The Church in Nepal has urged that the preamble to the country’s new constitution should include the word ‘secular’ in order to ensure religious freedom. Responding to Hindu nationalist calls that the constitution should establish a ‘Hindu Nation’, the Apostolic Vicariate has also asked Nepal’s major parties that Christianity be listed, along with Hinduism, Buddhism…

Dr John O'Keeffe (Department of Music, Maynooth University), Prof. Chris Morris (Department of Music, Maynooth University) and the Maynooth University Chamber Choir pictured at the St Patrick’s College campus after becoming the first Irish choir to lift the coveted Pavarotti Trophy as ‘choir of the world’ at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, North…

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of two Latin American bishops more than a decade ahead of their canonical retirement ages. Clergy in Passo Fundo, Brazil, had criticised Archbishop Antonio Carlos Altieri, 63, for spending €550,000 on renovations to his home and offices, introducing a 10% diocesan “assessment” on parish income, and accepting seminarians who…

Staff Reporter The President of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth has said he is “delighted” to have won the bid to host a major meeting of presidents and rectors of Catholic universities. The International Federation of Catholic Universies’ key meeting will bring together more than 200 of the most influential Catholic leaders in third-level education world-wide.…

Bethany Beyond the Jordan, on the eastern side of the river Jordan, has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site and the location of Jesus’ baptism. Pope St John Paul II first visited the spot in 2000, with Pope Benedict XVI following him in 2009 and Pope Francis doing so last year. The…

A leading priest has criticised as “morally reprehensible” government reluctance to allow long-term direct provision users access to rent supports because of concerns that a more inviting system could draw asylum seekers to Ireland. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said there were no cheaper alternatives to the current arrangements and that changes to the system…

Boko Haram is losing ground in Nigeria and “no longer controls towns and villages”, according to Fr Patrick Tor Alumuku, director of Social Communications in the Archdiocese of Abuja. “Boko Haram is no longer what it was once, it is no longer able to occupy entire areas. Its men are hiding in the forest in…

People urged to make neglect election issue

The administrator of Carlow Cathedral had his prayers answered as he safely landed following a parachute jump on Saturday to raise money for the parish fund. Fr John Cummins and parishioners Mark Carpenter, Marie Therese Byrne and Jo Brecknell, completed a tandem skydive at Clonbullogue Airfield following weeks of collecting sponsorship around the parish. “It…

Arab Christians are increasingly distressed by a rise in kidnappings of clergy and laity in Syria and Iraq. Just days after the unexpected release of Iraqi Franciscan Fr Dhiya Aziz, Melkite Fr Tony Boutros and his Muslim driver were reported missing by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The watchdog said the priest serving…