Parish pastoral councils are “building the Church of the future”

The first book printed in America, the Bay Book of Psalms, has fetched a record-breaking $14 million (€10.3 million) at auction in New York, making it the most expensive book in the world. Produced by Puritan settlers in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1640, the book is one of just 11 surviving from a run of 1,700,…

The Galway Franciscans and Poor Clares are celebrating a Year of the Holy Name of Jesus

Malaysia – A United Nations Special Rapporteur has stepped into an ongoing legal row centred on a Catholic paper’s desire to use the word ‘Allah’ in its pages. The diocesan weekly Herald newspaper is currently barred from printing the name following the confirmation, by the Court of Appeal in Kuala Lumpur, of an earlier Ministry…

The AL!VE youth event is open to all young people aged 16-30

Pakistan – A Christian man, held in prison since 2005 on charges of blasphemy has been released from prison following a successful appeal. Younis Masih had originally faced a death penalty following a trial which heard allegations that he had made blasphemous comments against the Prophet Mohammed. The allegations arose in 2005 when Masih asked…

UCC accused of ‘spiritual apartheid’

Sri Lanka – The bishops’ conference has condemned plans for a luxury casino resort in the country. Under plans backed by government and set to be funded by an Australian gambling magnate, an area centred on the western village of Katana has been earmarked for major multi-million euro development. Katana was reportedly chosen due to…

Two new Catholic schools are part of nine new post-primary schools announced by the Department of Education and Skills.

Pope Francis has announced that 2015 will be a year dedicated to consecrated life. As he addressed a gathering of delegates in Rome for the 82nd General Assembly of the Union of Superiors General last weekend, the Pontiff made his announcement during a lengthy question and answer session with the superiors. "A radical approach is…