Vincentians call for end of APEC More than 500 protesters in Manila, including dozens of Catholic religious and other Christians, have called for the abolition of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. On the 21-country summit’s last day, protestors gathered and cried, “junk-junk APEC!” over and over.  “I represent the Church stance of calling our leaders of our country not…

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…

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…

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…

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

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…

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

This year’s Christmas stamp from An Post features a beautiful detail of the Madonna and Child by Marco Palmezzano, courtesy of the National Gallery and designed by Vermillion Design.  The latest date for posting standard mail for Ireland is December 21, Europe is December 19, USA on December 11 and the rest of the world…

Staff reporter Ruairí Quinn was “clearly wrong” to propose abolishing religion classes from primary schools when he was minister for education, former Taoiseach John Bruton has said. Mr Bruton also said it was erroneous to attribute falling education standards to the 30 minutes-per-day spent teaching children religion.  The former Fine Gael leader said religious instruction was…

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…