‘Exceptional’ ancient bronze statues emerge in Italy Archaeologists in Italy have found more than two dozen beautifully preserved bronze statues dating back to ancient Roman times in thermal baths in Tuscany, in what experts are hailing as an “exceptional” discovery. The statues were found over the last two weeks in San Casciano dei Bagni, a…
by Carol Zimmermann Although Catholic leaders and state Catholic conferences had pushed for the defeat of ballot measures protecting legal abortion and urged voters to pass measures restricting abortions, state voters ultimately went the other way November 8. Voters in California, Vermont and Michigan approved abortion protections, while Kentucky and Montana voters rejected abortion restrictions.…
A top court in the southern Indian state of Kerala has dismissed an appeal by Cardinal George Alencherry, who sought an exemption from appearing in a district court in cases related to his alleged involvement in the sale of Church lands. The November 9 decision of the Kerala High Court effectively means the head of…
Vatican confirms opening of abuse investigation of French cardinal The Vatican has decided to open an investigation into French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, the retired archbishop of Bordeaux, who admitted in a public letter that he had abused a 14-year-old girl 35 years ago. “As a result of the elements that have emerged in the last…
Pope: Seminaries don’t form ‘supermen’, but humble servants The mission of a seminary “is not to form ‘supermen’ who pretend to know and control everything”, but to help seminarians become priests who are humble servants of the communities they continue to belong to, Pope Francis said. “The Lord calls some of his disciples to be…
Dear Editor, Many of the reactions to Fr Sheehy’s homilies, including Bishop Browne’s reaction, seem to overlook completely a very important truth, namely, that Jesus Christ preached strongly against sexual sins. In Matthew 5, he warns us that lustful thoughts can lead to damnation and must be avoided even if this involves serious sacrifice. In…
Staff Reporter Plans to reform hate crime laws have sparked widespread opposition, with more than 3,600 submissions from the public, elected representatives, political parties and academics received by Government. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Laois-Offaly Independent Carol Nolan TD said that there are “serious concerns” around the laws. “In particular I am worried about…
French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, former head of the French bishops’ conference, admitted to abusing a 14-year-old girl 35 years ago. The revelation came in a letter from Cardinal Ricard read by Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort of Reims, president of the bishops’ conference, during a news conference on abuse November 7, during the French bishops’ general assembly. The…
The economic crisis in Cuba continues to impact the population, this time affecting Catholics specifically because the lack of wheat flour has meant that no more Communion hosts can be made. The St. Teresa Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Havana announced the news Wednesday. “We inform all the dioceses that there are no longer hosts for…
Church in Ireland offers partial Gospel for failing faith, writes Dr Tom Finegan Often when Church problems are discussed we hear about declining numbers, shaky finances, and lessening influence. Yet the problems in Irish Catholicism run deeper than any of these. The recent controversy involving Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne’s public rebuke of Fr Sean…