Craigmyle Lecture 2026

The Catholic Union is delighted to announce that this year’s Craigmyle Lecture will be given by Sir Gabriele Finaldi, the Director of the world-renowned National Gallery on Monday 26 October. The lecture will be Chaired by Baroness Hollins, President of the Catholic Union, and sponsored by Stone King, a leading legal practice for the charity, education and faith sectors.

The lecture, to take place in the Pigott Theatre at the National Gallery at 6.30pm, will focus on how art can lead us to faith and faith can lead us to art.  There will be time for questions and answers followed by a reception, generously sponsored by Stone King.

The Craigmyle Lecture is the Catholic Union’s annual flagship lecture, giving a platform to a prominent public figure to talk about a matter of importance to Christians and wider society in this country. Lord Craigmyle (Donald) was a former President of the Catholic Union after whom the lecture series is named.  Some of the previous speakers have been Dame Rachel de Souza, Baroness Hollins, Lord Bird, Professor Tom Shakespeare, Baroness Scotland, Sir James MacMillan, Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, Sir Rocco Forte and Lord Lemos.

Tickets, at £10 each, will be released by the National Gallery in early July.