Pope Francis is proving a ratings winner for Italian broadcasters covering papal events. According to the state broadcaster, RAI 1, the Popeís noon Angelus alone has seen numbers jump by 250,000. Figures released show that numbers tuning in for the Angelus prayers have gone from 1.56 million in 2012 to 2.27 in 2013. Meanwhile, it…

Sunday service plan ‘solid and sensible’

Pope Francis has welcomed America's new Ambassador to the Holy See, Kenneth F. Hackett, who presented his credentials in Rome on October 21. Ambassador Hackett is a former president of Catholic Relief Services, the US bishopsí overseas relief and development agency, which he first joined in 1972. He retired as president of CRS in December…

The Church of Ireland has become embroiled in a major internal row following allegations of sectarianism from one of its leading prelates. Last week, as he addressed annual diocesan synods of his Church, Archbishop Michael Jackson of Dublin related his own “bitter experience” of sectarianism within his Church, stressing that “sectarianism is alive” in the…

Dublin’s Lord Mayor calls for “bottom-up system of government”

Turkey – As the flow of refugees from Syria continues, the Knights of Malta have opened a camp to cater for displaced people in Kilis, just across the border from the conflict-ravaged nation. By way of illustrating the continuing need for aid for Syrian civilians, the Knights revealed that on the first day of the…

Vatican – The 12th Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family will take place in Rome this October 23-25. The event will focus on the theme 'Family, Live the Joy of Faith' and will include a pilgrimage of families to the tomb of St Peter for the Year of Faith. "We wish to…

Syria – For the second time in as many weeks, there has been a claim that missing Jesuit Fr Paolo Dall’Oglio is alive. Khalaf Ali Khalaf, described as a reporter and opposition activist has insisted that the priest is alive and well, though he also reported that the Jesuit is in the hands of kidnappers.…

Share the Good News has hit a barrier due to resource allocation

Bangladesh – Police in the country are investigating a Muslim school of Koranic learning following an explosion thought to have taken place as militants prepared a bomb there. One person died in the explosion. The madrassa, in Chittagong is now suspected of being a site regularly used by militants as a cover for its activities.…