The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said last week that “the manipulation of God’s name to justify this and any other war is the gravest sin we can commit in this time.” The cardinal was commenting in response to the words of US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who quoted Psalm 144 during…
Icelandic police have confirmed that they are examining comments made by a Catholic priest about homosexuality that may violate the country’s laws against conversion therapy. The Reykjavik police said they would investigate the remarks made by Fr Jakob Rolland to Icelandic state broadcaster RÚV in early March, to determine whether criminal proceedings should be opened…
Protestant and Catholic clergy are asking a federal judge to order that they be allowed to minister to immigrants in a holding facility at the headquarters of the Trump administration’s enforcement surge in Minnesota. US District Judge Jerry Blackwell will hear from attorneys for Minnesota branches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United…
From The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings: J.R.R. Tolkien’s works have achieved cult status. This year’s International Tolkien Reading Day on 25 March will focus on the “unexpected heroes”. “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit” – this unassuming sentence marked the beginning of a literary success story whose end remains unforeseeable to this day. The…
Irish Jesuit bishop says women are not second class citizens EXCLUSIVE REPORT The bishop of Down and Connor, Alan McGuckian has unequivocally said that he thinks the door to the female diaconate is shut and that his fellow Jesuit Pope Francis should have said so. The bishop made the comments during an interview with…
Cobh Parish, Co. Cork has launched an appeal for the parish community to contribute to the parish priests’ income through their annual collections, as they reported a “significant shortfall in the income from these specific collections.” The appeal, posted to the parish Facebook site on March 14, outlines the current allocation of parish funds, noting…
Former Taoiseach John Bruton’s deep Catholic faith shaped his politics, his intellectual life and his understanding of public service, his widow Finola Bruton told a gathering at Maynooth during an award ceremony honouring his legacy. Speaking at the event, Mrs Bruton reflected on the late statesman’s religious convictions: “For John, his faith was a given,…
Churches in Ireland are being encouraged to reflect on how they welcome migrants and displaced people at a conference organised by Tearfund Ireland this weekend. Emma Lynch of Tearfund Ireland told The Irish Catholic the event aims to bring “lessons… from churches in Lebanon” to an Irish context, particularly as displacement rises globally and tensions…
Faithful in Ireland and abroad have been praying for Irish missionary Sr Briege McKenna, who has been ill. The 80-year-old nun is famous for her miraculous healing at 24 and is associated with the miraculous healing of people. In an announcement on March 15, St Jude the Apostle Cathedral, Florida, US, announced the sister’s health…
John Furlong of Crooke, Co. Waterford was honoured with a Papal Benemerenti medal, presented to him by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan at a special Mass over the weekend. The Papal Benemerenti medal, awarded by Pope Leo, honours laity with exceptional dedication to the Catholic Church and community. Mr Furlong’s contribution to parish life, specifically his service…
Renata Steffens