President of Pontifical Academy says Artificial Intelligence has to serve humans

Sister Helen Alford, an English Dominican nun who is the President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, said that the development of artificial intelligence must always keep human beings at its centre, as all technology should.

Speaking on our Catholic News podcast channel, she said that Catholic social teaching warned that we must be wary of “adversarial technology”:

"The situation we have with AI is just a continuation of the situation we’ve had with technology, at least since the Industrial Revolution, because what came to the fore there was a type of technological development which is what we could call technocentric."

Podcast: What the Church has to say about the social sciences

Touching upon Artificial Intelligence, the role data could play in telling the Church’s story, and what Catholic social teaching has to say about a “human-centred economy”, Sister Alford gives a deep insight into what the Church has to say about the social sciences.

Pope tells new Cardinals never to stray from the path of Jesus

Pope Francis on Saturday, 7 December, encouraged the group of twenty-one new cardinals from across the globe to “walk in the way of Jesus: together, with humility, wonder and joy.”

Presiding at Holy Mass for the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope reminded the prelates receiving the red hat, that just as Jesus’ ascent to Jerusalem was not an ascent to worldly glory but to the glory of God, they too must put the Lord at the centre and be builders of communion and unity.

Bishop Nicholas Hudson touched to be at Solemn Reopening of Notre Dame

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Episcopal Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, represented Cardinal Vincent Nichols at the Solemn Reopening and Dedication of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday, 7 December 2024.

"I have known Notre Dame Cathedral all my life. My mother was Paris-born; and used to take us there as often she could. So I was touched to be asked to represent Cardinal Nichols and the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales at the Solemn Reopening and Dedication......"

Archbishop of Liverpool declares Jack Traynor case a miracle

The Archbishop of Liverpool, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, has officially declared the case of John (Jack) Traynor as a miracle.

Jack was a pilgrim on the archdiocese’s first official pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1923 and was cured dramatically of epilepsy, paralysis of the right arm and paraplegia during the pilgrimage.

The case has been believed to be miraculous from people across the archdiocese and beyond, but, despite an attempt in 1993, there has never been an official ecclesiastical declaration until today.

Pilgrimage of Hope: Join other Jubilee pilgrims in September 2025

The Hearts in Search of God project has announced a new walking pilgrimage for England & Wales during the Jubilee, called The Pilgrimage of Hope, on Saturday 13 September 2025.

It is a national walking pilgrimage, with four main Ways converging at the Cathedral of St Barnabas, Nottingham, on Saturday 13th September 2025, the eve of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The Ways start at the Catholic cathedrals in Cardiff, Leeds, Norwich and London and will bless our nations with a Sign of the Cross. The routes use established hiking routes and are off road as much as possible. A small group of ‘perpetual pilgrims’ will walk the full distance of each Way, with day pilgrims joining for stages.

The Gift of Your Presence: Joy

Third Sunday of Advent, Sunday 15 December

Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, is marked by joy. Zephaniah speaks of God’s delight in His people, while Paul calls us to rejoice always. True joy comes from a deep trust in God’s presence and His promises, even during life’s many challenges. The Gospel reminds us that this joy is not selfish—it flows outward through generosity and kindness towards others

Advent

Sunday 01 December - Tuesday 24 December

Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning 'arrival' or 'coming'. It's the season before Christmas we use to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord's coming into the world as the incarnate God of love.

The Gift of Your Presence: Advent Resource

The season of Advent is observed in the four weeks leading up to Christmas day. It is a time of anticipation, preparation, and deepening faith. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming at Christmas, Advent invites us to look forward to His eventual return.

Each Sunday of Advent centres on a theme: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

This resource, produced by Elliot Vanstone and Fleur Dorrell from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, is structured around the Sunday themes that are aligned with the Scripture readings of the liturgical calendar.

Each reflection includes Scripture references, a reflection, suggested prayers and action steps to enrich the Advent season.

Jubilee pilgrimage for people with disabilities

A pilgrimage to Rome for people with disabilities titled Living Fully with Value and Hope has been organised by the Kairos Forum for Jubilee 2025. It takes place from 26 April to 1 May 2025 and will offer accessible events, prayer, friendship and a morning with Pope Francis.

Jubilee of Hope: Holy Door opens on 24 December

Only a few days remain until the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, marking the beginning of the Holy Year 2025.

The Jubilee offers a special moment for plenary indulgence, conversion, and grace to rekindle hope in the daily journey of life and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Columbans launch 2025 Schools Competition -Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope’

Columban Missionaries in Britain have launched their 2024-25 Schools Media Competition, which has the title: ‘Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope’.

Encouraging creativity and faith engagement with issues in the world today, this year’s competition welcomes both written and image entries until 7 February 2025, with winners being announced on 10 March 2025. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entrants and the first prize is an impressive £300.

Visitor Centre Manager at St Winefride’s Shrine

An opportunity now arises for the right person to show their skills in managing, contributing effectively to the operation of the Visitor Centre, and ensuring a good experience for all visitors/pilgrims to this ancient religious site of St Winefride’s Well / Shrine in the care of the Roman Catholic Church’s Diocese of Wrexham.

Lectionary Video Resources

In this section, you will find filmed resources, such as talks and addresses, that provide more information and insight into how the new lectionary will become part of our life and faith.

Lectionary

A new edition of the Lectionary, the book which contains the readings which are proclaimed at Mass, will come into use in England and Wales on the First Sunday of Advent 2024.

Lectionary Video Resources

In this section, you will find filmed resources, such as talks and addresses, that provide more information and insight into how the new lectionary will become part of our life and faith.