Staff reporter Gardaí are investigating an act of criminal damage after a Kenmare church was sprayed with a pentagram and black writing. Parishioners were “shocked and outraged” to see the graffiti on the Holy Cross church when they arrived for Sunday Mass, February 13, according to a local councillor. Patrick Connor-Scarteen – a local Fine…
Meath diocese celebrates ‘inspiring’ PJPII Award recipients Bishop Thomas Deenihan of Meath presented awards to students from the diocese who had completed the Pope John Paul II awards at bronze, silver, gold and papal cross level, hailing them as “inspiring”. The ceremony took place in St Patrick’s parish church, Trim, Co. Meath after the vigil Mass…
Pope Francis to visit Malta for apostolic visit in April Pope Francis will travel to the Mediterranean island nation of Malta for an apostolic visit in April. A Holy See Press Office communiqué said that “Accepting the invitation of the President of the Republic of Malta, the civil authorities and the Catholic Church of the…
Dear Editor, On the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul, 1959, Bishop Donal Lamont delivered a pastoral letter ‘Purchased People’ to the Catholics of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe.) It is a wonderfully clear, courageous and concise work and deals with many different issues. Relevant to our Western society today, is his analysis of the roles of…
Christians have been going on pilgrimages for most of the history of Christianity. The Camino de Santiago is one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in Christianity, dating back to the death of Jesus. It has stood the test of time through every world-altering event since then and continues to capture the imagination of Christians and…
Staff reporter Veronica Duffy who died recently, aged 88, was a co-director, with her husband Lauri, of Fatima Pilgrim Tours. Veronica spent most of the pilgrimage season in Fatima where she was a sanctuary-authorised pilgrim guide. She had a special devotion to the angels, and in her guided tour talks to the Irish pilgrim groups she always…
Staff reporter Belfast-born boxer Carl Frampton has revealed that attending Mass with his former manager brought great comfort ahead of fights. The former two-weight world champion, from a Protestant background, admitted to not being “overly religious” during a recent event at Clonard Monastery as part of the Four Corners Festival. However, he said he values…
A fourth Anglican bishop in a year has been received into the Catholic Church. It was confirmed by the Church Times – an independent newspaper covering the Church of England – that the former bishop of Chester, Peter Forster, became Catholic last year. The three other Church of England bishops to become Catholic last year…
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)…