Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa was convicted and sentenced by a Nicaraguan court to 26 years in prison on February 10 – barely a day after the outspoken prelate defied President Daniel Ortega by refusing to go into exile. The court convicted Bishop Álvarez on charges of conspiracy to undermine national integrity and spreading false…
Clonfert diocese has opened a consultation on the future of Catholic secondary level education in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. The consultation reflects the “rapidly changing education landscape” and has “no pre-determined outcome”, the diocese said in a statement. Second level education in Ballinasloe is currently provided by two schools under the patronage of Clonfert and CEIST…
The FBI says it is retracting a leaked document published on the internet February 8 that appears to reveal that the bureau’s Richmond division launched an investigation into “radical traditionalist” Catholics and their possible ties to “the far-right white nationalist movement”. In response to an inquiry from CNA, the FBI said it will remove the…
The Pioneer Association is setting its eyes on the international scene, changing their website’s address to reflect the growing interest abroad. The lay Catholic association, founded in Ireland 125 years ago, will change its website address from ‘.ie’ to ‘.org’ as global interest has surged, spiritual director Fr Robert McCabe told The Irish Catholic. Speaking…
The game-winning kick in Sunday’s Super Bowl was made by devout Catholic Harrison Butker, who used the opportunity to praise God. Many on social media noticed that during the game he was wearing a brown scapular around his neck. The score stood at an even 35-35 with just seconds remaining in the game, when Mr…
While Pope Francis has returned to Rome after his six-day apostolic trip to Congo and South Sudan, the words he left there will resonate across the continent for a long time, Church leaders and experts say. Catholic bishops in Congo said the words of the Holy Father not only comforted, but shook up, the continent,…
The head of the Ukrainian Catholic church has defended President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s requests for long-range weapons, although a Vatican diplomat warned that arms supply is a complex topic. “I cannot morally endorse this request for arms because I don’t know all the details – but we cannot defend ourselves without arms,” said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav…
An Irish missionary in Aleppo, Syria, has said the region is facing the “next level of hell” after the recent earthquake destroyed houses and left thousands dead. Syria was already in a “hellish” way before the 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the Northwest of the country and south Türkiye on February 6, Irish Jesuit Fr Tony…
The Church of England has banned church weddings for same-sex couples while at the same time allowing priests to bless same-sex marriages and partnerships. The General Synod of the Church of England decided on February 9 that same-sex couples would be allowed to come to church after a civil marriage or civil partnership to give…
Pilgrims on The Irish Catholic’s Christian solidarity pilgrimage to the Holy Land gathered early in Dublin Airport before taking to the air. Men and women from across the island of Ireland are undertaking the spiritual journey through Christ’s home on earth. Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown is the spiritual director of the pilgrimage, which is…
Ruadhán Jones