An influential umbrella organisation for bishops across the European Union has warned that restrictions on public Masses and other ceremonies are a risk to religious freedom. In a statement the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) has that basic freedom is at stake in the continent’s battle with the coronavirus. Fr…
The Vatican’s decision to allow the Sisters of Charity to gift lands to the State worth €200m for the new National Maternity Hospital has been dubbed “just wrong” as abortion will take place there. Moral theologians previously urged Rome to block the handover. Following the order’s announcement of the Holy See’s approval to transfer ownership…
Dioceses across Ireland have begun working on their own roadmaps for a return to public Masses. Archbishop Eamon Martin said at the weekend that “our parishes and dioceses have now begun to draw up their plans and ‘roadmaps’ for a return to collective prayer as soon as it is safe to do so. “It has…
Just hours after the publication of a controversial open letter, one of the signatories – the prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments – said he did not sign it. Cardinal Robert Sarah denied signing the letter, titled ‘Appeal for the Church and the World’, which says the coronavirus has been exaggerated…
Forty years on from her historic Eurovision win, Dana Rosemary Scallon has spoken about her Catholic Faith has helped her throughout life particularly during the period in the North known as ‘the Troubles’. During the RTÉ programme Dana – The Original Derry Girl broadcast this week, Mrs Scallon recalled how she felt inspired by her…
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) has urged the Faithful across the country to join a day of prayer to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. Pope Francis accepted a proposal from the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity for May 14 to be a day of prayer, fasting and works of charity to call for divine…
More Irish people are anxious to see a return to public Masses than pubs and restaurants with almost a quarter ranking churches in their top five. Amárach research asked people to rate which ventures or destinations they would like to open first, and whether they would feel comfortable or safe in them in terms of…
A Pakistan Catholic figure says the easing of coronavirus restrictions by the country’s leader is a “risky move”. Despite a record spike of new cases in a single day (1,523), Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan last week announced the lifting of the nationwide lockdown. Fr Saleh Diego, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Karachi, hopes…
Reaching out to school students the Primate of All-Ireland drew from Gospel asking them not to be troubled and “trust in God”. Both A-Levels and the Leaving Cert have been cancelled north and south of the border due to the coronavirus pandemic. Over the weekend, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh in his homily for the…
Marie Le Tran Thuy Vi and her friends are living their Faith through preparing, cooking and packing food at Phu Trung Church to hand out to the poor of Ho Chi Minh City. Vi, 22, and her group with 10 youths hand out 150-175 servings within 45 minutes each night. Recipients include homeless people, lottery…
Chai Brady