France’s Catholic bishops urged citizens to use upcoming elections to restore basic freedoms and “rules of civility”. “We are going through tough and perilous times, but fear is always a bad counsellor, whereas hope opens the way to courageous and healthy choices,” said the Permanent Council of the Paris-based bishops’ conference. “The risk of fracturing…
The Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat in Ethiopia has reiterated its urgent calls for dialogue and unhindered humanitarian access in Tigray, as the UN highlighted an opportunity for a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the northern region. Father Abraha Hagos, director of the Adigrat Catholic Secretariat, said since December, the Church has been unable to…
Catholic politician rejects accusations in Islamophobia report A Catholic politician has objected to her inclusion in a report on Islamophobia in Europe, saying that it is based on “false accusations”. Marijana Petir, a member of the Croatian parliament, said that the reference to her and others in the European Islamophobia Report 2020, published on December 29,…
Giant pandas stay chubby on bamboo diet due to gut bacteria Despite almost exclusively eating fibrous bamboo, giant pandas manage to stay chubby and healthy due to a seasonal change in their gut bacteria, a new study has shown. Researchers have found that the animals’ gut bacteria changes at the time of year when nutritious…
Afghanistan has unseated North Korea for the dubious distinction of the most dangerous country in the world for Christians, according to a group that reports on global Christian persecution. A takeover of the government by the Taliban has made it even harder — now, impossible— to live openly as a Christian, advocacy group Open Doors…
Bishop Leahy launches new religious education programme Bishop Brendan Leahy launched Credible Catholic, a new religious education programme for Catholic Voluntary Secondary School in Ireland, January 26. Credible Catholic is “a wonderful programme that quenches the thirst of the mind, expands the outreach of the heart and points in the direction of doing many good…
Dear Editor, I would agree with Fr Padraig Ó Cochláin’s sentiments [The Irish Catholic – January 13, 2020] as regards our lovely Irish language, it is the richest of all languages in its bounty of old truisms, seanfhocail agus beannachtaí. It is now an official language of the EU but my regret is that it…
St Irenaeus declared ‘Doctor of Unity’ Pope Francis on Friday officially declared St Irenaeus of Lyon as the 37th Doctor of the Church, with the title Doctor Unitatis (‘Doctor of Unity’). “May the doctrine of such a great Master encourage more and more the path of all the Lord’s disciples towards full communion,” the Pope…
Staff reporter Christian Churches in the Middle East face a “perilous type of existence” which has highlighted the need for them to work together, an Irish priest has said ahead of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) 2022. The WPCU runs from January 18-25 on the theme ‘We saw his star in the…
A Kazakh Church leader said Catholics were left “shocked and disorientated” when early January riots shattered Kazakhstan’s image as an oasis of peace and stability. “I’ve never known such ill-will and aggression here – after so many years of excellent cooperation between faiths, and between the Catholic Church and the government,” said Father Peter Pytlovani,…