The president of the Argentine bishops’ conference expressed sorrow and called for action on addiction after the consumption of contaminated cocaine claimed at least 23 lives and hospitalised dozens more in the low-income suburbs of Buenos Aires. Bishop Óscar concaine of San Isidro, conference president, tweeted February 2, “I am deeply moved by the death…
Staff reporter The Police Ombudsman has found “collusive behaviour” by police in 11 loyalist murders in the North, including the 1992 attack at the Sean Graham betting shop. A report by Marie Anderson also identified “significant” investigative and intelligence failures. She said it was “totally unacceptable” that police used informants within the Ulster Defence Association (UDA)…
We need to use the synod to see what we can learn from the newer Catholic communities in Ireland, writes Sr Josephine Enenmo, OLA I am delighted at this opportunity to share my experience of being part of the Church in Ireland and my hopes for this journey titled: ‘For a synodal Church: Communion, Participation,…
The president of the Lithuanian bishops’ conference warned that his country and its neighbours could be targeted if Russian President Vladimir Putin imposes his will on Ukraine. Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius, who is also president of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, urged Western countries to maintain a “hard line of deterrence. “We’re in…
Staff reporter The Pope’s representative in Ireland has thrown his weight behind a new initiative for the renewal of faith through an all-island novena which follows in the steps of St Patrick. Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo visited St Patrick’s Church in Saul on the feast of Candlemas as part of a St Patrick’s novena. Archbishop…
Weather warning over falling iguanas in Florida People in Florida have been warned that immobilised iguanas could fall out of trees due to unusually cold temperatures across the region. “Iguanas are cold-blooded. They slow down or become immobile when temps drop into the 40s (4-9 Celsius). They may fall from trees, but they are not…
US pastor resigns after discovering invalid baptisms Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix said baptisms performed by a priest during years of ministry in the diocese are invalid, leading to the resignation of the clergyman, February 1. In a January 14 letter to the diocese, Bishop Olmsted said diocesan officials learned from the Vatican Congregation for…
Born in the same year as the Irish Free State came into existence, Fr Tony Mulvey CSsR is the first Irish Redemptorist to reach 100 years of age. But achieving this milestone doesn’t mean he has retired, he insists. “There’s no retirement for Redemptorists. The only place you retire is into the box when you’re…
The Nicaragua national assembly ordered the revocation of the legal status of five universities – including a Catholic university – along with several Catholic educational and charitable projects, marking the latest act of repression targeting supposed opponents of President Daniel Ortega. Projects that would be forced to close in the Diocese of Estelí include an…
When a suicide bomber attempted to enter a Catholic church in Pakistan in 2015, a 20-year-old volunteer security guard blocked him. “I will die but I will not let you go in,” he reportedly told the terrorist armed with explosives. The attacker then set off a bomb, immediately killing himself and the man now recognised as…