Members of the Synod of Bishops would like the synod’s text to be clear, straightforward, and accessible so people can be encouraged to live the vocation of marriage and family life, and believe Scripture should be more prominent in the synod’s final text, including examples of holy couples and Jesus’ interactions with families. The 13…

Staff reporter Music superstar Justin Bieber has revealed that he has returned to his Christian faith after an “uncomfortable phase” and found solace through a personal relationship with God. The 21-year-old Canadian singer has chosen Purpose for the title of his upcoming album because “I felt like I lost my purpose… and I feel like I…

Those affected by abuse need extra special care – expert Catholics who are too angry, disillusioned or afraid to return to the Church because of clerical sexual abuse need very special care, according to an observer attending the Synod of Bishops. Maria Harries, a member of Australia’s Truth, Justice, Healing Council said in an interview that abuse by clergy has led to a crisis…

A new book has been launched which reveals the faith experience of Irish people living abroad.  The collection of essays ‘Dissonant Voices: Faith and the Irish Diaspora’, edited by Conn MacGabhann, is written by people including Fr Des Wilson, Fr Joe McVeigh and Msgr Raymond Murray and came about from a conference of the same…

A commemorative concert was held in the RDS Concert Hall on Friday to celebrate 200 years since Venerable Mary Aikenhead founded the Religious Sisters of Charity. Among those who attended the concert were President Higgins’ wife, Sabina, former Lord Mayor, Councillor Vincent Jackson and a wide circle of families, friends and benefactors including a large…

Just 200 of the existing 3,300 primary schools would be needed to serve parents who want a non-religious education for their children, it has been claimed. Secretary of the Church of Ireland Board of Education, Dr Ken Fennelly, said figures from the Central Statistics Office, seen by The Irish Catholic, indicated that 27,238 parents with…

Bishop John McAreavey has called on the Government to bring laws on prostitution in the South in line with the law in the North. The Bishop of Dromore warned that failure to do so would result in prostitution becoming a “scourge” in border towns such as Dundalk, Monaghan or Letterkenny. “What you will find is…

World Missions Ireland, the official mission outreach of the Catholic Church in Ireland, is asking people to vote for their video entry into the Better Together competition. A two-minute version of the DVD recorded by broadcaster Charlie Bird for World Missions Ireland in the Philippines and South Korea, which features missionaries and their work, has…

A priest who escaped Islamic State offers true Christian witness, writes Paul Keenan

Derry diocese is hosting a conference on youth ministry in Thornhill College on Saturday, October 24 from 9:30am to 4:00pm. The theme is Developing Faith in our Young People and its central focus will be the creation of parish opportunities for youth ministry. The day will offer parishes, schools, youth groups and other delegates the…