Vatican media to modernise The Vatican urgently needs to modernise its media operations, according to head of a new papal commission on how Rome can better communicate with the Church and the world. Speaking at a London Mass to mark World Communications Day, Chris Patten, former chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation Trust, explained that…

Former Jesuit Provincial says clergy and laity must face challenges together

Sinn Féin has joined forces with Alliance and the Green Party to block an attempt at tightening Northern Ireland’s abortion law. The parties jointly submitted a ‘petition of concern’ against a DUP amendment to the Justice Bill which was debated in the Assembly on Tuesday. The amendment would have made anyone who ended the life…

The Dáil should take the lead of the Northern Ireland Assembly and criminalise those who pay for sex, a leading charity that deals with exploited women has said. The Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act 2015, introduced in the North following Lord Maurice Morrow’s Bill and supported 81-10 in Stormont, includes a clause making the purchase…

This is what Pope Francis thinks of prisoners, writes Cindy Wooden

Beijing has taken a step further from Rome, writes Paul Keenan

The Parish of Clonard, Coarlstown, Kinnegad and The Downs will celebrate the life of St Finnian, patron saint of the Meath diocese, on June 7 with a pilgrimage and outdoor Mass. The pilgrimage will begin at St Etchen’s school Kinnegad at 12.45pm and proceed along the old R148 road to Ard na Reilige, Clonard –…

Catholics will continue to ‘witness strongly’

Four new Lay Dominicans were professed at a ceremony in the chapel of St Dominic’s Convent, Falls Road, Belfast on May 21. The new lay members of the Order of Preachers are: Ms Margaret McLean OP, Ms Monica Dynan OP, Mr Brendan Kelly OP and Mr John McBride OP. They belong to the Immaculate Heart…

Graduates and academics from St Mary’s University, London – Britain and Ireland’s largest Catholic university – assemble before the installation of Cardinal Vincent Nichols as the inaugural Chancellor. Irishman Francis Campbell is the recently-appointed Vice-Chancellor charged with leading the university’s expansion.