WMOF 2018 Pilgrims without tickets to official events with Pope Francis will have a chance to see the Pontiff on a drive through Dublin, officials have announced. The Pope will be driven through Dublin city centre in his ‘Popemobile’ on Saturday afternoon giving the public the first opportunity to see him during his historic…
Programme of the Pastoral Congress in the RDS
WMOF 2018: Programme The congress of the World Meeting of Families is fast approaching, and as it kicks off in less than one week in the RDS, it is time to start planning. With some events taking place at the same time and in different locations, becoming familiar with the map of the RDS…
World Meeting of Families 2018 Speakers’ Profiles
Cardinal Donald Wuerl Keynote Speaker – The Welfare of the Family is Decisive for the Future of the World The 77-year-old Archbishop of Washington, who was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, has long been a leading figure in the Church’s ‘new evangelisation’ project, giving lectures and publishing books on the subject for some years before the then Pope appointed him relator, or…
Peacekeeping chief to speak at WMOF women’s forum
The World Meeting of Families 2018 has announced that a symposium dedicated to the global impact of women’s leadership will be held on Saturday, August 25 as part of its international gathering of families from August 21-26. ‘Voices of Impact: Women Leaders Shaping Global Change’, will be chaired by Irish broadcaster and entrepreneur Norah Casey…
Ex-archbishop sentenced to house arrest for abuse cover up
Former Archbishop Philip Wilson will serve a maximum 12-month sentence in home detention for concealing child sexual abuse, an Australian court has ruled. This decision means Wilson (67) will avoid jail. He resigned as archbishop of Adelaide after his conviction and has become the world’s most senior cleric to be convicted of the crime. His…
Senate in Argentina vote down abortion decriminalisation bill
The Argentine senate has voted against a bill that would have decriminalised abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Senators voted 38-31 against the measure last week following a 15-hour debate. The measure had been approved in June by the lower house of Congress. The Argentine bishops’ conference hailed the vote, saying the debate…
‘Silence in the bus shelter’: what will become of us if we don’t take care
Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig (Canongate, £12.99 ) Peter Hegarty The author of Reasons to Stay Alive describes himself as having once been a ‘terrified young man ‘who was ‘suicidally ill’. His struggles with depression and anxiety inform his writing and journalism: ‘The fact that I have had mental illness, though a nightmare in reality, has…
Knock launches spiritual programme for Pope’s visit
WMOF 2018: Programme Knock Shrine has released a detailed programme for the visit of Pope Francis to the site of the Marian apparition as part of the World Meeting of Families celebrations. To make the most of this special occasion, Knock are encouraging everyone to arrive early for a ‘Gathering Event’ and to stay…
Caritas project aims to end hunger in South Asia
Church agency Caritas has launched a project that aims to end hunger across South Asia by 2030. Caritas India introduced the programme in collaboration with its international partners to help farmers adapt methods to cope with erratic climate conditions. “Climate change is a global challenge and affects agricultural production and human well-being. It hits hardest…
First digital animations on Amoris Laetitia and a new six-part TV series
WMOF 2018 A new series of digital animations and a six-part television series has been launched as part of ongoing preparations for the World Meeting of Families 2018 and the visit of Pope Francis. Both of these new resources focus on Amoris Laetitia, the document written by Pope Francis on love in the family. Amoris Animations The Amoris Animations, the first created…










