CTBI Autumn 2026 Magazine

Explore our Autumn 2026 magazine and find out about the work of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), our member churches and associated organisations.

You can read online or download (PDF), below.

Welcome

“Founded on Christ, the living stone, we experience the powerful and mysterious action of the Holy Spirit, and we believe that every authentic human effort to cooperate with him for the good will be blessed by our heavenly Father, in whom we place our hope. For this reason, we can diligently contribute to every initiative that builds a more just world, and we can call others to collaborate in promoting the integral development of every human being. We wish to engage in dialogue with all men and women of our time, with whom we share in the events, questions and aspirations of humanity (Cf Gaudium et Spes). Together with them, we seek to identify new paths for the common good and for promoting a dignified life for all. Indeed, openness to dialogue is an integral part of the Church’s vocation because, constituted in Christ as “a sacrament… of communion with God and of the unity of the entire human race,” (Cf Lumen Gentium) she recognizes history as the place where the Gospel challenges and directs human experience.”
(Pope Leo, Magnifica Humanitas, 2)

Pope Leo’s groundbreaking Encyclical on the safeguarding of the human person in the time of artificial intelligence has found powerful resonance across different Christian traditions and beyond with its clear articulation of the primacy of the dignity of the human person and its heartfelt appeal to dialogue and collaboration in a time of fragmentation and conflict. In this edition of the magazine, we share the ways in which Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), our members and partners have been working to help equip Christians for dialogue and outreach with biblically based resources on themes of identity, racial justice, and interreligious dialogue. The material for the 2027 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from the Irish churches with its theme of ‘Do not be afraid’ calls us to resist the temptation to retreat into isolation and instead view our unity as a refuge from which we draw strength to engage in efforts to heal divisions and share the vision of the Kingdom of God in which all are valued and find belonging.

Churches Together in England’s Kingdom over Nation resource reminds us that the Church is not immune to the forces polarising our communities. Being honest about our own divisions can be a powerful witness to a wounded society. Although these divisions are an important part of our story, they are only part of the story. The continued growth of the Church of Sanctuary movement, at a time when the wider Sanctuary movement has been subject to demonisation, misinformation and threat, conveys the depth of the commitment of local church communities to solidarity with those most at risk in our society. This year’s theme of ‘courage’ for Refugee Week really brought this home and messages of support from Church leaders were more important than ever at a time when some have sought to weaponise Christian heritage, language and symbols against people of different faiths and ethnicities, in direct contradiction of our values.

The riots and hate-filled demonstrations that have taken place across the UK and Ireland in recent months have been a cause of grave concern and pain to those leading in our local churches. CTBI has been listening to those who have been on the ground working to hold communities together. Too often this work, which builds on long-term commitment and long-established presence, only receives attention at times of emergency. With increasing pressures on resources, it is more important than ever to amplify these voices and raise awareness of this work. We have also been reaching out to partners of other faiths, sharing our concern about attacks on places of worship and faith communities. Together we affirm that an attack on one faith community is an attack on all, and there is no substitute for encounter between people to overcome the fear and hatred that results from prejudice and ignorance. Churches are well placed to give leadership, taking the initiative in outreach as hosts, having the humility to accept hospitality as guests, being honest about the challenges of this work while also being proactive in sharing the joys that it brings and the hope that inspires it.

Dr Nicola Brady
General Secretary
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

Photo: Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth

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