Tuesday 28th July. 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.
UK & Ireland
Catholic bishops renew opposition to assisted suicide bill
Source: https://www.christiantoday.com/news/catholic-bishops-urge-mps-to-reject-latest-assisted-suicide-bill
At a glance:
- The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has urged MPs to reject the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
- Archbishop John Sherrington warned the legislation puts vulnerable people, healthcare workers and palliative care at risk
- Catholics are being encouraged to contact their MPs ahead of the Bill’s Second Reading in September
Woman seriously injured in stabbing at Waterford church
Source: https://www.waterfordlive.ie/news/crime-courts/widespread-shock-in-waterford-following-deeply-shocking-stabbing-in-local-church-8813861
At a glance:
- A woman in her 50s was seriously injured in a stabbing during the Rosary at Holy Cross Church in Tramore
- A man in his 30s has been arrested and Gardaí have launched an investigation
- The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore said it was deeply shocked by the incident and asked for prayers for all those affected
Pope / Vatican
Pope Leo prays for peace at Montecassino Abbey
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-07/pope-leo-montecassino-abbey-st-benedict-pray-peace.html
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Abbey of Montecassino during his summer break
- He prayed at the tomb of St Benedict, entrusting to the saint his plea for peace in regions affected by war
- The Pope also spent time with the Benedictine community before returning to Castel Gandolfo
Pope calls for dialogue and equal dignity in the Holy Land
Source: https://www.asianews.it/en/articles/pope-urges-fair-political-solution-equal-dignity-in-holy-land
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV called for a just political solution in the Holy Land founded on equal dignity and equal rights
- He urged all parties to end violence, resume dialogue and respect the status of holy sites
- The Pope also expressed solidarity with victims of wildfires in France and Spain and highlighted the importance of caring for older people on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Pope appoints Archbishop Cordileone to Vatican’s highest court
Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/cordileone-pope-vatican-apostolic-signatura-22360607.php
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
- The tribunal is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church after the Pope
- Archbishop Cordileone will continue leading the Archdiocese of San Francisco alongside his new Vatican role
Worldwide
Plans unveiled for Christchurch’s new Catholic cathedral
Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/regions_canterbury/798768/christchurch-catholic-diocese-unveils-plans-for-new-80m-cathedral-of-the-blessed-sacrament
At a glance:
- The Diocese of Christchurch has unveiled plans for an NZ$80 million Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
- The new cathedral will replace the original building lost following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes
- The diocese has launched a fundraising campaign, with construction expected to begin once further funding is secured
Cardinal Tagle encourages Asia’s bishops to become bridge-builders
Source: https://www.fides.org/en/news/77959-Cardinal_Tagle_to_the_Churches_of_Asia_Walking_Together_Learning_from_the_First_Steps_of_a_Child
At a glance:
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged Asian bishops to place Christ at the centre of synodal renewal and missionary outreach
- Speaking at the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences in Jakarta, he encouraged a culture of listening, accompaniment and communion
- He echoed Pope Leo XIV’s call for the Church to become a builder of unity rather than division
Catholic Sisters help restore education after Venezuela earthquake
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-07/sisters-to-reopen-doors-to-learning-after-venezuelas-earthquake.html
At a glance:
- Religious sisters are working to reopen schools following Venezuela’s devastating earthquake
- The initiative will provide education for hundreds of children whose schools were damaged or destroyed
- Catholic organisations continue to support relief efforts while communities recover from the disaster