Tuesday 30th June. 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
Fr Pat Keegans appointed Spiritual Director of the Royal Scots College
Source: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55319
At a glance:
- The Bishops of Scotland have appointed Fr Pat Keegans as the new Spiritual Director of the Royal Scots College in Salamanca
- A priest of the Diocese of Galloway, Fr Pat is a former student of the Royal Scots College and has maintained close links with the seminary for many years
- Church leaders praised his experience, wisdom and priestly witness as he prepares to support the formation of future priests
UK
Bishops back campaign for a just peace in Palestine
Source: https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/bishops-back-campaign-for-just-peace-in-palestine/
At a glance:
- Bishops Jim Curry and Stephen Wright have endorsed the Just Peace Coalition’s “Time to Act” campaign
- The campaign calls for greater action to uphold international law and support a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis
- Church leaders urged Catholics to pray, advocate and work for peace rooted in justice and human dignity
Pope / Vatican
Cardinals discuss synodality and priesthood at Extraordinary Consistory
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-06/consistory-fourth-session-dedicated-to-the-synod-and-priesthood.html
At a glance:
- Cardinals gathered in Rome to discuss the future of synodality and priestly ministry in the Church
- Discussions highlighted the need for an evangelical and non-clerical vision of priesthood
- Pope Leo XIV joined the session for dialogue with cardinals from around the world
Pope Leo urges world leaders to prioritise food security
Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/06/1167782
At a glance:
- Pope Leo warned that conflict and instability continue to drive global hunger and food insecurity
- Speaking at the World Food Programme, he called food security a matter of global security
- The Pope urged greater investment in people and humanitarian assistance rather than conflict
Worldwide
Catholic missionaries abducted in Cameroon released after 24 hours
Source: https://cruxnow.com/church-in-africa/2026/06/catholic-missionaries-abducted-in-cameroon-then-released
At a glance:
- Five Catholic missionaries abducted in Cameroon were released a day after being taken by separatist fighters
- The kidnappers said the abduction was intended to highlight concerns about the ongoing Anglophone crisis
- Church leaders continue to promote dialogue and peace amid a conflict that has displaced around one million people
Catholic bishops call for humane treatment of migrants at US-Mexico border
Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/catholic-bishops-call-humane-treatment-091948510.html
At a glance:
- More than 100 bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful joined a cross-border prayer procession between the United States and Mexico
- Church leaders called for migrants to be treated with dignity and respect
- The event highlighted ongoing Catholic concern about immigration policies and conditions in detention facilities
Thousands take part in Philippines’ ‘Mud People’ festival
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/catholic-mass-asia-japanese-beijing-b3001911.html
At a glance:
- Thousands of Catholics in the Philippines took part in the annual Taong Putik, or “Mud People”, festival honouring St John the Baptist
- Participants covered themselves in mud and banana leaves as an act of faith, humility and thanksgiving
- The centuries-old tradition continues to attract new generations of devotees