Chai Brady and Ruadhán Jones Young Irish priests have expressed their hurt at being characterised as “rigid” in the national synodal synthesis sent to Rome recently. The synthesis, which identified key themes emerging from nationwide consultation, made one mention of younger priests, saying: “some participants were concerned that some younger priests are very traditional and…
Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals for the Catholic Church during a liturgy in St Peter’s Basilica Saturday. “Jesus calls us by name; he looks us in the eye and he asks: Can I count on you?” Pope Francis said in a homily addressed to the College of Cardinals and its new members on August…
Staff reporter Fr Eamonn Conway has been appointed the Professor for Integral Human Development at the University of Notre Dame Australia. A priest of Tuam archdiocese and heading Theology and Religious Studies at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick until recently, Prof. Conway will be relocating to Perth to take up his new role in October.…
Four Catholic nuns kidnapped in southeast Nigeria August 21 were released two days later, their order said. “With hearts full of joy, the Sisters of Jesus the Saviour wish to announce the unconditional and safe release of four of our sisters,” said a statement from Sr Zita Ihedoro, secretary-general. She thanked people for their “prayers…
Staff Reporter One of the Pope’s key advisers organising the unprecedented synod consultation process has insisted that what is needed is a change of attitude, not a change of doctrine. Chairman Jesuit Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, who is serving as chairman of the synod, insisted at a Vatican press conference on Friday: “I am not in…
Church in Costa Rica must pay $100,000 to abuse victim A lower court in Costa Rica ruled that the Catholic Church in the Central American country must pay about $100,000 to a victim of sexual abuse committed by a former priest. The judgment will be appealed. According to a local media report, on August 23…
Staff reporter Jack Gleeson, one of the stars of hit series Game of Thrones, tied the knot with actress and comedian Róisín O’Mahony, in the Glen Church, Ballinskellings, Co. Kerry. The simple pre-wedding ceremony – the couple will marry in London – was led by Fr Patsy Lynch, August 26, who praised the “humble” power-couple.…
An Australian court August 24 ruled that a man can sue the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and Cardinal George Pell for nervous shock over the alleged sexual abuse of his late son. The man is the father of a former choirboy, who prosecutors alleged had been abused by Cardinal Pell. His son died from an…
Participants will face a packed agenda and heated debate at the upcoming fourth plenary assembly of the Synodal Path reform project on the future of the Catholic Church in Germany. At their meeting September 8-10 in Frankfurt, the approximately 230 delegates will discuss 14 papers, reported the German Catholic news agency KNA. These include texts…
Pope meeting off as patriarch cancels Kazakhstan visit Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who was expected to meet Pope Francis at the Congress of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan, will not attend the interreligious gathering in September, a senior Russian Orthodox bishop said. Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of external relations for the Russian Orthodox…