Top award for Catholic medic in Africa A Catholic medical missionary in Africa has been honored with a top international medical award. Dr Tom Catena (55) from New York received the AMH Gerson L’Chaim Prize for ‘outstanding Christian medical missionary service’ last week. The American Surgeon, described as “the world’s most important doctor” on US…
To mark Catholic Schools Week 2020, the Diocese of Down and Connor, recognising and paying tribute to the inspiring work within its schools, has presented eight schools from across the diocese with the ‘Spirit of Catholic Education Award’ held in St Mary’s University College in Belfast. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration which commemorates…
Time to welcome spring’s snowdrops With the coming of spring, flowers are beginning to break through the soil and it seems like the whole environment is coming back to vibrant life with a huge variety of colour. What better way to enjoy the season than to take a walk in nature and enjoy one of…
Pope Francis “has our backs” in the pro-life cause, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, said to applause in his homily at the opening Mass of the National Vigil for Life. During an ad limina meeting with US bishops the week before, Archbishop Naumann [pictured] said Pope Francis had told them: “If we do not…
Filipino Church leaders have urged parishioners to be extra cautious amidst a deadly outbreak of coronavirus, which has affected hundreds of people in China and spread to other countries as well. Bishop Oscar Florencio, who oversees the Bishops’ Commission on Health Care, encouraged residents to be vigilant and to quickly check into a hospital if…
If Scottish MPs can decide for Northern Ireland, doesn’t the opposite apply, asks Pól Ó Muirí It is one of the most famous lines in Irish drama: “What is the stars, Joxer, what is the stars?” Spoken by Captain Boyle in Seán O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock, it speaks of tumultuous times in Irish…
Sex is reserved for married heterosexual couples, new pastoral guidance from the Church of England has affirmed. The new guidance also draws a clear distinction between marriage and civil partnerships, noting that sexual relations are not proper to the latter. The guidance, ‘Civil Partnerships – for same sex and opposite sex couples: A pastoral statement…
The new bishop of Achonry has said that the Church needs to prioritise ministry with young people. It was announced on Monday that Pope Francis has appointed Carlow-born Fr Paul Dempsey as the new Bishop of Achonry. Up to this point Fr Dempsey (48) has been Parish Priest of Newbridge in the Diocese of Kildare…
Representatives of the US bishops expressed sorrow after three US fire-fighters died in an air crash while fighting bushfires in Australia. “As the people of Australia continue to endure terrible fires, let us renew our prayer and generosity. Today, the suffering was brought even closer to home with the loss of three brave American crew…
The Middle East Council of Churches has called for prayer and peace-building initiatives amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the Arab world. The council’s executive committee, concluding a two-day meeting in Cyprus last week, said its gathering occurred “in the midst of the bloody and painful events that beset our countries”. In their…