Church leaders in the Holy Land are pleading for action to stop what they describe as a “systematic attempt to drive the Christian community out of Jerusalem and other parts of the Holy Land”. In a pre-Christmas plea, the leaders – representing all the main Christian traditions in the Holy Land – call on local…
edited by Brandon Scott Sacramental Confession has healing abilities that priests should especially emphasise to help bring God’s love and consolation to a world damaged by two years of the coronavirus pandemic. That is the advice for confessors from Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who stressed the urgency of their work for humanity. “In the season of…
The Irish bishops’ council for catechetics has launched a new religious education programme to “foster religious literacy” in Catholic secondary schools. The ‘Credible Catholic’ programme is aimed at senior-cycle non-exam RE, having been designed in line with feedback from teachers and theological advisors in Ireland, a press statement from the council said. Drawing on an…
edited by Brandon Scott Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to celebrate Christmas with a focus on Jesus Christ’s closeness, not on the consumerist, commercial aspects of the holiday. “Let’s not live a fake Christmas, please, a commercial Christmas,” the Pope advised. “Let us allow ourselves to be wrapped up in the closeness of God, this closeness…
The current state of national data collection with regards to abortion and its adverse outcomes are worse than “abysmal”, according to Laois-Offaly TD Carol Nolan. Deputy Nolan’s comments come following a report that 12,000 women in England and Wales have been treated in hospital for complications arising from medical abortion treatment failure. It is understood…
edited by Brandon Scott Bishop Antonio Staglianò of the Diocese of Noto in the Italian island region of Sicily left parents dismayed after he told a group of children that Santa Claus did not exist, subsequently sparking a week of backlash from parents and international media. After Bishop Staglianò’s comments on the Christmas character caused…
by Brandon Scott Soprano Celine Byrne has insisted that faith must be at the centre of Christmas celebrations, despite all the distractions. Speaking on RTÉ Lyric FM’s Marty in the Morning, Ms Byrne said that Mass is a huge part of her family Christmas. “I go to the church and light candles,” Ms Byrne told…
Missionary orders fear that a number of their foreign-born missionaries based in Ireland could have to leave next year due to “disruptive” delays in their visas being renewed by the Department of Justice. The ‘Minister of Religion visa’ has to be renewed every three years, but the process is taking up to 12 months, missionary…
Senator Rónán Mullen has encouraged Ireland to follow the examples of the US, Britain and Australia by diplomatically boycotting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Senator Mullen advised Ireland not to be “laggards” on the issue. China stands accused because of widespread allegations of atrocities carried out against the…
Mount Argus Parish in Co. Dublin celebrated Saturday with Archbishop Dermot Farrell the bi-centenary of the birth of Dutch Passionist priest, St Charles Houben, and the opening of the jubilee year of St Charles, which was a “very prayerful moment” and recognised as “very special” by the parishioners, according to parish priest Fr Paul Francis…
Ruadhán Jones