Bishops address concern over Johnson & Johnson vaccine’s abortion link Use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine, approved February 27 by the US Food and Drug Administration, raises moral concerns because it “was developed, tested and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines”, the chairmen of two US bishops’ committees said March 2. The bishops…
The Church in Ireland is to hold a national synod within the next five years to – amongst other things – hear the voices of people who have left the Church. According to a communique issued following this week’s general assembly of the Irish bishops’ conference the Church leaders believe: “A synodal pathway leading to…
Despite years of suffering due to war and terrorism, the people of Iraq continue to look to the future with hope, Pope Francis said
The Catholic bishops have hit out at Taoiseach Micheál Martin for not responding to a request to permit Mass for Easter almost three weeks after a meeting to discuss the vital issue. In their strongest intervention yet on public worship, the Church leaders insisted on Tuesday that ongoing restrictions banning people attending Mass would be…
by Cindy Wooden Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death. But visiting Mosul and Qaraqosh in northern Iraq on Sunday, he also urged the Christians to live up to their faith and honour the…
by Cindy Wooden Travelling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters. From a stage set on a dusty hill overlooking the archaeological dig at Ur, Abraham’s birthplace about ten miles from modern-day Nasiriyah,…
A recently published pamphlet with a revised version of St Patrick’s Confession has already seen 5,000 copies distributed in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day. St Patrick’s Testimony Pamphlet has been described as “beautifully attractive” and “concise and truthful”. In autumn Evangelical Catholic Initiative partnered with Wild Goose Publishing, a Pentecostal ministry based in Bray,…
Visiting a Baghdad cathedral “hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters” murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith and a commitment to working for the common good. The Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance, sometimes referred to as Our Lady of…
For the second time, the Shroud of Turin will be exposed for veneration on social media and websites on Holy Saturday, the archbishop of Turin has announced. The Shroud, which bears the image of a crucified man and has been venerated for centuries as Christ’s burial cloth, will be displayed via live stream on April…
The Minister for Mental Health has warned about the negative consequences of prolonged restrictions on Mass and other religious ceremonies. Minister Mary Butler told The Irish Catholic that she is “positive and hopeful for a re-opening of churches [for liturgy] soon.” “I’ve discussed how important Mass is for the older generation with the Taoiseach…I’m very,…
Michael Kelly
Ruadhán Jones