The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has accused The Irish Times of “a rush to judgement” in linking the death of Savita Halappanavar to the issue of Ireland’s abortion laws. In the wake of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report on the October 2012 death of the expectant mother at Galway’s University Hospital, the…

Pakistan – Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has announced a special fund to help victims of the September 22 attack on a Christian church in Peshawar. During his first official visit to the region, the prime minister met with minority groups and promised that the 200-million rupee (€1.3 million) fund would be established for the…

A parish priest in Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim has described as “exasperating” the sixth act of vandalism against his church since the start of the year. Speaking to The Irish Catholic following his discovery of the latest paint attack on St Mary’s Star of the Sea, Fr Anthony Alexander expressed his sadness at the repeated targeting…

Fr Iggy O’Donovan to get Freedom of Borough of Drogheda for contribution to town

Vulnerable young people and the elderly will suffer due to Budget 2014, charitable groups working at the coal face have warned. Minister for Finance Michael Noonan this week announced dramatic restrictions on medical cards, cuts to telephone allowances for the elderly and increased prescription charges. The Government also announced fresh cuts to social welfare rates…

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin to lead celebrations after refurbishment

Fr Tom Deenihan appointed new CPSMA general secretary

Sinn Féin Vice President Mary Lou McDonald is remaining tight-lipped amid controversy over Gerry Adams’ refusal to report his child abusing brother to the authorities. This is despite her vocal stance against Church leaders accused of covering up abuse. In 2009, Ms McDonald said any bishops “found to be complicit in the cover up of…

First John Paul II Festival taking place in Knock Shrine

Colombia – A prelate has condemned the actions of guerrillas in evicting priests form their parishes in a rural areas of the country. When he learned of the evictions in Puerto Guzmán and Puerto Leguizam, Bishop Luis Alberto Parra Mora took to the airwaves to call on the government to act at once to ensure…