Exclusive There is “great relief” among parishes across the country, as local councils drop a new tax on churches that could have cost Mass-goers thousands every year on top of the rising costs of running places of worship. Dioceses are pouring over maps released by local councils earlier this month, which places some churches in…
The Irish Government’s indifference on Christian persecution as it rises worldwide is “utterly shameful”, Aid to the Church in Need Ireland have said. Ireland has “totally ignored” the plight of “the most persecuted people on the planet, Christians”, ACN Ireland director Michael Kinsella told The Irish Catholic. Mr Kinsella called the Government’s lack of action,…
Pioneering Mother Murphy shared God’s joy with the black community in Texas, writes Ruadhán Jones “Blacks in San Antonio were largely ignored both by the state and the Catholic Church until a wealthy, Irish-born, 54-year-old widow, Margaret Mary Healy-Murphy, moved to San Antonio in 1887 and heeded the call of the bishops in Baltimore for…
Pope Francis offered his “prayerful closeness” to the Legionaries gathered in the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, for closing Mass of the Legion of Mary’s centenary year. In a letter to Mary Murphy, the Legion’s president, the Pope gave thanks to God “for the graces received by countless people in many parts of the world through the witness…
Christians in parts of Asia and Africa are at risk of genocide, writes Ruadhán Jones The latest report on Christian persecution from Aid to the Church in Need makes for grim reading. Persecution and oppression in 75% of the 24 countries surveyed is on the rise. Christians face threats from Islamist terrorism, from state-authoritarianism and…
Faith Development Faith in film Films are, first and foremost, meant to entertain us. We go to the cinema – or more often, watch on our TVs or phones – to laugh and to cry, to be inspired and overawed, to fall in and out of love. But that’s not a film’s only purpose. From…
The “landmark” agreement to establish a ‘Loss and Damage’ fund for developing nations was a bright spot at the “underwhelming” COP27 gathering, Trócaire have said. The Loss and Damage fund will provide “vital” financial support to the millions affected by climate change in developing countries, the Irish bishops’ conference overseas aid agency said. The agreement…
Armagh cathedrals meet NI Minister of State Clergy and volunteers from the Catholic and Church of Ireland cathedrals in Armagh met with the Minister of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker MP, on November 14. As part of an official visit by the minister to the city, he saw both cathedrals and met with local…
There is a “crying need” for atonement, inner healing and hope in the aftermath of the abuse scandals, Archbishop Eamon Martin has said. His comments come as Gardaí are investigating allegations of widespread abuse in schools run by the Spiritans, with allegations made against 77 members of the order for over 200 instances of abuse.…
The expansion of the synod by Pope Francis makes it “a kind of Vatican III”, building on the legacy of the Second Vatican Council, the Archbishop of Dublin said on November 14. The inclusion of the “whole Church”, not just those in ministry or leadership positions, are called to “come to grips” with what the…