Ash Wednesday is inextricably linked to Easter. After all, it marks the beginning of the Lent penance period that ends on Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. In churches during Lent, the colour purple is prominent, symbolising mourning and penance and churches may remove decorations and choose more solemn hymns, to reflect Lent’s sombre tone.
Catholic bishops have raised concerns that new legislation cracking down on foreign interference and espionage could force church members to register as agents of the Vatican.