Pictured launching the 2016 Trócaire Lenten Campaign are Jessie Rogers (2) from Celbridge, Co. Kildare and Luka Farrell (3) from Longwood, Co. Meath. For the fi rst time the Trócaire box features Trócaire supporters from across Ireland who are fi ghting for justice for the world’s poor by fundraising, campaigning and volunteering. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall…
In what is being hailed as the biggest ecumenical development in decades, Pope Francis is to meet with the Russian Orthodox Patriarch on February 12 during a two-hour stopover on the way to Mexico. Describing the first ever meeting of a Pope and Russian patriarch, as “an event that, in the ecumenical journey and in…
A parish priest leading a campaign to keep community hospitals open in three rural towns in Co. Donegal has criticised Government policy for “failing rural Ireland”. Fr John Joe Duffy, parish priest in Stranorlar described plans to remove long-term beds, or residential nursing beds, from the community hospitals in Lifford, Ramelton and Stranorlar for a…
Attacks on a UN base in Timbuktu have “almost certainly” been perpetuated by an Islamist group, according to the secretary general of the Episcopal Conference of Mali. Claiming that Tuareg rebel groups are committed to peace agreements signed with the government, and that there is no fighting between them and either the Malian army or…
NFL football star Peyton Manning has thanked God following his team’s surprise win in this year’s Super Bowl. “I’m very grateful,” the Denver Broncos quarterback said following his side’s victory over the Carolina Panthers, adding that he was “definitely going to say a prayer and thank the man upstairs for this opportunity”. The 39-year-old has…
Christian leaders in Pakistan have welcomed suggestions by Muhammad Khan Sherani, President of the Islamic Ideology Council, that the country’s repressive blasphemy might be amended. While there is a possibility that the already strict law could be made more censorious, Christian activist Nasir Saeed, director of the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement, said…
The Pro-Life Campaign has urged voters to quiz general election candidates on where they stand on the constitutional protection of the unborn. The PLC has released a new video on YouTube urging voters only to support candidates who will use their influence to protect the Eighth Amendment. “Your Vote Matters – Use It To Protect…
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta decided to reject plans for rules to regulate religious worship following consultations with religious leaders, the secretary general of the Kenyan Episcopal Conference has said. Religious Societies Rules 2015, which Kenya’s bishops had believed defied constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and the separation of Church and State, will not now be…
Marie Collins, the Irish clerical abuse survivor who has been a member of Pope Francis’ child protection advisory panel since its foundation, has said she did not vote for the suspension of her colleague and fellow survivor Peter Saunders. Following a February 6 discussion about the “direction and purpose” of the Pontifical Commission for the…
Vatican joins international call to help Syria The Vatican has joined international appeals to raise funds for emergency and long-term assistance to victims of the Syrian crisis. Speaking at the Syria Donors’ Conference in London, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican secretary for relations with states, said the Church would continue to help the region through its fundraising efforts. In his address,…
Mags Gargan
Cathal Barry
Greg Daly