Catholic parishes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been attacked and looted in a serious escalation of violence in the country. According to reports, militants in the central Kasai province, who have been fighting the military since August, have increased their attacks on civilian communities, bringing accusations of serious human rights abuses. “Violence…
Holy Land experts to dig at ‘Ark of the Covenant site’
Archaeologists in the Holy Land have announced plans to excavate a previously untouched site associated with the story of the Ark of the Covenant. According to the Times of Israel, researchers have at last turned their attention to Kiryat Ye’arim, the location of a biblical town dating to the story of King David and mentioned…
Catholic bishops in America speak out against exclusion, intolerance
Catholic bishops from the United States and Mexico have spoken forcefully against the climate of fear for migrants and others which has arisen in America since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. In separate gatherings, prelates made statements to denounce “the exclusion and marginalisation” which threaten to divide families and punish the most vulnerable. In…
Ambassadors hear Russian Orthodox concerns
The condition of a Christian community in any given nation of the Middle East is “an indicator of security and stability” a leading Russian prelate has told ambassadors drawn from the Arab world. In an address to a gathering of 11 diplomats in Moscow, Metropolitan Hilarion chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church…
Vatican Roundup
Pope considering trip to famine-struck South Sudan Pope Francis has revealed he is considering the possibility of an official trip to South Sudan. Days after he made a plea for the international community to respond to “a severe food crisis, which has hit the Horn of Africa region [and] condemns to death by starvation millions…
Married clergy – two sides to the argument
Dear Editor, Mary Kenny should be thanked for her musings on ‘Fr D’Arcy’s reflections on a parallel life’ (IC 23/02/2017), which have injected some reality into what seems an interminable drone in favour of married priests. Fr D’Arcy’s comment that he would have been a far better priest had he married is, of course, balderdash,…
Supporting young people on their faith journey
Michelle Manley Michelle Manley describes the work of Dublin’s new Youth Evangelisation Team The Archdiocese of Dublin has established a new Youth Evangelisation Team, tasked with faith outreach to teenagers and young adults. The central hub for this exciting new venture is right in the heart of Dublin in St Paul’s Church at Arran Quay…
The saintly women’s window in St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart
Felix M. Larkin There are many connections between Ireland and Tasmania, and not only because of the latter’s status as a penal colony in the first half of the 19th Century. These connections are reflected in a beautiful stained glass window in St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Hobart. Erected in 1995, the window is dedicated…
Recent books in brief
Why Not? How to Bring the Liturgy About by Turlough Baxter (Veritas, €8.99) This little book consists of thoughts on the liturgy that originally appeared in Intercom, the pastoral and liturgical resource magazine, over the last dozen years or so. Though aimed by Turlough Baxter at his fellow clergy, it will be read with by many…
News in Brief
IC columnist named 'Distinguished Professor’ Columnist with The Irish Catholic, Michael W. Higgins has been named Distinguished Professor of Catholic Thought at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, USA. Prof. Higgins previously served as vice president for Mission and Catholic Identity and Professor of Religious Studies at the University. In his new role, Mr Higgins will…