The priest who presided at the funeral of Tony Fenton has spoken of how the legendary DJ returned to his faith in his final days. Fr Brendan Kealy, whose friendship with Fenton stretches back to before he became a priest, told The Irish Catholic the radio presenter received the sacraments and became a daily communicant…

Prayers have been said in churches across India for a 71-year-old nun who was gang-raped after six men broke into a convent school in Ranaghat in West Bengal. The attack has raised fears among India’s Christian community, already distressed by a series of attacks on churches and unconvinced by Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s…

The bishops have called for a renewed global commitment to protect freedom of religion and to stop the “brutal persecution” of minorities. In a joint statement this week the bishops said the “denial of the freedom of conscience and religion” is a “truly global crisis” which had led to “violent conflict, loss of life, forced…

Pope Announces Year of Mercy Pope Francis has announced the celebration of an extraordinary Jubilee Year dedicated to Mercy. The Holy Year of Mercy will begin on December 8, 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, and will end on November 20, 2016, the…

Trócaire, the bishops’ overseas aid agency, is supporting relief efforts in Vanuatu in the aftermath of what is thought to have been the worst cyclone to ever hit the country. Cyclone Pam, a category five storm, devastatedthe most populated island of Efate, where more than 65,000 people live, with wind speeds of up to 270…

Bishop Kevin Doran issued a clarification following a controversial interview on Newstalk last week. Bishop Doran admitted that some of the words and examples he had used were not “chosen as carefully as in a prepared address”, but said that some of his comments had been “misquoted or quoted out of context in further media…

A high-profile group of clergy and lay faithful from various Christian denominations have raised concerns that the introduction of same-sex marriage could lead to the violation of religious freedom here. The cross-denominational group, led by Catholic Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin and Church of Ireland Bishop Ferran Glenfield of Kilmore, warned that service providers, such…

A Christian Fairtrade Easter egg which raises awareness of the story of the resurrection, has raised nearly €200,000 for charity. The Real Easter Egg is made from Fairtrade chocolate, with chocolate buttons, and contains a  child-friendly, 3ft storybook/banner, ‘The real meaning of Easter’ which tells the story of the crucifixion and resurrection. The larger Premium…

Bishop Michael Smith’s comments come as a search is underway in Coghalstown bog, close to Oristown in Co. Meath

St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh was wrapped in red ribbon last week to highlight blood and organ donation in a cross border partnership between churches and health services. The ‘fleshandblood campaign’ encourages parishes to see blood and organ donation as a part of their giving. The campaign was launched by CofI Archbishop of Armagh, Dr…