Monday 10th August. 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
Assisted suicide vote moves closer as Catholic campaigning intensifies
Source: https://thecatholicherald.com/article/the-week-ahead-assisted-suicide-in-the-uk-migration-and-the-assumption
At a glance:
- The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is due for its Second Reading and vote on 11 September
- Catholic bishops are continuing to urge the faithful to contact MPs and oppose the legislation
- Church campaigning is expected to intensify over the coming month
Catholic church with Harry Clarke collection upgraded to Grade II*
Source: https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/catholic-church-with-unrivalled-stained-glass-collection-has-listing-status-upgraded/
At a glance:
- St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith in Wigan has been upgraded to Grade II* listed status
- The church contains 19 Harry Clarke windows, the largest collection of his stained glass in the UK
- The designation recognises both its architectural importance and its Catholic heritage, including the shrine of St Edmund Arrowsmith
Pope / Vatican
Pope Leo: digital communication must serve truth and human dignity
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-08/pope-leo-digital-communication-must-serve-truth-and-human-digni.html
At a glance:
- Pope Leo urged Catholic communicators to ensure digital tools serve truth, human dignity and the common good
- He warned that online communication does more than share information — it also shapes culture and conscience
- The message encouraged communication rooted in Gospel values, peace and care for creation
Pope Leo XIV to visit Peru, Argentina and Uruguay in November
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/5/pope-leo-xiv-to-visit-peru-argentina-and-uruguay-in-november
At a glance:
- Pope Leo will visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6–17 November
- His return to Peru will be especially significant after decades spent there as a missionary and bishop
- The trip will include the first papal visits to Argentina and Uruguay in nearly 40 years
Pope encourages young people at Medjugorje to seek lasting joy in Christ
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-08/pope-encourages-youth-medjugorje-rediscover-beauty-in-lord.html
At a glance:
- Pope Leo sent a message to young people from 73 countries gathered for the Mladifest youth festival
- He encouraged them to reject fleeting happiness and rediscover Christ through prayer, Scripture and the sacraments
- Young Catholics were urged to become witnesses of the Gospel, builders of fraternity and promoters of peace
Worldwide
Tabernacles desecrated and relic thrown to floor in Madrid parish attack
Source: https://www.eldebate.com/religion/20260803/profanados-dos-sagrarios-reliquia-santa-parroquia-sur-madrid_446288.html
At a glance:
- Intruders broke into Santa Margarita María de Alacoque parish in Madrid and forced open two tabernacles
- A relic of St Margaret Mary Alacoque was found thrown on the floor, although the Blessed Sacrament had already been removed
- The parish has suffered repeated vandalism and abuse in recent months, prompting complaints to police
Archbishop tells Catholic communicators: disciples before influencers
Source: https://www.fides.org/en/news/78033-Archbishop_Nwachukwu_s_compass_for_Catholic_communicators_You_are_disciples_before_being_influencers
At a glance:
- Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu told the SIGNIS World Congress that Catholic communicators must be disciples before influencers
- He warned that algorithms can reward polarisation rather than truth and urged communicators to use digital platforms for encounter rather than division
- He stressed that AI can assist communication but cannot replace human witness or conscience