The Church in Germany is at a point where serious debate – including on priestly celibacy and the role of women – and openness to doing things in a new way must encouraged, said the president of the German bishops’ conference. “Shakeups demand special proceedings,” Cardinal Reinhard Marx said at the end of the bishops’…
The headlines from a Gallup Poll about the growing number of US Catholics who have thought about leaving the Church because of the clergy abuse crisis did not faze one researcher of Catholic data too much. “There is a substantial difference between considering leaving and leaving. It is also the case among those who do…
Ireland’s bishop tasked with dealing with European matters says that people are “hoping and praying” that developments with Brexit serve the common good. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor said that various Church initiatives show how much concern there is around this issue. “On the basis of the initiatives…
Rosary Crusades in Latin America organised by a famous Irish-born priest were funded by the CIA as part of a campaign against communism, according to a documentary to be shown on RTÉ tonight. Guns and Rosaries tells the story of how Fr Patrick Peyton, the US-based ‘Rosary priest’ from Attymass, Co. Mayo, who after recovering…
Argentine bishops urge Pope to visit homeland In a letter commemorating the sixth anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, the bishops of Argentina said they will ask the Pope to visit his homeland. “In our next meeting with him, we will propose once again that he does not deprive himself of the joy of visiting us,” the Argentine bishops said in statement…
Dear Editor, Many dioceses are engaging in ‘listening’ processes which on the face of it is commendable. However, one must ask what qualities are required to “listen”? Surely no institution can embark on a successful ‘listening’ programme without (i) effectively addressing the reason for embarking on such a listening programme which does of course reflect…
Do not be afraid, learn first aid Keeping the family safe is a number one priority for parents and guardians, and with so many dangers out there, learning first aid could be a skill used on multiple occasions. Family First Aid is a first aid awareness course designed specifically for carers, parents, grandparents or guardians…
Buck Whaley: Ireland’s greatest adventurer by David Ryan (Merrion Press, €16.95 / £14.99) Andrew Carpenter This is a highly entertaining, well-written account of the life of one of 18th-Century Ireland’s most famous characters, Thomas ‘Buck’ Whaley. Born into a wealthy Anglo-Irish landowning family in 1765 – he was the heir of landowner, magistrate and former Member…
French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon said Pope Francis would not accept his resignation following his conviction for covering up clerical sexual abuse, so he has decided to step aside temporarily for the good of the archdiocese. The cardinal had met Pope Francis on March 18 to hand in his resignation after a French court…
The head of an African youth network urged the world’s religions to embrace the voices of young people, as the leaders explore ways to tackle the current global ecological crisis. Allen Ottaro, founder and executive director of the Catholic Youth Network for Environment Sustainability for Africa, said young people were aware of the current realities…