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Catholic Social Teaching is often described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ for Catholics. At this time when communities are coming together to act in solidarity to battle the spread of COVID-19, Catholic Social Teaching would seem more relevant than ever. Churches are closed, friends are separated, the elderly and vulnerable are self-isolating - some away from their families - and the rest of us are on lockdown to protect the herculean efforts of the NHS as the virus reaches its peak in the UK. Professor Jim McManus is Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire and has been helping guide the Catholic Church's response to COVID-19. He talks to us about the vital guiding principles of solidarity, subsidiarity and upholding the common good to protect the most vulnerable in our society. "We often neglect what's called 'horizontal subsidiarity' - the skills of good citizenship. The skills we learn of participating, of helping one another out, of good behaviour, of pro-social behaviour. This is the time when these networks of skills and goodwill are most needed. "The 'soft skills' we need as a society are the things we need to practice. So 'horizontal subsidiarity' absolutely comes in. It is derived, theologically, from a duty we owe one another in justice - as fellow creatures - and we should follow that."

Our latest podcast again features Professor Jim McManus who's Hertfordshire County Council's Director of Public Health and a key contributor to the Catholic Church's Healthcare Reference Group. Now, sadly, we've had to suspend public acts of worship, Jim gives us an update and offers some dos and don'ts when it comes to self-isolation and social distancing. We talk about how we can all stay safe and how when we protect ourselves, we protect others - particularly the most vulnerable and those who are not in a position to work from home.

There's an understandable level of anxiety generated whenever anyone talks about Coronavirus and the global impact of COVID-19. But what is always needed is clear information and a sensible approach to containing, delaying and coping with the virus. Professor Jim McManus joins us today to discuss COVID-19 and how we can all do our bit to combat the spread and keep ourselves safe - especially the most vulnerable members of our society. Jim is the Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire and Vice President of Directors of Public Health. He is also a key contributor to the Bishops' Conference Healthcare Reference Group and worked on our Coronavirus guidelines for Catholics.

We're into the new year and it's well worth remembering that Christmas doesn't end on Boxing Day as everyone looks to move on rather too quickly. Canon Christopher Thomas concludes our series of six Advent and Christmas reflections by looking at what is revealed to us at the great Feast of the Epiphany - namely God incarnate as Jesus Christ, dwelling among us. Of course the magi - the wise men - come into focus but also the star that leads the way: "In its shining - the star calls to all people 'Here is your king - the child to save you from your sins'." Let's celebrate that "He is God with us, He is the light of the world" and bear in mind that the Christmas season continues for a full 40 days - right up to the 'Presentation of Jesus at the Temple'.

As Advent - the great season of anticipation and preparation - draws to a close we arrive at the crib to celebrate Christ among us - the Word made flesh. Canon Christopher Thomas offers us a thought-provoking Christmas reflection. Silence lies at the heart of the ultimate Christmas gift, yet to speak of silence means to destroy it - to take away the peace.

Trust is in relatively short supply these days. As we arrive at the fourth and final Sunday of Advent, we look at the extraordinary bonds of trust we see in the Nativity story. Joseph trusted Mary, Mary trusted God - both turned away from the judgements of society.

For the Third Sunday of Advent Peter and John The Baptist come into focus for Canon Christopher Thomas in his Advent reflection. Peter's confidence and John's doubts stem from the extent to which they 'know' Jesus. Jesus is the one we come to worship - week in, week out. We have great tools for this - the generations of Catholics who have gone before us, the lives of the saints, our history as the Catholics of England. Above all we have the Holy Scriptures and prayer.

For Advent 2019, as the Church enters a new year, we're bringing you four seasonal reflections from Canon Christopher Thomas, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Second Sunday of Advent.

For Advent 2019, as the Church enters a new year, we're bringing you four seasonal reflections from Canon Christopher Thomas, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. First Sunday of Advent.

Archbishop John Wilson, the Catholic Archbishop of Southwark, spoke to journalists assembled in London for the post-Bishops' plenary meeting press conference. The media gathering focused on the forthcoming General Election and a number of matters concerning human dignity and justice. The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales met in Leeds from 25-28 November 2019.

"No chaplains, no army" is a quote attributed to General Sir Peter de la Billière - commander of British forces during the first Gulf War in the early 1990s. It's a sentiment that aptly highlights the high regard in which military chaplains are held. Whether serving in the army, navy or air force, they really are indispensible to the service men and women who put themselves in harm's way for their country.

The Catholic Bishop of the Forces, the Right Reverend Paul Mason, spoke to us on Armistice Day 2019. He was speaking after a Mass of remembrance in Westminster Cathedral. "It's important to give honour to those who have given of themselves so we can live and enjoy the freedoms that we do. It's not just a question of remembering. For us, as Catholics, it's so important that not only do we remember, but we pray for those who have died. We believe our prayers can help them, just as their prayers can help us."

For today's Catholic News podcast we turn our attention to the Middle East - the region of Christ's birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Our studio guest is an experienced commentator on regional realities. Ziad El-Sayegh is the Policies and Communications advisor to the Middle East Council of Churches and has been in the UK talking to some of our bishops about the work of the council and the challenges facing the the Christian communities in the Middle East.