Pope Francis has appointed a long-time Vatican diplomat to be his personal envoy to Medjugorje, following the death of Polish Archbishop Henryk Hoser in August. Pastoral situation Dr Hoser had overseen the pastoral situation in the shrine, the site of reported Marian apparitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, since 2017. He died in Warsaw at age…
Children’s Corner Not many people have come across black lights, or even have them in their house although they are easy enough to come by particularly at a time when people are buying things online – something that has increased due to the pandemic. Black lights allow materials and substances invisible to the human eye…
The move by Pope Francis to put two dioceses in the west under the leadership of a single bishop is just the first phase of structural rationalisation in the Church in Ireland, The Irish Catholic understands. The Pontiff indicated last week that when Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Brendan Kelly retires shortly, the diocese…
The Pope’s call for a more collaborative Church inspired by the margins is winning hearts and minds, one of the organisers tells Chai Brady It’s no secret that Pope Francis has been met with a mixed reaction since his election in 2013. Many people have hailed his emphasis on a humble Church listening to those…
The former First Minister of the North of Ireland Arlene Foster has said that having a strong Christian faith means “you can’t just leave it at home” as a politician. Speaking at the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, Co. Down, Ms Foster said: “Christianity doesn’t call you to be neutral. It calls you to be…
The role of women in the Archdiocese of Dublin must be addressed to ensure full participation as many express a “sense of marginalisation”, according to a report from an archdiocesan taskforce. The report, called ‘Building Hope’, aims to map out the development of the archdiocese’s pastoral plan. The taskforce began its work six months ago…
The conviction of three men for abducting and torturing businessman Kevin Lunney sends a “very strong message” to criminals who have been intimidating people for decades in the border region, according to a Cavan-based priest. Fr Oliver O’Reilly PP of Ballyconnell, who received threats for condemning the attack from the pulpit, told The Irish Catholic…
Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop-elect Francis Duffy to succeed the retiring Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary, it was announced today, November 10. The archbishop-elect was “surprised and humbled” by the announcement, he told the congregation gathered at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tuam, Galway. In his address, he added…
It is “unacceptable” Ireland remains the second highest emitter per capita in the EU, according to Church charity Trócaire in a policy document ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Summit taking place in Glasgow this week. The charity said that while Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill aims to reduce emissions by 51%…
Only 24% of new recruits to the PSNI (Police Service Northern Ireland) have come from a Catholic background according to the latest statistics. Catholic officers The figures demonstrate ongoing problems hiring Catholic officers. Of the 193 officers recruited in 2020, only 46 were Catholic while 144 (75%) were protestant. The PSNI has stated a commitment…