Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako has said that the tiny Christian community of Iraq are hopeful that Pope Francis will make a visit to the troubled land. “We need his presence among us, so that he can give us so much strength, so much hope, not only for Christians but for everyone,” the…

An un-named Jesuit priest was the top bidder in a fiercely-contested auction of stained glass church windows made by the renowned Harry Clarke Studios. The Dublin-based priest paid €31,000 – 10 times the estimate — for a single stained glass panel depicting ‘Saint Francis Xavier preaching in the Orient’. The priest was also the successful…

Staff reporter Readers of The Irish Catholic are invited to the launch of a new study guide to the Pope’s encyclical on the environment. Trocaire’s Executive Director Éamonn Meehan will launch the book authored by theologian Fr Eamonn Conway and The Irish Catholic journalist Cathal Barry in Dublin next week. The key document acts as…

‘Walk with Francis’ initiative launched In anticipation of Pope Francis’ September visit, the Archdiocese of Washington and its Catholic Charities arm have launched an effort that challenges members of the local community to reach out to those in need. Called the ‘Walk With Francis Pledge’, the campaign invites people to serve others in their community and then share their…

The Administrator of Navan parish in Co. Meath had to step in to end a brawl between a large group of men that erupted outside St Mary’s Church after Mass on Sunday afternoon. The Irish Examiner reported that Peadar Tóibín, Sinn Féin TD for Meath West said as Mass concluded he “could hear raised voices…

Golf star Zach Johnson has credited God for his talent after winning the prestigious British Open this year. Speaking after his win at St Andrews at the 144th British Open, the US golfer said God had “blessed” him with the talent to play the game. “I feel like God gave me the ability to play…

A large number of German Catholics have left the Church in the last year according to new statistics.  Figures show that the numbers renouncing their faith in 2014 was 22% higher than in the previous year, going from 178,805 to 217,716. As well as leaving the Faith, this also has serious financial implications for the…

A woman reunited with her lost wedding ring has put her luck down to prayer and her faith in Our Lady. Cora Maguire issued a public appeal over the radio after she lost the ring recently ago in Dunnes Stores, on Dublin’s Henry Street, and thought all hope was lost until it was found. “I’ve…

Fr Aidan Troy poses for a selfie with newly married couple Mary McLaughlin and Martin Kealey at Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne in Belfast, at the first wedding the popular priest has celebrated in the North since his move to Paris in 2008. The Passionist came to prominence in 2001 when Loyalists protested against Catholic schoolgirls…

Australia’s Labour Party has pledged to support same-sex marriage and to require all party members eventually to join in that effort. After tense negotiations, a Labour Party meeting voted to amend a resolution that would have required party members to vote in favour of same-sex marriage immediately. In a compromise measure, the party agreed that…