Monday 25th May. Please find below this week’s media update, kindly provided by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Office of Communications and Evangelisation. The briefing includes coverage from Scotland and the wider UK, together with Vatican and international developments. Please click on the link in each item to be taken to the full article.
SCOTLAND
Catholic Bishops congratulate Mr Swinney on his re-appointment as First Minister
Source: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55038
At a glance:
- Bishops of Scotland congratulated John Swinney
- Bishops said they looked forward to constructive engagement with the Scottish Government
- Statement assured Mr Swinney and MSPs of the prayers of the Church
From Santa Marta to Scotland: the line we must not cross on fossil fuels
Source: https://www.stopclimatechaos.scot/from-santa-marta-to-scotland-the-line-we-must-not-cross-on-fossil-fuels/
At a glance:
- SCIAF’s Ben Wilson reflected on a major international gathering in Colombia on moving away from fossil fuels
- The article notes that the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has endorsed calls for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty
- It argues Scotland should maintain opposition to new oil and gas and continue climate leadership
UK
Cathedrals march celebrates ‘Mersey miracle’
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgpz5z9v2xo
At a glance:
- A march between Liverpool’s two cathedrals celebrated the city’s ecumenical legacy
- The “Mersey miracle” recalls the friendship and cooperation between Archbishop Derek Worlock and Bishop David Sheppard
- Event highlighted Christian unity and the shared witness of Liverpool’s churches
POPE / VATICAN
Pope Leo XIV asks Catholic movements to foster communion
Source: https://aleteia.org/2026/05/22/pope-leo-xiv-asks-catholic-movements-to-foster-communion/
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV addressed around 200 international leaders of Catholic associations and movements
- He urged movements to avoid becoming inward-looking or isolated
- Pope encouraged communion with local bishops and openness to new mission fields
Cardinal Czerny reflects on Blessed martyrs under communism
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-05/cardinal-czerny-reflects-on-blessed-martyrs-under-communism.html
At a glance:
- Cardinal Michael Czerny reflected on the witness of Christians persecuted under communist regimes
- He said the martyrs remained faithful despite suffering, imprisonment and oppression
- Remarks came during commemorations honouring those killed for their faith under communism
WORLD
Pope Leo to visit Uruguay in November as part of regional tour
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/pope-leo-visit-uruguay-november-part-regional-tour-2026-05-21/
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Uruguay in November
- The visit is expected to form part of a wider southern Latin America tour
- The tour is also expected to include Peru and Argentina
Nigerian Archbishop urges Palm Sunday attack victims to embrace forgiveness
Source: https://www.aciafrica.org/news/21883/vengeance-is-for-god-nigerian-archbishop-urges-victims-of-palm-sunday-attack-to-embrace-forgiveness
At a glance:
- Archbishop Matthew Ishaya Audu urged victims of violence in Plateau State to choose forgiveness
- He said lasting peace requires unity, dialogue and trust in God
- The Archbishop assured affected communities they are not abandoned
Cardinal Bo says faith and hope are Myanmar’s response to crisis
Source: https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Faith-and-hope-are-the-response-to-Myanmar’s-polycrisis%E2%80%99,-says-Cardinal-Bo-65442.html
At a glance:
- Cardinal Charles Maung Bo addressed the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference
- He described Myanmar as facing overlapping crises after the 2021 coup
- The Cardinal highlighted the strength and resilience of Myanmar’s Catholic community
EWTN opens new office in Stockholm to serve Sweden and Northern Europe
Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ewtn-opens-new-office-in-stockholm-to-serve-sweden-and-northern-europe-302779504.html
At a glance:
- EWTN opened a new office in Stockholm, Sweden
- Office will support Swedish-language Catholic content and Vatican news
- Expansion aims to serve Sweden, Scandinavia and Northern Europe more widely