Kilmore diocesan Masses to commemorate 1916 Rising The centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be marked at Masses in parishes throughout the Diocese of Kilmore over this weekend. The liturgy will be a special liturgy of remembrance, reflection and prayer to mark the anniversary of the Rebellion which started 100 years ago on this weekend (April 24). Two men who…

Catholic voters in the UK should approach the coming referendum on withdrawal from the European Union not merely as an economic question, but in light of what would best serve the common good, the bishops of England and Wales have said. The outcome of the referendum “will have consequences for the future not only of…

Former Tipperary hurler and manager Fr Tom Fogarty has said he fails to see how fans could “justify” being entertained by Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) following the shocking death of one of the sport’s rising stars. Joao Carvalho, a 28-year-old Portuguese MMA fighter, died in Dublin where he suffered head injuries competing at the Total…

A Canadian government bill to legalise euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide has been opposed by the country’s bishops, who have called it “an affront to human dignity, an erosion of human solidarity and a danger to all vulnerable persons”. Among those endangered by the bill, the bishops said, are the elderly, infirm, disabled and sick, many…

The Bishop of Raphoe has compared a rural parish losing a priest to losing essential services such as a post office or a Garda station. Bishop Philip Boyce celebrated his 50th anniversary of joining the priesthood at a Mass in St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny at the weekend. Speaking to the Donegal Democrat ahead of…

Philippine Catholics should pray the Rosary each day until the May 9 elections, the country’s bishops have said. On behalf of the national bishops’ conference, Lingayen-Dagupan’s Archbishop Socrates Villegas issued a statement reminding voters of the power of prayer. “Pray the mysteries of joy, light, sorrow and glory every day, until May 9,” he said.…

A streamlined form for Irish couples getting married can finally be rolled-out having been delayed for almost two years over confusion about whether the move needed Vatican approval or not. A decision was made some years ago to make the mandatory Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form more accessible for priests and would-be spouses. Diocesan representatives met in…

Pope’s meeting with Sanders wasn’t endorsement Pope Francis has dismissed suggestions that he has somehow endorsed US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders by meeting with him in the Vatican. The Vermont senator was in the Vatican to participate in the ‘Centesimus Annus’ Conference on Catholic Social Teaching and had stayed the night at Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope lives. Speaking…

The Church has been called to harness Confirmation programmes to tackle the problem of crime and violence among young people in disadvantaged communities.  Former gangster John Pridmore told The Irish Catholic that Confirmation programmes are an “opportunity” to show children “how they can use their gifts to help others rather than hurt people”. “There are…

Relatives carry the coffin of a relative on a vehicle in Pedernales, Ecuador, after an earthquake struck on April 16 off the country’s Pacific coast. At least 413 people died, nearly 3,000 were injured and thousands were left homeless in the magnitude-7.8 earthquake. original photo: CNS