A recent retreat for priests of the Dioceses of Clonfert and Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora marked a milestone for 20 of the clergymen who attended, each celebrating a priestly jubilee. This year, five priests in the dioceses are celebrating 60 years of priesthood, four priests are celebrating 55 years, four priests are celebrating 50 years,…
Pope Leo XIV surprised 13 priests from southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel, by joining a video call from Rome on Wednesday, telling them they were in his prayers and that he hoped peace would soon prevail along the tense frontier. The Lebanese Catholic and Maronite priests were asked to attend an online morning…
A poll found two-thirds of Americans have a positive view of Pope Leo XIV’s calls for peace amid the Iran war and a majority of people hold a negative view of President Donald Trump’s criticisms of the Holy Father and threats to destroy Iranian civilisation. The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll surveyed 2,560 American adults between…
21 days and 14 days’ military detention: this is the sentence imposed by the Israeli army on two soldiers for desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary. The soldier who placed a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon must serve three weeks; his comrade, who photographed him…
Fr Gerardo Fortich Saco Jr, 60, was supposed to be the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, in the central Philippines, after his ordination and installation on May 26. But at 6am on May 5, Fr Saco jolted the Diocese of Tagbilaran — and sent shockwaves nationwide — when he announced that he was…
Israel has begun construction of a bypass road in the West Bank. According to Transport Minister Miri Regev, the aim of the new transport link is to “bring a million residents to Judea and Samaria”, as reported by Haaretz on May 6. The biblical names of these regions refer to the land occupied in violation…
Jerusalem bishop to promote pilgrimage of peace at Knock The Holy Land risks becoming “little more than a Christian theme park” if the persecution of its ancient Christian community is not halted, a senior Catholic charity leader has warned — as a Jerusalem bishop prepares to bring an urgent appeal to Ireland this month. Michael…
“There are those who say, we shouldn’t be using these machines to produce homilies. Well, have you listened to the average homily on a Sunday? They could do with a bit of improvement,” said Fr Brendan McGuire in conversation with The Irish Catholic, speaking about the positive ways to use AI in developing a homily.…
Parishioners and community members are paying respects online for beloved Galway priest Fr Martin McNamara, who died on May 1. Fr McNamara was ordained in 1962, and served in various parishes until settling as parish priest in Kiltullagh, Killimordaly and Clooncagh from 1986 to 2022. Killimordaly Hurling Club issued a statement on Facebook, where they…
Catholics in rural areas can expect an increase in Eucharistic services led by lay people in the years ahead, the Bishop of Derry has said. “There would certainly have to be,” Bishop Donal McKeown told The Irish Catholic, when asked whether there would be more Eucharistic services, in future, where priests are not available to celebrate…
Martina Purdy