Up to 8,000 Christians – Protestants and Catholics – in Indonesia’s Aceh province have fled their homes following an arson attack on a Christian church. Violent clashes broke out when a group of Islamic fundamentalists attempted to burn down a second church in Aceh Singkil district, leading to one person being killed and dozens being…
Courtney McGrail
Christians under threat, major report reveals
Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron has hailed a report on Christian persecution as “a voice for the voiceless, from their prison cells and the places far from home where they have sought refuge”. ‘Persecuted and Forgotten?’, a report on Christians oppressed for their Faith 2013-2015 is a major report by Aid to the Church in…
World News in Brief
Don’t back jihadis, bishop begs British A Syrian archbishop has warned British politicians against backing Islamic militants in his country. Speaking at a meeting in the House of Lords, Greek Melkite Catholic Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart of Aleppo said Syria’s Christians supported Russia’s military intervention because it gave them fresh hope that the four-year war would end in a solution favourable…
Courage needed for peace in the Holy Land – Pope
There is a need for great courage and strength in order to reject hatred and to carry out acts of peace in the Holy Land, Pope Francis has said. Before reciting the Angelus at the weekend, the Pope expressed his concern for the increase in violence between Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza and the West…
Pope canonises parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux
Pope Francis called on people to replace their thirst for power with the joy of quiet and humble service, as he proclaimed four new saints, including the parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux. All of Christ’s disciples, especially its pastors, are called to model themselves after Jesus and “suppress our instinctive desire to exercise power…
Concert celebrates Religious Sisters of Charity
A commemorative concert was held in the RDS Concert Hall on Friday to celebrate 200 years since Venerable Mary Aikenhead founded the Religious Sisters of Charity. Among those who attended the concert were President Higgins’ wife, Sabina, former Lord Mayor, Councillor Vincent Jackson and a wide circle of families, friends and benefactors including a large…
Book reveals faith of Irish diaspora
A new book has been launched which reveals the faith experience of Irish people living abroad. The collection of essays ‘Dissonant Voices: Faith and the Irish Diaspora’, edited by Conn MacGabhann, is written by people including Fr Des Wilson, Fr Joe McVeigh and Msgr Raymond Murray and came about from a conference of the same…
Music superstar returns to his Christian Faith
Staff reporter Music superstar Justin Bieber has revealed that he has returned to his Christian faith after an “uncomfortable phase” and found solace through a personal relationship with God. The 21-year-old Canadian singer has chosen Purpose for the title of his upcoming album because “I felt like I lost my purpose… and I feel like I…
Pope apologises for unnamed scandals in Rome and Vatican
Pope Francis has apologised for scandals in Rome and the Vatican, without saying which scandals he has in mind. Speaking at his Wednesday audience in St Peter’s Square, he said that “Jesus is realistic and it is inevitable that scandals occur,” continuing, “But woe to the person who causes scandal. Before I start this catechesis,…
Right to life of unborn
Dear Editor, Are the people who marched for abortion in Dublin recently saying that they had no right to life when they were in their mother’s wombs? Yours etc., Noel Mc Keown OP, Newry, Co. Down.