gaudium Sunday will be celebrated in Catholic parishes throughout England and Wales on Sunday, 18 September 2022.

Marriage Law Changes

In April 2022 Parliament passed legislation (Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022) declaring that Marriage and Civil Partnerships for those under 18 years of age is unlawful.  However, the Act requires Regulations to put that ban into effect. Those regulations have not been published yet, and there is no indication when they will be. It is strongly advised that clergy do not organise Marriages for under 18’s in case they fall foul of the law on the wedding day. Explanatory notes are attached for information.