Internet star Bishop Robert Barron this week delivered a homily in support of St Junipero Serra, an 18th-Century Franciscan missionary whose legacy has drawn renewed scrutiny in recent months from some who consider him a symbol of an oppressive colonial system. “We are gathered here today in defence of the statue,” Bishop Barron said in…
A Traveller family’s claim of discrimination against the former Bishop of Galway regarding how they were treated at a Communion Mass has been dismissed by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The family, including six children, said they were harassed at the ceremony and that the women were excluded from the Mass based on a dress…
The demand for Eucharistic breads has collapsed since the Covid-19 pandemic forced the country into lockdown leading to a precarious financial situation for the nuns who rely on this income. Since March, the country has experienced varying levels of restriction, with Masses being curtailed from late March to late June. While many churches remained open…
Scotland has reported its second-highest annual abortion figure on record. Public Health Scotland announced on August 25 that 13,583 abortions were performed in 2019, with a termination rate of 13.2 per 1,000 women aged between 15 and 44. Last year’s figure is the highest since 2008 and represents an increase of 297 from 2018 when…
Focus Ireland have called for a reintroduction of eviction bans and rent freezes due to recent Covid-19 restrictions as new figures show an increase in homelessness from 8699 in June to 8728 in July. The charity warned of a potential bigger increase in the coming months. Pat Dennigan, Focus Ireland CEO, said: “As children across…
The Missionaries of Charity cancelled their customary birthday celebrations for their founder, Mother Teresa, this year after nine religious sisters tested positive for Covid-19. Wednesday marked the 110th birthday of Saint Mother Teresa, who died in 1997. Among other celebrations, the Motherhouse of the Missionaries of Charity, which houses the saint’s tomb, was forced to…
More bishops are pleading with their governments to give priority to ethically developed coronavirus vaccines, but many also are telling Catholics that not getting vaccinated is a more serious moral problem than using the problematic vaccines. Australia is among many governments trying to secure access to a Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford…
While orders for Eucharistic breads dried up, the nuns of Glencairn found themselves helping parishes in a new way by fielding calls from “lonely and isolated” priests who “miss their flock”. Normally tending to the bread production at St Mary’s Abbey, Sr Fiachra found herself providing much-needed conversation to priests who had been deprived of…
John Paul I Foundation names scientific committee The newly-formed Vatican John Paul I Foundation released a statement on Wednesday which states that on the 42nd anniversary of Pope John Paul I’s pontificate, they are pleased to communicate the members of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee. These persons were appointed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State…
Argentine bishop warns priests to distribute Holy Communion in the hand The Bishop of San Rafael, Argentina, warned last week that he will impose canonical sanctions on priests who distribute Communion on the tongue during the coronavirus pandemic, in defiance of a diocesan directive permitting the distribution of Communion only in the hand. Bishop Eduardo…
Chai Brady