Congolese bishops are expressing solidarity with Denis Mukwege, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynecologist who has received death threats over his continued call for justice and accountability over war crimes. The doctor – who shared the 2018 prize with victims of sexual violence in Congo – has been repairing women torn apart by rape in the…
An advocacy group for Christians and other religious minorities living in the Middle East this week praised an agreement between Israel and Bahrain, which comes on the heels of a similar agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. “While there are many contentious issues left to be discussed in the Middle East Peace Process…
Euthanasia legislation is headed for the Spanish Senate and, if passed, would be a defeat for human dignity and would affirm a self-centred view of life that proposes death as a solution to one’s problems, the Spanish bishops’ conference said. “To insist on ‘the right to euthanasia’ is typical of an individualistic and reductionist vision…
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has announced the election of long-time member Rose McGowan as its new National President. Ms McGowan succeeds Kieran Stafford, whose three-year term ended on August 31. From Dublin, Ms McGowan has been a member of the SVP from her schooldays, when she began visiting with the Society in…
In the second known instance in the United States, a man who believed himself to be a validly baptised Catholic and ordained priest had to “re-receive” all of his sacraments, including ordination, after discovering that his baptism was invalid. Fr Zachary Boazman, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, thought he was validly ordained…
Pope prays for slain Italian priest remembered as a ‘martyr of charity’ Pope Francis expressed his sorrow after the murder of an Italian priest who was remembered for his care and concern for migrants and refugees. Before concluding his weekly general audience on September 16, the Pope led the Faithful in silent prayer for Father…
A Zoom conference with well-known speakers has been organised for the month of October entitled ‘Evangelising Irish Culture Today’. It is being organised by ‘The Hook of Faith’. In a letter about the event Wexford-based Fr Billy Swan said: “Pope Francis said that ‘it is imperative to evangelise cultures in order to enculturate the Gospel.…
Cologne cardinal warns German Church’s Synodal Path could cause schism Cologne Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki warned that the Synodal Path reform project could lead to a “German national church. The worst outcome would be if the Synodal Path leads to a schism…with the universal Church,” Cardinal Woelki told Germany’s Catholic News Agency, KNA. The Catholic…
Public Masses, Confirmations and First Communions have been cancelled in Dublin for three weeks after the Government’s new guidelines were announced this evening. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin sent an “urgent notice” to parishes in the Archdiocese of Dublin this morning (Friday), presupposing the Government’s announcement as he said the outcome “seems likely”. The restrictions will see…
EXCLUSIVE New research which reveals that one in five previously Mass-going Catholics may not return after the pandemic has been described as a “wake-up call”. While just four percent of people surveyed said they had no intention of returning to Mass, a further 19% of people who went to Mass regularly before restrictions indicated that…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady