University students gathered on February 7 in the Hotel Riu Plaza, The Gresham in Dublin, for the 2026 Catholic Inter-varsity Ball, organised by Trinity College Laurentian Society. The event, which is in its third year, was attended by 107 young people. The evening started with Mass in St Saviour’s Church, followed by dinner and a…
Category: News
Bishop Nulty warns of fewer Masses and rise of lay-led liturgies in Kildare and Leighlin
The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin has warned the faithful “not to be under any illusion” about the scale of change facing parish life, signalling that fewer Masses and an increase in lay-led liturgies will become a defining feature of the diocese in the years ahead. In a pastoral letter issued in February, Bishop Denis…
Building relationships with the Church is essential to child protection, says CEO
After a recent meeting with Pope Leo, the CEO of support service and charity for sexual abuse survivors One in Four Ireland has called for a dialogue with the Church on how to better protect children in online spaces. Deirdre Kenny, who has worked with the charity for nearly 20 years, recently traveled to Rome…
New York’s incoming archbishop will focus on evangelising and reengagement
The incoming archbishop of New York said on February 5 that he plans to emphasise the importance of evangelising as he takes charge of one of the biggest US archdioceses. “How do we actually be disciples, who do we make disciples?” Archbishop Ronald Hicks said during a news conference at St Patrick’s Cathedral, where his…
Following the last meeting of the Synodal Path, Bishop Stefan Oster rejects key reform demands
Passau Bishop Stefan Oster rejects key reform demands of the Synodal Path and the planned monitoring of their implementation. In his opinion, implementing the decisions would accelerate the disintegration of the Church in Germany, the bishop wrote in a blog post on February 4. Therefore, he cannot and will not go along with “essential ‘reform…
Over 300 choir members combine for Cathedral liturgy and learning
More than 300 people from parishes across the Diocese of Cork and Ross gathered in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne for a Songs of Praise celebration highlighting the role of music in prayer and worship. Choir directors, musicians, cantors and singers joined members of the wider faith community for an afternoon of…
A long-suppressed issue: Jesuit Hans Zollner sees initial successes in the fight against abuse of nuns
Jesuit and abuse expert Hans Zollner sees the sexual abuse of nuns as “a burning issue.” At a press conference held by the Catholic charity Missio Aachen on Friday, Zollner said that, unlike ten years ago, the issue can now be discussed openly in many countries. Missio has contributed to ensuring that today, the discussion…
National Council Of Churches in India approaches Supreme Court to challenge anti-conversion laws
Anti-conversion laws in twelve states in India are being challenged by the National Council of Churches of India, which has filed a writ petition challenging the constitutionality of such legislation in the Supreme Court. Hindu nationalists often accuse Christians of using force and surreptitious tactics in pursuing conversions, often storming into villages and leading “reconversion”…
Experts warn that organ donation could help drive high assisted suicide rates in Canada
Advocates and civic officials are warning of the high numbers of donated organs from assisted suicide victims in Canada, arguing that organ donation programs for suicidal individuals could lead to additional pressure for such patients to decide to end their lives by assisted suicide. Data have shown consistently high numbers of organ donations in Canada…
Irish Bishops launch Vocations Monstrance blessed by Pope Leo
Irish bishops formally launched a new monstrance at a special prayer gathering at the International Eucharistic and Marian shrine in Knock, Co. Mayo. Following the recent launch, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore, who chairs the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, highlighted the central role of prayer in nurturing vocations: “The Holy Father Pope Leo…

Renata Steffens








