Burundi’s bishops have called for action to be taken to ensure the country’s elections take place safely. In a statement issued in the aftermath of the departure from the country of constitutional court vice-president Sylvere Nimpagaritse, the bishops’ conference urged support for elections so the institutions of state could “enjoy the confidence of the people”.…

‘Francis effect’ having tangible benefits for Church’s charities The “Francis Effect” is having a real impact on the work of Caritas Internationalis, the Church’s umbrella group of 164 aid and development charities, according to the Rome-based network’s secretary-general. Michael Roy says while the global economic crisis has meant few of the charities report significant increases…

The Benedictine Community at Kylemore Abbey in Co. Galway and the University of Notre Dame in the United States have formed a partnership to create a centre to advance their shared spiritual, cultural and educational missions. The Abbess at Kylemore Abbey, Mother Maire Hickey said she was “delighted” that the university “has responded favourably to…

To coincide with the May 23 beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero, RTÉ is broadcasting a highly acclaimed documentary on El Salvador first shown 35 years ago. Who is for Liberation?, exploring the poverty, inequality, and increasingly oppressive political conditions then afflicting El Salvador, was originally shown a month before the assassination of Archbishop Romero. Revealing…

A Belfast parish priest has welcomed the decision to develop the site of a former Catholic secondary school for the use of the two local parish communities as a “real win-win for all concerned”. The Diocese of Down and Connor has announced that the Flax Trust, which focuses on reconciliation through economic development, will take…

The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has urged doctors to be more “sensitive” when speaking publically about women whose children are diagnosed with a life-limiting disorder in the womb. “It is important that they are aware of language they use isn’t offensive or hurtful to families who have been through or find themselves in those situations,”…

Christians should not shy from speaking out and acting in response to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, according to Tuam’s Archbishop Michael Neary. Speaking at a Mass in Knock for those who have died through religious persecution, Dr Neary lamented the destruction and exodus of millennia-old Christian communities from the Middle East,…

A garden of remembrance was officially opened in Belfast following the celebration of Mass for two Mercy Sisters who were killed in a car crash last year. Sr Frances Forde, former principal of Mercy PS and Sr Marie Duddy, who taught in Our Lady of Mercy College in Ballysillian, were remembered in a service at…

The Bishop of Cork & Ross has said canonical proceedings will now begin against a priest of the diocese sentenced to four years imprisonment for paying members of the Continuity IRA to threaten his nephew. Former hospital chaplain, Fr Francis Kelleher pleaded guilty to four counts of coercion at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday,…

It could take 20 years for the Belgian Church to regain its credibility, according to Auxiliary Bishop Jean Kockerols of Mechelen-Brussels, who says the president of Belgium’s bishops’ conference wants Catholics to respect a court judgment against him for failing to act on abuse allegations. Liege’s Appeal Court ruled that Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard of Mechelen-Brussels…