A representative of the Diocese of Down & Connor told the Historical Abuse Inquiry in the North that some children in the care of the Church were “tragically and catastrophically” failed. Fr Tim Bartlett told the sitting in Banbridge courthouse, Co. Down that the diocese would “not wish to offer any excuse at this stage.…

The Pro Life campaign has strongly criticised a recently published HSE report into state-funded pregnancy agencies which makes recommendations but contains no sanctions for what the PLC claim are “horrendous” and “life-endangering” practices. The HSE audit was commissioned following an undercover investigation in 2012 which revealed evidence that Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) run clinics…

A joint Christmas message from the Archbishops of Armagh Richard Clarke and Eamon Martin

Following four months of training, a group of lay people from parishes throughout the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin has formed a new diocesan Eucharistic Adoration committee. This was organised and conducted by John Howard and Brendan Cleary of the National Committee of the Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration, with the encouragement and support of Bishop Denis…

Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) has launched a new resource to encourage Christians throughout Ireland to become more eco-aware and eco-active at church and at home. Climate Change – Can I Make a Difference? includes some of the latest environmental data as well as a comprehensive theological response to climate change, prayers for the environment and advice…

To help set the agenda for the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the family, the Vatican is sending the world’s Catholic bishops’ conferences a list of questions on a range of topics, including matters of marriage and sexuality that proved especially controversial at the 2014 family synod. Together with the final report of the 2014…

Pope Francis will create new cardinals on February 14, following a two-day meeting of the world’s cardinals that will discuss reform of the Vatican bureaucracy, among other issues. The names of the new cardinals are likely to be announced in mid-January, Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ has said. If Pope Francis respects the limit…

Pope Francis declined to meet the Dalai Lama because of the "delicate situation" with China, the Vatican has said. The exiled Tibetan leader, who was in Rome at the weekend for a meeting of Nobel Peace Prize winners, had requested a meeting with the Pontiff. A Vatican spokesman said that although the Pope held him…

“I felt there was no scope for change”- Baroness Nuala O’Loan

High Court decision infuriates director of Family Ministry