Pope Francis offered his prayers and praise for former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who died at age 91 August 30 in Moscow after a long illness. In a telegram sent to Gorbachev’s only child, Irina Virganskaya, the Pope conveyed his “heartfelt condolences” to her, all family members and those “who saw him as an esteemed…
We should have a serious debate about the consequences of teenage pregnancy rather than indulging in Catholic bashing, writes Fr Andrew McMahon Sinn Féin’s vice-president Michelle O’Neill gave a lengthy interview to BBC Radio Ulster recently, focusing on her background, personal history and motivation for entering politics. Two aspects of the interview were highlighted in…
Staff reporter The parish priest of the late Jack de Bromhead’s hometown said there is a “deep, deep sadness” in the community. Jack (13), died over the weekend, September 3, after a horse racing accident at the Glenbeigh races on Rossbeigh beach in Co. Kerry. Fr Pat Fitzgerald PP of St Paul’s and Butlerstown in…
Ukrainian bishops praise efforts to restart schooling disrupted by war Ukrainian bishops welcomed efforts to restart classes for a new school year and offered church basements as emergency air raid shelters for children. “The Ukrainian authorities know education is vital for the country’s future, so everything is being done to get youngsters back to school,…
Irish Trappist Bro. Brian O’Dowd tells Rhina Guidos about finding his new spiritual home When Trappist Bro. Brian O’Dowd was looking for a new spiritual home, he set his sights on something different from his monastery in Ireland, built around a 13th-century Norman castle, where the religious community was dwindling. He found it, but with…
An American religious sister ministering in Burkina Faso who was kidnapped in April is free and safe after nearly five months of captivity, according to her congregation and the local diocese. Sr Suellen Tennyson, 83, a New Orleans native, has served at a missionary outpost in northern Burkina Faso since 2014. She was abducted by…
Junno Arocho Esteves The prophecies and revelations of St Bridget of Sweden, who lived in Rome for nearly 20 years until her death in 1373, were known for their direct reprimands to popes and princes alike, calling for an end to corruption and the start of reform within the Catholic Church. “She was not afraid…
Drought in Spain uncovers submerged monuments A centuries-old church and a huge megalithic complex are among the underwater monuments that have resurfaced in Spain as a severe drought causes water levels in reservoirs to plunge, AFP reports. After a prolonged dry spell, Spain’s reservoirs are at just under 36 percent capacity, according to environment ministry…
The Diocese of Salford, UK has reiterated its commitment to preserving and protecting a historic Catholic mural in a church, following increasing concerns about its survival due to the threat of vandalism. The artwork was created in 1955 by George Mayer-Martin, a Hungarian Jew who sought refuge in the UK following the spread of Nazism…
Artists encouraged at Vatican to promote beauty and truth September 1 marked the final day of a two-day meeting in the Vatican’s Casina Pio IV aimed at promoting a conversation on how to use the arts to foster a culture of hope and unity. The “Vitae Summit”, organised by the Vitae Global Foundation, was animated…