The death has occurred of a much-loved priest who won plaudits for his work exposing the mistreatment of prisoners and abuses by the security forces during the troubles. Msgr Raymond Murray, who was in his late 80s, also published books including with his clerical colleagues Msgr Denis Faul, who died some years ago. Fr Murray…
Ash Wednesday falls on March 5 this year, marking the start of Lent. The Pioneers, inspired by Pope Francis’ 2025 Lenten message, are encouraging people to “journey in hope together.” In his message, the Holy Father challenges the faithful to step outside their comfort zones and engage with others, a call that is especially vital…
As conflict and economic hardship continue to plague Sudan and South Sudan, the Catholic bishops are calling on the governments of both countries to exempt the Catholic Church from taxes, in order to enable it to accomplish its missions more effectively. In his opening remarks at the start of the meeting of the Episcopal Conference…
With the European Union poised to ease sanctions on Syria following the ouster of its former governing regime last fall, Europe’s bishops have urged the protection of persecuted communities and investment in rebuilding. In a February 19 statement, Bishop Mariano Crociata of Latina and President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European…
Since the ceiling of a historical church in Salvador, Bahia state, fell and killed a tourist on February 5, government agencies have already shut down 12 churches in the city under risk of collapsing. Definite solutions for the crisis of conservation of ancient churches in the city, however, are not visible yet. The incident at…
As US President Donald Trump backs Russia in its war against Ukraine, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is visiting the United States. Speaking on his social media platform Truth Social, Mr Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator.” “He refuses to have elections. He’s low in the real Ukrainian…
Cardinal Pietro Parolin has praised authorities in Burkina Faso for their effort to regain control of the country, which has suffered attacks by Islamist terrorism. The Vatican’s Secretary of State was speaking last week after discussions with the country’s Transitional Leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The Vatican’s top diplomat met with Mr Traoré marking 125 years…
As conflict continues to escalate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Catholic Church in Angola has signalled its readiness to welcome refugees fleeing the Central African country. Sr Carla Luísa Frei Bamberg, Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (CEPAMI) in Angola, said the Church, through…
A Catholic priest was killed in Myanmar on Friday, an incident that “deeply shocked and saddened” Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar. Fr Donald Martin Ye Naing Win from the Archdiocese of Mandalay in Upper Burma, was killed by a group of armed men on the evening of…
Pope Francis has appointed Sr Raffaella Petrini, FSE, as president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, the Vatican announced Saturday. According to the February 15 bulletin from the Holy See Press Office, Sr Petrini will assume her new roles on March 1. She succeeds…