Several bishops’ conferences around the world have echoed Pope Leo XIV’s call to pray for peace on April 11. During his “urbi et irbi” (“to the city and the world”) message on Easter Sunday, the Holy Father called for a prayer vigil for peace to be held Saturday at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.…
Category: News
The Pope effect: how a papal visit is sparking an infrastructure ‘miracle’ in Cameroon
Beyond hopes for spiritual renewal and reconciliation in a country fractured by violence, Pope Leo XVI’s planned visit to Cameroon has sparked what the Archbishop of Bamenda describes as “an infrastructure miracle.” In a wide-ranging interview on PRC TV, Archbishop Andrew Nkea stated that the papal visit has served as an unmatched catalyst for socio-economic…
Pope will address tensions between Christianity and Islam in Africa, Nigerian, bishop says
While Pope Leo XIV visits Africa for the first time as pontiff this week, Catholics and others across the continent watch with interest for what it reveals about the pope’s agenda and priorities for their region. One of those watching is Bishop John Niyiring of Kano, Nigeria, a fellow Augustinian and longtime friend of the…
Crowds mark 300 years of St Gerard Majella in Dundalk
“People get a great sense of belonging,” a Redemptorist priest told The Irish Catholic, as a triduum marking the 300th anniversary of St Gerard Majella drew strong crowds in Dundalk this week. Fr Brendan Callanan CSsR said the celebrations, held to mark the saint’s birth in 1726, reflected a devotion that has endured locally for…
Trump lambasts Pope Leo XIV, extending feud over Iran war
President Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, saying he didn’t think the US-born global leader of the Catholic Church is “doing a very good job” and that “he’s a very liberal person,” while also suggesting the pontiff should “stop catering to the Radical Left.” Flying back to Washington…
Catholic moral theologians worry for civilians amid shaky Iran ceasefire, Trump rhetoric
As a ceasefire between the United States and Iran tentatively remains in place, President Donald Trump’s rhetoric has sparked concerns from Catholic moral theologians about the safety of civilian populations if fighting resumes. Trump announced a ceasefire agreement on April 7, hours after threatening the annihilation of the “whole civilisation” of Iran if the country…
High level of confidence in Catholic schools as just 16% of parents want change
Catholic education bodies have welcomed the results of the recent Primary School Surveys on divestment and related matters conducted by the Department of Education which found that the majority of parents have a high level of confidence in their Catholic school while 16% of parents are in favour of change. The results were released on…
Clonard centenarian marks 100 years of faith and service
Ms Susan “Una” McCann has celebrated her 100th birthday, marking a century of life rooted in faith, family and community in west Belfast. Born on March 31, 1926, in Cavendish Street, Ms McCann has lived most of her life within sight of Clonard Monastery, which has remained central to her life of prayer and service.…
80 adults welcomed into the faith on Easter weekend
Dioceses in Ireland this Easter saw around 80 adults baptised into the faith, representing the final step in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) journey for many. Large groups of catechumens in the Diocese of Cork and Ross, Dioceses of Clonfert and Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, and the Diocese of Achonry and Ephin…
‘Living out vocation of marriage’ at date night event for Catholic couples
In collaboration with Family Solidarity, Teams of Our Lady and Marriage Encounter, Catholic Mothers Ireland (CMI) will host a Catholic Couples Date Night on April 18 At Armagh City Hotel. The idea for the event “grew out of ongoing conversations about how best to support couples in living out the vocation of marriage in a…









