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…
Category: News
Schools express worry over UN sex-ed imposition
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…
MSCs prepare for 2022 Novena to the Sacred Heart
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…
Synod LGBT group calls for gay marriage in churches
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…
Peter McVerry Trust takes home gold at Bloom
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…
Vatican and local bishop respond to Pentecost massacre in Nigeria
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…
Internet star Bishop Barron appointed to lead new diocese
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…
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…
Chai Brady









