Msgr Donald Sakano greets sheep in the cemetery at the Basilica of St Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York City. The parish is using the three grazing sheep to cut the graveyard’s grass this summer. Photo: CNS
Paul Keenan
World News in Brief
Filipino Bishops criticize use of Bible to justify death penalty Catholic bishops in The Philippines have taken to task boxing champion and politician Manny Pacquiao for his claim that the Bible sanctions reviving the death penalty in the country. The famed athlete, known for his Christian devotion, was delivering a speech to the Filipino Senate when he began to quote passages of the…
Senator rejects calls for ‘closed doors’ Citizens’ Assembly
Senator Rónán Mullen has rejected calls for the forthcoming citizens’ assembly on the abortion to be held behind closed doors. Speaking to The Irish Catholic this week amid the latest row over the assembly – whether or not to reveal the identities of its members – Senator Mullen said that, while he had always objected…
Christians ‘praying for peace’ amid bitter battle for Aleppo
The Vicar Apostolic of Aleppo of the Latins has described the situation for his people in the Syrian city of Aleppo as “critical” as fierce fighting for its control goes on. Stuck in the Lebanese capital Beirut as the latest stage in the Syrian conflict forces road closures, Msgr Georges Abou Khazen said that through…
Nigeria is dragged in a dangerous new direction
Boko Haram is a house divided, writes Paul Keenan
DRC Bishops prompt talks towards peaceful elections
Leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have heeded the urgings of the country’s Catholic bishops and have begun to lay the groundwork for a national dialogue to avoid violence in the run-up to national elections. Amid tensions caused by the strong suspicion that current President Joseph Kabila will attempt to maintain his grip…
Violations of religious freedom increasing worldwide – US report
Violations of religious freedom are increasing worldwide, a new report from the US State Department has revealed. Produced annually, the Report on International Freedom for 2015 reveals that in addition to the expected violations committed by non-state actors such as so-called Islamic State and Boko Haram, “amongst the most egregious abusers of religious freedom in…
Flame of Faith
Cardinal Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro holds the Olympic flame on August 5 as Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and former Brazilian volleyball player Isabel Barroso look on in front of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Photo: CNS
Pastor and peacemaker: Edward Daly (1933-2016)
Reflections on a man whose legacy transcends his iconic role on Bloody Sunday
France closes 20 radical mosques
French authorities have moved to close down 20 mosques among a range of measures aimed at tackling radicalisation of Muslims. In the wake of a series of brutal attacks in France in recent weeks, including the savage murder of Fr Jacques Hamel in Normandy, the country’s Interior Minister Bernard Cazenueve announced that 20 mosques known…