Irish lawmakers have been urged to take the lead in pushing for Islamist persecution of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East to be formally declared as a genocide. Fianna Fáil foreign affairs spokesperson Brendan Smith told The Irish Catholic that politicians and governments cannot use the excuse that they are unaware of the…

The Mayo International Choral Festival is presenting an inaugural concert at the newly refurbished Knock Basilica, to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising and World War I on Saturday, May 14 at 8pm. The concert will be presented by RTĖ Lyric FM’s Liz Nolan and will include excerpts from Karl Jenkins’ choral sensation, The Armed Man:…

There was “joy” and “delight” among the Jesuit community and devotees of Fr John Sullivan SJ at the news he has been approved for the next step on the road to sainthood. Pope Francis signed a decree last week recognising a miracle attributed to Fr Sullivan, clearing the way for his beatification. Fr Gerry Clarke…

Larry Ward was awarded the Bene Merenti medal for over 40 years dedicated service as organist and choir master in Drumconrath, Co. Meath, at a presentation in a packed church of family and well-wishers. Larry was accompanied by his wife Attracta and daughter Sarah Jane for this special ceremony which was concelebrated in Ss Peter…

The chaplain to newly crowned Premier League champions Leicester City has revealed he offered players pre-match prayers “to help keep them more focussed and more mindful”.  Speaking ahead of the club’s fairy tale victory in England’s top football league, Rev. Andrew Hulley told of how divine intervention had spurred the squad on.   “The players…

The United Nations has a crucial role to play in securing the future of the Middle East, particularly for people being tortured, kidnapped and killed because of their religious beliefs, the CEO of the Knights of Columbus said at a day-long UN conference part-sponsored by the Vatican. Speaking at the April 28 conference, sponsored by…

Rome-based Irish cleric Bishop Paul Tighe speaks with U2 guitarist David Evans, also known by his stage name The Edge, at the Vatican at the weekend. But what were they talking about? Send suggested captions to editor@irishcatholic.ie or Caption Competition, The Irish Catholic, St Mary’s, Bloomfield Avenue, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 before Monday May 16. Best…

A bishop in the Dominican Republic has accusing the US ambassador to the Caribbean country of abusing his position to advance “the LGBT agenda”. Bishop Victor Masalles, auxiliary bishop of Santo Domingo, believes Ambassador James Brewster is engaging in what Pope Francis has called “cultural imperialism” and “ideological colonisation”, using western money and power to…

The Archdiocese of Armagh is holding a ‘Rosary Relay’ in schools and parishes during the month of May as part of the Year of Mercy. Announcing the prayer initiative, Archbishop Eamon Martin said his vision is to “unite the pupils of the Archdiocese of Armagh in prayer during the month of May and then, through their example, to pass on…

Security failures led to massacre in Nigeria – claim A Nigerian bishop has denounced security failures that enabled the massacre of at least 20 people. The massacre took place on April 25 in the township of Nimbus in the south-east of Nigeria, shortly after security forces withdrew from the area. It has been attributed to Fulani herdsmen, a group of whom attacked the…