Iona Institute NI spokeswoman Mary Lewis has described as “undemocratic” and “heavy-handed” the Secretary of State’s announcement that the UK government will commission abortion in the North. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Ms Lewis said that many in Northern Ireland are “overwhelmingly against” the introduction of abortion, and that it’s clear that NI Secretary…
The Irish bishops’ conference have shot down a proposal to set up regional arbitration panels to help priests when they face canonical or legal issues. The panels, proposed by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), would have facilitated “respectful dialogue” between priests, “competent experts in relevant disciplines” and bishops. In a letter sent to all…
Staff Reporter Archbishop-emeritus Patrick Coveney (88), who served as Papal Nuncio to Greece and New Zealand, has died, the diocese of Cork and Ross have announced. Perhaps Archbishop Coveney’s greatest claim to fame came when he acted as interpreter for Pope Paul VI during the visit to the Vatican of the first astronauts to land…
As France begins a national debate on euthanasia, Pope Francis urged politicians from the country’s northern region to reject the “throwaway culture” and instead focus on providing care and relief to those nearing the end of their lives. “I dare to hope that on such essential issues the debate can be conducted in truth to…
Hopes that new Jesuit Centre can be a hub of welcome and faith formation, Ruadhán Jones hears While most of the news about religious orders in Ireland of late has been about closure and retrenchment, the Jesuit’s in Belfast have launched a new venture with high hopes. The Jesuit Centre, which opened officially on Saturday,…
A video has emerged on social media that shows five Catholic priests, a nun, and three others who were kidnapped last month in Cameroon’s Mamfe Diocese pleading with their local ordinary to secure their release. On September 16, unidentified gunmen attacked St Mary’s Catholic Nchang Parish of Mamfe Diocese in Cameroon. Nine people were abducted and buildings on the…
Pope Francis expressed his hope that a new centre for Catholic-Jewish relations in Poland will “foster appreciation of the common heritage, not only of the two religions, but also of the two peoples”. Speaking to Polish pilgrims at his weekly general audience October 19, the Pope noted the inauguration two days earlier of the Abraham…
As soon as the lights dimmed for the start of the show in the tiny Vatican movie theatre, the crack of beer cans being opened joined the quieter crunch of popcorn. After all, when there is a private showing of The Greatest Beer Run Ever, starring Zac Efron and a green duffel bag full of…
US bishop renews plea to launch mental health ministry After announcing Bishop John Dolan lost his sister to death by suicide, the Diocese of Phoenix renewed his “urgent plea to get mental health ministry underway”. “Our hearts are breaking as we make known the loss of Mary Elizabeth Dolan, youngest sister of Bishop John P.…
New Government grants aimed at harvesting the sun may not be enough of a push for parishes, writes Chai Brady Rapidly increasing energy costs are on everyone’s mind in Europe as Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine continues to rage, driving up the price of gas. It’s somewhat of a perfect storm for consumers since fuel…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady