The Vatican announced June 2 that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Robert Barron to lead the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota. Barron, who runs the popular Catholic media apostolate Word on Fire, has served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles since 2015. He will succeed Bishop John Quinn, who submitted his resignation to…
Category: News
Charities regulator issues Trócaire ‘reminder’ over political activity
Staff reporter Trócaire has been written to by the Charities Regulator to “remind” it that any future political activity must “directly advance and support [its] stated charitable purposes”. The Sunday Times reported that the letter to the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church was the result of two formal complaints related to recent campaigns…
Pilgrims trek days to join Uganda’s annual Martyrs Day observance
Thousands of pilgrims from across Uganda and neighbouring countries converged on Namugongo, a Kampala suburb, after walking for days to join the country’s annual Martyrs Day observance. The day is observed June 3 at Namugongo Shrine, built on the site where 45 people, including 22 Catholics, were burned to death on orders of the king…
National Museums Scotland receives rare Catholic embroidery
A rare item of Catholic devotion from the early 17th Century has been acquired by National Museums Scotland. The embroidered Crucifixion is a “unique surviving example of textiles associated with Catholic devotion” according to a statement from National Museums Scotland. “Few such objects survive in Britain as most were destroyed due to fears of idolatrous…
In brief
Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb permanently reopened to public Visitors to Assisi can once again see Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be beatified in the Catholic Church, dressed in jeans and tennis shoes through a viewing glass on his tomb. Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino removed the panel covering Bl. Acutis’ tomb on June 1, reopening…
New synod book launched in Limerick
Staff reporter A new book aimed at helping Catholics engage with the ongoing synod process has been launched in Limerick. Bishop of Achonry Paul Dempsey urged all people who care about the future of the Church to be part of the process and use the book as a tool in the wider discernment process that…
Warm welcome for Holy Land book
Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has encouraged Irish Catholics to consider making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The archbishop pleaded with Irish groups to also engage with the local people in the Holy Land, particularly the small Christian community. Dr Martin was speaking at the launch of An Irish Pilgrimage Guide to the…
Pope sends congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on her platinum jubilee
Pope Francis sent a congratulatory message to Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday coinciding with the United Kingdom’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of her reign. “On this joyful occasion of your Majesty’s birthday, and as you celebrate this Platinum Jubilee year, I send cordial greetings and good wishes, together with the renewed assurance of my…
Kenyan bishops urge free, fair and peaceful elections
Kenya’s Catholic bishops joined other religious leaders in calling upon the country’s politicians to ensure the forthcoming general elections, scheduled for August 9, are free, fair and peaceful. The prelates said they recognised “that myriad developments could emerge that could hinder peaceful, free, fair and credible elections. Let us all pray and call upon God”.…
Youth faith gathering in Cork offers sign of hope
Young adults from all over the Diocese of Cork and Ross gathered in the Student Centre, UCC, on Sunday May 22 to discuss the challenge of living their faith today. The event called ‘CONNECT’ brought together over a hundred representatives from parishes and youth groups within the diocese to share, reflect, celebrate and pray together.…








Chai Brady


Ruadhán Jones