The powers of vicar general for the diocese of Down and Connor have been delegated to Fr John Murray and Fr Eugene O’Hagan, as the diocese awaits the appointment of a new bishop. Apostolic administrator Bishop Donal McKeown conferred the powers of a vicar general to the two priests to assist in the ongoing governance…
Cian Lynch, a devout Catholic who has spoken openly about the importance of his faith, led Limerick to a fourth triumph in a row as they beat Kilkenny on Sunday, July 23. Mr Lynch in his acceptance speech praised John Kiely as a “spiritual guy” and the “spiritual leader” of the team, but he himself…
An English Catholic bishop has praised a court for releasing a woman jailed for aborting her baby eight months into pregnancy. Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster, who leads pro-life efforts of the bishops’ conference of England and Wales, said he welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal in London to free Carla Foster…
Barrister Caroline Haughey OBE KC, born in Northern Ireland, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by a Catholic college in recognition of her work tackling human trafficking. Ms Haughey specialises in modern slavery and human trafficking cases and has supported the Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse, based in St Mary’s University…
Archbishop Eamon Martin has announced the latest clergy appointments for Armagh Archdiocese. Among those on the move are Fr Michael Murtagh, PP, Dunleer, who is to be PE, AP, Holy Family, Dundalk; Fr Seán O’Neill, PP, Termonmaguirc, to be PP, Keady and Derrynoose, while Fr John Gates, PP, Magherafelt, will also be be Adm, Newbridge.…
Fr Johan Verschueren, a Jesuit official and the superior of Fr Marko Rupnik, announced June 15 the expulsion of Fr Rupnik from the Society of Jesus due to his “repeated refusal” to address the allegations of sexual abuse and to comply with the restrictions placed on him. Fr Rupnik had according to canonical norms until…
Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, announced July 15 that he is withdrawing from his seat in Baghdad after Iraqi President Abdul Rashid revoked a decree recognising him as head of the Christian Church in Iraq. Cardinal Sako said he will be taking up residence in a monastery in Kurdistan, an autonomous…
The Charities Regulator’s report shows a rise in the number of religious charities, writes Ruadhán Jones The number of religious charities registered with the Charities Regulator is up by 388, the regulator’s report for 2022 shows. In 2022, there were 1,590 charities whose main goal was the “advancement of religion”, up from 1,202 from 2021.…
European bishops July 18 released a statement condemning the drafting of a right to abortion in the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, arguing that the proposed amendment would run afoul of European Union law and human dignity. The enshrining of abortion rights in the EU’s rights charter has been a prolonged subject of debate there.…
Knock basilica was packed out for celebrations for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, July 23. Many generations of families, great-grandparents down to little children, from across Ireland and the world were represented at the pilgrimage. Bishop Denis Nulty of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin celebrated Mass, while Dana Rosemary…
Ruadhán Jones