Monday 13th April. 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
UK government’s massive aid cuts are morally wrong
Source: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/54756
At a Glance:
• Catholic voices criticised the UK’s latest aid cuts on moral grounds.
• The article argues the reductions will hit vulnerable communities hardest.
• It frames overseas aid as a matter of justice, not optional generosity. (ICN)
HCPT celebrates 70 years of everyday miracles
Source: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/54760
At a Glance:
• The piece reports on HCPT’s 70th anniversary pilgrimage in Lourdes.
• More than 3,000 pilgrims gathered for this year’s Easter celebrations.
• It highlights the organisation’s long-standing service to children and assisted pilgrims. (ICN)
The assisted dying argument in Scotland is far from over
Source: https://thecatholicherald.com/article/the-assisted-dying-argument-in-scotland-is-far-from-over
At a Glance:
• The article argues Holyrood rejected this bill, not assisted dying in principle.
• It says the opposition campaign succeeded by focusing on safety and scrutiny.
• It warns the debate will return in a more refined legislative form. (The Catholic Herald)
UK
Catholic fossil fuel divestment framed as careful discernment, not fashion
Source: https://laudatosimovement.org/news/not-a-bandwagon-the-courage-and-discernment-behind-catholic-fossil-fuel-divestment/
At a Glance:
• The piece presents Catholic fossil fuel divestment as a principled process.
• It argues the move is rooted in discernment rather than trend-following.
• The wider emphasis is on faith-based ecological responsibility. (Laudato Si’ Movement)
Ukrainian Catholic seminary established in London
Source: https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/ukrainian-catholic-seminary-established-in-london/
At a Glance:
• Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski has established the first Ukrainian Greek Catholic seminary in London.
• It will form men for priesthood in the Ukrainian-Byzantine tradition.
• The project reflects the growth and stability of the Ukrainian Catholic eparchy in Great Britain. (The Tablet)
POPE / VATICAN
Pope prioritises world’s fastest-growing Catholic region in major Africa tour
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg0jyx4qq7o
At a Glance:
• The BBC reports that Pope Leo is using this trip to focus attention on Africa.
• The region is described as central to the Church’s future growth.
• The visit underlines Vatican concern for Catholicism’s changing global centre of gravity. (Soulshive)
Donald Trump launches extraordinary attack on Pope Leo
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/13/donald-trump-pope-leo
At a Glance:
• Donald Trump called Pope Leo “weak” and “terrible” in an unprecedented public attack.
• The clash followed papal criticism of war and rhetoric around the Iran conflict.
• It marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Trump and the Vatican. (The Guardian)
WORLDWIDE
Catholic Church sees massive spike in converts over Easter
Source: https://www.nationalreview.com/news/catholic-church-sees-massive-spike-in-converts-over-easter/
At a Glance:
• The report says Easter converts rose sharply this year.
• It cites a 38% increase compared with last year.
• The trend is presented as a notable sign of Catholic growth and renewed interest in faith. (National Review)
Hungarian election stirs unease among Catholics amid Church pre-electoral silence
Source: https://www.ncronline.org/news/hungarian-election-stirs-unease-among-catholics-amid-church-preelectoral-silence
At a Glance:
• The article says Hungary’s election campaign has left many Catholics uneasy about the country’s direction.
• It reports criticism of the Churches’ claimed neutrality given their political entanglements.
• It suggests some Catholics feel pressured to align with the government. (National Catholic Reporter)