A motion by unionist politicians in the North to restrict the right of faith-based schools to protect their ethos has been criticised. Proposing the motion in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Ulster Unionist Party MLA Danny Kinahan called for the removal of requirements for a Certificate in Religious Education to teach nursery and primary level in…

The ‘tomb of Jesus’ is back in the news, writes Paul Keenan

A group of students who assisted at the episcopal ordination of Bishop Phoncie Cullinan in Waterford cathedral on Sunday, stopped the papal nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown to pose for a selfie photo after the ceremony. Photo: Mags Gargan

Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Rome and summoned the papal nuncio in Ankara to express its disapproval at Pope Francis’ reference to the death of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1918 as “genocide”. Speaking before concelebrating Mass for the Centenary of Armenian Martyrdom, Pope Francis greeted the…

The father-of-two, dubbed the ‘special one’ by adoring fans, said he “totally” believes in God.

Brutal violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must stop, and the Church can help by reaching out to those committing the violence, according to religious congregations working in the conflict-torn country. The congregations based in the Diocese of Butembo-Beni say in a joint statement that armed men in the northeastern area of Beni…

Sean Heaslip, O'Rahilly's Villas, Tralee, Co. Kerry admires a mural of Msgr Hugh O'Flaherty and the surrounding garden, which is within 20 yards of the house where his family lived in Tralee for two years. Photo: John Cleary

Catholic schools should be allowed to continue teaching Church views

Armagh Diocesan Vocations Team have organised two upcoming events to give people a chance to hear testimonies of vocational calls. Entitled ‘Great people, great stories, come and listen!’, the evenings will take place on Thursday, April 23 in The Synod Hall, Armagh and Wednesday, April 29 in The Parochial Centre, Fairhill Rd, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone…