European bishops met with the European Commission (EC) to share their perspectives on the impacts of war in Ukraine, emphasising the positive role played by Churches. Churches are “frontline operational field actors” in providing humanitarian care to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, Archbishop Cyril Vasil told the EC. The archbishop of the Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Kosice,…
Archbishop Martin welcomes Pope’s Communication’s Day message Archbishop Eamon Martin has welcomed Pope Francis’ message for World Communications day, which takes place May 18. The Primate of All-Ireland welcomed the message, saying the Pope “invites all of us to optimise our emotional intelligence when we deal with others, and in particular when we are undertaking…
Ireland’s newest bishop has warned that politicians would be making a big mistake if they push ahead with plans to secularise faith-based schools. Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll, who was ordained on Sunday, told The Irish Catholic that in the Republic “you get the impression that someone has decided that we have to become an…
Brigidine Sr Rita Minehan CSB hopes that people will see “the beauty of faith” as the first ever bank holiday for St Brigid’s day takes place on February 6. The Irish saint’s “beautiful witness” of care for the poor speaks loudly to today, believes Sr Minehan, chairperson of Solas Bhríde Christian spirituality centre. “She was…
A homeless charity has warned that once the current eviction ban ends in March there will be a large increase in the number of people becoming homeless and needing their assistance. Paul Sheehan of the Cork Simon Community told The Irish Catholic that lifting the pause on evictions, which is in place from October 30,…
Loreto Sister Orla Treacy from Co. Wicklow is currently accompanying 60 students and pilgrims on a 405km pilgrimage from the diocese of Rumbek to South Sudan’s capital, Juba for the Pope’s upcoming ecumenical visit. Pope Francis is scheduled to make an ecumenical pilgrimage to Juba, South Sudan, February 3-5 with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and…
Schools’ bodies in the North have shared “significant concerns” about the impact of the “crisis” in education funding, warning of negative impacts for many generations to come. There is a need for an “urgent meeting involving everyone with a concern for the future of our children and young people,” say the schools’ bodies in a…
A French nun who was the world’s oldest person died last week aged 118. Sr André, who joined the Daughters of Charity in 1944, died in her sleep in her nursing home in Toulon. She was originally born into a Protestant family but later converted to Catholicism and was baptised aged 26. With the Daughters…
A man in Mexico was on the tail end of heavenly justice after he was injured following a fall on to the sword of a St Michael statue he was allegedly trying to steal in the early hours of the morning, January 14. Local media reports that Carlos Alonso (32) went to Christ the King…
Churches can help develop an agreed truth recovery process to address the “legacy of pain” of the troubles, Archbishop Eamon Martin has said. The Primate of All-Ireland made the suggestion during an ecumenical service in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, held on Sunday January 22. Peace, reconciliation and forgiveness on the island of Ireland “can only…
Chai Brady