Clifton Diocese

Clifton Diocese Catholic diocese for the West of England including the Counties of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, North Somerset, South Glos, and BaNES

31/08/2026

On a beautiful morning on day 6 in Lourdes, Fr Eugene Campbell said a Prayer, and Mgr Liam Slattery Blessed the Diocesan candle. As we laid our hands upon it, we remembered those who were not with us and those who had sent Prayer Intentions. We processed as a group and lit the candle which burnt bright!

23/08/2026

Day 2 of the Clifton Diocesan and the CA Pilgrimage to Lourdes: A walkthrough the Basilica of Saint Pius X during the International Mass.
Situated at the heart of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Basilica of Saint Pius X is one of the most impressive religious buildings in the Marian town. Almost entirely underground, this immense basilica can accommodate around 25,000 pilgrims during major celebrations.
Consecrated in 1958, its unique curved concrete ceiling resembles an upside-down boat, allowing the huge open space without interior pillars blocking the view.
Built to mark the centenary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, it is distinguished as much by its history and spiritual purpose as by the technical feats required for its construction.
Unlike the other religious buildings visible from the esplanade, it was built underground in order to provide a space large enough to accommodate the crowds of pilgrims.

It is used in particular for major international celebrations, when several thousand worshippers from all over the world gather in Lourdes.

23/08/2026

Day 2 of the Clifton Diocesan and the CA Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Today was the International Mass, Basilica of St Pius X. Situated at the heart of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Basilica of Saint Pius X is one of the most impressive religious buildings in the Marian town. Almost entirely underground, this immense basilica can accommodate around 25,000 pilgrims during major celebrations, and with its unique curved concrete ceiling resembles an upside-down boat, allowing the huge open space without interior pillars blocking the view. Below, Mgr Liam gives us an update on day 2.

23/08/2026

Day 2 of the Clifton Diocesan and the CA Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Today was the International Mass, Basilica of St Pius X. Situated at the heart of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Basilica of Saint Pius X is one of the most impressive religious buildings in the Marian town. Almost entirely underground, this immense basilica can accommodate around 25,000 pilgrims during major celebrations, and with its unique curved concrete ceiling resembles an upside-down boat, allowing the huge open space without interior pillars blocking the view.
In this video, we meet Deacon/Seminarian Martyn Jones.

22/08/2026

Day 1 of the Clifton Diocesan and the CA Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Today celebrates the Queenship of Our Lady and we started off with our opening Mass with Bishop Peter Collins, who, in his Homily, asked us all to bring peace, and play our part bring peace, to a world that threatened in so many ways.

22/08/2026

Day 1 of the Clifton Diocesan and the CA Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Monsignor Liam Slattery starts off our daily reflections by welcoming those, not only in Lourdes, but everyone following our week online, to this Blessed place. He also says that we are especially at one with Prayer, with Bishop Bosco, who though not able to be with us in person, is very much with us in Prayer.

11/08/2026

We would like to welcome to the Diocese Father Revocatus Richard Mwemezi. Father Revocatus, a priest of the Diocese of Bukoba in Tanzania, has recently arrived in the diocese to take up ministry as Assistant Priest in St Peter’s, Gloucester.

15/06/2026

Bishop Bosco marked our Permanent Diaconate Vocations Sunday with a renewed call for men to consider becoming deacons

Parishioners across our diocese were being encouraged to reflect on the role of service in the Church last weekend, as Bishop Bosco marked our Permanent Diaconate Vocations Sunday with a renewed call for men to consider becoming deacons.

Drawing on the Sunday’s Gospel, in which Jesus speaks of a plentiful harvest but a shortage of labourers, Bishop Bosco highlights the ongoing need for faithful men to step forward in service to their communities. He notes that the message remains just as relevant today, as many people continue to search for hope, guidance, and support in their lives.

To coincide with our Permanent Diaconate Vocations Sunday, Bishop Bosco has also released a video message in which he personally invites men to consider the diaconate. In the video, he speaks directly about the need for servant leaders in today’s Church and encourages viewers to be open to where God may be calling them.

He also urges all parishioners to pray for vocations to the permanent diaconate, asking that those called will have the courage to respond and that parish communities will continue to grow as places of faith, service, and hope.

More detail about Vocations can be found here: Vocations | Clifton Diocese

07/06/2026

As Volunteers' Week comes to a close, today we Celebrate Pauline from St PAtrick's Parish in Bristol.

"This week we give thanks for the many volunteers across the Diocese of Clifton whose generosity, faith, and quiet service sustain so much of the life of the Church.

In every parish and school, volunteers are often the hidden strength behind what others simply see “happening.” The church opened and cleaned, the flowers arranged, the tea poured, children prepared for the sacraments, the sick visited, the accounts checked, the welcome offered...

None of this happens by magic. It happens because people give their time, their gifts, and something of their heart.

St Peter reminds us: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
That is exactly what our volunteers do, often behind the scenes, week after week. Your service strengthens our parishes, supports the vulnerable, encourages our schools, and helps reveal the face of Christ in our communities.

To all our volunteers, thank you. Your faithful service is deeply appreciated and remembered in prayer."

Rt Revd Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton.

https://volunteersweek.org/
https://cliftondiocese.com/

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