Archbishop Eamon Martin was one of a number of Irish bishops, along with Irish political leaders, who reflected on the legacy of the late pope following the news of his death on Saturday, December 31. Archbishop Martin said he was “saddened”, remembering the pope-emeritus’ “gentle soul in prayer, asking God, in his great mercy, to…
Joy and Hope “Know that God will never abandon you. Turn your eyes to him often. He gave his life for you on the cross because he loves you. Contemplation of this great love brings a hope and joy to our hearts that nothing can destroy. Christians can never be sad, for they have met…
My spiritual testament When, at this late hour of my life, I look back on the decades I have wandered through, I see first of all how much reason I have to give thanks. Above all, I thank God himself, the giver of all good gifts, who has given me life and guided me through…
A Nigerian bishop has denounced “a deliberate plan to unleash evil” on Christian villagers following reports that dozens of people were killed in a violent attack December 18 in Kaduna State. “The motivation for these attacks as far as we know is that it’s a deliberate plan to unleash evil and to terrify our people…
The president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, once again attacked the Catholic Church in the Central American country, accusing it of “calling for bloodshed,” and said, “I never had respect for the bishops.” The Sandinista dictator made the statement December 19 during the 25th commencement for graduates in police sciences from the Walter Mendoza Martínez Police…
Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila called it irresponsible and a “flat out lie” for The Denver Post daily newspaper and some other local media to scapegoat Catholic teaching on human sexuality as contributing to hatred against transgender people and the wider LGBTQ community that led to a mass shooting at a Colorado gay bar. He made…
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis said December 23 that the Diocese of Rome learned only recently about the accusations of abuse against Fr Marko Rupnik, a Jesuit priest and artist who has served in the diocese for decades. In a statement, Cardinal De Donatis said “the diocese of Rome, which was unaware until recently of the…
The US Supreme Court said December 27 that a federal public health rule that allows immigration officials at the border to quickly turn away migrants seeking asylum could stay in place while legal challenges to the policy played out. In a 5-4 decision, the justices stopped a trial judge’s ruling that would have lifted the…
Fire breaks out in Brazil’s Aparecida shrine A fire broke out in the Chapel of the Candles at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The fire started around 8am local time. According to the Marian shrine, the fire started because a candle had been placed on a pew.…
Love comes first, Pope says in letter on St Francis de Sales The most important question a Christian can ask when making any decision in life is “where the greatest love is to be found,” Pope Francis wrote in a letter marking the 400th anniversary of St Francis de Sales, a doctor of the Church.…
Ruadhán Jones