Monday 7th September. 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.
Please note that the ‘Weekly Media Briefing’ bulletin will be taking a short break and will resume on Monday 28th September.
Scotland
Bishop Keenan urges Scotland to stand with “both mother and child”
Link: The Herald
At a glance:
- Bishop John Keenan opposed further liberalisation of Scotland’s abortion law.
- He called instead for stronger support for mothers and families.
- Strong BCoS angle on dignity, life and public policy.
Also seen on: Catholic Herald · EWTN News · ICN, Christian Today,
UK / Ireland
Thousands join March for Life UK in London
Link: Thousands attend March for Life UK
At a glance:
- Thousands marched through central London on 5 September.
- Fifteen Catholic bishops attended, alongside clergy and lay Catholics.
- Major visual story around Catholic witness to the dignity of life.
Record numbers join Walsingham walking pilgrimage
Link: InfoVaticana — Walsingham pilgrimage sets new attendance record
At a glance:
- A record 240 pilgrims walked more than 80km to Walsingham.
- Attendance rose from around 200 in 2025.
- Another indicator of growing interest in pilgrimage among UK Catholics.
Pope / Vatican
Pope Leo holds up Newman’s vision of education to Oxford
Link: National Catholic Register — Pope Leo points to Newman as model for education
At a glance:
- Leo received a delegation from Oxford’s Oriel College on 4 September.
- He urged universities to pursue truth, dignity and the common good.
- Strong UK Catholic education angle through St John Henry Newman.
Pope Leo: seminarians are a “sign of hope” for the Church
Link: Vatican News — Pope Leo addresses seminarians
At a glance:
- Leo said seminaries remain essential despite today’s fast-moving culture.
- He described young men discerning priesthood as a “sign of hope”.
- Excellent vocations content for BCTV and social clips.
Pope Leo tells Church to engage with the modern world
Link: Vatican News — Church called to serve humanity
At a glance:
- Leo began a new catechesis series on Gaudium et Spes.
- Christians cannot remain “unengaged spectators” of society.
- Useful framing for Catholic engagement with culture and public life.
Pope tells Middle East Catholics: “Do not be afraid of your smallness”
Link: EWTN News — Pope Leo addresses Arab-region Churches
At a glance:
- Leo met Latin bishops from across the Arab world on 3 September.
- He said Church fruitfulness is measured by fidelity, not numbers.
- Strong message on mission, hope and Christian presence in difficult contexts.
Pope Leo makes water his September prayer intention
Link: Chicago Catholic — Pope’s September intention: care of water
At a glance:
- Leo is praying for fair and sustainable access to water.
- He described clean water as a “right without borders.”
- Direct tie-in with this year’s Season of Creation theme, ‘Living Water’.
Worldwide
147 new bishops gather in Rome for formation#
Link: Vatican News — New bishops gather for formation course
At a glance:
- 147 newly appointed bishops from five continents are meeting in Rome.
- Formation covers mission, governance and pastoral leadership.
- Episcopal leadership and missionary renewal.
Maronite Church names new Archbishop of Damascus
Link: OSV News — New Maronite Archbishop of Damascus appointed
At a glance:
- Fr Youssef Barakat has been named Maronite Archbishop of Damascus.
- He has been serving the Maronite community in Minneapolis.
- Appointment highlights the global links of the Eastern Catholic Churches.