Young people trying to plan their future are being encouraged to take up the challenge to try and discern God’s will for their lives in a new programme being pioneered by the Diocese of Elphin. The Siena programme is aimed at young people who may find themselves at a crossroads in life having just finished…
A much-loved and Catholic soap star died aged 77 last week after 30 years on television. Liz Dawn, who played the fiery Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street, realised one of her dreams when she met St John Paul II when he was Pope in the Vatican in 1998 after years of charity work. The television…
Some stories make us uncomfortable. Mine is one of those stories, but I will tell it nonetheless, because I am a woman whose child was conceived in rape, and women like me will no longer be silenced. I was travelling on business, staying in a little hotel in a college town, when it happened. It was…
JUST 320 DAYS TO GO Every three years the Church brings together the largest international gathering of families in the world. Ireland will have the joy of hosting the next World Meeting of Families on behalf of Pope Francis from 21-26 August 2018. This week the Irish Catholic newspaper is bringing you the first…
Centenary celebrations for historical Mayo church A Mass marking the centenary of St Patrick’s Church in Newport, Co. Mayo was celebrated by Fr Tod Nolan. Referencing the historical significance of the church, local historian Joe McDermott said: “St. Patrick’s Church on Barrack Hill dominates the town of Newport. The church was erected by John Sisk…
The Indian Catholic priest who recently met the Pope after being freed by kidnappers in Yemen met with the Indian Prime Minister after returning home. Fr Tom Uzhunnalil returned to India last week after being freed after 18 months of captivity. He met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government officials. India’s foreign ministry…
Bishops from England and Wales met representatives from EU institutions to address issues and key concerns for the Church regarding Brexit. Bishop Nicholas Hudson led the delegation which discussed the importance of upholding human rights in trade deals, prisoner transfer rights, the North of Ireland and its border issues with the Republic of Ireland. They…
The President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed his sorrow at the news of the most lethal mass shooting the US has seen. A gunman killed over 50 people and hospitalised 400 in an attack on people attending a country western gig in Las Vegas last weekend. The suspect, Stephen Paddock (64),…
Spanish bishops have dubbed the government’s use of violence to stop a disputed referendum “deplorable” after hundreds of people were injured by riot police. More than 800 people were injured and many detained after the regional government of Spain’s Catalonia region attempted to hold an independence referendum. Catalan officials claimed that 90% of the votes…
Pope to focus on ‘fake news’ Given the strong divisions sparked and fueled by “fake news,” Pope Francis is highlighting the importance of truth in his message for World Communications Day. The message will call for studying the causes and consequences of baseless information and will promote “professional journalism”, which always seeks the truth and…