Churches opened their doors to the Faithful for a “wonderful” return to Mass in Northern Ireland on Friday March 26. Fr Tim Bartlett, administrator of St Mary’s Church, Belfast, said that it was a privilege to hold public Mass for the first time since January. “You could see the smiles on everybody as they were…
Category: News
‘Strong hope’ coroner will vindicate Ballymurphy victims
There is “strong hope” that families of the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre in west Belfast will see their loved ones vindicated as they await the coroner’s findings, according to the parish priest. Fr Paddy McCafferty PP of Corpus Christi, Ballymurphy said there has been 50 years of “anguish” in the lead up to fresh…
Cardinal Woelki refuses to resign following abuse report
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, 64, said he won’t resign following the publication of the report on the handling of clerical sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Cologne. “To simply take the moral responsibility with me and to go to protect the reputation of the office of bishop and of the Church – I think that’s…
Catholic schools body urges Govt to vaccinate staff in special schools
All staff and teachers working in special schools or in special classes attached to mainstream schools must be prioritised for vaccination, say the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA). “It is vital that all staff [in special schools and special classes] are vaccinated to reduce the demand for substitutes, or we will assuredly face the…
Ecuador to host International Eucharistic Congress in 2024
The Vatican announced March 20 that Pope Francis has designated the Archdiocese of Quito in Ecuador the host of the 2024 International Eucharistic Congress. The conference, in its 53rd edition, will also take place during the 150th anniversary of the consecration of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “This great ecclesial meeting will manifest…
US officer killed in mass shooting recalled as ‘man of character’
Officer Eric Talley, an 11-year veteran of the Boulder Police Department, was the first to arrive at the scene of a mass shooting at a King Soopers grocery store the afternoon of March 22 and the first of 10 to be killed. A Catholic, Talley often stopped by St Martin de Porres Church just across…
Vatican Roundup
Pope approves pay cuts for cardinals, top management at Vatican With the need to reduce costs and make sure employees are not laid off, Pope Francis has approved pay cuts for cardinals, clergy, religious and upper management officials who work in the Roman Curia and other Vatican entities. The pay cuts will go into effect…
In Brief
Philippine bishop chides govt over church gatherings ban The Philippine government should have consulted Church leaders before trying to ban religious gatherings, Manila Archdiocese’s apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said March 24. His comment came in a pastoral letter in which he questioned a March 20 government order banning religious gatherings for two weeks to…
Pope: Christ’s cross a beacon of hope in stormy seas
The commemoration of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection during the Easter triduum brings much-needed hope to a world beset by uncertainty, Pope Francis said
Church ministry ‘frayed at the edges’ before pandemic, says bishop
The way the Church ministers was “already fraying at the edges” before the pandemic, said Bishop Denis Nulty
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady







