St Bride’s service honours journalists who died reporting the story
The journalists’ church, St Bride’s on Fleet Street, held its annual commemorative service last night, to remember journalists who have been killed in the course of their work. The organisation Reporters Without Borders says at least 53 journalists have been killed since November 2024, and the theme of the service, Conflict and Calling, “invited reflection on the courage, sacrifice, and moral conviction of those whose work often exacts a great personal cost”. The address was given by James Waterhouse, the BBC’s Ukraine correspondent, who said he now knows how war feels: “It is the seeping of fear and anger into every crevice of life”. Reflecting on the proliferation of misinformation on social media, he said: “The pressure on the endeavour of impartiality has never been greater”. He spoke of the debt owed to journalists reporting war in their own country, including Ukraine, and quoted data suggesting two thirds of journalists killed in 2024 were Palestinian. He said: “I admit I have a better understanding as to why they continue to run towards the danger and shine a light on what is happening now. They don’t see it as a choice, like I do. Major news networks including the BBC, and even more importantly the world, have benefited hugely from their skill and bravery. We will never be able to repay them”.
The Times reveals the costly, complex path to sainthood
Kaya Burgess, in The Times, shines a light on the expensive, bureaucratic and time consuming process involved in declaring someone to be a saint. He says that “it requires an army of doctors, lawyers, historians and a whole publicity machine to convince a secretive body in the Vatican that a person’s deeds — in life and after death — are worthy of sainthood”. The report says that between 1903 and 1978, 201 saints were canonised, and since then there have been seven times as many. Pope Francis canonised more saints than any other Pope since 1903, with 926 saints in 12 years. The most recent British saints are Cardinal Newman and teenager Carlo Acutis, and there are seven British people in the process of being declared saints including nuns, nurses and a missionary. Our own “Ten fabulous facts about saints” is here. The Times report with stats, pictures and analysis is here.
‘Leo from Chicago’ – documentary on pope’s early years
The Vatican has released a documentary on the life of Pope Leo XIV before he became Pope. “Leo from Chicago” is available on YouTube and traces his early life in Dolton, Illinois, and his formation as an Augustinian. Produced by the Dicastery for Communication with the Archdiocese of Chicago and Catholic network ESNE, the film shows him as “a normal man” while working with the poor or cheering for the White Sox. It is the second such film released – the first was “León de Perú,” charting his missionary years in South America.
US Catholic bishops elect conservative-leaning president
US Catholic bishops have elected Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley as president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is said to be the ecclesiastical adviser for a powerful group of conservative Catholics, and narrowly defeated Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, by 128–109 votes, 54 per cent / 46 per cent. Archbishop Coakley is known for his opposition to abortion, capital punishment, and gender-affirming care. Commentators suggest his appointment means leadership of the American church remains with the conservative wing of the church and the US right. Bishop Flores, a key voice on immigration, becomes the vice president. Religion News Service report here
Christian Resources Exhibition taken over by events company
The Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE), said to be the UK’s largest church-related show, has been taken over by Quartz Business Media. It has been going for 40 years, and its most recent owners were former journalist Steve Goddard and Dr. Allison Goddard. Historically, the two day conference has offered stands on fund-raising, church insurance, building services, furniture suppliers, clergy clothing and communion wine. On the pastoral side the exhibition offered advice on Sunday School work, counselling and issues such as dementia and bereavement. This year there were 170 stands and 2,300 visitors. Quartz Business Media, based in Redhill, Surrey, is a distant relative of Argus Specialist Events, the company which originally launched CRE under the direction of Gospatric and Diana Home. Its MD, Tony Crinion, said the company was committed to honouring the CRE’s legacy and would ensure it was reflective of the communities it serves.
CofE new safeguarding lead bishop
The Bishop of Tewkesbury, Robert Springett, is to be the Church of England’s new Lead Safeguarding Bishop, taking over from Bishop Joanne Grenfell who leaves the role at the end of March 2026, when her three-year term ends. He is currently one of the deputy leads for safeguarding and chairs the Theology and Safeguarding Group and the Task and Finish Group after the Makin review, and is the former chair of a group set up after the Scolding report into Soul Survivor. He said he found the work as deputy lead bishop “deeply rewarding” and wants to contribute to the development of healthy culture in the church.
