Galway Cathedral celebrates 50 years in 2015 and, in February, it will host the 30th annual novena. Running from February 9-17 this year’s novena is centred around the message of ‘The Church on the streets – living the Gospel today’. “This is a special year for us as we are celebrating the cathedral’s 50th anniversary and 30…
Category: News
Irishman is Pope’s new rep in Haiti
The Irishman tapped to be the Pope’s new representative to Haiti has said he will bring a message of hope to the country still struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake. Clare-born Archbishop Eugene Nugent, who is currently Apostolic Nuncio in Madagascar, told The Irish Catholic his mission from the Pontiff is primarily about bringing…
Pope and bishops condemn Paris attacks and appeal for peace
Pope Francis has expressed his sympathy to those bereaved by last week’s terror attack at the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. A telegram from Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris, said Pope Francis “joins in prayer with the pain of the bereaved families and the…
No referendum on blasphemy
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed that a referendum on the removal of the offence of blasphemy from the Constitution will not take place during the lifetime of this Government. The Government believes proposed changes to the Constitution should be put to the people on a phased basis, he told RTÉ News, and that a third…
Pope writes to Wexford boy
Samuel McNally (7) from St Aidan’s parish in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford proudly displays the Christmas card he received from Pope Francis. Samuel had made his own cards for Christmas and sent one off to Pope Francis. He was delighted when the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland forwarded him a Christmas card and photo from the Pope…
Beatification of Oscar Romero is a step closer
The late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero was a martyr, a panel of theologians advising the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes has ruled, unanimously declaring he was killed “in hatred for the Faith”. As a miracle is not needed for the beatification of a martyr, the decision is an important step towards the beatification of the…
Pope welcomes North’s ‘positive’ political deal
Pontiff’s ‘state of the world’ address covered many issues of local and world conflict
Numbers questioned by Magdalene group
More than twice as many women died in Ireland’s Magdalene laundries than the McAleese Report revealed, according to a draft report by campaign group Justice For Magdalene Research (JFMR). The Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalene Laundries, better known as the McAleese Report, found in February…
Mexico is in ’emergency’, says Cardinal-designate
Mexico’s Cardinal-designate Alberto Suarez Inda had planned to retire as archbishop of the crime-ravaged diocese of Morelia, but in May was asked by Pope Francis “to wait, to endure, to resist”, he has revealed in an interview, adding that he had never expected to be appointed cardinal. One of five bishops who signed a statement…
Catholics urged to follow Muslim lead, reject religious cursing
‘we shall honour each other if we learn to honour God, for we are made in his image and likeness’