Bishops across the island opened a Holy Door in diocesan cathedrals over the weekend to launch the  celebrations for the Year of Mercy. Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry and Deacon Christopher McDermott are pictured blessing the congregation after the opening ceremony in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Sunday. Photo: Stephen Latimer

The international community must act decisively and follow the path mapped out at the Paris climate summit, Pope Francis has said. Speaking after the Angelus on Sunday, December 13, the Pope recognised how the agreement signed at the Climate Change Conference (COP21) had been “described by many as historic”, but stressed that “its implementation will…

US nuns and sisters more ethnically diverse, study shows Religious life in the US is becoming more multi-ethnic and more international according to a new study, Understanding US Catholic Sisters Today, commissioned by Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA), which represents about 50 philanthropic organisations. The report, which highlights the major findings of recent sociological studies of women religious, said only…

Ill health has forced Cardinal George Pell to be excused from appearing in person at Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse until February. Justice Peter McClellan, chairing the commission’s inquiry, said he had received an email “to advise that the cardinal is currently affected by serious health conditions that, in the…

The Jesuit Institute South Africa has expressed its concern about President Jacob Zuma’s removal of Nhlanha Nene as the country’s Minister of Finance, claiming that the decision “spells disaster for the stability of an embattled economy” and raises questions about President Zuma’s ability to lead the country.  Although finance minister for just over 18 months,…

Love and truth are central to mercy, says CDF chief Mercy is a grace that comes from on high and changes our lives, taking us as we are but not leaving us as we are, according to Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Speaking in an interview, the cardinal described Confession as “paradigmatic of mercy”, saying…

An initiative which aimed to bring the Pope’s message of mercy to Christmas shoppers during the festive season has been praised as a resounding success.  Sixteen priests made themselves available to customers for confessions in Skycourt Shopping Centre in Co. Clare on December 8 as Pope Francis opened the extraordinary jubilee dedicated to emphasising God’s…

North Americans and Salvadorans have gathered at the precise spot where four churchwomen were killed 35 years ago to emphasise that the women’s work for El Salvador’s poor remains alive. “It is important for us to remember that her work for justice and peace lives on,” said Terri Keogh of her late sister, Maryknoll Sister…

Staff reporter Irish rugby legend Ollie Campbell has revealed that his Catholic faith is a “very important” part of his life.  In an extensive interview with The Irish Catholic the former fly-half said he had a “very strong faith”. “I’m a weekly massgoer. It would be a rare Sunday that I wouldn’t get Mass,” he said.…

Vatileaks II suspect linked with property scam The home of Francesca Chaouqui and her husband Corrado Lanino has been raided by police because of suspected access to computers linked to a probe into suspected irregularities in the sale of a 14th-Century castle. Mrs Chaouqui, a former member of a Vatican advisory council, is already facing a Vatican court with two others…