Hannah Brockhaus Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Washington’s Cardinal Donald Wuerl today, while asking the cardinal to continue leading the Archdiocese of Washington on an interim basis until a permanent successor is appointed. In a letter to Wuerl obtained by CNA today, Pope Francis told the cardinal: “Your renunciation is a sign of…
Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington had been told by Vatican officials to withdraw from public life because of rumours about his sexual misconduct, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops has revealed. However, because they were only rumours and not proof, then-Pope Benedict XVI never imposed formal sanctions on the retired Washington…
The world’s youngest cardinal, 51-year-old Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga of Bangui, Central African Republic, insists the key question before the Synod of Bishops is: “What is God trying to tell us through young people?” Finding better ways to pass the Faith on to younger generations is one part of the task, the cardinal told reporters on…
Leaders of the main religious traditions in Ireland have said it is vital to focus on restoring devolution in the North, which must happen through “ongoing dialogue”. Bishops and religious met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, on October 8 at Stormont House in Belfast. The meeting took…
The Franciscan Friary at Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath, has marked 750 years of continuous service and presence. It began with an historical drama for local 5th and 6th class children on Tuesday morning, telling the story of the years since 1268 to the present time; that evening there was a Novena to St Anthony of Padua…
Ireland’s new ambassador to the Vatican is already working in Rome and will formally present his credentials to Pope Francis next month. Ambassador-Designate Derek Hannon succeeds Emma Madigan as Irish Ambassador to the Holy See. Ms Madigan, who was appointed to the role in 2014, is widely acknowledged as having played a key role in…
A Catholic university professor’s tweets that white Republican men should die a “miserable death” for supporting Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination for the Supreme Court are more than just about free speech, the head of Students for Life of America has warned. “Recommending violence, death and mutilation for members of Congress is not a simple ‘free…
The leader of North Korea wants Pope Francis to visit his country and believes he would be welcomed “enthusiastically”, according to South Korean officials. Kim Jung Un is said to have expressed his desire for the Pontiff to make the trip to Pyongyang during his latest summit with South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in last month.…
Fr Bernard Healy There is a chapel known as ‘Domine Quo Vadis’ on the Via Appia, the old road that leads southwards out of Rome and there is an unusual tale dating back to the 2nd Century about the site that it’s built on. It is said that during a time of persecution St…
Garden of Ghosts and Ghouls October is the month of frights, spooks and scares, and so there’s no better way to spend this time than by experiencing an ominous Hallowe’en tour. Wexford’s Wells House and Gardens is welcoming the return of the acclaimed ‘Dare to Scare’ Hallowe’en tour, taking place in its beautiful old country…