Youth directors from across the Irish dioceses gathered for a few days of recovery and dialogue, reflecting on the theme ‘Come away and rest a while’ (Mk 6:31), at their annual retreat in Co. Laois earlier this month. Hosted by the Irish Bishops’ Conference’s Sub-Council for Evangelisation and Youth Ministry, the 27 youth directors who…
Introducing the people in the Irish Synodal Pathway Working Groups and their roles and backgrounds. The Synodal Pathway refused to release this information for unknown reasons so we compiled it in the interest of a transparent Church culture which clearly has some way to go before it is realised. BELONGING Bishop Paul Dempsey Auxiliary Bishop…
Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with Pope Leo on May 22 in the Papal Library to discuss both nurturing peace at home and in wars in the Middle East and Sudan and the topic of clerical abuse. Following the 45 minute meeting, Mr Martin told reporters he sensed the pontiff’s “genuine desire for an end to…
An organiser of hundreds of public Rosary Rallies across Ireland has said the gatherings show Catholics are “rediscovering the value of devotion to Our Lady”. The 586 rallies, organised by the Irish Society for Christian Civilisation and its Ireland Needs Fatima campaign, marked the 109th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Speaking…
A case against pro-life campaigner Claire Brennan under Northern Ireland’s abortion safe access zone law has been dismissed, with Ms Brennan saying she is “ecstatic” that the case is over. Ms Brennan, who has been supported by Christian Concern, had been accused of breaching the law outside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The dismissal comes amid…
Mercy International Association (MIA) has appointed a new Chair of the MIA Board during a joint meeting between the MIA board and members, which recently took place in the Grand Hotel, Malahide. The new Chair is Sr Maria Lawton rsm, Congregation Bursar of the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta Congregation, Australia. Speaking on her appointment, Sr…
“A rising tide raises all boats,” so the saying goes. In 2025, that surge arrived most notably in the form of Tipperary’s exceptional under-20 crop, who stormed to All-Ireland glory at the end of May to secure the county’s twelfth title at the grade under the stewardship of the great Brendan Cummins. Fast forward six…
After a year and a half, one of the masterminds behind the tragic killing of Catholic environmental activist Juan López – which occurred in September 2024 in Honduras – was finally charged and detained by authorities, giving the local Church hope that justice will be served. Adán Fúnez, formerly the mayor of the municipality of…
The Catholic Diocese of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has issued preventive measures to all Catholic parishes and communities following the declaration of an Ebola virus hemorrhagic fever outbreak as a “health emergency.” In a communiqué issued May 18, the chancellor of the diocese said Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele had directed that…
Pope Leo XIV called Monday for robust regulation of artificial intelligence and for its developers to work for the common good rather than profit, issuing a sweeping manifesto on safeguarding humankind as the technology impacts everything from work to war. Magnifica humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), Leo’s first encyclical, has been eagerly awaited ever since history’s first…
Renata Steffens