Hearts that are closed to welcoming migrants and refugees are similar to those of the Pharisees, who often would preach sacrifice and following God’s law without exercising mercy to those in need, Pope Francis said. Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees’ “insidious murmuring” is “a finger pointed at the sterile hypocrisy of those who do not…
Matthew Carlson Listening is the most important thing parishes can do to help bridge gaps between gay people and the Church, a prominent speaker at the upcoming World Meeting of Families has said. “The most important thing that parishes, priests and ordinary parishioners can do for LGBT people is clear: Listen to them,” Fr James…
The Archbishop of Adelaide was sentenced to a 12-month sentence on Tuesday after being convicted in May of failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse disclosed to him in the 1970s. Archbishop Philip Wilson is likely to serve his sentence under house arrest, and be fitted with an electronic monitoring bracelet, according to media…
Music is something that can involve us all at Church services, writes Matthew Carlson Not everyone is called to lead worship at their local church, and unfortunately not all of us are blessed with great musical talent, but the Irish Church Music Association helps make sure that we all can enjoy music during worship.…
Religious liberty advocates were pleased with the US Supreme Court’s order to send Arlene’s Flowers vs State of Washington and Arlene’s Flowers vs Ingersoll back to the lower court for review. Barronelle Stutzman, the owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Washington, declined a customer’s request to make custom floral arrangements for a same-sex wedding. She…
Davis Clark A prominent Irish Columban missionary has denounced priests who arm themselves, saying clerics should not be “ready to kill”. Almost 200 Catholic priests have applied for gun permits in the Philippines this year against a background of a series of clergymen being murdered. The murders have led the Philippine National Police to categorise…
A huge crowd gathered on July 1 to celebrate Family and Mission Day at St Columban’s, Navan, Co. Meath to mark 100 years of Columban mission. This was the occasion for the Missionary Society of St Columban to welcome their many faithful friends, promoters, relatives of the priests and Sisters of St Columban, and their…
A body representing a quarter of Catholic priests in Ireland will be hosting a number of meetings ahead of the Papal visit for the World Meeting of Families this August. The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) will host four public regional meetings on the theme of “What do we need to say to Pope Francis…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte should talk with the country’s religious leaders in person and not use representatives, according to a senior Church official. Fr Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the public affairs committee of the Catholic bishops’ conference, said “actual dialogue” with the president would be better. Early this week, Duterte named a four-man team to…
The pastoral centre of the Diocese of Matagalpa in central Nicaragua, whose bishop was in Rome to inform the Pope of the situation in his country, has been attacked by men armed with machetes. The attack occurred last week after two months of protests against Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega which have resulted in violence and…