Satellite photos reveal monastic devastation Iraq’s oldest Christian monastery has been destroyed by ISIS, it has been revealed. Satellite images have confirmed that Deir Mar Elia – or St Elijah’s – a 1,400-year-old monastery outside Mosul, has been destroyed by the jihadist militants. It is believed the monastery was demolished between August and September 2014, shortly after Mosul was…
Category: Irish News
Florida diocese rejects ‘completely inaccurate’ Irish priest’s claims
The Diocese of Palm Beach has rejected as “completely inaccurate” claims by an Irish priest that he was “frozen out” by the Catholic Church for raising safeguarding concerns about a fellow priest. The US diocese was responding to an article in the Irish Independent which reported on the case of Strabane native Fr John Gallagher…
Primate cautions against centenary divisions
Staff reporter The Primate of All-Ireland has warned against allowing this year’s centenary commemorations of the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme to divide Irish people. “I hope that in our remembrance of 1916, we are very aware of the present and the possibility that we could drive a wedge during this year, rather…
From one homeless advocate to another
Last Friday, following Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, Capuchin Friars Bro. Peter Rodgers (centre), Director of CORI, and Bro. Kevin Crowley, Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People, were introduced to Pope Francis. Bro. Peter, speaking in Italian, told the Pope how Bro. Kevin has been working with the homeless for 46 years in Dublin.…
Abortion law change could ‘pressure’ parents to terminate
Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Richard Clarke has warned politicians that a further liberalisation of abortion laws could pressurise parents of unborn children diagnosed with life-limiting conditions to terminate their pregnancies. Archbishop Clarke told The Irish Catholic he feared that liberalisation could create a “eugenics culture” and “begin a process where if there is any…
National assembly of De La Salle brothers
De La Salle brothers from different parts of Ireland assembled recently in Castletown, Portlaoise to take stock and plan for the future. The day began with morning prayer, followed by the ‘Report of the Year’ by Bro. Francis Manning, Irish Sector Coordinator. Bro. Laurence Hughes, Oxford, newly appointed provincial, was the chief speaker. He presented…
Blessing for all creatures great and small
A dog reacts as it is blessed outside San Anton Church in Madrid, Spain on Sunday, when hundreds of people brought their pets to be blessed for the feast day of St Anthony, patron saint of animals. Photo: Reuters/Andrea Comas
Limerick bishop launches book on mercy
Bishop Brendan Leahy has launched a new book which considers the subject of mercy, not only through a careful reading of relevant Scripture passages, but by exploring revealing extracts from literary classics and examples from popular culture. The book, The Message of Mercy, is written by Amalee Meehan, who works in faith development at the…
‘Prayer puts my mind at rest’ – Andrea Corr
Singer Andrea Corr has revealed that she will be turning to prayer to help combat pre-concert nerves ahead of her first tour with The Corrs in over a decade. The 41-year-old experienced songstress admitted she still suffers from anxiety before performing and regularly prays before going on stage, according to a report in The Irish…
Papal honour for Gougane Barra sacristan
Sheila O’Leary, retired sacristan of St Finbarr’s Oratory, Gougane Barra in Co. Cork was honoured recently as a Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian order of St Sylvester. It was a fitting honour for Sheila O’Leary who gave so much of her time to the church. On December 29, Sheila was surrounded by her daughters Pauline…