21 days and 14 days’ military detention: this is the sentence imposed by the Israeli army on two soldiers for desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary. The soldier who placed a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon must serve three weeks; his comrade, who photographed him…
Category: News
Filipino priest backs out of ordination as bishop, cites ‘human limitations’
Fr Gerardo Fortich Saco Jr, 60, was supposed to be the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, in the central Philippines, after his ordination and installation on May 26. But at 6am on May 5, Fr Saco jolted the Diocese of Tagbilaran — and sent shockwaves nationwide — when he announced that he was…
Construction begins on settler road in the West Bank
Israel has begun construction of a bypass road in the West Bank. According to Transport Minister Miri Regev, the aim of the new transport link is to “bring a million residents to Judea and Samaria”, as reported by Haaretz on May 6. The biblical names of these regions refer to the land occupied in violation…
Holy Land reduced to a ‘Christian theme park’ if attacks continue
Jerusalem bishop to promote pilgrimage of peace at Knock The Holy Land risks becoming “little more than a Christian theme park” if the persecution of its ancient Christian community is not halted, a senior Catholic charity leader has warned — as a Jerusalem bishop prepares to bring an urgent appeal to Ireland this month. Michael…
AI is a ‘great tool’ in developing a homily, says Irish Silicon Valley priest
“There are those who say, we shouldn’t be using these machines to produce homilies. Well, have you listened to the average homily on a Sunday? They could do with a bit of improvement,” said Fr Brendan McGuire in conversation with The Irish Catholic, speaking about the positive ways to use AI in developing a homily.…
Galway mourns devoted and long-serving priest and community member
Parishioners and community members are paying respects online for beloved Galway priest Fr Martin McNamara, who died on May 1. Fr McNamara was ordained in 1962, and served in various parishes until settling as parish priest in Kiltullagh, Killimordaly and Clooncagh from 1986 to 2022. Killimordaly Hurling Club issued a statement on Facebook, where they…
Derry pastoral needs to be led by laity in near future, says bishop
Martina Purdy
Catholics in rural areas can expect an increase in Eucharistic services led by lay people in the years ahead, the Bishop of Derry has said. “There would certainly have to be,” Bishop Donal McKeown told The Irish Catholic, when asked whether there would be more Eucharistic services, in future, where priests are not available to celebrate…
March for Life draws thousands in Dublin amid law concerns
Thousands gathered in Dublin on Monday for the annual March for Life, with this year’s demonstration focusing on rising abortion numbers and opposition to proposals to remove the three-day waiting period. The event began with Mass at the Newman University Church, where Bishop Kevin Doran of Achonry and Elphin told worshippers: “Once there is a…
‘The family law system is harming our children’, says Dublin TD
Family law proceedings concerning child custody, access, guardianship and childcare matters are currently held in secret under the in-camera rule and that must be reformed according to TD Paul Gogarty who launched a bill and a two-hour debate this week calling on the Minister to enact legislation to replace the current blanket ban on reporting…
Springhill / Westrock inquest findings ‘restores dignity to the deceased’, says bishop
Renata Steffens
The recent inquest findings regarding the “unlawful” killing of five persons by British Soldiers in the Springhill / Westrock area of Belfast on July 9, 1972, is of “great importance”, Bishop Alan McGuckian of Down and Connor told parishioners in Corpus Christi Parish, Ballymurphy, during Mass on May 3. “After more than fifty years, the…