It’s long been called the ‘Francis effect’ and now, thanks to a new survey, its positive results are being measured for the first time. Since his election in March, Pope Francis has been the focus of much attention for his warm and engaging style of leadership, leading to debates as to whether this would translate…

A newly established confraternity for Irish clergy hopes to support clerics in their lives and ministry, the group’s chairman has said. Established during a meeting of priests in Knock, Co. Mayo in late October, the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy is based on successful bodies already working for the wellbeing of priests in Australia, the United…

One of the survivors of the October 3 migrant boat sinking off the island of Lampedusa has been arrested after other migrants identified him as a member of an African trafficking gang. Identified in reports as a Somali, the unnamed man is alleged to have been one of a number of men who tortured and…

‘There is still so much needed’

A Christian convert who received a 10-year prison sentence for abandoning Islam has been released less than a year into his sentence. Mostafa Bordbar was arrested last December 27 during a Christmas celebration with other Christians and in June sentenced for undermining national security in founding Christian house churches. In handing down the 10-year penalty,…

Fr Jerome Murphy-O’Connor OP, who died in the early hours of November 11 in Jerusalem, has been described as a “colossus” in biblical scholarship. The Cork-native spent more than 45 years working and researching in the Holy Land. Born in 1935, he was acknowledged as one of the foremost New Testament scholars in the world,…

South Korea –The 10th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches draws to a close on November 8 in Busan. Gathered this year under the theme ‘God of Life, Lead us to Justice and Peace’, some 3,000 delegates from 345 Churches and ecclesial communities engaged in ecumenical sessions and meetings. The Catholic Church’s official…

Fr Liam McKinney, based in Crossmaglen, Co. Down, is among of number of priests who have been robbed in recent weeks in a spate of often vicious attacks

Jesuit social justice campaigner nominated by Lord Mayor of Dublin

“Who among us has not experienced insecurity, loss and even doubts on their journey of faith? Everyone! We've all experienced this, me too. Everyone. It is part of the journey of faith, it is part of our lives. This should not surprise us, because we are human beings, marked by fragility and limitations. We are…