A member of the Vatican Observatory has been honoured for his “outstanding” work in astronomy Jesuit Br Guy Consolmagno, who is also the curator of the Vatican’s meteorite collection has been named a recipient of the Carl Sagan Medal, bestowed by the American Astronomical Society, which cited the Jesuit’s “outstanding communication by an active planetary…

Sensationalist reporting must be questioned

‘Glaring omissions’ in end of life care report

World Missions Ireland (The Work of the Pontifical Mission Societies) has appointed Fr Maurice Hogan as its new National Director.    Fr Hogan is a member of the Missionary Society of St Columban (Columban Fathers). Ordained in 1965, he has served as a missionary in Japan and more recently in Hong Kong before returning to…

Over 250,000 people from across the island of Ireland are expected to attend the annual National Solemn Novena at Knock Shrine this month, which is celebrating 135 years since the Marian apparition.    The theme this year is ‘Witness to Hope’ and will see two novena sessions daily at 3pm and 8.30pm, and workshops or…

“It would be so right if the commanders of all missile systems that were in the crash area on July 17 told the whole truth about what they did and saw, if they said it to everyone, to God and people!" Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, head of the Russian Orthodox Churcjh’s Synodal department for Relations between…

“Stop. I am asking you with all my heart, stop.” This was the Pope’s heartfelt plea to the warring sides in the Gaza conflict on July 27. Setting aside his prepared Sunday Angelus script to pray for those caught up in conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and Iraq, the Pontiff insisted that “all is…

The head of the Order of Malta has said he would like the Irish Government to establish full diplomatic relations with the humanitarian organisation.   The Order is a sovereign entity in international law and maintains diplomatic relations with over 100 countries and has observer status at many international organisations including the United Nations (UN).…

Group ‘does not represent Islam’

Pope Francis displayed his trademark love for simplicity and informality at the weekend by popping in to a cafeteria for Vatican employees.    The Pope joined workers on July 25 for a simple but wholesome lunch of pasta, cod and grilled tomatoes.    However, unlike the regular diners, the Pope’s meal was free.    Cashier…