Media monitors at the 57-country Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have condemned the Vatican’s trial of two journalists and their alleged sources, and have called on the Holy See to honour its commitments to press freedom. “Our main concern is for the protection of confidential sources,” said Gunnar Vrang, spokesman for OSCE’s…
Courtney McGrail
Catholics call for climate action in Paris
More than 1.8 million signatures – including 800,000 collected by Catholic organisations – were on a petition calling for action on climate change submitted by interfaith leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Heads of state gathered in the Paris suburb of Le Bourget for the summit, with leaders of Catholic organisations saying that…
Preaching on Pope’s Laudato Si’
Dear Editor, How many priests in Ireland have preached about the Pope’s encyclical, Laudato Si’? How many bishops have urged the priests in their dioceses to speak about the encyclical? How many parishes have devoted time to reflecting on and acting on Laudato Si’? Just curious. Yours etc., Fr Joe McVeigh, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh.
Journalists backed against Vatican clampdown
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has announced its support for Italian journalists Gianluigi Nuzzi and Emiliano Fittipaldi, who have been indicted by the Vatican, along with three others, for the crime of disseminating secret documents. “By writing Avarizia [Avarice] and Via Crucis [published in English as Merchants in the Temple] Italian journalists Gianluigi Nuzzi and Emiliano…
German bishops urged to promote sacraments during the Holy Year
Pope Francis has called on Germany’s bishops to use the upcoming Holy Year of Mercy to offer Catholics a chance to “rediscover the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist”. During their ad limina visit to Rome, the bishops were handed an address from the Pope in which he noted a steep decline in sacramental participation…
Vatican News
Draw close to those others cast aside, Pope urges Pope Francis has called for greater attention to those whose health is affected by environmental degradation and pollution. Speaking to a conference sponsored by the Pontifical Council of Health Care Workers, he spoke of how he often meets sick people, especially children, afflicted with rare and inexplicable illnesses. “These rare diseases are the consequences…
Roma guard for Pope
A member of the Carabinieri, the Italian military police force, stands guard as people leave Pope Francis’ Angelus blessing in St Peter’s Square, where security has been ramped up following the November 13 terrorist attack in Paris. Photo: CNS
Heroic WW2 priest to be honoured in Rome
A plaque is to be erected in the Vatican to honour World War II hero Msgr Hugh O’Flaherty on May 8 next year. The Kerry priest is believed to have been responsible for saving 6,500 POWs and civilians during the war. “The plaque will be erected on the wall of the Teutonicum, the Vatican’s German…
Mass in the marketplace
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin celebrated the annual Mass for the dead for the fruit and vegetable markets and Moore Street traders in Halston Street Parish in Dublin last Friday. Photo: John McElroy
Athy bids farewell to Dominicans
Members of the Dominican order lead a candlelight procession through Athy, Co. Kildare after a farewell Mass in St Dominick’s Church attended by nearly 1,000 people to mark the order withdrawing from the town. This is the first of five closures announced by the Dominicans last year and the church will be converted into a…