Staff reporter Dom Richard Purcell has resigned as abbot of the largest Cistercian monastery in the country. Dom Richard, who made history in 2009 by becoming the country’s youngest abbot at just 33, has led Mount Melleray since moving from Roscrea in 2017. However, he tendered his resignation last week. Order of Cistercians A statement…
A report issued last week declared the treatment of Christian minority women and girls in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia a “human rights catastrophe”. The study, “Hear Her Cries”, published by the charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) last week, said that “at its most extreme”, forced conversions could amount…
Staff reporter Paul Givan, a DUP MLA, has resigned from the Free Presbyterian Church due to a dispute regarding October’s ecumenical centenary service in Armagh, according to reports. It is believed Mr Givan resigned rather than face disciplinary action overseen by church elders, The Irish News reported. The number of DUP MLAs who are full…
An international Christian legal group has denounced the US State Department’s decision to remove Nigeria from this year’s watchlist of countries with the most egregious violations of religious freedom, in a period where the country is arguably at its most unsafe for Christians. “Persecution against Christians and other religious minorities around the world must end,”…
Bishop Xavier Novell, who unexpectedly resigned in August as bishop of Solsona, Spain, entered into a civil marriage with Silvia Caballol on November 22. Catalan media sources reported that the marriage ceremony took place on that Monday at the courthouse in Suria, Barcelona province, and was attended by only two witnesses. According to this same…
Staff reporter Ahead of today’s visit by Pope Francis to Cyprus, Fr Jerzy Kraj, Vicar General of Holy Cross Franciscan Monastery in Nicosia, said the Pontiff’s decision to visit the tiny Catholic community is a concrete application of “his message to go to the peripheries, to encounter small communities and to encourage them”. When the…
The Australian Archdiocese of Brisbane has announced that all archdiocesan employees, including clergy, contractors and some volunteers, must be fully vaccinated by December 15 in accord with the state’s mandate unless they have a medical exemption. “As we view the situation in Australia and internationally, it is clear that vaccination is the most effective way…
For her latest book, Sr Stan asks a wide range of people across Irish society where they find peace From media personalities like Tommy Tiernan, Miriam O’Callaghan, Ray D’Arcy, to politicians like Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Michael D. Higgins, all answer the question in their own way, giving us an insight into their minds…
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said last week that the death of 27 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel is “a tragic summons to action”. Cardinal Nichols, appealed on November 25 for “focused international cooperation” to prevent further deaths in the waters between France and the UK.…
Staff Reporter To mark the centenary of the Legion of Mary, The Irish Catholic will next week publish a specially-dedicated souvenir edition looking at the remarkable life of Frank Duff and the tremendous work of the enormous lay organisation he founded. Charting the humble beginnings of the legion to being the largest movement ever to…