Courtney McGrailA Christian militia formed in Iraq to defend its community from so-called Islamic State (ISIS) has joined the battle to liberate Mosul. According to reports from the frontline as a coalition offensive got underway on the northern Iraqi city on Monday, some 1,500 Christian members of the Babylon Brigade are at the heart of the…
Month: October 2016
Missions in a Merciful Year
The Extraordinary Year of Mercy is a fitting backdrop for this year’s World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis said in his message for the day, explaining how the Jubilee year invites us to consider the Church’s mission to non-Christians as a vast work of mercy. He explained how we are all called to “go out” as…
Trócaire offers cautious welcome for global emissions agreement
John Reid Trócaire has given a cautious welcome to a major global environmental agreement reached last Saturday in Rwanda. The landmark agreement limits the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the effort to combat global warming. HFCs are a key contributor to greenhouse gases, and environmental groups hope the Kigali Agreement, which modifies the 1987 Montreal Protocol,…
Bishop Leahy pays tribute to rugby giant Foley
Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick has paid tribute to Munster rugby legend Anthony Foley who died in Paris on October 16. “Anthony Foley was simply that big of a figure in the lives of every sports fan from Limerick, Clare and, of course, the wider Munster and Ireland fan base,” the bishop said in a…
Inclusion of abortion campaigner on Citizens’ Assembly criticised
Paul KeenanThe Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has expressed concern at the inclusion in last weekend’s Citizens’ Assembly meeting of a pro-abortion campaigner who “plans to politicise” the process. As the 99 members of the assembly gathered in Dublin Castle, the PLC revealed that “a very prominent pro-choice campaigner has been tweeting about his membership of the…
News in Brief
Dromore diocesan changes Bishop John McAreavey has announced a series of new appointments in Dromore. Canon F. Boyle has retired as PP, Saval; Canon G McCrory has retired as PP, Magheradroll; Father Colum Wright has resigned as PP, Aghaderg and Adm., Donaghmore; Fr P.J. Murray, PP, Dromore to be pastor emeritus, Dromore; Fr Brian Brown, PP, Magheralin…
Pope brings soccer star back to his faith
Staff reporter Legendary footballer Diego Maradona has revealed that his countryman Pope Francis has brought him back to his faith. Speaking at a recent press conference ahead of United for Peace, a friendly soccer match held in aid of the Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, a charity founded by Pope Francis, Maradona said: “I am with Pope Francis,…
Focus aid funding on girls’ education – missionaries
Greg DalyMissionaries have called on the Government to make educating girls in the developing world a key priority in Ireland’s foreign aid budget. The call comes in the aftermath of the International Day of the Girl last week. Sr Brigid Tunney, Mission Development Officer for the Loreto Sisters, told The Irish Catholic that targeted funding for…
Some priests are openly at odds with Church teaching
Dear Editor, Over the last month several Irish Catholic clergy have expressed in public opinions on abortion that are clearly at odds with the teaching of the Church. Last month Fr Brian D’Arcy of the Passionist order was reported as saying that in counselling women on the subject of pregnancy he always took the view…
Mark November properly
Dear Editor, With the approach of Hallowe’en, we see lots of ugly masks, witch outfits, vampire costumes etc. in the shops. Perhaps we could do something to counteract the superstition and occult association with Hallowe’en, the eve of All Saints. Last year some people placed Rosary beads on their front door for the month of…