Liverpool Hope University is set to host an event honouring the 75th anniversary of Ireland formally becoming a republic. Republic 75 will mark the UK parliament’s passing of the Ireland Act on 18th April 1949, when the British government legally recognised that Ireland was an independent state, devolved from the monarchy and no longer a member of the Commonwealth. The conference, which is the only conference in the UK or Ireland marking the anniversary, will focus on the historical, cultural, legal and political significance of this act, as well of the status of Ireland today and its relation ..read more

During a visit to the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria today, where the UK’s nuclear submarines are built, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer was at pains to let everyone know that his party’s commitment to the UK’s nuclear weapons is “unshakeable” and “absolute”. Sir Keir said that if Labour comes to power in the upcoming General Election, he is committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP “as soon as resources allow”. His remarks echo the commitment of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who has said that the Conservatives are also pledged to raising the figure to 2.5% “as ..read more

A life-size statue created in the memory of a long-serving Catholic Conservative MP who was murdered almost three years ago has been unveiled. Sir David Amess served as a Southend West MP when he was fatally stabbed in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in October 2021. “He may not admit it, but I’m sure he would have been flattered there is a statue in his memory,” said his former constituency assistant Julie Cushion. It was unveiled near the Chalkwell Lifeguards’ base in Southend. His widow Lady Julia Amess said: “He is missed every day – but his light remains.” Ms Cushion, who attended the unv ..read more

A Salford diocesan priest has received special recognition for more than 20 years of service with Greater Manchester Police. Fr Barry Lomax, Force Lead Chaplain for GMP, was awarded the Long Service Certificate from Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM in a celebration event on Tuesday 26th March. For the past 23 years, Fr Barry has served as a chaplain for Greater Manchester Police, providing a listening ear and much-needed support for force officers and staff of all faiths and none. Last year, Fr Barry left behind parish life and embarked on a full-time position with the force to head up and g ..read more

Catholic charity CAFOD and other humanitarian organisations working in Sudan and its neighbouring countries are sounding the alarm that Sudan is on the verge of famine, urging all actors to immediately scale-up efforts to avoid the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. The appeal comes ahead of a humanitarian conference to be hosted in Paris on 15th April by France, the European Union and Germany to help resolve what the UN considers to be “one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history, with potential to trigger the world’s largest hunger emergency.” The food crisis is a direct cons ..read more

A school that was found to be one of many in the UK with a dangerous type of concrete is having to spend up to £2 million on temporary classrooms while remedial works are carried out. The maths block building at St Gregory’s Catholic Science College, Kenton, north west London was found to contain a type of concrete that sparked nationwide safety fears last year. Known as reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac), the dangerous material was used in schools, colleges, and other buildings between the 1950s and 70s in the UK, but has since been found to be at risk of collapse. The issue was or ..read more

Seafarer charity Stella Maris is warning that Ukrainian seafarers are experiencing increased levels of loneliness and depression amid fears of conscription if they return home as the war enters its third year. Stella Maris regional port chaplains for Southampton and Southern ports, Charles Stuart and Gregory Hogan, who make multiple daily ship visits report Ukrainian seafarers are under increasing strain. “The initial stresses have been replaced by something else,” Gregory says. “At first there was the shock of the invasion for Ukrainians and real worry about whether family and friends could g ..read more

St Mary’s University, Twickenham recently welcomed the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) Eleanor Lyons to campus, sharing with her the University’s work and expertise on slavery, exploitation, and abuse. Eleanor and her colleagues met with St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor Anthony McClaran and Bakhita Centre Director Carole Murphy to hear about the work of St Mary’s Bakhita Centre, and learn more about the University’s short courses aimed at professionals working in the modern slavery sector. As a leading centre for research on slavery, exploitation, and abuse, The Bakhita Centre will be su ..read more

On April 9th, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, began his journey to Vietnam, where he will stay until this Sunday, April 14th. The X account of the Secretariat of State, @TerzaLoggia, released his schedule as the Liverpool-based Archbishop departed. The schedule includes meetings with Foreign Affairs Minister Bui Thanh Son and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính. He will also hold diplomatic encounters at the Ministry of the Interior and preside at a Eucharistic celebration at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi. Archb ..read more

Professor Jim McManus has been appointed as the new Chair of Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust). Pact is the national Catholic charity providing support to people in prison and their children and families.  Jim is the National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health Wales and has previously held a number of senior posts in the health sector.  He holds a range of academic and advisory roles reflecting his expertise in public health, psychology, influencing and strategy, at the highest levels. He is a Catholic and was, between 2002 and 2023, a healthcare reference group memb ..read more