An appeal against a 2013 law that pro-choice advocates claim is unconstitutional and designed to restrict abortion in Texas has been struck down by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The New Orleans-based court upheld most provisions in the law that pro-life groups say sets standards for abortion clinics to ensure women's health is…

Fr Sean O’Donnell, a native of the parish of Iskaheen, pictured at his ordination in St Eugene's Cathedral with the current and retired bishops of Derry: Bishop emeritus Seamus Hegarty, Fr Sean O’Donnell, Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop emeritus Edward Daly and Bishop emeritus Francis Lagan. Photo: Stephen Latimer

Ecuadorean sculptor Ramon Guato opens a mould figure of Pope Francis at his workshop in Quito June 12. Guato, a sculptor of religious figures, has prepared about 2,000 figures to be sold at Catholic libraries ahead of the upcoming visit by Pope Francis to Ecuador in July. (CNS photo/Guillermo Granja, Reuters)

Staff Reporter A retired couple who collected almost €3million after winning a share in the Lotto jackpot are planning on treating themselves to a trip to the final resting place of Saint Padre Pio. The married pair from Dun Laoghaire, Dublin scooped €2,905,586 in a recent National Lottery draw. The lucky husband said he and…

The head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Louis Raphael I Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, has told refugees from the city of Mosul that he hopes they can soon return to their homeland.  Addressing his scattered flock through a letter published by Catholic news agencies, the patriarch recalled how a year has passed…

A prominent abuse survivor has welcomed a new realism and sense of urgency in how the Church is dealing with abuse and child protection.  “Maybe it’s becoming more difficult for people in leadership to stay in place when their positions are untenable, and it’s good that resignations are being accepted more quickly,” Marie Collins told…

Cardinals embrace wide reform agenda The 10th meeting of Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinal Advisers made recommendations on Vatican reform, finance, safeguarding, and communications, and heard plans for the impending papal encyclical on the environment, according to Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi. The ‘C9’ examined a draft preamble to the new curial constitution, before Cardinal…

A group of lay Catholics seeking liberal reform in the Church in Ireland have called on the hierarchy to consider holding a national assembly. Members of the Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) made the proposal at a meeting with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin recently. Whether Archbishop Martin supports such an assembly is unknown.…

The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has said that it is unacceptable that the HSE might not investigate circumstances surrounding abortions in Irish hospitals. Responding to reports of how staff at a Leinster hospital were concerned that an abortion was granted to a woman who presented as pregnant and suicidal, despite her having no history of…

Supporters to undertake a 40-mile walk to the order’s headquarters in Dublin to present a 22,000 signature petition