Catholics in public life, saints and sainthood candidates, figures from US history, military heroes, leaders in science, politicians and athletes were included in a list of dozens of figures President Donald Trump said will be in a new National Garden of American Heroes he created by executive order January 18. The garden “will be built…
NFL quarterback Philip Rivers is set to begin the next stage of his career as the head football coach at St Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. The former Indianapolis Colts star announced his retirement on January 20, the feast day of St Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes. “Every year, January 20 is…
At least four people have now died after an explosion destroyed a parish building in the Spanish capital, Madrid, with a gas leak cited as a possible cause. The victims included a recently ordained Catholic priest who died in hospital early Thursday morning. Fr Rubén Pérez Ayala was ordained to the priesthood last June. His…
Homeless people receive Covid-19 vaccine in the Vatican Pope Francis is working to ensure that poor people who are assisted by Holy See facilities for the homeless be offered the possibility of being vaccinated against Covid-19. A statement released on Wednesday by the Holy See Press Office said that 25 homeless persons were inoculated with…
Nigerian priest abducted for ransom found dead The body of Fr John Gbakaan, a Catholic parish priest in Nigeria, was found dead with machete wounds on January 16, a day after armed men kidnapped him and demanded ransom. Fr Gbakaan, the parish priest of the Saint Anthony Church in Gulu in Minna diocese, was kidnapped…
The Archbishop of Armagh said he is “truly sorry” and asked for the forgiveness of survivors following the publication of the research report on Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland, on Tuesday, 26 January
After President Joe Biden on his first day in office revoked a travel ban from certain Muslim-majority and African countries, leading US bishops praised the move. “We welcome yesterday’s Proclamation, which will help ensure that those fleeing persecution and seeking refuge or seeking to reunify with family in the United States will not be turned…
Senator Rónán Mullen has proposed a national voluntary collection be organised which would allow individuals and families to contribute to a redress package for pregnant women and children who spent time in mother and baby or county homes. Speaking in the Seanad this week about the Report, Senator Mullen said Judge Murphy’s report painted “a…
The Government has “seen reason” and deferred a controversial levy on candles – which had been called “sneaky” and described as “a tax on prayer” – until at least 2022. The Department of Finance had proposed to withdraw a VAT exemption on the white candles used as votive lamps – a huge source of comfort…
Despite calls to scrap the Angelus the Head of Religious Content at RTÉ has said the majority of the public want to keep it, with most of complaints coming from “secular quarters”. Renewed criticism of RTÉ’s daily Angelus broadcasts surfaced after the findings related to mother and baby homes investigation were published on January 12.…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady