Irish missionaries based in the Philippines are hopeful that Pope Francis will put a spotlight on widespread poverty in the country during his official visit next week. Irish Columban missionary Fr Shay Cullen, who has lived in the Philippines for over 40 years, said it was expected that Pope Francis would address the “great disparity…

Almost six million pilgrims and visitors joined Pope Francis for an audience, liturgy or prayer at the Vatican in 2014, the Vatican has confirmed. The Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Vatican office that coordinates the audiences and distributes the free tickets to Papal audiences and liturgies, said a total of 5,916,800 people attended a…

A Christian missionary from Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, was shot in her home in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a robbery at the weekend. Maud Kells (75), a missionary with the Christian group WEC International, is in a stable condition in hospital after being shot twice and wounded in the shoulder. Ms Kells, who…

Minister proposing to change law to permit abortion in cases where unborn child will only live for a short time after birth

Sri Lankan Catholics are looking forward to Pope Francis’ canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz on January 14, but the enthusiasm and eagerness of Fr Cosme Jose Costa stands apart. “It is Blessed Joseph Vaz’s intercession that saved my life, and I look forward with deep gratitude (to) this great event,” said Fr Costa, a 76-year-old…

Just 10% of Massgoers receive bishops’ letter on marriage

Rev. Hyun Jun Lee SJ, Rev. Jae Wook Lee SJ and Rev. Shane Daly SJ of the Irish and Korean Jesuit Provinces pictured with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin after their ordination to the diaconate at Milltown Park at the weekend.

Pope: true charity takes compassion that does not demand conversion ‘Quality of life’ proponents who think the gravely ill lead lives not worth living are peddling a great lie, Pope Francis said in a message for the 2015 World Day of the Sick. Criticising approaches that devalue human lives, especially the lives of those who suffer from serious illness, Pope Francis highlighted the importance…

British artist Peter Pinder paints a miniature statue of Pope Francis at his house near Manila, Philippines. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the Philippines next week. See page 4. Photo: CNS

An award-winning Irish composer who has written the score for a blockbuster film about Mother Teresa has said the movie will move audiences to tears. Ciaran Hope, a native of Dunboyne, Co. Meath, who has been based in the US for 15 years, has spent the past year composing music for The Letters. The Hollywood…