A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said that China’s interim deal with the Vatican has been “implemented successfully”. He made the remark days before the provisional agreement signed by the Vatican and China on September 22, 2018, is due to expire. “With the concerted efforts from both sides, the interim agreement on the appointment of…
A senior Vatican official arrived in Belarus for talks after the leader of the country’s Catholic Church was barred from returning to his homeland. Belarusian state media reported on September 11 that Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher was in Belarus for four days of diplomatic talks a month after the country’s disputed presidential election triggered widespread protests. The…
The Church will not grow through fresh strategies alone, but only when priests underline the importance of God’s love for everyone, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has insisted. Speaking in Dublin’s pro-cathedral on Tuesday during the ordination to the priesthood of Fr Frank Drescher, Dr Martin insisted that the Church must change to meet the needs of…
Only a small minority of British Catholics said they would not return to worship in church when the coronavirus pandemic is fully over, according to a new survey. Just 4% of people interviewed in the study, conducted between May 19 and July 26, said they would abandon going to church when restrictions are finally lifted.…
The Archdiocese of Dublin, along with many other dioceses, brought their yearly Lourdes pilgrimage online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Those remembered in their first ‘Virtual Pilgrimage to Lourdes’, which took place last week, were people who lost their lives since the pandemic began, those who are ill, and frontline workers. It’s the second time…
When Jimmy Macdonald found himself floundering in the waters of Lake George in New York next to his tipped kayak, he thought he might die. He had been enjoying an August day on the lake with his family, meditating and taking pictures. He kept his lifejacket in the boat – he didn’t think he would…
The Synod of the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has recommended setting up crematoriums in dioceses amid the worsening Covid-19 pandemic. “Though burying the dead bodies is the practice in the Church, the (Eastern-rite) canon law permits cremation in times of pandemic,” said a statement from Cardinal George Alencherry, major archbishop of the Church.…
The fight against poverty and social inequalities, as well as harsh criticism of President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic dictated this year’s Cry of the Excluded protests. Despite the ongoing pandemic, several cities had live demonstrations to mark the annual event, sponsored by the Brazilian bishops’ conference. “We are in difficult times. The…
A number TDs have said proposers of the ‘Dying with Dignity Bill’ are “profoundly unaware of the overwhelmingly negative impact” of euthanasia laws. The bill, proposed by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, seeks to legalise the practice of assisted suicide in Ireland. Independent TD Carol told The Irish Catholic that the bill is “manipulative” and provides…
Two missionary sisters captured by rebels in northern Mozambique were released unharmed after 24 days, according to their congregation, the Sisters of St Joseph of Chambery. Sr Maria Inez Leite Ramos and Sr Eliane Costa Santana, both originally from Brazil, were reported missing on August 11 after rebels claiming to belong to the Islamic State…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones