The Provincial Leader of the OLA Sisters has condemned the brutal attack on a Catholic church in southwest Nigeria over the weekend, which left dozens of people dead. Sr Kathleen McGarvey, who has worked on peacebuilding in Nigeria for many years, described the attack on Pentecost Sunday as “an absolute nightmare”. “It is very painful…
Prayers were offered in parishes across Ireland at the weekend in thanksgiving for the diocesan phase of the universal synod, with Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin describing it as the “largest consultation ever to take place in the Catholic Church”. “I am grateful to all who participated for their constructive engagement in the many local…
Staff Reporter Rumours that Pope Francis might retire have been fuelled by an announcement that he will be attending a feast initiated by a 13th Century pope who himself resigned. Speculation that the 85-year-old might follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Benedict XVI and step down from his post was prompted in early May when he…
CSO stats show almost half of births outside marriage The latest figures from the CSO revealed 41.5% of births in the fourth quarter of 2021 were outside marriage. The figures showed there were 16,250 births in the fourth quarter of 2021, with 9,512 (58.5%) of those registered as being within marriage or civil partnership. There…
An investigation is needed into the Orange Order and Flute Band following the broadcast of a “shockingly offensive” song mocking the murder of Michaela McAreavey, according to the leader of Aontú. Peadar Tóibín TD said the tragedy of Ms McAreavey’s murder extended across the whole of Ireland. He said: “It was truly shocking and disturbing…
The Catholic Schools Trustees’ Council (CSTS) has described as “concerning” any suggestion that parents might not get a say in the ethos of the education their children receive. This comes in response to Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State Brandon Lewis’ affirmation that UN-approved RSE might be imposed on schools in the North. The News Letter…
Staff reporter This year’s MSC Novena to the Sacred Heart is set to celebrate the theme of ‘Jesus – The Compassion and Mercy of God’ and will be led by main celebrant Fr Paul-Clayton Lea. “We are still emerging from the effects of the pandemic, which changed the world and scarred many lives. We are…
Sacramental marriage for gay and lesbian Catholics and the ordination of women priests are key demands of an LGBT focus group set by Bishop Kevin Doran as part of the synodal process. A Church-wide apology to LGBT people and their families from the Pope as well as priests and bishops and an end to the…
Housing and homelessness charity the Peter McVerry Trust has won a gold medal with its first show garden at gardening festival Bloom. ‘Pathways to Home’, designed to represent the journey from homelessness and sleeping rough to living in a safe and secure home secured first place. The garden was designed by Seán O’Malley and Oisin…
The Vatican and a local Catholic bishop responded on Sunday to an attack on a church in Nigeria in which at least 50 people are believed to have been killed. The massacre took place during a Pentecost Sunday Mass at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, in southwestern Nigeria. A video posted on Twitter…
Chai Brady