An anti-Catholic video targeting the election campaign of a potential successor to Angela Merkel has drawn criticism from bishops and politicians in Germany amid growing concerns about a wider erosion of religious freedom in an increasingly secular Europe. The video was published online and shown at an election event of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in early…
Category: News
Cardinal injured and priest dead after earthquake in Haiti
Cardinal Chibly Langlois, Bishop of Les Cayes and president of Haiti’s Bishops’ Conference, has been injured, while a Catholic priest died early in the morning of August 14 after a 7.2 intensity earthquake shook Haiti. Speaking to ACI Prensa, Akim Kikonda, Director for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Haiti, said that Cardinal Langlois “is hurt,…
Vatican Roundup
Inventors of CRISPR gene editing appointed to Pontifical Academy of Sciences Pope Francis has appointed the co-inventors of the CRISPR genome editing technology to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, who discovered CRISPR fewer than ten years ago, were appointed to the Vatican’s scientific academy consecutively August 10-11. Their discovery sparked…
In brief
Lima archbishop proposes replacing priests with laity as pastors The Archbishop of Lima last month presented his proposal to replace priests with lay people in parishes in the Peruvian capital. Archbishop Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio said during a July 21 conference that he is asking the Vatican for permission for lay persons to be given…
God’s law meant to bring freedom, not lifelong ‘servitude’, Pope says
The purpose of the law in Christian life is not to forcibly subjugate others, but to teach men and women the way to obtain true freedom in Christ, Pope says
Call for parishes to lead the way on ‘red alert’ climate crisis
Parishes across Ireland can “lead the way” in tackling the climate emergency with Catholic activists pleading for the same energy that went into fighting Covid-19 to tackle the crisis facing the planet. It comes as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned this week that without urgent action to tackle dangerous gases, every country…
Bishops to proceed with sacraments undeterred by renewed Govt advice
Bishops are to continue with First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies this month despite the Government renewing an appeal that the ceremonies be delayed. It was revealed last week that bishops in Waterford & Lismore, Elphin, Raphoe, and Killaloe had given priests the green light to proceed with Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies if they…
Preaching to remain top priority for new Dominican head
The new provincial of the Irish Dominicans has said that Catholics cannot fully live their faith without the Mass and other sacraments. Fr John Harris OP was speaking to The Irish Catholic upon his election as prior provincial at the weekend and appealed for Catholics who have been away from the sacraments during the pandemic…
Govt commitment to ‘safe access zones’ dubbed farcical
The Government’s continued commitment to introduce ‘safe access zones’ around abortion clinics has been described as “farcical” by a Laois-Offaly TD. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Carol Nolan TD accused the Minister for Health of being “openly terrified of the pro-choice lobby” over the issue. Minister Stephen Donnelly said he was “fully committed” to introducing…
‘No greater love’ – heroic priest warmly remembered as man of openness and humour
A heroic Cork priest who died after reportedly saving a woman by pushing her out of the way of a bus which lost control has been remembered for “his openness to all people”, with tributes continuing to be paid following his funeral on Saturday. Fr Con Cronin (72), a Kiltegan missionary and curate in the…




Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady



