The Vatican has stressed that Pope Francis “is on no crusade” following the angry Turkish reaction to his words on genocide during his official visit to Armenia. Visiting the nation between June 24 and 26, Pope Francis chose to address the massacres by Turkey of some 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. As is…
Category: News
Thousands expected at Belfast’s Rally for Life
Thousands of people are expected to attend this year’s Rally for Life in Belfast, which takes place this Saturday, July 2. Centred on the city’s Custom House Square, the event kicks off at 2pm and will be addressed by, among others, Meabh McArdle, whose daughter Fionnuala was born last year despite being given a 1%…
World News in Brief
Hindu politician attacks Mother Teresa as ‘Christian conspirator’ A member of India’s parliament has denounced the legacy of Mother Teresa as “a conspiracy to Christianise India” during a major Hindu festival. Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath, a member of the extreme Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a grouping frequently linked to Hindu attacks on minority communities in India, including the anti-Christian pogrom in Orissa in…
Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson thanks God for stellar career
Staff Reporter Veteran actor Samuel L. Jackson has thanked God for his stellar Hollywood career. As he picked up a lifetime achievement award at the annual Black Entertainment Television (BET) ceremony, the Jurassic Park, Star Wars and Pulp Fiction star offered his words of faith: “First I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity…
US bishops lament health insurance abortion ruling
The US Catholic Bishops have condemned a ruling by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that health plans offered by religious bodies in the state of California are not exempt from the requirement to fund abortions. In a joint statement reacting to the ruling, which was prompted by the bishops’ own appeal against…
Catholic Library transfer proposal sparks protest
Conflict has erupted at Dublin’s Central Catholic Library over a proposal to transfer the library’s holdings to Dublin City University (DCU). The library board is split over the proposal, The Irish Catholic understands, and up to 50 library members met outside the library on June 22 to call for the company’s assets not to be…
New ‘school of mission’ to prioritise youth ministry
A new “school of mission” in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore will prioritise youth evangelisation and family ministry, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan has said. The new Holy Family School of Mission is set to open later this year at Glencomeragh House, formerly the Rosminian House of Prayer, and will be manned by three trained staff…
Derry diocese celebrates ordination
Fr Christopher McDermott pictured with his parents, Sean and Rosemary McDermott and brothers, Sean and Aidan McDermott and his sister Fidelma and her husband Gerard McNamee at his ordination for the Diocese of Derry at St Mary’s Church, Melmount, Strabane, Co. Tyrone. Photo: Stephen Latimer
Ardoyne priest disappointed loyalist camp deal rejected
A priest based in Belfast’s Ardoyne has expressed disappointment at a missed opportunity to broker a deal between the Orange Order and Catholic residents which would have led to the dismantling of a neighbouring Loyalist protest camp. Former Methodist president Rev. Harold Good, who witnessed the decommissioning of IRA weapons in 2005 with Fr Alec…
News in Brief
Overcrowded prisons criticised The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice has welcomed the “considerable progress” shown in the Irish Prison Service annual report, which was launched this week, but said “chronic overcrowding” still needs to be addressed. Overcrowding continues in the Dóchas Centre, Cork prison and Limerick men and women’s prison, said Eoin Carroll, Advocacy Officer in the…


Paul Keenan



Greg Daly
Cathal Barry
Courtney McGrail
Mags Gargan
