A Catholic priest has been kidnapped in Niger, near the border with Burkina Faso. Italian Fr Pierluigi Maccalli, a member of the Society of African Missions, was taken last week after suspected Islamist gunmen attacked his rectory in the village of Bamoanga. “The kidnapping happened at around 9pm. According to local residents, about eight men…
The Archbishop of Newark has announced he will not attend an October gathering of bishops slated to discuss young adults and vocational discernment. The archbishop cited his pastoral obligations in the archdiocese amid the US Church’s ongoing sexual abuse crisis. “This Synod is a uniquely important moment in the life of the Church, and I…
A much-vaunted deal between the Vatican and communist China is eliciting pushback, writes Max Rosner After years of intermittent talks, the Holy See and Chinese Communist Party have signed a provisional deal regarding the confirmation and appointment of bishops. Pope Francis has formally recognised seven bishops originally appointed by the communist authorities without Vatican…
The Polish archbishop tasked with overseeing Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Medjugorje shrine has outlined plans for expansion, including more Masses in different languages and facilities for young pilgrims who flock to the site of the alleged Marian apparitions. “Medjugorje represents Europe’s spiritual lungs, a place where millions discover God and the beauties of the Church,” said Archbishop Henryk…
Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward (Simon and Schuster, €19.99) Peter Hegarty Fear, the revealing account of Trump’s time in the White House to date, Woodward’s 19th book since All the President’s Men, describes an “emotionally overwrought, mercurial, and unpredictable leader” and his chaotic administration, in which Woodward has excellent contacts. His book rests firmly…
The Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese’s release of the names of priests and deacons credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor “is an appropriate step and part of a commitment to openness and transparency by the Church in this area” a member of the Indiana Diocesan Review Board has said. “I am hopeful too that…
God ‘searches for disciples amongst sinners’ God went looking for and chose so many Christians and saints from the dregs of society, inviting some of the worst sinners to be his disciples, Pope Francis said in a morning homily. It would be easy to think, he said, that Jesus “doesn’t have good judgment in choosing people” given that he chose…
The Parnell Split in Westmeath: the bishop and the newspaper editor by Michael Nolan (Four Courts Press, €9.95) Felix M. Larkin John Patrick Hayden established the Westmeath Examiner in Mullingar in 1882, and was its editor and proprietor for a record 72 years – until his death in 1954, aged 91. His father, and later his brother, owned the Roscommon Messenger,…
Pilgrimage can teach about your own Faith, writes Fr Shane Sullivan From July 16-July 31, I had to opportunity to go to Ecuador with a group of seven young adults from different parts of Ireland (Mayo, Galway, Tipperary and Antrim) along with two of the Roscommon-based Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother…
Tara McGahan When I was planning my Summer holidays this year, I had no idea that they would include a unique experience as part of a group of international media who were in Ireland for the visit of Pope Francis for the World Meeting of Families 2018. But, that’s exactly what happened on Saturday…