‘Hunger stones’ reveal ancient drought warnings With an intense drought causing rivers across Europe to shrink, stones with etchings warning of hard times ahead have been re-appearing in a number of the continent’s rivers. One such stone is to be found on the banks of the Elbe River, which begins in the Czech Republic and…
Sri Lankan priest involved in protests granted bail A priest involved in the recent protests in Sri Lanka has been granted bail after being accused of several criminal offenses. Fr Amila Jeewantha Peiris appeared in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on August 12 and was granted bail thanks to two personal sureties of 500,000 Sri…
Derry clerical changes announced The clerical changes for Derry diocese have been announced, to come into effect August 28. Two priests, Fr Colum Clerkin PP Culmore and Msgr Andrew Dolan PP Ballyscullion are to retire, while Fr Chris Ferguson and Fr James Devine are taking a leave of absence. Fr Pat O’Hagan PP Moville has…
A new report from the United Nations on modern slavery provides further documentation of China’s mistreatment of the Uyghur ethnic group, a Muslim minority that according to some human rights groups is suffering genocide. The UN’s Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Dr Tomoya Obokata, wrote that it is “reasonable to conclude” that forced…
David Agren Nicaraguan police burst into Matagalpa diocesan headquarters and removed an outspoken bishop who had been under house arrest for more than two weeks. Police raided the curia in the predawn hours of August 19 and took Bishop Rolando Álvarez, according to a social media statement from the Diocese of Matagalpa. The bishop’s arrest…
At least two Spanish archdioceses have expressed their support for the Church in Nicaragua, which is being persecuted by dictator Daniel Ortega, with messages of solidarity on social media, especially for the Bishop of Matagalpa, Rolando José Álvarez. Spain’s primatial archdiocese of Toledo, said on Twitter “We entrust the entire Diocese of Matagalpa (to God)…
Dear Editor, As many of your readers will be aware, it is proposed to make radical changes to the Junior Cycle curriculum for SPHE. The new curriculum proposes to focus the attention of our 12-15-year-olds on such topics as: sexual identity, contraception, pornography and the interrogation and questioning of social norms of behaviour. We have…
Vatican says not enough evidence to try cardinal for sexual assault A preliminary Vatican investigation into allegations against Cardinal Marc Ouellet concluded there was not sufficient evidence to warrant opening up formal proceedings against the cardinal for sexual assault, a Vatican spokesman said. However, the Jesuit who did the investigation was a long-time associate of…
A fire ripped through a packed Coptic Orthodox church during morning services in Egypt’s capital on Sunday, quickly filling it with thick black smoke and killing 41 worshippers, including at least 15 children. Several trapped congregants jumped from upper floors of the Martyr Abu Sefein church to try to escape the intense flames, witnesses said.…
Staff reporter The bishops of Ireland welcomed Tuesday the publication of the National Synthesis of the Synodal Process on www.synod.ie, while inviting “the whole people of God in this country to study its findings carefully and prayerfully”. The National Synthesis has been forwarded to Rome as part of the worldwide synodal process launched by Pope Francis…