Pope Francis thanked God “that Ireland has such a wise man as its Head [of State]”, during the latest encounter between the Pontiff and the president. President Higgins met the Pontiff before meeting Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher. A Vatican statement disclosed that…
A Nigerian Catholic priest kidnapped at his parish residence September 13 has been freed. The priest’s liberation was announced on September 15 by Fr Emmanuel Uchechukwu, chancellor of Kafanchan diocese, in northern Nigeria, reported ACI Africa. “With hearts filled with joy, we raise our voices in a symphony of praises as we announce the return of our…
In response to recent rulings by the nation’s Supreme Court decriminalising abortion, the bishops of Mexico have called on the Faithful and people of good will throughout the country to join a march “for women and for life” to be held October 3 in Mexico City. In a September 13 statement, the Mexican bishops’ conference…
According to US pro-life group Live Action, the search engine Google cancelled its advertisements for abortion pill reversal services. The act is further evidence of Google’s pro-abortion biases, a leading pro-life activist told CNA. “In a dramatic and unprecedented move, Google has sided squarely with extremist pro-abortion political ideology, banning the pro-life counterpoint and life-saving…
Pope to lay associations: Be aware of the apostolic power you have Pope Francis opened his discourse to moderators of associations of the Faithful, ecclesial movements and new communities, gathered for a meeting organised by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, by thanking all those present for being there. “And thank you…
New Belarusian archbishop welcomed amid ongoing repression Catholic leaders in Belarus welcomed a new head for its archdiocese after a nine-month interregnum, although some activists warned the new archbishop could be constrained in opposing repression in the former Soviet republic. Pope Francis named Auxiliary Bishop Iosif Staneuski, 52, of Grodno as archbishop of Minsk-Mohilev September…
Strengthening the peace process in the North was among the topics discussed when Pope Francis received President Michael D. Higgins today (Friday) at the Vatican. President Higgins met the Pontiff before meeting Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher. A Vatican statement said that during…
Pope Francis has not devalued the Torah and does not question the fact that the Torah is crucial for modern Judaism, Cardinal Kurt Koch told two prominent Jewish leaders. “Pope Francis fully respects the foundations of Judaism and always seeks to deepen the bonds of friendship between the two faith traditions,” wrote the cardinal, who…
Former Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has urged fellow politicians to resist the temptation to demonise the huge contribution of Catholic education simply because it has become fashionable to criticise the Church. Mr Flanagan said that citizens owed priests and religious a huge debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment, especially when the State lacked the…
Former president of Ireland Mary McAleese has said that for synodality and the Church to work in the future, it must accept the UN’s ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’. Mrs McAleese was speaking at the ‘Root and Branch Synod’ in Bristol on September 10, which was organised by lay Catholics. Her keynote lecture was titled…
Chai Brady