Staff reporter The National Seminary in Maynooth has appealed to supporters to consider pledging funds over five years as part of its ‘Raise the Roof’ fundraising drive. Fundraisers at St Patrick’s College, which has ordained 11,000 priests since its foundation in 1795, have requested a multi-year commitment from donors to enable them to plan for…
Courtney McGrail
Nuncio digging it down in Dingle
Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown planting a tree at a ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of St Mary's Church in Dingle, Co. Kerry on Easter Sunday. Bishop of Kerry, Dr Raymond Browne and former Maynooth professor, Msgr Padraig O Fiannachta were also present. Photo: Marian O'Flaherty
Ecology and the Resurrection
The Church must become bolder in speaking up about environmental destruction says Fr Seán McDonagh SSC
What is freedom of conscience and how will it be affected by the referendum?
The Irish Catholic has asked an interdisciplinary team, which includes Prof. Eamonn Conway and Dr Rik Van Nieuwenhove, theologians at Mary Immaculate College University of Limerick, and Mr Patrick Treacy SC of Integritas, to consider and respond to the difficult questions we all face when deciding how to vote in the referendum.
After electoral triumph, time to tackle Boko Haram
Following the election of former military dictator General Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria’s presidency, the Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations in Geneva has called on the international community to assist Nigeria and its neighbours in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency. Expressing concern about the group’s alignment with the Islamic State (ISIS) organisation…
Former priests and nuns call for severance payments
An expelled Indian nun's fight for compensation has inspired former priests and nuns in India for the introduction of mandatory severance payments similar to those offered to employees of private firms. A former Kerala nun of the Syro-Malabar Church, known only as ‘Anitha’, was expelled in February from the Italy-based Sisters of St. Agatha after…
Modern slaves have invisible chains, sisters say
Many modern-day slaves don’t realise they are being exploited, according to the new coordinator of Talitha Kum, a Rome-based international network of over 1000 religious sisters working to end human trafficking. Comboni Missionary Sr Gabriella Bottani told Global Sisters Report of trafficked girls: “They don't see what happens to them as servitude. They say, ‘Well,…
Christians deliberately singled out in Kenyan massacre, police say
Christian students were deliberately targeted in the Islamist attack on the Garissa University campus, according to Kenyan police. 148 people were killed and many more wounded during the 15-hour siege, which ended only after four militants were killed. The Somali-based al-Shabab group claimed responsibility for the attack. Nairobi’s Cardinal John Njue condemned the attack, calling…
The pale moon is rising
The moon is seen over Rome’s Colosseum as Pope Francis leads the Good Friday Way of the Cross. Photo: CNS/Paul Haring)
U.S. Diocese abolishes annulment fees
With immediate effect, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has eliminated all fees for those seeking an annulment in the diocese. In a letter to the diocese’s Catholics, Bishop David A. Zubik said “I know that the fee has stood in the way for many who are in need of an annulment” and that the long-imagined move…