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…
Category: News
American footballer sports scapular during Super Bowl win
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…
Pope’s African visit laid down challenge, say Church leaders
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,…
‘We can’t defend ourselves without arms’ – Ukrainian archbishop
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…
Syria facing ‘next level of hell’ after earthquake
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…
Church of England allows blessings of same-sex marriages
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…
Heading on the pilgrim’s progress
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…
Recognising faith and service
The 16th annual Pope John Paul II Award ceremony was held in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry on February 6. The guest speaker, Melany Francisco-Lawless alongside Bishop Donal McKeown, patron of the award, presented the award to 328 young people from all over the Diocese of Derry and beyond. This year three people received the Papal…
In Brief
Priest charged for praying in UK ‘buffer zone’ A Catholic priest who faced criminal charges for praying for free speech outside an abortion clinic after business hours is the latest to run afoul of a strict buffer zone law in the English city of Birmingham. “I pray wherever I go, inside my head, for the…
In Short
Tuam celebrates inaugural young adult night The Archdiocese of Tuam held its inaugural young adults night, February 4, gathering young people from around the diocese for Mass and a social. Archbishop of Tuam Francis Duffy celebrated the opening Mass at 6pm in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam, Co. Galway. He praised the “moving” event,…

Ruadhán Jones









