Pope Francis names Franciscan sister to second-highest position in Vatican City State Pope Francis has appointed Sr Raffaella Petrini to the second-ranking position in the government of the Vatican City State. Sr Petrini is the first woman and non-clergy member to be secretary general of the Vatican’s governorate. The appointment makes her one of the…
Spanish bishop dismisses Joe Biden’s claim that Pope said he can receive Communion Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of San Sebastián, Spain, strongly criticised US President Joe Biden’s claim that Pope Francis personally encouraged him to continue receiving Communion despite his open support for abortion. “These incredible statements reveal the moral character of those who are…
Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop-elect Francis Duffy to succeed the retiring Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary, it was announced today, November 10. The archbishop-elect was “surprised and humbled” by the announcement, he told the congregation gathered at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tuam, Galway. In his address, he added…
Pope Francis has called on Israel and the Palestinians to restart direct negotiations to work towards a two-state solution to the Middle East peace process. He also insisted that only peaceful means can bring about a just settlement to the conflict. The Pontiff made the remarks this morning (Thursday) while receiving in audience at the…
Pope Francis on Thursday appointed Franciscan Sister Raffaella Petrini to the second-ranking position in the government of the Vatican City State. Sr Petrini is the first woman and non-clergy member to be secretary general of the Vatican’s governorate. She replaces Bishop Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, who was promoted to president, effective October 1. The governorate is the…
Ruadhán Jones and Brandon Scott Rising energy costs are having a dramatic impact on parishes’ ability to heat churches, with some forced to resort to rationing and leaving it off for large parts of the week. Recent months have seen a huge increase in energy prices which are predicted to continue to rise. Coupled with…
It is “unacceptable” Ireland remains the second highest emitter per capita in the EU, according to Church charity Trócaire in a policy document ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Summit taking place in Glasgow this week. The charity said that while Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill aims to reduce emissions by 51%…
People who describe themselves as religious are significantly more likely to take responsibility for climate change than the general population. New research also reveals that young people are particularly inclined to lay the blame for climate change at the hands of government rather than taking personal responsibility. As world leaders gather in Glasgow to try…
Mark Zuckerberg’s plans for the ‘metaverse’ have been criticised as “pure escapism” by Jesuit priest Fr Kevin O’Higgins. Facebook’s Mr Zuckerberg recently announced his company’s rebranding as ‘Meta’ which he described as more in-line with their plans and focus on building the ‘metaverse’. The metaverse is envisioned as a breakthrough of the internet into the…
The Association of Catholic Priests has claimed that some bishops have banned gay priests from working in parishes. However, the group did not name any diocese in a series of allegations contained in a statement released to the media ahead of the annual meeting this week. Another claim from the group is that some priests…
Chai Brady
Michael Kelly
Ruadhán Jones