Monday 13th 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.
Scotland
Radio Maria UK expands DAB coverage across Scotland
Source: https://www.radiomaria.org/a-new-voice-for-millions-radio-maria-uk-reaches-scotland-and-bath/
At a glance:
- Radio Maria UK’s new DAB signal now reaches up to 70% of Scotland’s population
- Coverage includes Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and much of the central belt
- Bishop John Keenan welcomed the expansion as an opportunity to strengthen Catholic media and share the Gospel more widely
UK
English Benedictines elect new President
Source: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55410
At a glance:
- Dom Robert Igo OSB, Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey, has been elected President of the English Benedictine Congregation
- He succeeds Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB, who completed nine years of service in the role
- Delegates at the Congregation’s 100th General Chapter reflected on the future of monastic life, vocations and engagement with younger generations
Pope / Vatican
Pope Leo says Europe can address migration crisis
Source: https://thecatholicherald.com/article/pope-leo-says-europe-can-address-migration-crisis
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV called on Europe to respond to migration with compassion and long-term planning
- He urged countries to welcome and integrate migrants while addressing the causes that force people to leave home
- The Pope also prayed for those who have died crossing the Mediterranean
Vatican meeting to mark ten years of Amoris Laetitia
Source: https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=69965
At a glance:
- Pope Leo XIV will gather Church leaders in October to reflect on ten years of Amoris Laetitia
- Discussions will focus on marriage, young people, family life and pastoral support for families in difficult situations
- Presidents of bishops’ conferences and heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches will take part
Worldwide
Catholic man dies in prison after false blasphemy accusation
Source: https://www.fides.org/en/news/77890-ASIA_PAKISTAN_Catholic_man_dies_in_prison_after_false_blasphemy_accusation
At a glance:
- Pakistani Catholic Amir Peter died after almost a year in prison following what Church leaders say was a false blasphemy accusation
- His health deteriorated in detention, and requests for medical bail were not resolved before his death
- Catholic leaders renewed calls for action against the misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws
New statistics show growing priestly vocations in Africa
Source: https://www.osservatoreromano.va/it/news/2026-07/quo-153/il-futuro-della-chiesa-ha-il-volto-dell-africa.html
At a glance:
- The number of priests in Africa rose by 35.8% between 2013 and 2024
- Africa now accounts for more than a third of the world’s major seminarians
- The figures highlight a continuing shift in priestly vocations away from Europe and towards Africa and parts of Asia
Venezuela earthquakes leave thousands dead and displaced
Source: https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/dispatches/2026/07/09/catholic-church-venezuela-earthquakes-fe-y-alegria-jesuits/
At a glance:
- Venezuela continues to recover after twin earthquakes left more than 3,500 people dead and thousands more injured or displaced
- Catholic organisations, including Jesuits and Fe y Alegría, have been supporting affected communities with relief efforts
- Church leaders have called for solidarity and international assistance as recovery work continues