Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, founded by Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron, issued a brief statement May 2 saying it had fired an employee possibly over an incident involving some unwelcome advances. “The accusations against this employee surrounded events in the employee’s personal life, not the Word on Fire workplace, and did not involve…
Everyone can help promote vocations to priesthood, says Bishop Gavin
Staff reporter Bishop Fintan Gavin said that everyone can help promote vocations to the priesthood, as the diocese of Cork and Ross launched a fresh appeal for people to consider becoming priests. Bishop Gavin launched a diocesan prayer card for vocations at St Joseph’s Church, Glanmire, Co. Cork on Saturday May 7. Speaking at the…
Catholic priest in Nigeria released 40 days after abduction
A Catholic diocese in Nigeria has announced “with joy” the release of a priest held captive for 40 days. The Diocese of Zaria in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, said that Fr Felix Zakari Fidson was released on May 3, reported ACI Africa. Diocesan chancellor Fr Patrick Adikwu Odeh said: “With hearts filled with joy, we announce the return of…
Family News
NASA’s Crew-3 astronauts splash down safely The four members of NASA’s Crew-3 mission returned to Earth Friday after having spent six months on board the International Space Station (ISS). After a 38-minute freefall, the capsule slammed into the discernible atmosphere at nearly 5 miles per second. The SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying the four astronauts, three…
In Brief
Swiss Guard recruits encouraged to ‘grow as Christians’ Pope Francis on Friday encouraged 36 new recruits of the Pontifical Swiss Guard to “grow as Christians” during their service in Rome. The Pope, who currently uses a wheelchair due to a knee condition, met with the new candidates for the world’s smallest but oldest standing army on May…
Mark Wahlberg – ‘I prayed for Fr Stu’s intercession’
Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg opens up on the story behind the priest’s biopic What surprised you the most about Stu’s journey to priesthood? Mark Wahlberg: To say that Stu was rough around the edges is putting it mildly. He was beyond abrasive. People might use other ways and words to describe him, but even in…
Archbishop says Russia’s intention to eliminate Ukrainian people
The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church said Russia’s reasons for attacking Ukraine are nothing more than an excuse to justify its ultimate goal of wiping out the country and its people. Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych said that although Russian President Vladimir Putin has said “demilitarisation and denazification” are the primary reasons for invading…
Cardinal Becciu returns to testify at Vatican trial
Junno Arocho Esteves Taking the stand for a second time at his Vatican trial, Cardinal Angelo Becciu spent more than two hours reading a statement in which he claimed accusations of financial impropriety were an attempt to stain his reputation. At the trial May 5, Cardinal Becciu said he felt “immense pain” when Pope Francis…
Australia’s Catholic bishops elect new leader
Australia’s Catholic bishops have elected Archbishop Timothy Costelloe as their new leader. Archbishop Costelloe, a priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco, is the first member of a religious order to serve as president of Australia’s bishops’ conference. The 68-year-old archbishop of Perth, Western Australia, succeeds Archbishop Mark Coleridge, who was president of the Australian Catholic Bishops…
We have to keep telling the truth
Dear Editor, I agree wholeheartedly with your Editor’s Comment about what Ireland can learn from the pro-life community in the United States (The Irish Catholic, May 5, 2022). It is not at all clear to me what in fact the US Supreme Court will do in terms of the notorious Roe V Wade case that…











